Device control switch / push-button switch for a switch panel assembly and vehicles with corresponding switches

Abstract

Device control switch (12) for a switchboard assembly (10), comprising: a switch base (20) mounted on the switchboard assembly (10); a switch button (22) pivotally mounted on the switch base (20), the switch button (22) being configured to be tilted away from a standard position relative to a horizontal axis (27), the switch button (22) comprising a spring (30) configured as a non-conductive projection; a flexible sensor (32) attached to a part of the switch base (20), the flexible sensor (32) being in contact with the spring (30) via spring force, wherein the flexible sensor (32) is a cantilever having one end (36) attached to the part of the switch base (20); and wherein tilting the switch button (22) away from the standard position causes the flexible sensor (32) to deflect and remain in contact with the spring (30) as the spring (30) moves with the switch button (22) relative to the horizontal axis; wherein the flexible sensor (32) is operatively connected to an electronic control unit (37), ECU, and when the flexible sensor (32) is deflected, a signal is sent to the ECU (37).

Description

If a vehicle driver wants to open his window and places the hand on a control panel for the power window, it may happen that he accidentally places the fingers on the wrong window switch and thereby opens the wrong window. This could give the driver a distraction and draw his attention reflex-like to the door cladding in order to find the suitable switch for the window lifters. However, this potentially hazardous situation could be avoided if the driver information screen (DIC) or heads-up display (HUD) displays information about which switch the driver is touching before attempting to actuate the electric window. Therefore, in order to alleviate the unsafe distraction of the driver, it is desirable to develop a system that outputs information about which window regulator switch the driver touches in order to know which window is activated and need not look at the door trim while driving when actuating the wrong switch.US 6 040 542 A describes a flexible switching device and a method for manufacturing the flexible switching device. The flexible switching device includes a substrate of a resilient material having a substantially planar first surface. The substrate includes a flexible portion formed in the substrate and movable relative to the substrate between a first position and a second position. A layer of an elastic material is disposed over at least a substantial portion of the first surface of the substrate. A switching element is operatively connected to the flexible portion of the substrate. The switching element has an electrical state that varies depending on the position of the flexible portion relative to the substrate.US 2010 / 0 206 703 A1 describes a flexible sensor which is arranged in a power tool. The flexible sensor has an electrical resistance that varies depending on the radius of curvature of the flexible sensor. A trigger partially disposed in the power tool acts to apply a bending force to a trigger partially disposed in the power tool to apply a bending force at an engagement point of the flexible sensor to bend the flexible sensor and change the radius of curvature. A controller outputs an electrical signal to the power tool based on the electrical resistance to control a function of the power tool.KR 10 2018 0 068 671 A describes a window regulator switch having an internal touch sensor and a control method using the same. The power window switch includes: a button that performs a vertical operation and a touch sensor installed therein; and a printed circuit board unit (PWB) connected to the button to be conductive.Moreover, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and this background of the invention.A device control switch for a switchboard assembly according to the present invention comprises: a switch base mounted on the switchboard assembly; a switch knob pivotally mounted on the switch base, the switch knob being configured to be tilted away from a standard position relative to a horizontal axis, the switch knob comprising a spring formed as a non-conductive protrusion; a flexible sensor mounted on a part of the switch base, the flexible sensor being substantially in contact with the spring by spring force, the flexible sensor being a cantilever having one end mounted on the part of the switch base; and wherein a slight tilting of the shift knob away from the default position causes the flexible sensor to deflect and remain substantially in contact with the spring as the spring moves with the shift knob relative to the horizontal axis; and wherein the flexible sensor is operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU); and when the flexible sensor is deflected, a signal is sent to the ECU.Other embodiments include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.Embodiments may include one or more of the following features:The device control switch as described herein, wherein information based on the signal to the control unit is displayed on a display.The device control switch as described herein, wherein when the switch knob is tilted to an actuation position, the device control switch sends an actuation signal to a device, the actuation signal configured to actuate the device.The device control switch as described herein, wherein the panel assembly is located on a front door trim for a vehicle door, a steering wheel, a headliner configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, a center console configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, an instrument panel configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, or a vehicle seat.A vehicle having the device control switch.Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method, or a process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.An application according to the invention is a pushbutton switch for a switchboard assembly comprising a switch base mounted on the switchboard assembly; a switch knob mounted by pressing on the switch base, the switch knob being configured to move relative to a substantially vertical axis towards the switch base, the switch knob comprising a spring configured as a non-conductive protrusion; a flexible sensor attached to a portion of the switch base, the flexible sensor being a cantilever having one end attached to the portion of the switch base, the flexible sensor being substantially in contact with the spring via spring force, and wherein slight movement of the switch knob toward the switch base causes the flexible sensor to deflect and remain substantially in contact with the spring as the spring moves with the switch knob relative to the vertical axis.Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.The push button switch, wherein: the flexible sensor is operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU); and when the flexible sensor deflects, a signal is sent to the ECU.The push button switch, in which information based on the signal to the controller is displayed on a display.The push button switch, wherein the push button switch sends an actuation signal to a device when the switch button is tilted to an actuation position, the actuation signal being configured to actuate the device.The pushbutton switch, wherein the panel assembly is located on a front door trim for a vehicle door, a steering wheel, a headliner configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, a center console configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, an instrument panel configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, or a vehicle seat.The pushbutton switch, wherein the panel assembly is located on a front door trim for a vehicle door, a steering wheel, a headliner configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, a center console configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, an instrument panel configured to be installed into the vehicle interior, or a vehicle seat.A vehicle having the push button switch.Other use cases of the described techniques may include hardware, a method, or a process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.The disclosed examples are described below in connection with the following figures, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements, and wherein FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional switchboard assembly according to one or more example embodiments; FIG. 2 is a side view of a device control switching system according to one or more example embodiments; FIG. 2A illustrates an example embodiment of the switch system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more example embodiments; FIG. 2B illustrates another example embodiment of the switch system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more example embodiments; FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative device control switch system in accordance with one or more example embodiments; and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior according to one or more example embodiments; FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the vehicle interior of FIG. 4, in accordance with one or more example embodiments; FIG. 5A illustrates an example embodiment of the switch system of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more example embodiments; and FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of a vehicle seat according to one or more example embodiments of the switch system.FIG. 1 shows a conventional multiple control switch panel assembly 10 for actuating the power window controls 12 and the side electric mirrors 14 of a vehicle that may be formed as part of an armrest trim on the door trim of the driver's side door (FIG. 4 ). The control switches 12 of the multifunction panel assembly 10 are used to open / close a corresponding electrical window. The side mirror control switch 14 includes a push button switch part 14A (single switch) disposed at the center and a multidirectional switch part 14B disposed at eight (8) peripheral positions, whereby the main mirror can move in eight (8) corresponding directions (front / rear, left / right and four diagonal directions). Moreover, the multifunction panel 10 may include a switch 16 for braking one of the electric mirrors and a switch 18 for locking and unlocking the electric window lifters.Each of the window regulator control switches 12 is of the push-pull reset type, which can have two-stage switching functions in both the push and pull directions. The first stage of weak push or pull actuation of this switch may open or close the selected electrical window(s) while the switch is held in this stage. When the second stage of the strong (full) push or pull operation of the switch has been carried out, the electric window on the driver's seat side is fully opened or closed by the action of the automatic window opening / closing function. As seen in Figs. 2 and 2A, each of these window regulator control switches 12 includes a switch socket 20 molded into the remainder of the panel unit 10. The switch base 20 provides a foundation for receiving a switch knob 22 and allows the knob 22 to be snapped into a pair of fasteners along the inside of the base 20 via an externally extending knob axis 26. In addition, the button 22 is ergonomically designed so that the user's finger can be received both at the top and side of the button 22. The user (e.g., occupant) may press the button 22 with the finger and the button 22 tilts from its default position, either forward or rearward, about a horizontal axis defined by the button axis 26.As can be seen, the switch knob 22 includes an internal cavity 28 having a spring 30 connected to a centrally located inner wall of this cavity 28. The spring 30 is a non-conductive protrusion that can be made of the same material as the button 22 when the button 22 is made of non-conductive material (e.g., polymer, resin, etc.), and the spring 30 can protrude slightly from this central inner wall of the cavity 28 (e.g., one (1) millimeter). Conversely, the switch base 20 includes a receiving portion 34 having a flexible sensor 32 fixed to the inside of an outer wall of the receiving portion 34. As shown, the flexible sensor 32 is a vertically oriented cantilever having a leaf spring portion 33 to apply a stiff spring force to the rest of the cantilever (as a particular application of the flexible sensor 32). The cantilever may also be made of a flexible or semi-flexible and conductive material (e.g., a type of metal). The lower end 36 of the extension arm is fastened to the wall of the receiving region 34, for example, with a rivet, adhesive, nail or a screw. The boom lower end 36 may also be operatively connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) 37 of the vehicle and thus indirectly connected to a display 38 in the vehicle interior (e.g., the driver information screen (DIC) 41 or heads up display (HUD) 43). In addition, the upper end 39 of the cantilever is in contact with the spring 30, so a point on the cantilever presses or rub against the spring 30 by the stiff spring force of the leaf spring 33 (i.e., this point on the cantilever is in contact with the spring 30).As seen in Figure 2B, when the user 42 places his finger on either the top or side of the switch knob 22, the switch knob 22 tilts slightly away from its default position 27 (one-half (1 / 2) millimeters) by the light force generated by this touch. Moreover, this slight tilting will produce a minute deviation of the position of the spring 30 with respect to the horizontal axis (the spring 30 moves clockwise or counter-clockwise about the horizontal axis - shown as counter-clockwise in FIG. 2B as indicated by the arrows) and thus move the flexible sensor 32 with the spring 30. In essence, the small movements of the spring 30 with the remainder of the switch knob 22 cause at least the upper end 39 of the flexible sensor 32 to interfere with a deflection which causes the upper end 39 of the sensor to remain in contact with the spring 30 via the spring force of the leaf spring 33 and thus the cantilever to remain substantially pressed against the side of the spring 30. When the spring 30 moves counterclockwise relative to the horizontal axis, releasing the spring tension causes the upper end 39 of the cantilever to move in a manner corresponding to that of the spring 30 (and thus remain in contact with the spring 30 during at least a substantial portion of the counterclockwise movement). However, as spring 30 moves clockwise relative to the horizontal axis, the build-up of spring tension in leaf spring 33 causes the upper end 39 of the cantilever to move in a manner corresponding to that of spring 30 (and thus remain pressed against spring 30 during at least a substantial portion of its clockwise movement).When the flexible sensor 32 is in a displacement, the flexible sensor 32 sends a signal to the controller 37 which notifies the controller 37 which particular switch 12 is being touched at that moment. Moreover, the ECU 37 decrypts the signal and generates a notification that is displayed on the DIC 41 and / or HUD 43 (FIG. 4 ). The message can either indicate which control switch 12 of the switchboard assembly 10 is being touched, or an image of the switchboard assembly 10 can be displayed with the distinction of the respective control switch 12 (see FIGS. 5 and 5A ). Thus, the user (e.g., the operator) can know which button he is pressing without looking down on the panel assembly 10 and looking off the road.In addition, a conventional switch 45 can be installed in the accommodating region 34 of the switch base 20, as is known. Thus, after the user knows which control switch 12 he is touching, he can flip the switch fully to an actuation position (e.g., 30-45 degrees from the standard position relative to the horizontal axis) with the finger to send an actuation signal to activate the window regulator 44 in the form of an angle (i.e., to open or close the window).As seen in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the flexible sensor 32 may also be incorporated into the push button portion of the side mirror control switch 14. In this embodiment, the switch knob 22 can be mounted on a spring-like switch member 46 protruding from the switch base 20. Moreover, the switching element 46 allows the switching knob 22 to be pushed down along a substantially vertical axis (e.g., between 85 to 95 degrees) so as to move toward the switch base 20. The spring 30 is connected to the underside of the button 22. In addition, the flexible sensor 32 is fixed to the top of the switch base 20 (e.g., by adhesion, riveting, nails, screws, etc.) and has a bent shape so that the sensor can also be connected to the spring 30.When the user 42 places his finger on the pushbutton switch 22, the light force generated by this touching action causes the pushbutton switch 22 to move slightly away from its default position 47 and downward toward the switch base 20. Moreover, this slight pressing force causes a minute deviation of the position of the spring 30 relative to the switch base 20 and thus presses the flexible sensor 32, and therefore, due to the small movements of the spring 30, the flexible sensor 32 is disturbed into a deflection by the spring force, and thus at least a part of the cantilever remains pressed against the bottom of the spring 30. The stiff spring force of the leaf spring 33 causes the cantilever to push up and against the spring 30 as the spring 30 moves down so that the cantilever remains in contact with the spring 30 during at least a substantial portion of this downward movement. When the flexible sensor 32 is deflected in this manner, the sensor also sends a signal to the ECU 37, which notifies the ECU 37 which switch 12 is being touched at that moment. Moreover, the ECU 37 decrypts the signal and generates a notification that is displayed on the DIC 41 and / or HUD 43 (FIG. 5 ). The notification may indicate that the pushbutton portion of the side mirror control switch 14 is touched at this moment, or the notification may be an image of the panel assembly 10 with the side mirror control switch 14 illuminated.A vehicle interior 48 is shown in FIG. 4. As shown, in one or more embodiments, the panel assembly 10 may be mounted to the armrest portion of the front door trim 50 of the driver side door 52 (e.g., the power window control panel). In one or more additional embodiments, however, the control panel assembly 10 can also be mounted on or next to the steering wheel 54 (e.g. cruise control and headlight control part). The panel assembly 10 may also be installed on the ceiling trim 56 of the ceiling of the interior 48 (e.g., the sunroof control portion). The control panel assembly 10 may also be installed on the center console 58 (e.g., adjacent to one or two cupholders) of the vehicle interior 48. The panel assembly 10 may also be installed on the instrument panel 60 (i.e., on the HVAC and wireless control panel of the instrument panel). As can also be seen in this figure, the notification is displayed via the DIC 41 and / or the HUD 43 (which may be on the windshield of the vehicle or on a windshield adjacent the windshield), as described above. As shown in Figures 5 and 5A, the message may also be a graphical representation of the panel assembly 10'. As can be seen, in the graphical representation it is also highlighted by shading / lighting which key 12' is pressed by the user while pressing the key. As shown in FIG. 6, the control panel 10 may also be installed laterally on the vehicle seat 64 (e.g., the power switches to allow movement of the seat). It should be understood that each of the switches on the side of the vehicle seat 64 may include an embodiment of the control switch 12.

