Integrated switch and motor vehicle comprising the same

Abstract

The utility model provides an integrated switch and a motor vehicle comprising the same. The integrated switch comprises: a housing (20); the control circuit (30, 30 ') is arranged in the shell (20); an operation panel (10, 10 ') operably connected to the housing (20) so as to be displaceable relative to the housing (20), in which the control circuit (30, 30') comprises a plurality of touch detection elements (32) provided respectively corresponding to a plurality of operation areas (11) of the operation panel (10, 10 '), in which when the operation areas (11) of the operation panel (10, 10') are touched, the operation panel (10, 10 ') is configured to detect the touch of the operation panel (10, 10'). The displacement of the control circuit (30, 30 ') relative to the housing (20) triggers the control circuit (30, 30') to generate a control signal corresponding to the touched operating area (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to integrated switch and including the integrated switch's motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The motor vehicle has a mirror adjustment switch for adjusting a rearview mirror. The mirror adjustment switch can include a housing, buttons for selecting a left rearview mirror and a right rearview mirror, an operation knob for rotating the rearview mirror in four directions of up, down, left and right, a button for one-key folding the rearview mirror, etc.

[0003] The buttons of the conventional mirror adjustment switch are respectively and independently formed and then installed to the housing of the mirror adjustment switch, and protrude above the surface of the housing, so the conventional mirror adjustment switch is not beautiful. Moreover, there are obvious gaps between the buttons and the housing, and water and dust are easy to enter the housing of the mirror adjustment switch through the gaps, thereby possibly causing the failure of the mirror adjustment switch. In addition, when a user unintentionally touches or presses the surface of the mirror adjustment switch, the phenomenon of the rearview mirror being controlled by mistake due to the mistaken touch can occur.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to propose an integrated switch capable of solving at least one of these problems. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems and needs, the present disclosure proposes an integrated switch and a motor vehicle including the same, which solves at least one of the above-mentioned problems and brings other technical effects due to the adoption of the following technical features.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an integrated switch, comprising: a housing; a control circuit provided in the housing; an operation panel operatively connected to the housing to be displaceable relative to the housing, wherein the control circuit comprises a plurality of touch detection elements respectively provided corresponding to a plurality of operation regions of the operation panel, wherein when the operation region of the operation panel is touched, the displacement of the operation panel relative to the housing triggers the control circuit to generate a control signal corresponding to the touched operation region.

[0007] According to a preferred scheme, the outer operation surface of the operation panel is integral, continuous and seamless.

[0008] According to a preferred scheme, the housing comprises a bottom cover and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the bottom cover and forming an annular shape to define an accommodation space inside the housing, and the top of the housing is open.

[0009] According to a preferred scheme, the plurality of touch detection elements are provided on the inner side of the operation panel and adjacent to the operation panel.

[0010] According to a preferred arrangement, the control circuit comprises a trigger switch, and the displacement of the operation panel relative to the housing triggers the trigger switch.

[0011] According to a preferred arrangement, the control circuit is configured to generate the control signal when the operation area is touched and the trigger switch is also triggered.

[0012] According to a preferred arrangement, an operation lever extends from an inner surface of the operation panel towards the trigger switch, and when the operation panel is displaced relative to the housing, the operation lever actuates the trigger switch.

[0013] According to a preferred arrangement, the trigger switch is elastically deformed due to the pressure applied by the operation lever to provide tactile feedback and provide a restoring force to return the operation panel to the initial position when the touch on the operation area is removed.

[0014] According to a preferred arrangement, the control circuit further comprises a plurality of light emitting devices corresponding to the plurality of operation areas respectively, and when the operation area is touched, the light emitting device corresponding to the touched operation area is configured to emit light to illuminate the touched operation area.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a motor vehicle comprising a rearview mirror and the integrated switch described above, wherein the integrated switch is configured to control the rearview mirror.

[0016] The most preferred embodiments implementing the present disclosure will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features and advantages of the present disclosure can be easily understood. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly introduced hereinafter. Among them, the drawings only serve to show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and not to limit all embodiments of the present disclosure to this.

[0018] Figure 1 is a view showing an integrated switch according to an embodiment when viewed from the side top;

[0019] Figure 2 is a view showing an integrated switch according to an embodiment when viewed from the side bottom;

[0020] Figure 3 is a view showing a control circuit and a bottom cover according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 is a view showing an operation panel according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5Fig. 6 is a view showing a control circuit according to another embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 Fig. 7 is a view showing an operation panel according to another embodiment;

[0024] Figure 7 Fig. 8 is a view showing a bottom of an integrated switch according to an embodiment.

