Human-machine interface device with retractable button

Abstract

Human-Machine Interface Device with Retractable Button The human-machine interface device (2) comprises a touch device (4) having a touch surface (6), a base (12) fixed to the touch surface (6), and a control button (14) mounted on the base (12) and rotatable about an axis of rotation (A), preferably perpendicular to the touch surface (6). The human-machine interface device (2) is configured to detect the angular position of the control button (14) by the touch device (4) and to retract the control button (14) axially towards the touch surface (6) if an axial force applied to the control button (14) exceeds a retraction threshold. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Human-machine interface device with retractable button

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interface devices, in particular those used in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles.

[0002] In a motor vehicle, it is possible to provide a human-machine interface device comprising a rotary control button whose rotation makes it possible, for example, to adjust an operating parameter of a functional member (for example the sound volume of an infotainment system), to select an operating mode of a functional member (by an operating mode of a ventilation, heating and air conditioning system) or to interact with a graphical user interface.

[0003] To comply with regulations and limit the risk of injury to occupants in the event of an impact to the vehicle, it is desirable that the control button has a projection of a maximum height of 9.5 mm relative to a surface on which it is placed.

[0004] Due to the limitation of the height of the control knob, it results in it being more difficult for the occupants to manipulate the rotary control knob.

[0005] It is possible to provide a human-machine interface device whose control button is retractable along its axis of rotation, which is nevertheless done at the cost of greater mechanical complexity of the human-machine interface device.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a human-machine interface device which is easy to use while respecting the dimensional recommendations to limit the risks of injury.

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a human-machine interface device comprising a touch-sensitive device having a touch-sensitive surface, a base fixed to the touch-sensitive surface, and a control button mounted on the base while being rotatable about an axis of rotation, preferably perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface, the human-machine interface device being configured for the detection of the angular position of the control button by the touch-sensitive device and for the control button to retract axially towards the touch-sensitive surface in the event of an axial force applied to the control button exceeding a retraction threshold.

[0008] The retractable control button mounted on a touch surface of a touch device for detecting the rotation of the control button makes it possible to have an easy-to-use control button, to comply with regulations, to limit the risk of injury, and to preserve the mechanical simplicity of the human-machine interface device.

[0009] In particular embodiments, the human-machine interface device comprises one or more of the following optional features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0010] - the human-machine interface device comprises a first relief provided on the base and a second relief provided on the control button, the first relief and the second relief being engaged in each other by axially locking the control button relative to the base and being configured to disengage from each other in the event of an axial force exceeding the retraction threshold;

[0011] - the first relief and the second relief ensure the rotational guidance between the button control and base;

[0012] - one of the first relief and the second relief is a groove, preferably of shape generally annular, and the other is a rib, preferably of generally annular shape.

[0013] - the retraction threshold is equal to or greater than 30 daN and / or equal to or less at 37.8 daN;

[0014] - the control button reaches a height at least equal to 12 mm, preferably at least equal to 14 mm, relative to the tactile surface before retraction and / or has a maximum height equal to or less than 9.5 mm relative to the tactile surface after retraction;

[0015] - the human-machine interface device comprises one or more elements interaction element of which at least one is rotationally linked to the control button, at least one interaction element being detectable by the touch device to determine the angular position of the control button;

[0016] - the base has a lower portion having a lower face applied against the touch surface, the at least one interaction element being movable on an upper face of the lower portion opposite the touch surface, the touch device being configured to detect the at least one interaction element through the lower portion;

[0017] - the touch device comprises a touch screen, the human-interface device machine being configured for the passage of light emitted by the touch screen through the base and the control button;

[0018] - the base has a central part configured for the passage of light and / or the control button has a central part configured for the passage of light.

[0019] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a human-machine interface device as defined above.

[0020] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0021] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a sectional view of a human-machine interface device comprising a rotary control knob in a use position;

[0022] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the human-machine interface device, the control button being in a retracted position;

[0023] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of a human-machine interface device according to another embodiment, the control button being in the use position.

[0024] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the human-machine interface device 2 comprises a touch device 4 comprising a touch surface 6.

[0025] The touch device 4 is configured to detect an interaction with the touch surface 6, and preferably to detect the position of one or more points of interaction with the touch surface 6.

[0026] The touch device 4 is preferably configured to simultaneously detect the positions of several points of interaction with the touch surface 6.

