Control device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Control device for a motor vehicle. Control device (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a light module (2) intended to be fixed to a structural element, a ring (3) rotatable around the light module, the light module comprising a plurality of radial light chambers (11, 12, 13) separated from each other, each radial light chamber comprising a light source (21, 22, 23), the radial light chambers being distributed around an axis of rotation (Z) of the ring, the control device further comprising a means for detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the ring relative to the light module, and a means for controlling the illumination of the light source of each radial light chamber as a function of the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Control device for a motor vehicle. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for a motor vehicle, the control device comprising a rotating ring intended to be controlled by a vehicle user. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a control device. The invention further relates to a method for controlling such a control device. Prior art

[0002] Motor vehicles generally include a control device, for example, integrated into the dashboard or center console of the vehicle. A control device allows a vehicle user to operate one or more pieces of onboard equipment, for example, a car radio, a navigation system, or an air conditioning system. A control device integrated into a motor vehicle must be particularly ergonomic so that it can be used by the driver without diverting their attention. Furthermore, by occupying a highly visible position in a motor vehicle, a control device contributes significantly to the aesthetic appearance of the interior. Such a control device is also particularly exposed to impacts and, more generally, to any form of chemical or mechanical damage.The control system must nevertheless remain functional throughout the vehicle's lifespan, and therefore must be particularly robust.

[0003] Among the control devices known in the prior art, control devices are known that are equipped with a rotating ring and a means for detecting the orientation or rotation of the rotating ring. Manipulating the rotating ring typically allows for the gradual variation of a given parameter, for example, the volume or frequency of a car radio, the modification of a selection in a menu displayed on a screen inside the vehicle, or the variation of a temperature setting.

[0004] Known prior art control devices are generally complex to manufacture, not very ergonomic, and insufficiently robust. Presentation of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a control device that remedies the above disadvantages and improves upon the control devices known in the prior art.

[0006] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a control device that is simple to manufacture, ergonomic and particularly robust. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a control device for a motor vehicle, the control device comprising a light module intended to be fixed to a structural element, a rotating movable ring around the light module, the light module comprising a plurality of radial light chambers separated at least partially from each other, each radial light chamber comprising a light source, the radial light chambers being distributed around an axis of rotation of the ring, the control device further comprising a means for detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the ring relative to the light module, and a means for controlling the ignition of the light source of each radial light chamber as a function of the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means.

[0008] The light module may include a printed circuit board, said light sources being light-emitting diodes connected to the printed circuit board.

[0009] The light module may include a set of opaque radial walls separating the radial light chambers, the radial walls extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the crown.

[0010] The light module may include a diffuser intended to be traversed by the light rays produced by the light sources of the light module, the diffuser being positioned downstream of the radial light chambers according to the direction of propagation of the light rays.

[0011] The light module may further include a central light chamber, centered on the axis of rotation of the crown, the central light chamber comprising a central light source.

[0012] The light module may include at least one reflection surface, preferably two reflection surfaces, intended to reflect the light rays from each light source of a radial light chamber, the set of light rays emitted out of the light module by the light sources of the radial light chambers being from a reflection on at least one reflection surface.

[0013] The central light chamber can be delimited by an opaque peripheral wall, flared according to the direction of propagation of the light rays, the reflection surface being formed on an external face of the peripheral wall.

[0014] The light module may include a transparent or translucent glass around which the crown is arranged.

[0015] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a control device as defined above.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a control device as defined above, the control method comprising: - detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the crown relative to the light module by the detection means, then - the control of the ignition of the light sources of each radial light chamber by the control means, according to the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means. Presentation of the figures

[0017] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a control device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a top view of a printed circuit board of the control device, the printed circuit board being provided with light sources and a body of a light module.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control device.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a perspective and transparency view of the light module. Detailed description

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates, by way of perspective view, a control device 1 for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The control device 1 may, in particular, be designed to be integrated into a dashboard and / or a console of the motor vehicle. The control device 1 may be configured to control any type of on-board system in the vehicle, for example, a car radio, a navigation system, or an air conditioning system.