[0025] List of reference numerals

[0026] 10, 10' operation panel

[0027] 11 operation area

[0028] 11a turning operation area

[0029] 11b selection operation area

[0030] 11c folding operation area

[0031] 12 light area

[0032] 15 panel portion

[0033] 16 extension portion

[0034] 16a guide rib

[0035] 18 operation lever

[0036] 20 housing

[0037] 21 side wall

[0038] 25 bottom cover

[0039] 28 opening

[0040] 30, 30' control circuit

[0041] 31 circuit board

[0042] 32 touch detection element

[0043] 32a top portion

[0044] 32b middle portion

[0045] 32c bottom portion

[0046] 32d opening portion

[0047] 35 trigger switch

[0048] 36 light emitting device

[0049] 37 light guide member

[0050] 38 fastener

[0051] 39 interface member

[0052] 100 integrated switch DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the technical solutions of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference signs in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0054] Compared with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the feasible implementation solutions within the protection scope of the present disclosure can have fewer components, other components not shown in the drawings, different components, differently arranged components or differently connected components, etc. In addition, two or more components in the drawings can be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings can be implemented as a plurality of separate components.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, technical terms or scientific terms used herein should be understood as having the common meaning in the field of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill. The use of "first", "second" and similar words in the specification and claims of the present disclosure does not indicate any order, number or importance, but is only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "one" or "a" and similar words do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. "Include" or "contain" and similar words mean that the elements or objects before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Connected" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships, which can change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0056] The present disclosure aims to achieve at least one of the following purposes by providing an integrated switch for adjusting a rearview mirror: integrating multiple operation areas in one operation panel; providing a simple and beautiful appearance; the outer operation surface of the operation panel is a continuous and seamless whole, preventing water or dust from entering the housing; preventing false control signals due to user's false touch; providing tactile feedback to the user; providing light effects.

[0057] The integrated switch according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below in combination with the drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 is a view illustrating an integrated switch according to an embodiment when viewed from the side top. Figure 2 is a view illustrating an integrated switch according to an embodiment when viewed from the side bottom.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an integrated switch 100 according to an embodiment can include an operation panel 10, a housing 20, and a control circuit 30 (see Figure 3 ) located inside the housing 20. The integrated switch 100 can have a substantially square box shape, and four corners of the box shape can be rounded. The shape of the integrated switch 100 is not limited thereto, and can have various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc.

[0060] The housing 20 can include a bottom cover 25 and a plurality of side walls 21 extending upward from the bottom cover 25. The plurality of side walls 21 can be connected to each other to form a closed ring, thereby defining an accommodation space inside the housing 20 together with the bottom cover 25. The top of the housing 20 can be open.

[0061] The bottom cover 25 can be fixed to the plurality of side walls 21 by snap engagement, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the bottom cover 25 can be fixed to the plurality of side walls 21 by various coupling methods. A plurality of protrusions can be formed on the outer surface of the plurality of side walls 21, so that the integrated switch 100 can be installed in a proper installation position by snap engagement. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the integrated switch 100 can also be installed in other ways.

[0062] The operation panel 10 can be operatively connected to the housing 20 (e.g., the top of the housing 20) to be displaceable with respect to the housing 20. For example, when the operation panel 10 is touched by a user, the operation panel 10 can be displaced downward, e.g., by a predetermined distance, with respect to the housing 20. The predetermined distance can be, for example, a distance of several millimeters. The operation panel 10 can be operatively connected to the housing 20, e.g., by a spring. The outer edge of the operation panel 10 can be spaced apart from the top of the housing 20 (i.e., the top end of the side walls 21) by a predetermined distance to provide a space in which the operation panel 10 can be displaced downward. In addition, the top of the housing 20 (i.e., the top end of the side walls 21) can function to define the maximum stroke of the operation panel 10.

