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), a control unit (10), a force sensor assembly (20) comprising at least one force sensor (22), the force sensor assembly (20) being configured to send at least one contact signal to the control unit (10), wherein the control unit (10) is configured to perform the following operations: determine at least one first command signal at the beginning of the at least one contact signal and determine if the first command signal is a predetermined first command code, if the first command signal is the command code, send to the electrical equipment a setting signal based on the second command signal. Figure for abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle trim panel, assembly comprising the vehicle trim panel and electrical equipment, vehicle passenger compartment comprising the assembly. Scope of disclosure

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle trim panel for controlling electrical equipment. This disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising the trim panel and the electrical equipment. This disclosure also relates to a vehicle passenger compartment comprising said assembly. Prior art

[0002] A cladding panel comprising: is known

[0003] a control panel having an external face and an internal face,

[0004] a control unit,

[0005] a force sensor assembly comprising at least one force sensor, the force sensor assembly being configured to detect a user control input comprising a sequence of contact pressures exerted by the user on the external face of the control panel, the force sensor assembly being configured to send at least one contact signal to the control unit as a function of the user control input detected by the force sensor assembly.

[0006] This disclosure aims to improve the ergonomics of such a trim panel. For example, when the electrical equipment includes lighting, it is often difficult to locate the control panel before the passenger compartment lights are turned on. Furthermore, when the control panel is located on the ceiling, substantially above the user's head, it is unsafe for the driver to take their eyes off the road to look at the ceiling and find where to press to control the electrical equipment.

[0007] To remedy this, it was planned to control the electrical equipment based on user gestures. However, since the time spent in the passenger compartment is relatively long compared to the time required to perform a gesture to control the electrical equipment, many gestures could be interpreted as commands, so that the user risks making gestures that could be interpreted as commands when this is not their intention. Statement of Disclosure

[0008] In accordance with the disclosure, the control unit is configured to perform the following operations:

[0009] a) determine at least one first command signal at the beginning of at least one contact signal and determine whether the first command signal is a predetermined first command code,

[0010] b) if the first command signal is the predetermined first command code, determine at least one second command signal from the contact signal and send to the electrical equipment a setting signal based on the second command signal, the control unit is configured not to send a setting signal until the control unit has determined a first command signal as being the predetermined first command code.

[0011] Thus, the control panel may have a large external face, which will prevent the user from having to search for where to press. Accidental contact with the external face of the control panel could be frequent due to its large size, but this could lead to no action by selecting a less common initial command code in case of accidental contact.

[0012] According to another feature in accordance with the disclosure, the control unit is preferably configured to send to the electrical equipment an actuation signal distinct from the setting signal, if the first command signal is the predetermined first command code.

[0013] Thus, the trim panel can successively perform two actions on the electrical equipment in response to the user command input, namely send the actuation signal when the user input is considered to start with a first command code, then send a setting signal if the contact signal continues beyond the first command code, in other words if the user wishes to perform a double action on the electrical equipment.

[0014] According to a complementary feature, the preferred control unit is configured so that the actuation signal is always the same.

[0015] Thus, the control panel is simple, the actuation command always results in the same signal and any other signal (as well as an absence of signal) results in an absence of actuation command.

[0016] According to another feature, preferably the control unit is configured so that the predetermined first command code corresponds to the detection of two contact presses on the control panel within a time interval less than or equal to a predetermined time interval, said predetermined time interval being less than or equal to 2 seconds, preferably less than or equal to 1.5 seconds.

[0017] Thus, the risk that an unexpected user command input will cause the sending of a signal (actuating or setting signal) from the control unit to The electrical equipment is small, without creating significant constraints for the user.

[0018] According to another feature, preferably the control unit is configured to send the electrical equipment the setting signal from among a group of predetermined setting signals comprising at least 2 predetermined setting signals, preferably at least 4 predetermined setting signals.

[0019] Thus, after pressing the control panel so that the first command signal corresponds to the predetermined first command code, the user can continue to touch the control panel in multiple ways to perform multiple commands of the electrical equipment.

[0020] According to a complementary feature, preferably the control unit is configured to compare the second control signal against a plurality of thresholds corresponding to pressure levels detected by the force sensor set, and send to the electrical equipment a setting signal according to the number of thresholds crossed by the second control signal.