[0023] The control device 1 comprises a light module 2 fixed to a structural element of the vehicle and a ring 3 that rotates about the light module 2 along an axis of rotation Z. The light module 2 is therefore a fixed module in the vehicle's frame of reference. The light module 2 includes a set of light sources, which will be described in more detail later. Since the light module is fixed, supplying electrical current to the light sources is particularly simple. The light module 2 has a shape of revolution, and the ring 3 is arranged around this shape of revolution. The ring 3 is thus guided in rotation about the axis of rotation Z by the light module 2. The ring 3 is intended to be rotated about the axis of rotation Z by a vehicle user. for example by the vehicle driver. Advantageously, the ring 3 may include raised areas on its outer surface to improve finger grip. The ring 3 can be rotated around the Z-axis in both directions of rotation as indicated by the double arrow Fl.

[0024] The light module 2 comprises a plurality of radial light chambers separated from one another, in this case three radial light chambers 11, 12, 13. Each radial light chamber 11, 12, 13 comprises a light source 21, 22, 23, respectively. The radial light chambers are distributed around the axis of rotation Z of the ring 3. Each radial light chamber 11, 12, 13 thus occupies a defined sector within the ring. Preferably, each chamber occupies a sector whose opening angle is equal to 360° / N, where N denotes the number of chambers, i.e., N=3 according to the embodiment presented. According to a variant of the invention, the number of chambers could be different, for example, four, five, six, or even more radial light chambers.

[0025] Radial light chambers are areas of the light module that are optically isolated from one another; that is, light rays emitted in one radial light chamber are not intended to enter another. Advantageously, the light module 2 comprises a set of opaque radial walls 15, 16, 17 separating the radial light chambers 11, 12, 13. The radial walls 15, 16, 17 extend parallel to the axis of rotation Z. Preferably, the radial walls 15, 16, 17 are planar, and the plane in which each of them extends passes through the axis of rotation Z.

[0026] A transparent or translucent glass 7, around which the ring 3 is arranged, covers the chambers 11, 12, 13. The glass 7 protects the light sources 21, 22, 23 while allowing the light rays to pass through. In particular, the glass 7 can be a disk extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation Z, and centered on the axis of rotation Z.

[0027] Each light source 21, 22, 23 advantageously comprises one or more light-emitting diodes. The light-emitting diodes are connected to the same printed circuit board 4. The printed circuit board 4 extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation Z of the ring 3.

[0028] The term light-emitting diode refers to any type of light-emitting diode, such as, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), OLEDs (Organic LED), AMOLEDs (Active-Matrix Organic LED), or FOLEDs (Flexible OLED). Light-emitting diodes can also be of RGB type, that is to say light-emitting diodes capable of changing color according to an electrical supply current.

[0029] The light sources 21, 22, 23 are selectively controlled by a control means 5 that regulates the electrical supply current for each of said light sources in order to control their emission of light rays. It is thus possible to selectively control the light sources to configure them in any configuration between an off state and a maximum illumination state. Alternatively or in addition, the control means 5 can also regulate the color of the light emitted by the light sources. The control means 5 can be connected directly to the printed circuit board 4 or connected to the printed circuit board 4 via an electrical cable. The control means 5 can, for example, be in the form of a control unit, such as a microprocessor.

[0030] The control device 1 further includes a means 6 for detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the ring 3 relative to the light module 2. The detection means 6 is said to be "configured to detect the orientation of the ring 3" when it is capable of detecting an absolute angle of rotation of the ring relative to the light module. The detection means 6 is said to be "configured to detect the rotation of the ring 3" when it is capable of detecting a relative angle of rotation of the ring relative to the light module. In all cases, the detection means 6 may include, for example, a ring magnetic encoder cooperating with a Hall effect sensor. Alternatively, the detection means 6 may include, on the one hand, a set of electrical conductors arranged on the printed circuit board 4, and on the other hand, an electrical contactor arranged on the ring 3.Depending on the orientation of the ring 3, one or more electrical conductors among all the electrical conductors may be in contact with the electrical contactor, which can then be detected. Alternatively, other means of detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the ring 3 could be used.

[0031] Advantageously, the control means 5 is configured to control the illumination of each light source 21, 22, 23 according to the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means 6. In particular, the control means 5 can be configured to generate a rotational effect of the light sources when the ring 3 is rotated. This creates the illusion that the light sources are fixed to the rotating ring, whereas they are in fact stationary in the vehicle's frame of reference. The rotational effect can be achieved by activating the light sources whose orientation corresponds to an orientation of the ring 3 detected by the detection means 6. Alternatively, other visual effects could be considered, such as color changes. For example, All but one of the light sources could be illuminated with a first color, while the other light source would be illuminated with a second color. When a rotation and / or a particular orientation of the crown is detected, the single illuminated light source with the second color can be changed to follow the crown's rotation. Alternatively, a dynamic lighting effect can be implemented when crown rotation is detected, for example, by activating the light sources sequentially in the direction of the crown's rotation.