[0063] A plurality of operation areas 11 can be defined at an outer operation surface (i.e., an upper surface of the operation panel 10) of the operation panel 10. The plurality of operation areas 11 can include four rotation operation areas 11a for rotating the rearview mirrors in four directions of up, down, left, and right, respectively, two selection operation areas 11b for selecting the left and right rearview mirrors, respectively, and a folding operation area 11c for one-touch folding of the left and right rearview mirrors. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the operation panel 10 can have more or less operation areas, and the plurality of operation areas 11 can further include operation areas having other functions. In addition, the outer operation surface of the operation panel 10 further defines two light areas 12 disposed adjacent to the two selection operation areas 11b, respectively. For example, after a user selects one of the left and right rearview mirrors by touching or pressing the selection operation area 11b, the light area 12 disposed adjacent to the touched or pressed selection operation area 11b can emit light of a specific color or blink to remind the user that the selection operation area 11b (i.e., the corresponding rearview mirror) has been selected.

[0064] The outer operation surface of the operation panel 10 can be one-piece, continuous, and seamless. That is, the plurality of operation areas 11 are integrally formed on the outer operation surface of the operation panel 10 without any gap between the plurality of operation areas 11 and the remaining portion of the outer operation surface, thereby avoiding the problem of water or dust entering the housing through the gap between the respective buttons and the housing, which exists in a conventional adjustment switch.

[0065] The portion of the outer operation surface of the operation panel 10 other than the plurality of operation areas 11 does not have a touch function. That is, even if a user touches the portion of the outer operation surface of the operation panel 10 other than the plurality of operation areas 11 and the operation panel 10 is displaced downward, the control circuit 30 can recognize that the user does not touch the plurality of operation areas 11, and thus any control signal corresponding to the operation areas 11 is not generated. Accordingly, the integrated switch 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a function of preventing a false touch.

[0066] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a control circuit and a bottom cover according to an embodiment. Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an operation panel according to an embodiment.

[0067] The control circuit 30 can be disposed inside the housing 20. For example, the control circuit 30 can be disposed in the accommodation space of the housing 20. The control circuit 30 can include a circuit board 31 and a plurality of touch detection elements 32 mounted on the circuit board 31.

[0068] According to some embodiments, the operation panel 10 can include a panel portion 15 and an extension portion 16 extending downward from a vicinity of an outer edge of the panel portion 15 by a predetermined length. According to some embodiments, at least one guide rib 16a can protrude inward from the extension portion 16, and the housing 20 can be internally formed with a guide groove (not shown) that cooperates with the guide rib 16a, thereby guiding downward displacement of the operation panel 10 relative to the housing 20.

[0069] The circuit board 31 can be a printed circuit board (PCB) or a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The circuit board 31 can have a shape similar to a planar shape of the internal space of the housing 20, thereby being disposed in the accommodation space of the housing 20. The circuit board 31 can be supported by the bottom cover 25 of the housing 20.

[0070] The plurality of touch detection elements 32 can be mounted on the circuit board 31 and respectively correspond to the plurality of operation regions 11 of the operation panel 10. The number of the plurality of touch detection elements 32 can correspond to the number of the plurality of operation regions 11. The plurality of touch detection elements 32 can be disposed at positions respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation regions 11. The plurality of touch detection elements 32 can extend upward from an upper surface of the circuit board 31 to positions adjacent to a lower surface of the panel portion 15 of the operation panel 10. The plurality of touch detection elements 32 can be disposed at an inner side of the operation panel 10 and adjacent to the operation panel 10.

[0071] According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of touch detection elements 32 can have a zigzag shape. Specifically, each touch detection element 32 can include a top portion 32a, an intermediate portion 32b, and a bottom portion 32c. The top portion 32a and the bottom portion 32c can be located at both ends of the intermediate portion 32b and extend in two directions opposite to each other, respectively. The intermediate portion 32b can extend perpendicularly from the bottom portion 32c to the top portion 32a. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the touch detection element 32 can have other suitable shapes. According to other embodiments, the top portion 32a and the bottom portion 32c can extend in the same direction from both ends of the intermediate portion 32b, or in different directions at an angle to each other; the intermediate portion 32b can have a curved or inclined shape; the touch detection element 32 can have a column shape.

