Control panel intended for installation inside a vehicle's passenger compartment and control assembly comprising the control panel

Abstract

Control panel (1) comprising: a casing element (10) having a first outer face (12) and a first inner face (14), a support element (20) having a second outer face (22) oriented towards the first inner face (14) of the casing element (10) and a second inner face (24) opposite said second outer face (22), a group of force sensors (32, 34) adapted to detect a control force (Fc) applied to the first outer face (12) in a control zone (2, 4). The support element (20) has, in a detection zone (30) extending around the group of control zones (2, 4), a mechanical weakening (25, 26; 27, 28) formed by a recess in the second inner face (24). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Control panel intended to be arranged inside a vehicle passenger compartment and control assembly comprising the control panel Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a control panel intended to be arranged inside a vehicle passenger compartment, for example a motor vehicle, as well as to a control assembly comprising the control panel. State of the art

[0002] A control panel is commonly known which is intended to be arranged inside a vehicle passenger compartment, in order to control a piece of vehicle equipment. Such a panel may comprise:

[0003] a trim element having a first outer face intended to be oriented towards the passenger compartment and a first inner face opposite said first outer face,

[0004] a support element having a second outer face oriented towards the first inner face of the covering element and a second inner face opposite said second outer face,

[0005] a group of force sensors adapted to detect a control force applied to the first outer face in a control zone corresponding to each force sensor, each control zone extending from the corresponding force sensor of the group of force sensors to the first outer face, each force sensor being carried by a printed circuit board fixed on the second inner face opposite the control zone.

[0006] It is understood that the group of force sensors comprises at least one force sensor. Each force sensor corresponds to a control zone extending from the force sensor to the first outer face and of constant cross-section.

[0007] A force sensor is understood to mean a sensor capable of determining a force. An example of a force sensor is a strain gauge sensor in which a variation in elongation causes a variation in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge, the variation in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge is therefore a function of the deformation and since the deformation of the strain gauge is a function of the applied force, the variation in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge is a function of the applied force. Generally, the signal from the force sensor is activated for a detection force value which is within a interval of ± 20% of the nominal force value for a given function.

[0008] The invention aims to improve the correspondence between the user's action and the detection of this action, in other words to improve the reliability of the detection. Presentation of the invention

[0009] To overcome the aforementioned problem, according to the invention, the support element has a mechanical weakening in a detection zone, said detection zone including the group of control zones and extending around the group of control zones up to a peripheral limit located at a predetermined distance (preferably less than or equal to 3 centimeters) from the group of force sensors, said mechanical weakening being formed by a hollow in the second inner face.

[0010] Thanks to the mechanical weakening, if a user presses on the first outer face outside the detection zone, the force applied by the user will be transmitted more weakly in the support element to each of the force sensors.

[0011] On the other hand, it is difficult to distinguish between pressing on the first outer face in the control zone and pressing on the first outer face outside the control zone but in the immediate vicinity of the control zone. However, this distinction appeared non-essential because the user rarely presses in the immediate vicinity of a control zone, except when he wanted to press in the control zone or when the user wanted to press in an adjacent control zone. However, the distinction between pressing in a control zone or in an adjacent control zone can be made satisfactorily, in particular by comparing the force detected in each control zone.

[0012] Consequently, it appeared necessary to seek to distinguish only between pressing on the first external face intended to act on equipment via the control panel and pressing independent of any desire to act on equipment. It was therefore decided to leave a "grey zone" which could extend up to 3 centimetres around the control zone to better distinguish pressing outside the detection zone from pressing in the control zone.

[0013] According to an additional characteristic, the printed circuit board is preferably fixed on the second inner face by a structural adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive.

[0014] The epoxy glue creates a high stiffness in the bond between the support element and the printed circuit board, unlike in particular an adhesive without a volatile solvent such as a double-sided adhesive. Thus, the force applied to the printed circuit board is very close to the force applied to the support element.

[0015] According to another characteristic, the hollow in the second inner face is preferably configured so that the control force exerted on the first outer face in a control zone of the group of control zones generates a detected control force detected by the corresponding force sensor, that a parasitic force exerted on the first outer face outside the detection zone generates a parasitic detected force detected by each of the force sensors, and that the ratio between the parasitic detected force and the parasitic force is less than (strictly) 20%, preferably at least 30% less than the ratio between the control force and the detected control force.