[0021] According to yet another feature, preferably the external face of the control panel comprises a plurality of protrusions forming ribs extending along a longitudinal direction and the control unit is configured to detect and count a succession of troughs and peaks in the second control signal, and to send to the electrical equipment a setting signal according to the number of trough and peak successions detected in the second control signal.

[0022] Thus, if the user slides his finger on the outer face of the control panel, the adjustment signal varies according to the amplitude of displacement perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0023] Preferably, the cladding panel has the following characteristics:

[0024] The screen has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge substantially parallel to the first longitudinal edge and opposite to the first longitudinal edge,

[0025] The force sensor assembly comprises a first group of force sensors and a second group of force sensors; the first group of force sensors is arranged along the first longitudinal edge and the second group of force sensors is arranged along the second longitudinal edge.

[0026] The first group of force sensors is configured to send a first contact signal to the control unit, the second group of force sensors is configured to send a second contact signal to the control unit,

[0027] The control unit is configured to determine a first second control signal from the first contact signal and a second second control signal from the second contact signal, and

[0028] The control unit is configured to compare the amplitude (or strength) of the first second control signal with the amplitude (or strength) of 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.

[0029] Thus, the direction of movement between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge is detected in a simple and reliable way, which makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of adjusting the electrical equipment by doubling the group of predetermined adjustment signals.

[0030] According to another feature the control unit is configured to perform operation a) again when the sensor set does not detect a user control input for a period exceeding a time threshold.

[0031] Thus, beyond the duration threshold, it is considered that the user has performed the actions he wanted on the electrical equipment and a user command input must be such that the first command signal is the predetermined first command code so that the command input is followed by an action on the electrical equipment to avoid unplanned actions on the electrical equipment.

[0032] According to a supplementary feature, preferably the control unit is configured to continue operation b) as long as the duration during which the sensor set does not detect a user control input is less than the duration threshold.

[0033] Thus, the user can touch the control panel so that several successive adjustment signals are sent to the electrical equipment.

[0034] According to an alternative feature, preferably the force sensor assembly comprises a plurality of force sensors each comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrodes are electrically connected to each other, and the second electrodes are electrically connected to each other.

[0035] Thus, only two wires or connection tracks are needed to connect the electrodes and the control unit.

[0036] In various embodiments of the vehicle trim panel according to the disclosure, one and / or the other of the following provisions may also be used:

[0037] force sensors are piezoelectric sensors;

[0038] The force sensors include a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) ink printed on a film;

[0039] The film is made of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), sometimes called polyethylene terephthalate, or poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN), sometimes called polyethylene naphthalate, or polycarbonate (PC);

[0040] the film has a thickness greater than 75 pm;

[0041] The force sensor assembly is arranged on the inner face of the control panel;

[0042] the outer face of the control panel has a surface of at least 50 square centimeters, preferably at least 100 square centimeters.

[0043] This disclosure further relates to an assembly comprising the aforementioned vehicle trim panel and electrical equipment.

[0044] According to a further feature, the electrical equipment is preferably a lighting unit.

[0045] The present disclosure finally relates to a vehicle passenger compartment comprising the aforementioned assembly.

[0046] According to a supplementary feature, the passenger compartment includes a ceiling and a front row of seats, and the trim panel is arranged on the ceiling above the front row of seats. Brief description of the figures

[0047] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0048] [Fig. 1] represents in perspective a vehicle passenger compartment comprising an assembly, the assembly including a trim panel and electrical equipment,

[0049] [Fig.2] shows in cross-section along a line marked II-II in [Fig.3], the assembly according to a first method of implementation,

[0050] [Fig.3] represents the assembly according to the first embodiment, according to the arrow shown III in [Fig.1],

[0051] [Fig.4] 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,

[0052] [Fig.5] represents a second contact signal emitted by a second group of force sensors of the assembly to the control unit according to the first embodiment,

[0053] [Fig.6] represents a control signal emitted by the control unit of the assembly according to the first embodiment,

[0054] [Fig.7] represents an operating state of the electrical equipment, according to the first embodiment,

[0055] [Fig.8] represents, in accordance with [Fig.3], the assembly in a second mode of realization,