[0027] The interaction points are for example points of contact with the touch surface 6 or points of proximity with the touch surface 6.

[0028] In a known manner, the touch device 4 comprises, for example, sensors (not shown) distributed under the touch surface 6 to detect interactions with the touch surface 6.

[0029] The sensors include, for example, resistive sensors and / or capacitive sensors. Resistive sensors make it possible to detect, in particular, contact with the touch-sensitive surface 6. Capacitive sensors make it possible to detect contact and / or proximity with the touch-sensitive surface 6.

[0030] The touch device 4 optionally comprises a touch screen 8 configured to emit light onto all or part of the touch surface 6 and, preferably, to display digital images on the touch surface 6. The touch surface 6 then constitutes the image display surface of the touch screen 8.

[0031] The touch screen 8 is for example a digital screen, comprising a matrix of pixels. The touch screen 8 is for example a liquid crystal screen or a light-emitting diode screen, in particular an organic light-emitting diode screen.

[0032] The touch device 4 comprises for example an electrical control module 10 configured to detect the point(s) of interaction with the touch surface 6 and / or, where appropriate, to control the display of the images on the touch screen 8, in particular depending on the interaction point(s) detected.

[0033] Preferably, the touch surface 6 is substantially flat. Alternatively, the touch surface 6 is convex or concave.

[0034] The human-machine interface device 2 comprises a base 12 fixed on the touch surface 6 and a control button 14 mounted on the base 12 while being rotatable about an axis of rotation A.

[0035] Preferably, the axis of rotation A is perpendicular to the touch surface 6 to the right of the control button 14.

[0036] The human-machine interface device 2 is configured to detect the angular position of the control button 14 around the axis of rotation A via the touch surface 6, more particularly when a user grasps the control button 14.

[0037] When a user interacts with the touch surface 6, the electrical conductivity of the user's finger(s) is detectable by the touch surface 6, in particular by resistive sensors and / or capacitive sensors of the touch device 4.

[0038] The human-machine interface device 2 is configured so that the touch device 4 detects an interaction with the touch surface 6 when a user touches the control button 14 and to determine the angular position of the control button 14 around the axis of rotation A.

[0039] The detection of the interaction is carried out by electrical conduction through the control button 14, such that the touch device 4 detects when the user touches the control button 14.

[0040] The human-machine interface device 2 comprises for example one or more interaction elements 16, each interaction element 16 being individually detectable by the touch device 4 when a user touches the control button 14.

[0041] Each interaction element 16 is preferably electrically linked to the control button 14.

[0042] Each interaction element 16 is preferably mechanically linked in rotation to the control button 14. Each interaction element 16 rotates around the axis of rotation A together with the control button 14.

[0043] The human-machine interface device 2 comprises for example two interaction elements 16, preferably angularly spaced around the axis of rotation A, and preferably diametrically opposed relative to the axis of rotation A.

[0044] The touch device 4 is for example capable of simultaneously detecting the two interaction elements 16 when the user touches the control button 14. This makes it possible to easily determine an angular position of the control button 14 around the axis of rotation A.

[0045] Each interaction element 16 is for example located close to the touch surface 6 while being at a distance from the touch surface 6 (i.e. without being in contact with the touch surface 6), as illustrated in [Fig. 1], or is in contact with the touch surface 6.

[0046] When at least one interaction element 16 is located at a distance from the touch surface 6, the touch device 4 preferably comprises capacitive sensors. The latter are capable of detecting an interaction element 16 located near the touch surface 6 without being in contact with the touch surface 6.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the base 12 has a lower portion 18 having a lower face 18A applied against the touch-sensitive surface 6, each interaction element 16 being movable along an upper face 18B of the lower portion 18 opposite the touch-sensitive surface 6, the touch-sensitive device 4 being configured to detect each interaction element 16 through the lower portion 18.

[0048] Each interaction element 16 movable along an upper face 18B is located at a distance from the touch surface 6.

[0049] The human-machine interface device 2 is configured so that the control button 14 retracts axially towards the touch surface 6 in the event of an axial force applied to the control button 10 exceeding a retraction threshold.

[0050] The retraction threshold is preferably equal to or less than 37.8 daN, and optionally equal to or greater than 30 daN. In a particular embodiment, the retraction threshold is strictly equal to 37.8 daN.