[0016] Thus, thanks to this value "strictly less than 20% and preferably at least 30% lower", a parasitic force exerted on the first external face outside the detection zone will generate a force which will not be detectable by the force sensor and the distinction between a support outside the detection zone and a support in the control zone is effectively achieved. In fact, the signal from the force sensor is generally activated for a detection force value which is within an interval of ± 20% of the nominal force value for a given function.

[0017] According to another characteristic, preferably the group of force sensors comprises at least two force sensors and the hollow comprises a groove extending at the peripheral limit of the detection zone, all around the group of force sensors (without extending between the force sensors).

[0018] Thus, the risk that a press outside the detection zone is considered as a press in one of the control zones is reduced for the entire group of force sensors.

[0019] According to an alternative characteristic, the hollow comprises a groove extending all around each sensor of the group of force sensors.

[0020] According to an additional characteristic, the groove preferably has a depth of between 0.3 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters.

[0021] According to another characteristic, preferably the second inner face has at least one counterbore in which the printed circuit board of each force sensor is arranged, the second inner face being flat at the counterbore.

[0022] Thus, in the absence of support on the first outer face, the force sensor has a shape in which it has its best sensitivity and is capable of detecting the greatest amplitude of deformation.

[0023] According to another characteristic, the support element has a group of holes formed in the second inner face, each hole being circumscribed to a control zone of the group of control zones and mechanically weakening the support element at each control zone.

[0024] Thus, for a force applied to the first given outer face, the de support formation in each control zone is increased. Detection of support in the control zone is therefore improved.

[0025] According to an additional characteristic, each hole is preferably entirely covered by the printed circuit board.

[0026] The detection of support in the area is thus improved in a more homogeneous manner.

[0027] According to another characteristic, the group of force sensors comprises preferably at least two force sensors.

[0028] According to another characteristic, the control panel preferably comprises a plurality of first holding elements having a spacing of less than 3 centimeters relative to the detection zone.

[0029] Thus, the control panel being held close to the detection zone, the deformation of the control panel in the detection zone, and in particular in the control zones, in the event of pressure on the first outer face outside the detection zone is reduced.

[0030] According to an additional characteristic, the control panel preferably further comprises a plurality of second holding elements having a spacing greater than 5 centimeters relative to the detection zone.

[0031] The control panel is thus kept well outside the detection zone.

[0032] The invention also relates to a control assembly comprising the control panel and a structure to which the control panel is attached by the plurality of first holding members and the plurality of second holding members. Brief description of the figures

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following detailed description, referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] illustrates a control assembly integrated into a central console of dashboard,

[0035] [Fig.2] illustrates the control assembly in section along line II-II marked in [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a control assembly 100 arranged in a vehicle passenger compartment 120 and integrated into a dashboard 110, more precisely into a central console 112 of the dashboard 110.

[0037] The central console 112 incorporates a control assembly 100. The control assembly control 100 comprises a structure 70 and a control panel 1. The control panel 1 comprises a support element 20, which is rigid and covered by a covering element 10.

[0038] The covering element 10 has a first outer face 12 and a first inner face 14. The first inner face 14 is opposite the first outer face 12. The covering element 10 has a relatively constant and small thickness compared to its length and its width.

[0039] The support element 20 substantially forms a plate. The support element 20 has a second outer face 22 and a second inner face 24. The second inner face 24 is opposite the second outer face 22. The second outer face 22 is opposite the first inner face 14 to which the second outer face 22 is fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, the second outer face 22 is fixed directly to the first inner face 14.

[0040] The control panel 1 further comprises a force sensor group and a printed circuit board group associated with the force sensor group. In the illustrated embodiment, the force sensor group comprises a first force sensor 32 and a second force sensor 34, and the printed circuit board group comprises a first printed circuit board 42 and a second printed circuit board 44. The first force sensor 32 is carried by the first printed circuit board 42. The first printed circuit board 42 is disposed between the support member 20 and the first force sensor 32. The first printed circuit board 42 is fixed to the second inner surface 24 by a first adhesive layer 50. The second force sensor 34 is carried by the second printed circuit board 44. The second printed circuit board 44 is disposed between the support member 20 and the second force sensor 34.The second printed circuit board 44 is attached to the second interior surface 24 by a second layer of adhesive 52.