[0056] [Fig.9] schematically represents a part of the whole according to the second embodiment, along a line marked IX-IX in [Fig. 8],

[0057] [Fig. 10] represents the first contact signal emitted by the first group of force sensors of the assembly according to the second embodiment,

[0058] [Fig. 11] represents the second contact signal emitted by the second group of force sensors of the assembly according to the second embodiment,

[0059] [Fig. 12] represents, in cross-section along a line marked XII-XII in [Fig. 13], the assembly according to a third embodiment,

[0060] [Fig. 13] represents, in accordance with [Fig. 3], the assembly according to the third embodiment,

[0061] [Fig. 14] represents a contact signal emitted by a set of force sensors of the assembly according to the third embodiment,

[0062] [Fig. 15] represents a control signal emitted by the control unit of the assembly according to the third embodiment receiving the contact signal,

[0063] [Fig. 16] represents the state of operation of the electrical equipment, according to the third embodiment. Detailed description of the disclosure

[0064] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle passenger compartment 100 comprising a headliner 110, front seats 120, a dashboard 130, a center console 140, and door panels. The front seats 120 are supported by a floor and arranged in a row. The row of front seats 120 extends along a longitudinal direction X. The passenger compartment 100 further comprises an assembly 50. The assembly 50 includes a trim panel 1 and electrical equipment 2. The trim panel 1 is held to the headliner 110, above the row of front seats 120.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiments, the electrical equipment 2 is a lighting unit. The lighting unit is mounted on 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 located away from the trim panel and consist of a multimedia player or an air conditioning unit. The trim panel 1 could be positioned on the dashboard 130, the center console 140, between the front seats 120, or on one of the doors.

[0066] As illustrated in particular in Figures 2 and 3 (but also in Figures 8, 9, 12 and 13), the cover 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 force sensor assembly 20. The control panel 4 has an external face 4a and an internal face 4b. The force sensor assembly 20 is supported by the control panel 4. The control unit 10 and the control panel 4 are supported by the body 9. The body 9 is fixed to the ceiling 110. The unit of Control unit 10 is positioned between body 9 and ceiling 110, so that the control unit 10 is concealed behind body 9. Body 9 has an opening opposite which control panel 4 is positioned. Control panel 4 has a perimeter concealed behind body 9. In particular, control panel 4 has a first longitudinal edge 3 and a second longitudinal edge 5 extending along the longitudinal direction X. Control panel 4 is substantially flat, with the outer face 4a extending perpendicularly to a support direction Z. Alternatively, control panel 4, and in particular the outer face 4a, may be curved. The support direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The perimeter of the control panel also has transverse edges extending along 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.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiments, the control panel 4 is designed to allow light to pass through; in particular, the control panel 4 is transparent or translucent, preferably made of glass or polycarbonate. The lighting unit is positioned opposite the inner face 4b of the control panel 4, so that the light emitted by the lighting unit passes through the control panel 4. In one embodiment, a display device may be positioned opposite the inner face 4b of the control panel 4, the display device constituting the electrical equipment or forming part of the electrical equipment. According to another embodiment (not shown), in which the electrical equipment is not a lighting unit positioned opposite the control panel 4, the control panel may be made of an opaque material, in particular metal.

