Vehicle trim panel, assembly including the vehicle trim panel and electrical equipment, vehicle interior including the assembly

Abstract

Vehicle trim panel (1) for controlling electrical equipment (2), the trim panel comprising: - a control panel (4) having an outer face (4a) and an inner face (4b), - a control unit (10), - a force sensor assembly comprising at least one force sensor (22), the force sensor assembly being configured to detect a user control input (8) comprising pressure exerted on the outer face (4a) of the control panel (4) moving between a starting point (82) and an ending point (84), wherein: - the outer face (4a) of the control panel (4) has a succession of asperity zones (70), - the control unit (10) is configured to analyze the contact signal and detect the number of asperity zones (70) on which a user (7) successively exerts pressure. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle trim panel, assembly comprising the vehicle trim panel and electrical equipment, vehicle interior comprising the assembly Field of disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle trim panel for controlling electrical equipment. The present disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising the trim panel and the electrical equipment. The present disclosure finally relates to a vehicle interior comprising said assembly. State of the art

[0002] A cladding panel is known comprising:

[0003] - a control panel having an external face and an internal face, the external face having a first zone and a second zone,

[0004] - a control unit,

[0005] - a set of force sensors comprising at least one force sensor, the force sensor assembly being configured to detect a user control input comprising pressure exerted on the outer face of the control panel moving between a start point and an end point located between the first zone and the second zone, the force sensor assembly being configured to send at least one contact signal to the control unit depending on the user control input detected by the force sensor assembly.

[0006] Generally, user control input is performed by applying the finger to the outer face of the control panel. Such a trim panel further comprises capacitive sensors arranged on the inner face of the control panel to detect movement between the starting point and the end point.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to propose a different, robust and economical solution. Disclosure Statement

[0008] According to the disclosure, the control panel further has the following features:

[0009] - the external face of the control panel has a succession of zones of asperity extending in a longitudinal direction, the zones of asperity being arranged between the first zone and the second zone and distant from each other in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,

[0010] - the control unit is configured to analyze the contact signal and detect the number of roughness zones on which a user successively exerts a pressure by moving between the starting point and the arrival point, and to send an adjustment signal to the electrical equipment based on the number of roughness zones detected.

[0011] Thus, the force sensors make it possible to detect both pressure and movement on the control panel. It is therefore not necessary to use capacitive sensors. The trim panel therefore provides more satisfactory operation, in particular when the control panel is metallic (or includes metallic elements) or when the control panel has a high thickness. In addition, the cost is reduced, in particular when the control panel is large (which requires a capacitive sensor of large size and / or sensitivity). Finally, the size of the sensor assembly is reduced (a force sensor is generally much less bulky than a capacitive sensor, in particular when it has a high sensitivity).

[0012] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, the external face of the control panel preferably has at least three roughness zones.

[0013] Thus, the force sensors make it possible to detect several displacement amplitudes.

[0014] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the control unit is configured to analyze the contact signal, determine the direction of movement and send to the electrical equipment a first adjustment signal when the at least one contact signal corresponds to a movement in a first direction, from the second zone to the first zone, and a second adjustment signal when the at least one contact signal corresponds to a movement in a second direction, from the first zone to the second zone, the second adjustment signal being different from the first adjustment signal.

[0015] Thus, the adjustment signal is different when the movement over (scanning of) each roughness zone by the finger is carried out from the second zone to the first zone (first direction) or from the first zone to the second zone (second direction opposite to the first direction). The number of different commands per user control input can be doubled and the trim panel is more ergonomic.

[0016] According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, each asperity zone is preferably asymmetrical in section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to a further additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, each asperity zone preferably comprises a rib having an asymmetrical cross-section.

[0018] Thus, the direction of movement can be determined simply.

[0019] According to another complementary or alternative characteristic in accordance with the di vulgation, preferably each asperity zone has a group of ribs comprising a first rib and a second rib, the first rib having a first cross-section and the second rib having a second cross-section, the second cross-section being different from the first cross-section, so that the contact signal has a first characteristic corresponding to the first rib and a second characteristic corresponding to the second rib, the second characteristic being different from the first characteristic.

[0020] Thus, the direction of movement can be reliably determined.

[0021] According to an alternative or complementary characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably each roughness zone comprises at least one rib projecting from the external face of the control panel, the ribs being parallel to each other.

[0022] A rib constitutes a roughness zone allowing the set of sensors to send a characteristic contact signal, so that the control unit detects this characteristic contact signal and determines that the roughness zone has been scanned by the user's finger.