Claims

A device control switch (12) for a switchboard assembly (10), comprising: a switch base (20) mounted to the switchboard assembly (10); a switch knob (22) pivotally mounted to the switch base (20), the switch knob (22) being configured to be tilted away from a standard position relative to a horizontal axis (27), the switch knob (22) comprising a spring (30) formed as a non-conductive protrusion; a flexible sensor (32) attached to a portion of the switch base (20), the flexible sensor (32) being spring biased into contact with the spring (30), the flexible sensor (32) being a cantilever having one end (36) attached to the portion of the switch base (20); and wherein tilting the switch knob (22) away from the default position causes the flexible sensor (32) to deflect and remain in contact with the spring (30) as the spring (30) moves with the switch knob (22) relative to the horizontal axis; wherein the flexible sensor (32) is operatively connected to an electronic control unit (37), ECU, and when the flexible sensor (32) is deflected, a signal is sent to the ECU (37).The device control switch (12) of claim 1, wherein when the switch knob (22) is tilted to an actuation position, the device control switch (12) sends an actuation signal to a device, the actuation signal configured to actuate the device.A vehicle comprising the device control switch (12) of claim 1.The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the information based on the signal to the ECU (37) is displayed on a display (38).The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the panel assembly (10) is located on a front door trim (50) for a vehicle door (52), a steering wheel (54), a headliner (56) configured for installation into a vehicle interior, a center console (58) configured for installation into the vehicle interior, an instrument panel (60) configured for installation into the vehicle interior, or a vehicle seat (64).A pushbutton switch for a switchboard assembly (10), comprising: a switch socket (20) mounted to the switchboard assembly (10); a switch button mounted on the switch socket (20), the switch button being configured to move relative to a substantially vertical axis toward the switch socket (20), the switch button comprising a spring (30) formed as a non-conductive protrusion; a flexible sensor (32) attached to a portion of the switch sockets (20), the flexible sensor (32) being spring biased into contact with the spring (30), the flexible sensor (32) being a cantilever having one end attached to the portion of the switch socket (20); and wherein movement of the button toward the switch bases (20) causes the flexible sensor (32) to deflect and remain in contact with the spring (30) as the spring (30) moves with the button relative to the vertical axis.A vehicle comprising the push button switch of claim 6.

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