[0072] One end (i.e., the bottom portion 32c) of the touch detection element 32 can be fixed to the circuit board 31, for example, by a fastener 38 such as a screw. Although the touch detection element 32 is shown as being fixed to the circuit board 31 by a screw in Figure 3 However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the touch detection element 32 can be fixed to the circuit board 31 by various fastening means, for example, by snap engagement, adhesion, crimping, etc. In Figure 3In this case, the fastener 38 can be installed from below the circuit board 31, and the fastener 38 can first pass through a hole of the circuit board 31 and then pass through the bottom 32c of the touch detection element 32 to fix the touch detection element 32. According to other embodiments, the fastener 38 can also be installed downward from above the circuit board 31 to fix the touch detection element 32. The top 32a of the touch detection element 32 can be located directly below the corresponding operation area 11, so that when the operation panel 10 is displaced downward, the corresponding operation area 11 can contact the top 32a of the touch detection element 32.

[0073] The plurality of touch detection elements 32 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 31. Each of the plurality of touch detection elements 32 can be a conductor that is electrically conductive, for example, can be made of metal. When a user touches an operation area 11 of the operation panel 10, the operation panel 10 is displaced downward relative to the housing 20 so that the touched operation area 11 contacts the touch detection element 32 located therebelow, which will cause a change in capacitance, resistance, potential, or other physical quantity, and the control circuit 30 (more specifically, the circuit board 31) can detect this change to identify which operation area 11 is being touched by the user.

[0074] According to some embodiments, a plurality of light emitting devices 36 can be further installed on the circuit board 31 and respectively at positions corresponding to the plurality of operation areas 11 and the light area 12. The top 32a of the touch detection element 32 can be formed with an opening portion 32d, which can overlap the corresponding light emitting device 36 in the vertical direction, so that the light emitted from the light emitting device 36 can pass through the opening portion 32d to illuminate the corresponding operation area 11. The plurality of operation areas 11 can be transparent or translucent, so that the light emitted by the light emitting device 36 can be seen by the user.

[0075] According to other embodiments, the light emitting device 36 corresponding to the plurality of operation areas 11 can not be installed on the circuit board 31 but at other positions, for example, can be installed on the top 32a of the touch detection element 32 so as to be more adjacent to the corresponding operation area 11, in which case the top 32a of the touch detection element 32 can not be formed with the opening portion 32d, and a line for supplying power to the light emitting device 36 needs to be provided along the touch detection element 32.

[0076] According to other embodiments, a light guide 37 can be provided between the light area 12 and the corresponding light emitting device 36 to guide the light emitted from the light emitting device 36 toward the light area 12. According to other embodiments, the light guide 37 can change the color of the light emitted by the light emitting device 36, so that the color of the light emitted by the light area 12 can be different from the color of the light emitted through the operation area 11.

[0077] Figure 5A view of a control circuit according to another embodiment is shown. Figure 6 A view of the operation panel according to another embodiment is shown.

[0078] Figure 5 The control circuit 30' can have the same as Figure 3 The control circuit 30 has a basically the same configuration, the difference being... Figure 5 The control circuit 30' also includes a trigger switch 35 mounted on the circuit board 31. Figure 6 The operation panel 10' can have the same Figure 4 The control panel of the 10 is basically the same as the configuration, the difference is that Figure 6 The control panel 10' also includes a joystick 18.

[0079] The displacement of the operation panel 10' relative to the housing 20 can trigger the trigger switch 35. When the operation panel 10' is displaced relative to the housing 20 by a predetermined distance, the trigger switch 35 can be triggered by the operating lever 18. The operating lever 18 can be connected to the inner surface of the operation panel 10'. The operating lever 18 can extend from the inner surface of the operation panel 10' toward the trigger switch 35. When the operation panel 10' is displaced relative to the housing 20, the operating lever 18 can actuate the trigger switch 35. More specifically, when the operation panel 10' moves downward relative to the housing 20, the operating lever 18 moves downward along with the operation panel 10' and applies pressure to the trigger switch 35. When the applied pressure reaches the threshold of the trigger switch 35, the trigger switch 35 can be triggered.

[0080] The control circuit 30' can be configured to generate a control signal corresponding to the touched operating area 11 only when both the operating area 11 and the trigger switch 35 are triggered. That is, if only the operating area 11 is touched but the trigger switch 35 is not triggered, the control circuit 30' does not generate a control signal corresponding to the touched operating area 11; it only generates the control signal when both conditions are met. This configuration further prevents accidental operation of the rearview mirror due to user error.

[0081] Furthermore, the trigger switch 35 can elastically deform under pressure applied by the operating lever 18, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user. When a touch or press on the operating area 11 is removed, the trigger switch 35 can provide a restoring force to return the operating panel 10 to its initial position via the operating lever 18.