[0023] According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, the at least one rib of each roughness zone preferably projects between 0.1 millimeter and 5 millimeters on the external face of the control panel.

[0024] Thus, the movement on (scanning of) each area of ​​asperity by the finger is easily detected.

[0025] According to yet another additional or alternative characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably:

[0026] - each area of ​​asperity has a first arithmetic roughness,

[0027] - the roughness zones are separated from each other by intermediate zones,

[0028] - the intermediate zones present a second arithmetic roughness, and

[0029] - the first arithmetic roughness is greater than or equal to twice the second arithmetic roughness.

[0030] The first roughness constitutes a roughness zone allowing the set of sensors to send a characteristic contact signal, so that the control unit detects this characteristic contact signal and determines that the roughness zone has been scanned by the user's finger.

[0031] The first arithmetic roughness is preferably between 5 microns and 150 microns.

[0032] According to an alternative or complementary characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the first arithmetic roughness decreases strictly from the first zone towards the second zone.

[0033] Thus, the variation of the contact signal allows the control unit to determine the direction of movement.

[0034] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably the roughness zones form strips extending in a longitudinal direction and offset from each other by a pitch in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said pitch being between 5 millimeters and 50 millimeters.

[0035] According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably said pitch increases strictly from the first zone towards the second zone.

[0036] Thus, the control unit can determine the direction of movement on the external face of the control panel.

[0037] According to another characteristic in accordance with the disclosure, preferably:

[0038] - the group of force sensors comprises a first group of force sensors located near the first area and a second group of force sensors located near the second area,

[0039] - the first group of force sensors is configured to send a first signal contact to the control unit, the second group of force sensors is configured to send a second contact signal to the control unit, and

[0040] - the control unit is configured to compare the first contact signal by in relation to the second second control signal, determine the evolution of said comparison and send the adjustment signal to the electrical equipment according to the evolution of said comparison.

[0041] In various embodiments of the vehicle trim panel according to the disclosure, one and / or the other of the following arrangements may optionally be further used:

[0042] the force sensors are piezoelectric sensors;

[0043] the force sensors comprise a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) ink printed on film;

[0044] the film is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sometimes called polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), sometimes called polyethylene naphthalate, or polycarbonate (PC);

[0045] the film has a thickness greater than 75 μm;

[0046] the set of force sensors is arranged on the internal face of the control panel;

[0047] The present disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising the aforementioned vehicle trim panel and the electrical equipment.

[0048] According to an additional characteristic, the electrical equipment is preferably a lighting unit.

[0049] The present disclosure finally relates to a vehicle interior comprising the aforementioned assembly.

[0050] According to an additional characteristic, the passenger compartment comprises a ceiling and a row of front seats, and the trim panel is arranged on the ceiling above the row of front seats. Brief description of the figures

[0051] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0052] [Fig. 1] represents in perspective a vehicle interior comprising an assembly, the assembly comprising a trim panel and electrical equipment,

[0053] [Fig.2] represents, in section along a line marked II-II in [Fig.3], the assembly according to a first embodiment,

[0054] [Fig.3] represents the assembly according to the first embodiment, according to the arrow represented III in [Fig.l],

[0055] [Fig.4] represents, on an enlarged scale, a part of the assembly illustrated in [Fig.2],

[0056] [Fig.5] represents a first contact signal emitted by a first group of force sensors of the assembly to a control unit, according to the first embodiment,

[0057] [Fig.6] represents a second contact signal emitted by a second group of force sensors of the assembly towards the control unit, according to the first embodiment,

[0058] [Fig.7] represents an adjustment signal emitted by the control unit of the assembly according to the first embodiment,

[0059] [Fig.8] represents an operating state of the electrical equipment, according to the first embodiment,

[0060] [Fig.9] represents, in section along a line marked IX-IX in [Fig. 10], the assembly according to a second embodiment,

[0061] [Fig. 10] represents, in accordance with [Fig. 3], the assembly according to the second embodiment,

[0062] [Fig. 11] represents, on an enlarged scale, a part of the assembly illustrated in [Fig.9],

[0063] [Fig. 12] represents a contact signal emitted by the force sensor assembly of the assembly according to the second embodiment,

[0064] [Fig. 13] represents a control signal emitted by the control unit of the assembly according to the second embodiment receiving the contact signal,