[0051] The control button 14 is movable along the axis of rotation A between a position of use ([Fig.l]), allowing for example the user to use the human-machine interface device 2 to control one or more functional members associated with the human-machine interface device 2, and a retracted position ([Fig.2]) in which the control button 14 is brought closer to the touch surface 6.

[0052] The control button 14 in the use position is located higher relative to the touch surface 6 than the control button 14 in the retracted position.

[0053] In the position of use ([Fig.l]), the control button 14 preferably has a first maximum height H1 strictly greater than 9.5 mm, preferably equal to or greater than 12 mm, in particular equal to or greater than 14 mm.

[0054] In the retracted position ([Fig.2]), the control button 14 has a second maximum height H2 equal to or less than 9.5 mm.

[0055] The maximum height is taken relative to the touch surface 6, preferably along a normal to the touch surface 6 to the right of the control button 14, in particular along the axis of rotation A (see regulatory requirement ECE 21).

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the retracted position is not a stable position of the control button 14.

[0057] The human-machine interface device 2 is for example configured in such a way that the control button 14 in the retracted position automatically returns to the use position as soon as the force holding the control button 14 in the retracted position is removed.

[0058] For this purpose, the human-machine interface device 2 comprises, for example, a return spring (not shown) arranged to automatically return the control button 14 from the retracted position to the use position.

[0059] In a variant, the retracted position is a stable position of the control button 14. The control button 14 moved to the retracted position remains in this retracted position in the absence of external intervention.

[0060] The human-machine interface device 2 is for example configured in such a way that the control button 14 in the retracted position is resettable, preferably manually, that is to say that it is movable from the retracted position to the use position by exerting a force on the control button 14, for example by pulling axially on the control button 14, preferably manually.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the human-machine interface device 2 comprises a first relief 22 provided on the base 12 and a second relief 24 provided on the control button 14, the first relief 22 and the second relief 24 being engaged in one another by axially locking the control button 14 relative to the base 12 ([Fig. 1]) and being configured to disengage from one another in the event of an axial force directed towards the touch surface 6 and exceeding the retraction threshold ([Fig. 2]).

[0062] The first relief 22 and the second relief 24 engaged in each other retain the control button 14 in the use position ([Fig.l]), against axial movement towards the retracted position.

[0063] In the event of an axial force exceeding the retraction threshold, the first relief 22 and the second relief 24 disengage from each other and allow the axial movement of the control button 14 from the use position ([Fig.l]) to the retracted position ([Fig.2]).

[0064] Preferably, the first relief 22 and the second relief 24 engaged in each other provide rotational guidance between the control button 14 and the base 12.

[0065] In particular, the first relief 22 and the second relief 24 engaged in each other define between the control button 14 and the base 12 a pivot connection around the axis of rotation A.

[0066] Advantageously, one of the first relief 22 and the second relief 24 is a groove, preferably of generally annular shape centered on the axis of rotation A, and the other is a rib, preferably of generally annular shape centered on the axis of rotation A.

[0067] In a particular example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the first relief 22 is a groove and the second relief 24 is a rib. In a variant, the configuration is reversed, the first relief 22 being a rib and the second relief 24 being a groove.

[0068] Preferably, where appropriate, each interaction element 16 is mechanically linked to the control button 14 so as to rotate around the axis of rotation jointly with the control button 14 while allowing the axial movement of the control button 14 relative to each interaction element 16, in particular the axial movement from the position of use to the retracted position.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, each interaction element 16 is mechanically connected to the control button 14 by a sliding connection 26, preferably having a degree of freedom in translation parallel to the axis of rotation A.

[0070] Preferably, each interaction element 16 is returned to a position of interaction with the touch device 4 by an elastic return member 28.

[0071] Each interaction element 16 is for example pushed axially towards the touch surface 6 by the associated elastic return member 28.

[0072] Each elastic return member 28 is for example arranged between the control button 14 and the associated interaction element 16.

[0073] Each interaction element 16 is electrically connected to the control button 14, preferably permanently, by an electrical connection 30.

[0074] Each electrical connection 30 comprises a conductor, which is for example a wire or an electrical track.

[0075] In one example, the lower face of the lower portion 18 is applied against the touch surface 6.

[0076] The lower portion 18 is fixed to the touch surface 6, for example by gluing the lower face 18A of the lower portion 18 to the touch surface 6. The lower face 18A offers a large surface area allowing reliable gluing.