[0082] Figure 5 and Figure 6The operating lever 18 and the trigger switch 35 are shown to be disposed at the center of the four rotary operation regions 11a or the four touch detection elements 32 corresponding thereto, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the operating lever 18 and the trigger switch 35 can be disposed at other positions corresponding to each other.

[0083] Figure 7 is a view showing the bottom of the integrated switch according to an embodiment.

[0084] The bottom cover 25 can be disposed at the bottom of the side wall 21 by snap engagement. When the interface member 39 is formed on the bottom surface of the circuit board 31, the bottom cover 25 can be formed with an opening 28 therein to expose the interface member 39. An external cable can be connected to the interface member 39 through the opening 28, and the circuit board 31 can be electrically connected to the outside through the interface member 39 to receive power from the outside and transmit a control signal of the control circuit 30 to the outside. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. When the interface member 39 is formed at a position adjacent to the side wall 21 of the housing 20, an opening can be formed in the side wall 21 of the housing 20 to expose the interface member 39.

[0085] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle can include a rearview mirror and an integrated switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be configured to control the rearview mirror. The integrated switch 100 can be electrically connected to the rearview mirror to control it. The rearview mirror can have two drive motors, one for driving the rearview mirror to rotate in the up-down direction and the other for driving the rearview mirror to rotate in the left-right direction. The integrated switch 100 can be electrically connected to the drive motors of the rearview mirror through a cable to control the drive motors, for example, by changing the direction and magnitude of the current of the drive motors, the rotational direction and speed of the drive motors can be controlled, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the rearview mirror.

[0086] The integrated switch 100 can be installed on a door of a motor vehicle, for example, near a functional key area of a car window, an in-door handle, or a door storage compartment periphery, but is not limited thereto, and the integrated switch 100 can be installed at any suitable position of a motor vehicle.

[0087] The exemplary embodiments of the scheme proposed by the present disclosure are described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments, however, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the above specific embodiments without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, and various technical features and structures proposed by the present disclosure can be combined without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An integrated switch, characterized by Comprising: a housing (20); a control circuit (30, 30') disposed within the housing (20); and an operation panel (10, 10') operatively connected to the housing (20) to be displaceable relative to the housing (20), wherein the control circuit (30, 30') comprises a plurality of touch detection elements (32) disposed corresponding to a plurality of operation areas (11) of the operation panel (10, 10') respectively, wherein displacement of the operation panel (10, 10') relative to the housing (20) triggers the control circuit (30, 30') to generate a control signal corresponding to the operation area (11) being touched when the operation area (11) of the operation panel (10, 10') is touched.

2. The integrated switch according to claim 1, wherein an outer operation surface of the operation panel (10, 10') is integral, continuous and seamless.

3. The integrated switch according to claim 1, wherein the housing (20) comprises a bottom cover (25) and a plurality of side walls (21) extending upwardly from the bottom cover (25) and forming an annular shape to define an accommodation space inside the housing (20), a top of the housing (20) being open.

4. The integrated switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of touch detection elements (32) are disposed on an inner side of the operation panel (10, 10') and adjacent to the operation panel (10, 10').

5. The integrated switch according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit (30') comprises a trigger switch (35), the displacement of the operation panel (10') relative to the housing (20) triggers the trigger switch (35).

6. The integrated switch according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit (30') is configured to generate the control signal when the operation area (11) is touched and the trigger switch (35) is also triggered.

7. The integrated switch according to claim 5, wherein an operation lever (18) extends from an inner surface of the operation panel (10') towards the trigger switch (35), and the operation lever (18) actuates the trigger switch (35) when the operation panel (10') is displaced relative to the housing (20).

8. The integrated switch according to claim 7, wherein the trigger switch (35) is elastically deformed due to pressure applied by the operation lever (18) to provide a tactile feedback and a restoring force when the touch on the operation area (11) is removed to return the operation panel (10') to an initial position.

9. The integrated switch according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit (30, 30') further comprises a plurality of light emitting devices (36) corresponding to the plurality of operation areas (11) respectively, the light emitting device (36) corresponding to the operation area (11) being touched is configured to emit light to illuminate the operation area (11) being touched when the operation area (11) is touched. ​ 10. A motor vehicle characterised in that, Comprising: a rearview mirror; and The integrated switch according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the integrated switch is configured to control the rearview mirror.

Images