[0065] [Fig. 14] represents the operating state of the electrical equipment, according to the second embodiment,

[0066] [Fig. 15] represents, in accordance with [Fig.4], a first variant of the first embodiment,

[0067] [Fig. 16] represents, in accordance with [Fig.4], a second variant of the first embodiment. Detailed Description of Disclosure

[0068] [Fig. 1] illustrates a vehicle passenger compartment 100 comprising a ceiling 110, front seats 120, a dashboard 130, a center console 140 and door panels. The front seats 120 are carried by a floor and arranged in a row. The row of front seats 120 extends in a longitudinal direction X. The passenger compartment 100 further comprises an assembly 50. The assembly 50 comprises a trim panel 1 and electrical equipment 2. The trim panel 1 is held on the ceiling 110, above the row of front seats 120.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiments, the electrical equipment 2 is a lighting unit. The lighting unit is carried by the trim panel 1. The lighting unit comprises four light sources. Of course, the lighting unit could comprise a different number of light sources. Alternatively, the electrical equipment could in particular be remote from the trim panel and consist of a multimedia player or air conditioning. The trim panel 1 could be arranged on the dashboard 130, the central console 140, between the front seats 120 or on one of the door panels.

[0070] As illustrated in particular in figures 2 and 3 (but also in figures 9 and 10), the covering panel 1 essentially comprises a body 9, a touch assembly 29 and a control unit 10. The touch assembly 29 comprises a control panel 4 and a set of force sensors 20. The control panel 4 has an external face 4a and an internal face 4b. The force sensor assembly 20 is carried by the control panel 4. The control unit 10 and the control panel 4 are carried by the body 9. The body 9 is fixed to the ceiling 110. The control unit 10 is arranged between the body 9 and the ceiling 110, so that the control unit 10 is concealed behind the body 9. The body 9 has an opening opposite which the control panel 4 is arranged. The control panel 4 has a periphery concealed behind the body 9.In particular, the control panel 4 has a first longitudinal edge 3 and a second longitudinal edge 5 extending in the longitudinal direction X. The control panel 4 is substantially planar, the external face 4a extending perpendicular to a support direction Z. Alternatively, the control panel 4, and in particular the external face 4a, may be curved. The support direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The periphery of the control panel also has transverse edges extending in a transverse direction Y and connecting the first longitudinal edge 3 to the second longitudinal edge 5. The transverse direction Y is perpendicular to the . longitudinal direction X and to the support direction Z.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiments, the control panel 4 is capable of letting light pass through, in particular the control panel 4 is transparent or translucent, preferably made of glass or polycarbonate. The lighting unit is arranged opposite the internal face 4b of the control panel 4, so that the light emitted by the lighting unit passes through the control panel 4. In an alternative embodiment, a display device may be arranged opposite the internal face 4b of the control panel 4, the display device constituting the electrical equipment or forming part of the electrical equipment. According to another alternative (not shown), in which the electrical equipment is not a lighting unit arranged opposite the control panel 4, the control panel may be made of an opaque material, in particular metal.

[0072] The force sensor assembly 20 is configured to detect a user control input 8. The user control input 8 comprises a contact pressure exerted by the user on the external face 4a of the control panel and a displacement between a starting point 82 and an arrival point 84, in a first direction of displacement 85 or in a second direction of displacement 86 (illustrated in [Fig. 9]). The contact pressure 8 is exerted along the support direction Z by a user 7 with a finger coming into contact with the external face 4a of the control panel 4. The force exerted on the external face 4a of the control panel is preferably between 0.1 N and 6 N. The starting point 82 and the arrival point 84 are arranged between the first longitudinal edge 3 and the second longitudinal edge 5. In the illustrated embodiments, only the movements in the transverse direction Y are detected by the covering panel 1.

[0073] The external face 4a of the control panel 4 comprises a succession of roughness zones 70 arranged between the first longitudinal edge 3 and the second longitudinal edge 5. The roughness zones 70 form strips extending in the longitudinal direction X. In the illustrated embodiments, the roughness zones 70 have a constant width in the transverse direction Y. The roughness zones 70 follow one another in the transverse direction Y with a pitch d. The pitch d is preferably between 5 millimeters and 50 millimeters. The roughness zones 70 extend for example over at least 80% of the width of the control panel in the longitudinal direction X.