[0032] The light module 2 further comprises a central light chamber 14, centered on the axis of rotation Z. The central light chamber 14 includes a circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation Z. The central light chamber 14 includes a central light source 24 and is visible in the center of the glass 7. The central light chamber 14 is separated from the radial light chambers 11, 12, 13 by a peripheral wall 18, which is also opaque. Like the light sources 21, 22, 23 described previously, the central light source 24 may include one or more light-emitting diodes and be connected to the printed circuit board 4. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the four light sources 21, 22, 23, 24 on the printed circuit board 4. The control means 5 can also be configured to control the illumination of the central light source 24.The integration of the central light chamber improves the aesthetic appearance of the light module by avoiding the convergence of the radial light chambers 11, 12, 13 at the center of the light module 2.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the light module 2 could not include any central light chamber. In this case, the point of convergence of the radial light chambers 11, 12, 13 could advantageously be masked by an inscription such as an emblem or a logo.

[0034] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate certain features of the control device 1. The ring 3 comprises two parts 31, 32 fixed to one another. The first part 31 is designed to be grasped with the fingers to rotate the ring around its axis of rotation. The second part 32, tubular in shape, is arranged around a cylindrical portion of the light module 2. The second part 32 includes a means for guiding the rotation of the ring 3, which cooperates with the light module 2. The second part 32 may also include an electrical contactor cooperating with electrical conductors formed on the printed circuit board 4, as explained previously.

[0035] The light module 2 includes a body 41, for example made of plastic material, through which it is fixed to the printed circuit board 4, for example fitted and / or glued to the printed circuit board 4. The body 41 is provided with a cylindrical portion 42 cooperating with the second part 32 of the ring 32. The cylindrical portion 42 is extended by a head 43 which is wider than the cylindrical portion 42. The first part 31 of the ring 3 extends around the head 43. The head 43 forms an axial stop for the second part 32 of the ring 3, which is thus trapped around the light module 2. For the assembly of the control device, it is therefore understood that the ring 3 is pre-assembled to the body 41 before the latter is fixed to the printed circuit board 4.

[0036] The radial walls 15, 16, 17 and the peripheral wall 18 extend inside the cylindrical portion 42 until they are in contact with the printed circuit board 4, or at least a short distance from the printed circuit board 4, to prevent any light leakage between the different chambers 11, 12, 13, 14. The radial walls 15, 16, 17 and the peripheral wall 18 also extend inside the head 43, substantially to half its height and are then surmounted by the glass 7.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the peripheral wall 18 has a different height from that of the radial walls 15, 16, 17, which allows a different light coverage of each lighting chamber compared to the embodiment according to [Fig.4].

[0038] According to another alternative embodiment not shown, at least one of the radial walls 15, 16, 17 and the peripheral wall 18 extend to the top part of the head 43, which allows the creation of a luminous discontinuity between the different sectors.

[0039] Advantageously, the light module 2 further comprises a first diffuser 8 designed to allow the light rays produced by the light sources 21, 22, 23, 24 to pass through it. The first diffuser 8 is positioned downstream of the light chambers 11, 12, 13, 14 and upstream of the glass 7, according to the direction of propagation of the light rays. The first diffuser 8 may, for example, be a translucent element, for example in the form of a disk, having a structured surface and / or made of a translucent material suitable for mixing the light rays it receives. The first diffuser 8 may be fixed to the body 41 of the light module 2. The first diffuser 8 makes it possible to blur the boundary between the different chambers, in particular by rendering invisible the distal edges of the radial walls 15, 16, 17 and the peripheral wall 18. It also prevents the light sources from being distinguished as points of light through the glass 7.According to one alternative embodiment, the first diffuser 8 and the glass 7 could form a single element. Preferably, an air gap can be provided between the distal edges of the walls 15, 16, 17, 18 and the first diffuser 8 to better blur these edges.