[0041] A first control zone 2 extends from the first force sensor 32 to the first outer surface 12 and a second control zone 4 extends from the second force sensor 34 to the first outer surface 12. The first control zone 2 and the second control zone 4 each have substantially the shape of a cylinder section, symbolically delimited by a dot-and-dash line in [Fig. 2]. A first pictogram 3 is present on the first outer surface 12 at the first control zone 2 and a second pictogram 5 is present on the first outer surface 12 at the second control zone 4, in order to allow a user to identify the location of the first control zone 2 and the location of the second control zone 4, as well as the function actuable by pressure in the first control zone 2 and in the second control zone 4.The first pictogram 3 and the second pictogram 5 are produced by printing on the first exterior surface 12. Alternatively, the first pictogram 3 and the second pictogram 5 can be produced by a backlit translucent part integrated into the covering element 10, an insert of. different color integrated into the dressing element or any other known means.

[0042] When a user applies a force to the first outer surface 12, the force applied to the first outer surface 12 causes a deformation of the covering element 10 which is transmitted into the first control zone 2 and into the second control zone 4 to the first force sensor 32 and to the second force sensor 34.

[0043] The control panel 1 has a detection zone 6 extending to a peripheral boundary 8. The detection zone 6 includes the first control zone 2 and the second control zone 4.

[0044] When a user applies a control force Fc to the first outer surface 12 in the first control area 2 or the second control area 4, the first force sensor 32 detects a first detected control force and the second force sensor 34 detects a second detected control force. To determine the presence of the control force Fc in the first control area 2 and / or in the second control area 4, the control assembly 100 comprises an electronic processor (not shown) comparing the first detected control force and the second detected control force to a threshold. Furthermore, a comparison between the first detected control force and the second detected control force allows a better determination of the control area where the control force is applied among the first control area 2 and the second control area 4.Alternatively, inductive sensors could be used to detect whether pressure is exerted in the first control zone 2 or in the second control zone 4.

[0045] When the first detected control force and the second detected control force cause the control assembly 100 to consider that a control force Fc is applied to the first control zone 2 (preferably when the first detected control force is greater than a threshold and is greater than the second detected control force), the control assembly 1 modifies the state of the corresponding equipment, in other words the control assembly activates / deactivates the corresponding equipment, namely the hazard lights of the vehicle in the illustrated embodiment.When the first detected control force and the second detected control force cause the control assembly 100 to consider that a control force Fc is applied to the second control zone 2 (preferably when the second detected control force is greater than a threshold and is greater than the first detected control force), the control assembly 1 modifies the state of the corresponding equipment, in other words the control assembly activates / deactivates the corresponding equipment, namely the rear window demisting of the vehicle in the illustrated embodiment.

[0046] The control assembly is configured so that a parasitic force Fp exerted by a user on the first outer surface 12 outside the detection zone 6 is not considered as a control force Fc applied in the first control zone 2 or in the second control zone 4.

[0047] More precisely, a parasitic force Fp applied to the first outer surface 12 outside the detection zone 6 (called parasitic force Fp) generates a first parasitic detected force (detected by the first force sensor 32) and a second parasitic detected force (detected by the second force sensor 34). The first parasitic detected force is reduced by a value strictly less than 20% and preferably at least 30% lower compared to the case where a force of the same intensity as the parasitic force Fp would be applied in the first control zone 2. Similarly, the second parasitic detected force is reduced by a value strictly less than 20% and preferably at least 30% lower compared to the case where a force of the same intensity as the parasitic force Fp would be applied in the second control zone.