[0068] The force sensor assembly 20 is configured to detect a user control input 8. The user control input 8 comprises a sequence of contact pressures exerted by the user on the outer face 4a of the control panel 4. The force exerted on the outer face 4a of the control panel is preferably between 0.1 N and 6 N. The sequence of contact pressures includes at least one contact pressure exerted by a user 7, generally with a finger coming into contact with the outer face 4a of the control panel 4. 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 mounted on the inner face 4b of the control panel.The contact signal 30, 30a, 30b is a function of the detection by the force sensor set 20 of the user control input 8, in other words of the pressure exerted by the user 7 in contact with the external face of the control panel 4. At least one force sensor 22 includes in par. The device comprises a first electrode 21, a second electrode 23, and an active material 27 disposed between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 23. The active material 27 is preferably made of a piezoelectric material. The active material 27 preferably comprises polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The first electrode 21, the active material 27, and the second electrode 23 are preferably formed by printing ink onto a film 28. The film thus forms part of the tactile assembly 29. The film 28 is bonded to the inner face 4b of the control panel 4 and disposed between the control panel 4 and at least one force sensor 22. The film 28 is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polycarbonate (PC). The film 28 has a thickness e greater than 75 µm. The thickness e of the 28 film is preferably less than 200 pm.The touch assembly 29 can be overmolded using a technique called "In Mold Electronics (IME)", the touch assembly 29 being placed in an injection mold to create the body 9 and to bond the body with the touch assembly 29.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the assembly 50. In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the force sensor assembly 20 comprises a first group of force sensors 24 and a second group of force sensors 26. 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, which is in the form of two strips extending along the longitudinal direction X. The film 28 is arranged between, on the one hand, the control panel 4 and, on the other hand, the first group of force sensors 24 and the second group of force sensors. 26.The number of force sensors 22 in the first group of force sensors 24 is preferably the same as the number of force sensors 22 in the second group of force sensors 26, is a function of the sensitivity of the force sensors and the size of the control panel 4 along the longitudinal direction and is preferably between one and seven, generally between three and five.

[0071] 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 together by the first conductor 11, the second electrodes 23 of the force sensors 22 of the first group of force sensors 24 are connected together by the second conductor 12, the first electrodes 21 of the force sensors 22 of the second group of force sensors 26 are connected together 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 together by the fourth conductor 14.

[0072] The electrical equipment 2 is connected to an output of the control unit 10 by a fifth conductor 15.

[0073] Of course, alternatively, the trim panel 1 could include 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.

[0074] The first group of force sensors 24 transmits to the control unit 10 a first contact signal 30a and the second group of force sensors 26 transmits to the control unit 10 a second contact signal 30b.

[0075] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, until the control unit determines that the first contact signal 30a and / or the second contact signal 30b contains a predetermined first command code 33, the first contact signal 30a forms a first first command signal 32a and the second contact signal 30b forms a second first command signal 32b. The control unit 10 is configured to initially perform an operation a) to check whether a condition is met, namely to determine whether at least one of the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b corresponds to the predetermined first command code 33. In the illustrated embodiments, the predetermined first command code 33 corresponds to two successive presses exerted by the user 7 on the external surface 4a of the control panel 4 in the direction of contact Z.Two successive pressures mean one pressure, the removal of that pressure, then another pressure within a time interval less than a predetermined time interval T. The predetermined time interval. T is advantageously less than or equal to 2 seconds, preferably less than or equal to 1.5 seconds, typically close to 1 second. Alternatively, of course, another predetermined first command code could be provided, such as at least one pressure maintained for a predetermined duration, which could be, for example, at least two seconds, a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold, or a combination of the aforementioned predetermined first command codes. Furthermore, several predetermined first command codes could be provided.

[0076] As illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b each exhibit at a first instant t1 successively a trough 36a, 36b then a peak 38a, 38b and at a second instant t2 successively a trough 36a', 36b' then a peak 38a', 38b'.

[0077] The control unit determines from the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b that the user command input includes a user press 7 at the first instant t1 and another user press 7 at the second instant t2, the second instant t2 being later by a time interval (t2-t1) after the first instant t1 and that the time interval (t2-t1) is less than the predetermined time interval T. The aforementioned condition being then satisfied, the control unit 10 proceeds to an operation b).Conversely, as long as the aforementioned condition is not satisfied, namely for example that the control unit 10 does not detect in the first contact signal 30a and / or the second contact signal 30b that the user 7 has made a user command input 8 or that this user command input 8 does not correspond to the predetermined first command code, the control unit 10 remains at operation a) and does not proceed to operation b).

[0078] To determine whether the condition for switching from operation a) to operation b) is met, the control unit 10 can, in particular, be configured to consider the condition met when two successive presses are detected and:

[0079] - the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal command 32b each corresponds to the predetermined first command code 33, or

[0080] - at least one of the first first command signal 32a and the second The first command signal 32b corresponds to the predetermined first command code 33, or

[0081] - when the sum of the first first command signal 32a and the second The first command signal 32b corresponds to the predetermined first command code 33.