[0040] According to an improvement of the invention, the light module 2 further comprises a second diffuser 9 for the passage of light rays produced by the central light source 24. This results in even better blurring of the The central light source 24. The second diffuser 9 is positioned downstream of the central light chamber 24 and upstream of the first diffuser 8, according to the direction of light ray propagation. The second diffuser 9 can be, for example, a translucent element, such as a disc, with a structured surface and / or made of a translucent material suitable for mixing the light rays it receives. The second diffuser 9 can be fixed to a distal edge of the peripheral wall 18.

[0041] The peripheral wall 18 comprises a flared shape along the direction of propagation of the light rays. This flared shape is, in particular, frustoconical. A first reflecting surface 51 is formed on an external face of the peripheral wall 18, in particular on the external face of the frustoconical shape. The first reflecting surface 51 is intended to deflect the light rays from the light sources 21, 22, 23 in a substantially centrifugal direction. Furthermore, the body 41, and in particular the head 43, includes a second reflection surface 52 intended to receive the light rays reflected by the first reflection surface 51, and to reflect them in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Z. Thus, all the light rays from the light sources 21, 22, 23 arranged in the radial light chambers 11, 12, 13 undergo two reflections on the two reflection surfaces 51, 52, before being emitted out of the light module.These reflections, illustrated by arrows F2 in [Fig.3], allow for a more homogeneous lighting effect. Furthermore, the reflections make it possible to consider a large-scale lighting control device, while keeping the light sources relatively grouped together.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, the light module 1 may include a button intended to be activated by pressing parallel to the rotation axis Z of the crown. For example, the glass 7 may be equipped with a touch button or a push button. In this case, the light module may advantageously include a means for detecting button activation. The button activation detection means may be connected to the printed circuit board 4. The button is thus positioned towards the center of the rotating crown. Such a button makes it possible to transmit a control command, for example, to validate a selection previously made using the rotating crown. The control device may be configured to produce a light effect with the light sources 21, 22, 23, 24 when the button is activated.

[0043] Finally, thanks to the invention, a simple-to-manufacture light control device is available. The light device makes it possible to produce a light pattern with a specific orientation depending on the effective orientation of the ring, which gives the illusion that the light sources are fixed to the crown. The control device is particularly intuitive to use thanks to the light indicators it provides.

Claims

Demands

1. Control device (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a light module (2) intended to be fixed to a structural element, a ring (3) movable in rotation around the light module, the light module comprising a plurality of radial light chambers (11, 12, 13) separated at least in part from each other, each radial light chamber comprising a light source (21, 22, 23), the radial light chambers being distributed around an axis of rotation (Z) of the ring, the control device further comprising a means for detecting (6) the orientation and / or rotation of the ring relative to the light module, and a means for controlling the ignition of the light source of each radial light chamber as a function of the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means.

2. Control device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the light module (2) comprises a printed circuit board (4), said light sources (21, 22, 23) being light-emitting diodes connected to the printed circuit board.

3. Control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module (2) comprises a set of opaque radial walls (15, 16, 17) separating the radial light chambers (11, 12, 13), the radial walls extending parallel to the axis of rotation (Z) of the crown.

4. Control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module includes a diffuser (8) intended to be traversed by the light rays produced by the light sources of the light module, the diffuser being positioned downstream of the radial light chambers (11, 12, 13) in the direction of propagation of the light rays.

5. Control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module further comprises a central light chamber (14), centered on the axis of rotation (Z) of the ring (3), the central light chamber comprising a central light source (24).

6. Control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module (2) comprises at least one reflection surface (51, 52), preferably two reflection surfaces, intended to reflect the light rays from each light source of a radial light chamber, the set of light rays emitted out of the light module by the light sources of the radial light chambers being from a reflection on at least one reflection surface.

7. Control device (1) according to claim 5 and according to claim 6, characterized in that the central light chamber (14) is delimited by an opaque peripheral wall (18), flared in the direction of propagation of the light rays, the reflection surface (51) being formed on an external face of the peripheral wall.

8. Control device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light module (2) comprises a transparent or translucent glass (7) around which the crown is arranged.

9. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a control device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A method for controlling a control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises: - detecting the orientation and / or rotation of the ring (3) relative to the light module by the detection means (6), then - controlling the ignition of the light sources (21, 22, 23) of each radial light chamber (11, 12, 13) by the control means (5), as a function of the orientation and / or rotation of the ring detected by the detection means.

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