[0048] In other words, the control assembly 100 is configured so that the ratio between the first detected parasitic force and the parasitic force Fp is of a value strictly less than 20% and preferably at least 30% less than the ratio between the first detected control force and the control force Fc, and that the ratio between the second detected parasitic force and the parasitic force Fp is of a value strictly less than 20% and preferably at least 30% less than the ratio between the control force Fc and the second detected control force.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, outside the detection zone, the support element 20 has ribs 29 projecting from the second outer surface 24. Preferably, the ribs 29 consist of two series of intersecting ribs, the ribs of each series being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ribs of the other series. The control panel 20 is thus stiffened all around the detection zone 6. On the other hand, in the detection zone 6, the second outer surface 24 is devoid of the ribs 29.

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the support element 20 has a groove 25 extending around the group of force sensors. The groove 25 extends inside the detection zone 6 and defines the peripheral boundary 8 of the detection zone 6. The groove 25 extends all around the group of force sensors, but not between the first force sensor 32 and the second force sensor 34. The peripheral boundary 8 extends at a distance D from the group of force sensors, the distance D being less than 3 centimeters, preferably between 2 and 2.5 centimeters. The peripheral boundary 8 of the detection zone 6 has an oblong shape. Alternatively, the groove 25 could go around the first force sensor 32 and the second force sensor 34, thus extending between the first force sensor 32 and the second force sensor 34, thus forming a succession of adjacent or disjointed circles. The groove 25 has a depth P preferably between 0.3 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters. The width of the groove 25 is preferably between 1.5 millimeters and 2.5 millimeters.

[0051] The support element 20 further has a group of first holding elements 62 and a group of second holding elements 64. The first holding elements 62 are formed by first holding tabs projecting from the second inner surface 24. The first holding elements 62 are distributed around the detection zone 6 and have a spacing e relative to the detection zone 6 which is less than 3 centimeters, preferably close to 2.5 centimeters, in order to firmly hold the support element 20 around the detection zone 6. The first holding elements 62 are preferably spaced apart from each other at most every 60 millimeters.

[0052] The second holding elements 64 are formed by second holding tabs projecting from the second inner surface 24. The second holding elements 62 are distributed around the periphery of the second inner surface 24 and have a spacing E relative to the detection zone 6 which is greater than 5 centimeters.

[0053] The structure 70 is preferably constituted by the chassis or connected to the chassis. The structure 70 has first fixing studs 72 and second fixing studs 74. The first holding elements 62 of the support element 20 are fixed on the first fixing studs 72 of the structure 70 and the second holding elements 64 of the support element 20 are fixed on the second fixing studs 74 of the structure 70.

[0054] The group of first holding elements preferably comprises between 3 and 10 first holding elements 62. The group of second holding elements preferably comprises between 3 and 10 second holding elements 64.

[0055] Furthermore, the support element 20 has a counterbore 26 made in the area of ​​the second outer surface 24, in the detection area 6. The counterbore 26 comprises a bearing surface 23 constituting a part of the second outer surface 24. The bearing surface 23 is flat and set back, preferably by approximately 1 millimeter, relative to the remainder of the second outer surface 24 (excluding the rib 29). The first printed circuit board 42 and the second printed circuit board 44 are fixed to the bearing surface 23.

[0056] Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, the support element 20 has a first hole 27 in the first control zone 2 and a second hole 28 in the second control zone 4. The first hole 27 and the second hole 28 extend from the second outer face 24, more precisely in the bearing surface 23. The first hole 27 and the second hole 28 have a bottom distant from the second outer face 22. The first hole 27 is substantially centered relative to the first control zone 42 and the second hole 28 is substantially centered relative to the second control zone 42. The first hole 27 has a smaller section than the first printed circuit board 42 and the second hole 28 has a smaller section than the second printed circuit board 42, so that the first hole 27 is entirely covered by the first printed circuit board 42 which rests on the bearing surface 23 all around the first hole 27 and the second hole 28 is entirely covered by the second printed circuit board 44 which rests on the bearing surface 23 all around the second hole 28.In the illustrated embodiment, the first hole 27 and the second hole 28 have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section.