[0082] Indeed, in order to take pressure into account, the first signal of The first command 32a, or the second first command signal 32b, or the sum of the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b, exceeds a threshold. However, if the user applies pressure near the first longitudinal edge 3 or near the second longitudinal edge 5, the pressure might only be detectable in the first first command signal 32a or in the second first command signal 32b.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiments, when the aforementioned condition is met, the control unit 10 is configured to further perform an operation a') consisting of sending an actuation signal 42 to the electrical equipment 2. As illustrated in [Fig. 6], the control unit 10 sends a control signal 40 to the electrical equipment 2 via the fifth conductor 15. The control signal 40 is initially zero, but during operation a'), the control signal 40 includes an actuation signal 42. In [Fig. 6], the actuation signal 42 consists of a long pulse followed by two short pulses. Of course, this is just one example; other actuation signals could be used.

[0084] Upon receiving the actuation signal 42 by the electrical equipment 2, the electrical equipment 2 transitions from a stopped state to an operating state. Figure 7 represents the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2. The electrical equipment 2, previously in the stopped state, transitions to an operating state upon receiving the actuation signal 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical equipment 2 has several operating levels and memorizes this level, so that it resumes the same operating level when it transitions to the operating state as the operating state the electrical equipment 2 had when it transitioned from the operating state to the stopped state. The electrical equipment has four operating levels, N1, N2, N3, N4, corresponding, for example, to four different lighting intensities. As illustrated in Figure 7, the electrical equipment 2 transitions from a stopped state to an operating state.7], the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 exhibits a first change 62 consisting of a transition to the second operating level N2.

[0085] Alternatively, the control unit 10 might not send an actuation signal 42 to the electrical equipment 2, so that operation a') does not occur. In particular, where the trim panel 1 is used to set the setpoint temperature of an air conditioning unit, it is necessary to ensure that the control input 8 is not made by an unintentional contact with the control panel 4, but the change in the setpoint temperature may be separate from the switching on and off of the air conditioning unit. Therefore, the determination that the first command signal is the predetermined first command code is not followed by the transmission of an actuation signal 42. by the control unit for electrical equipment 2.

[0086] During operation b), the control unit 10 determines whether a time exceeding a threshold duration S elapses during which no control input is detected by the force sensor assembly 20. If so, the control unit returns to operation a). If not, the control unit continues with operation b).

[0087] During operation b) the first contact signal 30a forms a succession of first second control signals 34a, 34a' and the second contact signal 30b forms a succession of second second control signals 34b, 34b'.

[0088] Between a third instant t3 and a fourth instant t4, the control unit 10 receives the first contact signal 30a and the second contact signal 30b. The control unit 10 determines that the third instant t3 is later than the second instant t2 by a time interval (t3-t2) which is less than the duration threshold S. Operation b) therefore continues.

[0089] Then, the control unit 10 determines the variation in the amplitude of the first second command signal 34a relative to the amplitude of the second second command signal 34b. In particular, the control unit 10 determines that between the third instant t3 and the fourth instant t4, the amplitude of the first second command signal 34a increases, while the amplitude of the second second command signal 34b decreases. This means that the user 7 has moved their finger from the second longitudinal edge 5 to the first longitudinal edge 3 and therefore that the user 7 wishes to lower the operating level of the electrical equipment 2.The control unit 10 determines that the variation in the difference between the amplitude of the first second control signal 34a and the amplitude of the second second control signal 34b is small, which, after comparison with predetermined reference variations, corresponds to a variation of one operating level of the electrical equipment 2. The control unit 10 then sends a first control signal 44 to the electrical equipment 2. In [Fig. 6], the first control signal 44 consists of two short pulses followed by one long pulse. Consequently, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 exhibits a second change 64, consisting of a transition to the first operating level NI, one step below the second operating level N2.

[0090] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, the control signals sent by the control unit 10 to the electrical equipment 2 are incremental, providing the electrical equipment 2 with the variation in operating level. Alternatively, the control signals sent by the control unit 10 to the electrical equipment 2 could be absolute, providing the electrical equipment 2 with the operating level it must be at.

[0091] Between a fifth time t5 and a sixth time t6, the control unit 10 receives the first contact signal 30a and the second contact signal 30b. The control unit 10 determines that the fifth time t5 is later than the fourth time t4 by a time interval (t5-t4) that is less than the duration threshold S. Operation b) therefore continues. The first contact signal 30a forms another first second control signal 34a' and the second contact signal 30b forms another second second control signal 34b'.