[0074] The force sensor assembly 20 is connected to the control unit 10 to send a contact signal 30, 30a, 30b to the control unit 10. The force sensor assembly 20 comprises at least one force sensor 22 and is preferably held on the inner face 4b of the control panel 4. The contact signal 30, 30a, 30b is a function of the force sensor assembly 20 detecting the input of user control 8, in other words the pressure exerted by the user 7 in the support direction Z and the displacement in the transverse direction Y in contact with the external face 4a of the control panel 4. The at least one force sensor 22 comprises in particular a first electrode 21, a second electrode 23 and an active material 27 arranged between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 23. The active material 27 preferably consists of a piezoelectric material. The active material 27 preferably comprises poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF. The first electrode 21, the active material 27 and the second electrode 23 are preferably formed by printing ink on a film 28. The film 28 is glued to the internal face 4b of the control panel 4 and arranged between the control panel 4 and the at least one force sensor 22.The film 28 is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) or polycarbonate (PC). The film has a thickness e greater than 75 μm. The thickness e of the film 28 is preferably between 150 μm and 200 μm.

[0075] The surface area of ​​the outer face 4a is advantageously greater than or equal to 50 square centimeters and less than or equal to 500 square centimeters, preferably greater than or equal to 100 square centimeters and less than or equal to 250 square centimeters.

[0076] Figures 2 to 8 illustrate a first embodiment of the assembly 50. In the first embodiment, the force sensor assembly 20 comprises a first group of force sensors 24 transmitting a first contact signal 30a to the control unit 10 and a second group of force sensors 26 transmitting a second contact signal 30b to the control unit 10. The first group of force sensors 24 is arranged along the first longitudinal edge 3 and the second group of force sensors 26 is arranged along the second longitudinal edge 5. Preferably, the first group of force sensors 24 and the second group of force sensors 26 are concealed behind the body 9. The first group of force sensors 24 and the second group of force sensors 26 are each arranged on the film 28 in the form of two strips extending in the longitudinal direction X.The film 28 is arranged between the control panel 4 on the one hand and the first group of force sensors 24 and the second group of force sensors 26 on the other hand. The number of force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 is preferably the same as the number of force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 and is a function of the sensitivity of the force sensors and the dimension of the control panel 4 in the longitudinal direction X, it is preferably between one and seven, generally between three and five.

[0077] The first electrode 21 of the force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 is connected to a first input of the control unit 10 by a first conductor 11. The second electrode 23 of the force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 is connected to a second input of the control unit 10 by a second conductor 12. The first electrode 21 of the force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 is connected to a third input of the control unit 10 by a third conductor 13. The second electrode 23 of the force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 is connected to a fourth input of the control unit 10 by a fourth conductor 14.Therefore, the first electrodes 21 of the force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 are connected to each other by the first conductor 11, the second electrodes 23 of the force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 are connected to each other by the second conductor 12, the first electrodes 21 of the force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 are connected to each other by the third conductor 13 and the second electrodes 23 of the force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 are connected to each other by the fourth conductor 14.

[0078] The electrical equipment 2 is connected to an output of the control unit 10 by a fifth conductor 15.

[0079] Of course, as a variant, the covering panel 1 could comprise transmitters and receivers replacing at least some of the first conductor 11, second conductor 12, third conductor 13, fourth conductor 14 and fifth conductor 15 to connect the first group of force sensors 24 and / or the second group of force sensors 26 and / or the electrical equipment 2 to the control unit 10.

[0080] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 8, each roughness zone 70 on the external face 4a of the control panel 4 comprises a protuberance forming a rib 72 extending in the longitudinal direction X. In section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, the ribs 72 have a constant section along the direction X. The ribs 72 have a projection h on the external face 4a of the control panel 4 preferably between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0081] When the user 7 moves his finger resting on the external face 4a of the control panel 4 between the starting point 82 and the arrival point 84, in the first direction of movement 85, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first contact signal 30a has a succession of first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” and the second contact signal 30b has a succession of second variations 32b, 32b', 32b”. Each of the first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” and the second variations 32b, 32b', 32b” comprises a hollow 36 and a peak 38 and is characteristic of the passage of the finger over a rib 72.