[0057] The covering element 10 is preferably made of plastic material, glass, wood, aluminum, carbon fiber or the like. The support element 20 is preferably made of plastic material molded onto the covering element 10. The plastic material is preferably polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a mixture of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) which may be reinforced with glass fibers (PC-AB S GF30) or polyurethane (PUR). The printed circuit board is preferably made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite (FR4) or polyimide (PI). The first adhesive layer 50 and the second adhesive layer 52 are preferably made of an epoxy resin based adhesive, in order to give a very high stiffness to the connection between the support element 20 and the first and second printed circuit boards.The first force sensor 32 and the second force sensor 34 are preferably constituted by a micro electromechanical system (MEMS), in particular of the Nextlnput® brand. Such a force sensor has a variable resistance depending on its deformation, so that pressure exerted on the first control zone 2 or the second control zone 4 causes a deformation of the second outer face 24 which is detected by the first force sensor 32 and the second force sensor 34.

[0058] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment(s) described for illustrative, non-limiting purposes. Thus, the group of force sensors could comprise more than two force sensors and the group of printed circuit boards would consequently comprise more than two printed circuit boards. Conversely, the group of force sensors could comprise only one force sensor. Furthermore, the dashboard console could comprise several control panels.

Claims

Claims

1. Control panel (1) intended to be arranged inside a vehicle passenger compartment (120) and comprising: a trim element (10) having a first outer face (12) intended to be oriented towards the passenger compartment (120) and a first inner face (14) opposite said first outer face (12), a support element (20) having a second outer face (22) oriented towards the first inner face (14) of the trim element (10) and a second inner face (24) opposite said second outer face (22), a group of force sensors (32, 34) adapted to detect a control force (Fc) applied to the first outer face (12) in a control zone (2, 4) corresponding to each force sensor (32, 34), each control zone (2, 4) extending from the corresponding force sensor (32, 34) of the group of sensors force to the first outer face (12), each force sensor (32,34) being carried by a printed circuit board (42, 44) fixed on the second inner face (24) opposite the control zone (2, 4), said control panel (1) is characterized in that the support element (20) has a mechanical weakening (25, 26; 27, 28) in a detection zone (6), said detection zone (6) including the group of control zones (2, 4) and extending around the group of control zones (2, 4) up to a peripheral limit (8) located at a predetermined distance (D) from the group of force sensors (32, 34), said mechanical weakening (25, 26; 27, 28) being formed by a hollow in the second inner face (24).,

2. Control panel according to claim 1 wherein the printed circuit board (42, 44) is fixed on the second inner face (24) by a structural adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive (50, 52).

3. A control panel according to any preceding claim wherein the recess in the second inner face is configured so that: the control force (Fc) exerted on the first outer face (12) in a control zone (2, 4) of the group of control zones generates a detected control force detected by the corresponding force sensor (32, 34), a parasitic force (Fp) exerted on the first outer face (12) in outside the detection zone (6) generates a parasitic detected force detected by each of the force sensors (32, 34), and the ratio between the parasitic detected force and the parasitic force (Fp) is more than 20%, preferably at least 30%, lower than the ratio between the control detected force and the control force (Fc).

4. A control panel according to any preceding claim wherein the force sensor group comprises at least two force sensors (32, 34) and the recess comprises a groove (25) extending at the peripheral boundary of the detection zone (6), all around the force sensor group (32, 34).

5. Control panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second inner face (24) has at least one counterbore (26) in which the printed circuit board (42, 44) of each force sensor (32, 34) is arranged, the second inner face (24) being flat at the counterbore.

6. A control panel according to any preceding claim wherein the support member (20) has a group of holes (27, 28) formed in the second inner face, each hole (27, 28) being circumscribed to a control area (2, 4) of the group of control areas (2, 4) and mechanically weakening the support member (20) at each control area (2, 4).

7. Control panel according to the preceding claim in which each hole (27, 28) is entirely covered by the printed circuit board (42, 44).

8. Control panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the control panel (1) comprises a plurality of first holding elements (62) having a spacing (e) of less than 3 centimeters relative to the detection zone (6).

9. Control panel according to the preceding claim wherein the control panel (1) further comprises a plurality of second holding elements (64) having a spacing (E) greater than 5 centimeters relative to the detection zone (6).

10. A control assembly (100) comprising a control panel (1) according to the preceding claim and a structure (70) to which the control panel (1) is fixed by the plurality of first holding members (62) and the plurality of second holding members (64).

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