[0092] Then, the control unit 10 determines the variation in the amplitude of the other first second control signal 34a' relative to the other second second control signal 34b'. In particular, the control unit 10 determines that between the fifth instant t5 and the sixth instant t6, the amplitude of the other first second control signal 34a' decreases, while the amplitude of the other second second control signal 34b' increases. This means that the user 7 has moved their finger from the first longitudinal edge 3 to the second longitudinal edge 5 and therefore that the user 7 wishes to increase the operating level of the electrical equipment 2.The control unit determines that the variation in the difference between the amplitude of the other first second control signal 34a' and the other second second control signal 34b' is moderate, which, after comparison with predetermined reference variations, corresponds to a variation of two operating levels of the electrical equipment 2. The control unit 10 then sends a second control signal 44' to the electrical equipment 2. In [Fig. 6], the second control signal 44' consists of two long pulses followed by a short pulse. Consequently, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 exhibits a third change 64', consisting of a transition to the third operating level N3, two notches higher than the first operating level NI.

[0093] Then, up to a seventh instant t7, the first contact signal 30a and the second contact signal 30b show no variation corresponding to a user command input 8. The control unit 10 then determines that the seventh instant t7 is later than the sixth instant t6 by a time interval greater than the duration threshold S. The control unit 10 therefore ceases operation b) and returns to operation a). The first contact signal 30a again forms the first first command signal 32a and the second contact signal 30b again forms the second first command signal 32b.

[0094] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b each exhibit, from the seventh instant t7 successively, a trough 36a”, 36b” then a peak 38a”, 38b” and from an eighth instant t8 successively a trough 36a”’, 36b’” then a peak 38a”’, 38b’”.

[0095] The control unit 10 determines, from the first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b, a user press 7 at the seventh time t7 and another user press 7 at the eighth time t8. The eighth time t8 is later than the seventh time t7 by a time interval (t8-t7) which is less than the predetermined time interval T. The first first command signal 32a and the second first command signal 32b therefore correspond to the predetermined first command code 33.

[0096] The control unit 10 then performs operation a'), which consists of sending an actuation signal 46 to the electrical equipment 2. In [Fig. 6], the actuation signal 46 is identical to the actuation signal 42 and consists of a long pulse followed by two short pulses. As illustrated in [Fig. 7], upon receiving the actuation signal 46, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 undergoes a fourth change 66, namely, switching to a standstill. Alternatively, the actuation signal 46 could be different from the actuation signal 42, so that the control unit 10 would transmit a different signal to switch the electrical equipment 2 on and to switch it off.

[0097] The control unit 10 then returns to operation a).

[0098] Figures 8 to 11 illustrate a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 7 in that the outer face 4a of the control panel 4 comprises a plurality of protrusions forming ribs 6 extending along the longitudinal direction X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, the ribs 6 have a constant cross-section along the direction X. The ribs 6 have a projection h on the outer face 4a of the control panel 4 preferably of between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0099] When the user 7 moves their finger while resting on the outer face 4a of the control panel 4 between the first longitudinal edge 3 and the second longitudinal edge 5, and vice versa, instead of having a continuous variation of the first second command signal 34a and the second second command signal 34b as in the first embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, in the second embodiment the first second command signal 34a exhibits a succession of a trough 36, 36', 36”, 36”', 36”” followed by a peak 38, 38', 38”, 38’”, 38””. Similarly, the second second command signal 34b exhibits a succession of a trough 37, 37', 37”, 37”', 37”” followed by a peak 39, 39', 39”, 39’”, 39””. Instead of determining the variation of the gap between the first second command signal 30a and the second second command signal 30b as in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the unit of Control unit 10 determines the number of successive troughs and peaks to deduce the operating level variation desired by the user, and therefore the adjustment signal to be transmitted to electrical equipment 2. Each trough-peak sequence corresponds to a variation of one operating level. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate five troughs followed by one peak, so the desired level variation determined by control unit 10 is five. Control unit 10 can send either five successive adjustment signals or a single adjustment signal corresponding to the variation of five operating levels.