[0082] The control unit 10 determines the number of first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” and / or second variations 32b, 32b', 32b” to deduce therefrom the variation in operating level desired by the user and therefore the adjustment signal to be transmitted to the electrical equipment 2. To each first variation 32a, 32a', 32a” and / or second variation 32b, 32b', 32b” corresponds the variation in an operating level. Figures 5 and 6 successively illustrate three first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” and three second variations 32b, 32b', 32b”, the variation in operating level determined by the control unit 10 is therefore three.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 10 determines whether the ratio between the first second control signal 30a and the second second control signal 30b increases or decreases over time to determine whether the user moves his finger in contact with the outer face 4a of the control panel 4 from the first longitudinal edge 3 to the second longitudinal edge 5 or vice versa. The control unit 10 transmits an adjustment signal 40 to the electrical equipment 2 depending on the direction of variation of the ratio between the first second control signal 30a and the second second control signal 30b, in order to vary the operating level of the electrical equipment 2 accordingly.

[0084] Alternatively, the control unit 10 determines the variation in the difference between the first second control signal 30a and the second second control signal 30b.

[0085] The level of the first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” is strictly increasing, while the level of the second variations 32b, 32b', 32b” is strictly decreasing. Consequently, the control unit 10 determines that the pressure exerted on the external face 4a of the control panel moves from the second longitudinal edge 5 towards the first longitudinal edge 3 in the transverse direction Y, in other words in the first direction of movement 85.

[0086] As illustrated in [Fig.7], the adjustment signal 40 transmitted by the control unit 10 comprises a first adjustment signal 42 depending on the direction of movement (first direction of movement 85) and the number of first variations 32a, 32a', 32a” and / or second variations 32b, 32b', 32b” (variation in operating level determined to be three). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8, the first adjustment signal 42 comprises two long slots followed by a short slot. Consequently, as illustrated in [Fig.8], the electrical equipment 2 has an operating state 60 comprising a first adjustment 62 corresponding to an increase of three levels.

[0087] Figures 9 to 14 illustrate a second embodiment. The second embodiment has two independent groups of characteristics that differ from the first embodiment.

[0088] On the one hand, the force sensor assembly 20 comprises force sensors 22 distributed substantially uniformly on the control panel 4, more precisely on the internal face 4b of the control panel 4. All the force sensors 22 are preferably printed on a single film 28. The first electrodes 21 of all the force sensors 22 are connected to each other and to the first input of the control unit 10 by the first conductor 11. The second electrodes 23 of all the force sensors 22 are connected to each other and to the second input of the control unit 10 by the second conductor 12.

[0089] As a result, the control unit 10 receives from the force sensor assembly 20 not a first contact signal and a second contact signal as in the first embodiment, but a single contact signal 30 in the second embodiment. As a result, it is not possible to determine the direction of movement by comparing the variation of two signals, as in the first embodiment.

[0090] On the other hand, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the roughness zones 70 are constituted by zones of high roughness 74 forming bands extending in the longitudinal direction X and having a constant width in the transverse direction Y. The zones of high roughness 74 have a first arithmetic roughness preferably between 5 μm and 150 μm. Between the zones of high roughness 74, the outer surface 4a of the control panel 4 has intermediate zones 76. The intermediate zones 76 have an arithmetic roughness preferably less than 5 μm.

[0091] Furthermore, the first arithmetic roughness of each high roughness zone decreases in the second direction of movement 86, in other words in the direction from the first longitudinal edge 3 towards the second longitudinal edge 5.

[0092] Furthermore, the step d increases in the second direction of movement 86.

[0093] Figures 9 to 14 illustrate the displacement of the pressure exerted by the finger of the user on the external face 4a of the control panel 4 in the second direction of movement 86 between the starting point 82 and the arrival point 84.

[0094] The contact signal 30 has a succession of variation periods 34, 34' separated by a low amplitude period 35.

[0095] The control unit 10 determines the number of variation periods 34, 34' to deduce therefrom the variation in operating level desired by the user and therefore the adjustment signal to be transmitted to the electrical equipment 2. [Fig. 12] successively illustrating two variation periods 34, 34', the variation in operating level determined by the control unit 10 is therefore two.

[0096] Furthermore, the control unit 10 determines the direction of the change in the amplitude of the contact signal 30 during each variation period 34, 34'. In [Fig. 12], the amplitude of the contact signal 30 decreases with time during each variation period 34, 34'. The control unit 10 therefore determines that the user moves his finger in contact with the external face 4a of the control panel 4 from the first longitudinal edge 3 towards the second longitudinal edge 5, in other words in the second direction of movement 86.

[0097] The control unit 10 can further use the evolution of the duration of the low amplitude periods 35 to determine the direction of movement.