[0077] The base 12 for example comprises a base mounting portion 32 configured for mounting the rotary control knob 14 on the base 12. The base mounting portion 32 extends axially upward from the inner portion 18.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the control knob 14 includes a knob mounting portion 34 via which the control knob 14 is rotatably mounted to the base mounting portion 32.

[0079] Preferably, the base mounting portion 32 and the button mounting portion 34 are telescopically mounted on each other to allow axial movement of the control button 14 between the use position and the retracted position.

[0080] The first relief 22 is provided on the base mounting portion 32 and the second relief 24 is provided on the button mounting portion 34.

[0081] In a particular example, the button mounting portion 34 is tubular and surrounds the base mounting portion 32 which is axially engaged in the button mounting portion 34.

[0082] In one example, the base mounting portion 32 has a cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis of rotation A, the first relief 22 being provided on the outer surface of the base mounting portion 32, and the knob mounting portion 34 has a cylindrical inner surface centered on the axis of rotation A, the second relief 24 being provided on the inner surface.

[0083] In one example, the control knob 14 has an annular upper portion 36 and a central portion 38, with the knob mounting portion 34 located on the central portion 38 of the control knob 14.

[0084] Optionally, the control button 14 has a peripheral skirt 40 extending downwards from the upper portion 36, circumferentially surrounding the central portion 38.

[0085] In a possible variant, the button mounting portion 34 is located radially to the periphery of the control button 14, for example on a peripheral skirt 40 of the control button 14.

[0086] In one example, the base mounting portion 32 is located on a central portion 42 of the base 12 extending upwardly from a central region of the lower portion 18.

[0087] Optionally, the base 12 has a peripheral rim 44 extending axially upward from a peripheral region of the lower portion 18, circumferentially surrounding the central portion 42.

[0088] In a possible variant, the base mounting portion 32 is located radially at the periphery of the base 12, for example on a peripheral rim 44.

[0089] In one example, the base 12 defines an annular space 46 centered on the axis of rotation A and in which each interaction element 16 is received so as to slide inside the annular space 46 during rotation of the control button 14 relative to the base 12 around the axis of rotation A.

[0090] In one example, the annular space 46 is defined between a central portion 42 and a peripheral rim 44 of the base 12.

[0091] Advantageously, the human-machine interface device 2 is configured for the transmission of light emitted by the touch screen 8 through the base 12 and the control button 14, as illustrated by the arrow R in [Fig.l].

[0092] In one example, the base 12 has a central portion 42 configured for the passage of light and the control button 14 has a central portion 38 configured for the passage of light.

[0093] The central part 42 of the base 12 defines for example an opening for the passage light and / or is at least partly made of a material allowing the passage of light, in particular a transparent material.

[0094] In one example, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the central portion 42 of the base 12 is solid and has both an opaque tubular wall 48 and, optionally, a solid central core 50 made of a transparent material, the tubular wall 48 surrounding the central core 50. The tubular wall 48 carries, for example, the base mounting portion 12.

[0095] The central part 38 of the control button 14 has, for example, an opening for the passage of light and / or is made at least in part from a material allowing the passage of light, in particular a transparent material.

[0096] In one example, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the central portion 38 comprises an opaque tubular wall, and optionally, a transverse wall 52 made of a transparent material extending across the central opening. The tubular wall carries, for example, the mounting portion 34.

[0097] In one example, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the central portion 42 of the base 12 is devoid of a central core and the tubular wall 48 delimits an empty central passage 54 for the passage of light.

[0098] Optionally, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the tubular wall 48 of the central part 42 of the base 12 is at least partly made of a transparent material. This makes it possible to increase the section available for the passage of light.

[0099] It will be noted that, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the base mounting portion 32, including the first relief 22, is provided in an opaque area of ​​the central portion 42 of the base 12 ([Fig. 1]) or in a transparent area of ​​the central portion 42 of the base 12 ([Fig. 3]).

[0100] In operation, when a user grasps the control button 14, the touch device 4 detects an interaction with the touch surface 6 due to the electrical conduction between the touch surface 6 and the user's fingers via the control button 14 and detects the rotation of the control button 14.

[0101] The touch device 4 detects for example an interaction with the control button 14 via each interaction element 16. A rotation of the control button 14 causes a movement of each interaction element 16. The touch device 4 detects the rotation of the control button 14 as a function of the position of each interaction element 16.