[0100] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the control unit 10 determines whether the ratio between the first second control signal 34a and the second second control signal 34b increases or decreases over time to determine whether the user moves their 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. In other words, the adjustment signal transmitted to the electrical equipment 2 is a function of the direction of change in 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.

[0101] Figures 12 to 16 illustrate a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the force sensor assembly 20 comprises force sensors 22 distributed substantially uniformly on the control panel 4, more precisely on the inner 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.

[0102] Consequently, 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 third embodiment. Therefore, the movement of the user's finger 7 on the outer face 4a of the control panel 4 is not detected by the control unit 10.

[0103] As illustrated in [Fig. 14], until the control unit 10 determines that the contact signal 30 contains the predetermined first command code 33, the contact signal 30 forms a first command signal 32. The control unit 10 is configured to perform operation a) to check whether the first command signal 32 corresponds to one of the predetermined first command codes 33. As in previous embodiments, in the third embodiment, the predetermined first command code 33 corresponds to two pressures exerted by the user on the external surface 4a of the control panel 4 within a time interval less than the predetermined time interval T.

[0104] The first command signal 32 presents at the first instant tl successively a trough 36 then a peak 38 and at the second instant t2 successively a trough 36' then a peak 38'.

[0105] The control unit determines, based on the initial command signal 32, a user pressure 7 at the first instant t1 because the trough 36 exceeds a first threshold 35a, and another user pressure 7 at the second instant t2 because the trough 36' also exceeds the first threshold 35a. The control unit 10 further determines that the second instant t2 is later than the first instant t1 by a time interval (t2-t1) that is less than the predetermined time interval T.

[0106] The control unit 10 then performs operation a'), which consists of the control signal 40 sent to the electrical equipment 2 via the fifth conductor 15 including the actuation signal 42. In [Fig. 15], the actuation signal 42 consists of two short pulses. Upon receipt of the actuation signal 42, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 undergoes a first change, 62, consisting of a transition from the stopped state to operation at the first operating level N1.

[0107] And, the control unit 10 then performs operation b). The contact signal 30 then forms a succession of second control signals 34, 34', 34”.

[0108] Starting at a third instant t3, the control unit 10 receives the second control signal 34. The control unit 10 determines that the third instant t3 is later than the second instant t2 by a time interval (t3-t2), which is less than the duration threshold S. Operation b) therefore continues. The control unit 10 determines that the dip 36” is between the first threshold 35a and a second threshold 35b. The control unit 10 then sends a first control signal 44 to the electrical equipment 2, in order to vary the electrical equipment 2 by one operating level. In [Fig. 15], the first control signal 44 consists of a short pulse followed by a long pulse. Consequently, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 undergoes a second change 64, consisting of a transition to the second operating level N2, one step higher than the first operating level NI.

[0109] From a fourth instant t4, the control unit 10 receives the second control signal 34'. The control unit 10 determines that the fourth instant t4 is later by a time interval (t4-t3) after the third instant t3, which is less than the duration threshold S. Operation b) therefore continues. The control unit 10 determines that the dip 36'" is greater than a third threshold 35c. The control unit 10 then sends a second control signal 44' to the electrical equipment 2, in order to vary the electrical equipment 2 through three operating levels. In [Fig. 15], the second control signal 44' consists of two long pulses. Consequently, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 exhibits a third change 64', consisting of a transition to the fifth operating level N5, three notches higher than the second operating level N2. The fifth operating level N5 is the maximum operating level.

[0110] Starting at a fifth instant t5, the control unit 10 receives the second control signal 34”. The control unit 10 determines that the fifth instant t5 is a time interval (t4-t3) after the fourth instant t4, which is less than the duration threshold S. Operation b) therefore continues. The control unit 10 determines that the dip 36” is between the second threshold 35b and the third threshold 35c. The control unit 10 then sends a third control signal 44” to the electrical equipment 2, in order to vary the electrical equipment 2 by two operating levels. In [Fig. 15], the third control signal 44” consists of a long pulse followed by a short pulse. Consequently, the operating state 60 of the electrical equipment 2 exhibits a fourth change 64” consisting of a variation between two operating levels.Since the fifth operating level N5 is the maximum operating level, after performing the upward operating level variations, the electrical equipment 2 performs the downward operating level variations. In other words, the fourth change 64” consists of a transition from the fifth operating level to the third operating level N3, two notches below the operating level N5. The electrical equipment exhibits a fourth operating level N4.