[0098] As illustrated in [Fig. 13], the adjustment signal 40 transmitted by the control unit 10 comprises a second adjustment signal 44 depending on the direction of movement (second direction of movement 86) and the number of variations 34, 34' (variation in operating level determined equal to two). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14, the second adjustment signal 44 comprises a short slot, then a long slot followed by a short slot. Consequently, as illustrated in [Fig. 14], the electrical equipment 2 has an operating state 60 having a second adjustment 64 corresponding to a drop of two levels.

[0099] As illustrated in [Fig. 15], the first variant of the first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the ribs 72 have an asymmetrical shape in cross section. Each rib 72 has a first oblique face 72a, inclined substantially at 45 degrees relative to the transverse direction Y (and relative to the support direction Z) and a second face 72b extending substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction Y. The at least one contact signal emitted by the group of force sensors is then a function of the direction of movement, which allows the control unit 10 to determine the direction of movement.

[0100] As illustrated in [Fig. 16], the second variant of the first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that each roughness zone 70 has a group 72 of ribs comprising a first rib 72' and a second rib 72”, the first rib 72' having a first substantially triangular cross-section and the second rib 72” having a second substantially rounded cross-section. The second cross-section being different from the first cross-section, the contact signal has a first characteristic corresponding to the first rib 72' and a second characteristic corresponding to the second rib 72” which is different from the first characteristic. Thus, the control unit 10 determines the direction of movement by analyzing the contact signal.

Claims

Claims

1. A vehicle trim panel (1) for controlling electrical equipment (2), the trim panel comprising: - a control panel (4) having an outer face (4a) and an inner face (4b), the outer face (4a) having a first zone (3) and a second zone (5), - a control unit (10), - a force sensor assembly (20) comprising at least one force sensor (22), the force sensor assembly (20) being configured to detect a user control input (8) comprising pressure exerted on the outer face (4a) of the control panel (4) moving between a starting point (82) and an end point (84) located between the first zone (3) and the second zone (5), the force sensor assembly (20) being configured to send at least one contact signal (30;30a, 30b) to the control unit (10) as a function of the user control input (8) detected by the set of force sensors (20), wherein: - the external face (4a) of the control panel (4) has a succession of roughness zones (70) extending in a longitudinal direction (X), the roughness zones (70) being arranged between the first zone (3) and the second zone (5) and spaced apart (d) from each other in a transverse direction (Y), perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), - the control unit (10) is configured to analyze the contact signal (30; 30a, 30b) and detect the number of roughness zones (70) on which a user (7) successively exerts pressure while moving (85) between the starting point (82) and the arrival point (84), and to send to the electrical equipment (2) a signal adjustment (40) depending on the number of asperity zones detected.;

2. Cover panel according to claim 1 in which the external face (4a) of the control panel (4) has at least three roughness zones (70).

3. A trim panel according to any preceding claim wherein the control unit (10) is configured to analyze the contact signal (30), determine the direction of movement (85, 86) and send to the electrical equipment (2) a first signal of adjustment (42) when the at least one contact signal (30, 30a, 30b) corresponds to a movement in a first direction (85), from the second zone (5) to the first zone (3), and a second adjustment signal (44) when the at least one contact signal (30) corresponds to a movement in a second direction (86), from the first zone (3) to the second zone (5), the second adjustment signal (44) being different from the first adjustment signal (42).

4. A cladding panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which each roughness zone (70) is asymmetrical in section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X).

5. A cladding panel according to any preceding claim wherein each roughness area (70) comprises a rib (72) having an asymmetrical cross-section.

6. A trim panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each roughness zone (70) has a group of ribs comprising a first rib (72') and a second rib (72”), the first rib (72') having a first cross-section and the second rib (72”) having a second cross-section, the second cross-section being different from the first cross-section, such that the contact signal has a first characteristic corresponding to the first rib (72') and a second characteristic corresponding to the second rib (72”), the second characteristic being different from the first characteristic.

7. A trim panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each rough area (70) comprises at least one rib (72) projecting from the external face (4a) of the control panel (4), the ribs (72) being parallel to each other.

8. A cladding panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: - each roughness zone (70, 74) has a first arithmetic roughness, - the roughness zones (70, 74) are separated from each other by intermediate zones (76), - the intermediate zones (76) have a second arithmetic roughness, and - the first arithmetic roughness is greater than or equal to twice the second arithmetic roughness.

9. An assembly (50) comprising a vehicle trim panel (1) according to any preceding claim and electrical equipment.

10. Vehicle passenger compartment (100) comprising an assembly (50) according to the preceding claim.

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