[0102] In the absence of axial force exceeding the retraction threshold, the control button 14 remains in the position of use. The control button 14 having a sufficient first maximum height H1 can easily be grasped and manipulated by the user.

[0103] In the event of an axial force pushing the control button 14 from the operating position towards the retracted position and exceeding the retraction threshold, the control button 14 moves from the use position ([Fig.l]) to the retracted position ([Fig.2]). In particular, the first relief 22 disengages from the second relief 24 and the control button 14 can then slide axially relative to the base 12.

[0104] The movement of the control button 14 towards the retracted position as soon as the retraction threshold is exceeded and the second limited maximum height H2 of the control button 14 in the retracted position make it possible to comply with the regulations and to limit the risk of injury to an occupant, in particular if the head of an occupant were to impact the control button 14, for example in the event of an impact suffered by the vehicle.

[0105] Furthermore, in normal operation, and if the touch device 4 has a touch screen 8 and the human-machine interface device 2 is configured for the passage of light through the base 12 and the control button 14, light signals can be generated and transmitted through the base 12 and the control button 14, for the user.

[0106] Each light signal is for example a light point, a light pictogram and / or one or more alphanumeric characters.

[0107] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have a human-machine interface device 2 having a rotary control button 14, which is ergonomic while being mechanically simple, the detection of the rotation of the control button 14 being carried out using a touch device 4, the control button 14 being rotatably mounted on a base 12 which can be simply fixed on a touch surface 6 of the touch device 4, for example by gluing.

[0108] The invention is not limited to the examples and variants described above and illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, other exemplary embodiments and other variants being conceivable.

[0109] In the examples of Figures 1 to 3, a central portion 38 of the control button 14 has a solid and transparent transverse wall 50. Alternatively, the central portion 38 of the control button 14 comprises one or more openings, for example for the passage of light.

[0110] In the examples of Figures 1 to 3, the central portion 42 of the base 12 is at least partly made of transparent material. Alternatively, the central portion 42 of the base 12 has at least one passage for the passage of light, being made of opaque material.

Claims

Claims

1. A human-machine interface device (2) comprising a touch-sensitive device (4) having a touch-sensitive surface (6), a base (12) fixed to the touch-sensitive surface (6), and a control button (14) mounted on the base (12) while being rotatable about an axis of rotation (A), preferably perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface (6), the human-machine interface device (2) being configured for the detection of the angular position of the control button (14) by the touch-sensitive device (4) and for the control button (14) to retract axially towards the touch-sensitive surface (6) in the event of an axial force applied to the control button (14) exceeding a retraction threshold.

2. A human-machine interface device according to claim 1, comprising a first relief (22) provided on the base (12) and a second relief (24) provided on the control button (14), the first relief (22) and the second relief (24) being engaged in each other by axially locking the control button (14) relative to the base (12) and being configured to disengage from each other in the event of an axial force exceeding the retraction threshold.

3. Human-machine interface device according to claim 2, in which a first relief and the second relief provide rotational guidance between the control button (14) and the base (12).

4. A human-machine interface device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein one of the first relief (22) and the second relief (24) is a groove, preferably of generally annular shape, and the other is a rib, preferably of generally annular shape.

5. A human-machine interface device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retraction threshold is equal to or greater than 30 daN and / or equal to or less than 37.8 daN.

6. A human-machine interface device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control button (14) reaches a height of at least 12 mm, preferably at least 14 mm, relative to the touch surface before retraction of the control button (14) and has a maximum height of at least 9.5 mm after retraction of the control button (10).

7. A human-machine interface device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more interaction elements (16) of which at least one is rotationally linked to the button of control (14), at least one interaction element (16) being detectable by the touch device (4) to determine the angular position of the control button (14).

8. Human-machine interface device according to claim 7, wherein the base (12) has a lower portion (18) having a lower face (18A) applied against the touch surface (6), the at least one interaction element (16) being movable on an upper face (18B) of the lower portion (18) opposite the touch surface (6), the touch device being configured to detect the at least one interaction element (16) through the lower portion (18).

9. A human-machine interface device according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch device (4) comprises a touch screen (8), the human-machine interface device being configured for the passage of light emitted by the touch screen (8) through the base (12) and the control button (14).

10. A human-machine interface device according to claim 9, wherein the base (12) has a central portion (42) configured for the passage of light and / or the control button (14) has a central portion (38) configured for the passage of light.

11. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, comprising a human-machine interface device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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