[0111] If a new user command input 8 corresponding to the predetermined first command code 33 is made leaving a time interval greater than the duration threshold S after the fifth instant t5, as in the first embodiment, the control unit again emits an actuation signal and the electrical equipment 2 stops.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle trim panel (1) for controlling electrical equipment (2), the trim panel comprising: - a control panel (4) having an external face (4a) and an internal face (4b), - 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 a sequence of contact pressures exerted by the user on the external face (4a) of the control panel (4), 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 force sensor assembly (20), in which the control unit (10) is configured to perform the following operations: a) determine at least one first command signal (32; 32a, 32b) at the beginning of at least one contact signal (30; 30a, 30b) and determine whether the first command signal (32; 32a, 32b) is a predetermined first command code (33), the control unit (10) being configured so that the predetermined first command code (33) corresponds to the detection of two contact presses on the control panel (4) within a time interval (t2-t1) less than or equal to a predetermined time interval (T), said predetermined time interval (T) being less than or equal to 2 seconds, preferably less than or equal to 1.5 seconds, b) if the first command signal (32) is the predetermined first command code (33), determine at least one second command signal (34; 34a, 34b) from the contact signal (30; 30a, 30b) and send to the electrical equipment (2) a setting signal (44, 44', 44") as a function of the second command signal (34; 34a, 34b), the control unit (10) is configured not to send a setting signal (44) until the control unit (10) has determined a first command signal (32) as being the predetermined first command code (33).

2. Vehicle trim panel according to claim 1 wherein the control unit (10) is configured to send to the electrical equipment (2) an actuation signal (42) distinct from the setting signal (44, 44', 44"), if the first command signal (32; 32a, 32b) is the predetermined first command code (33).

3. Vehicle trim panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the control unit (10) is configured to send to the electrical equipment (2) the adjustment signal (44, 44', 44") from among a group of predetermined adjustment signals comprising at least 2 predetermined adjustment signals, preferably at least 4 predetermined adjustment signals.

4. Vehicle trim panel according to the preceding claim in which the control unit (10) is configured to: - compare the second command signal (34; 34a, 34b) against a plurality of thresholds (35a, 35b, 35c) corresponding to pressure levels detected by the force sensor assembly (22), and - send to the electrical equipment (2) a setting signal (44, 44', 44") as a function of the number of thresholds (35a, 35b, 35c) crossed by the second command signal (34; 34a, 34b).

5. Vehicle trim panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer face (4a) of the control panel (4) comprises a plurality of rib-forming protrusions (6) extending along a longitudinal direction (X) and the control unit (10) is configured to: - detect and count a succession of troughs (36) and peaks (38) in the second control signal (34; 34a, 34b), and - send to the electrical equipment (2) a setting signal (44, 44', 44") as a function of the number of trough (36) and peak (38) successions detected in the second control signal (34).

6. Vehicle trim panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: - the control panel (4) has a first longitudinal edge (3) and a second longitudinal edge (5) substantially parallel to the first longitudinal edge (3) and opposite to the first longitudinal edge (3), - the force sensor assembly (20) comprises a first group of force sensors (24) and a second group of force sensors (26), 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),

7.

8.

9. - The first group of force sensors (24) is configured to send a first contact signal (30a) to the control unit (10), the second group of force sensors (26) is configured to send a second contact signal (30b) to the control unit (10), - the control unit (10) is configured to determine a first second control signal (34a) from the first contact signal (30a) and a second second control signal (34b) from the second contact signal (30b), - the control unit (10) is configured to compare the amplitude of the first second control signal (34a) with the amplitude of the second second control signal (34b), determine the evolution of said comparison and send to the electrical equipment (2) the adjustment signal (44) according to the evolution of said comparison. Assembly (50) comprising a vehicle trim panel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and the electrical equipment. Vehicle passenger compartment (100) comprising an assembly (50) according to the preceding claim. Vehicle passenger compartment (100) according to the preceding claim comprising a ceiling (110) and a front row of seats (120), in which the trim panel (1) is disposed on the ceiling (110) above the front row of seats (120) and the electrical equipment (2) is a lighting unit.

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