Haptic switch assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a haptic switch assembly (1), in particular for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing (11, 12) provided with an opening (14), a switching member (2), disposed slidably within the housing (11, 12) protruding from and movable within the opening (14), switching means activated in response to the sliding movements of the switching member (2) within the housing (11, 12), and a haptic means (7, 8) providing a haptic response to a user when the switching member (2) slides. In order to provide a switch assembly (1) that would double the length of interaction of the haptic means (7, 8) in response to a slide of the switching member (2) the switch assembly (1) comprises at least one actuator (3) disposed slidably within the housing (11, 12) defining an axis of the slide (x, y), at least one slider (4) disposed slidably within the housing (11, 12) along said axis of the slide (x, y), at least one lever (5) disposed pivotably within the housing (11, 12) and engaging said at least one actuator (3) and said at least one slider (4), wherein the slide of said at least one actuator (3) rotates said at least one lever (5) and said at least one lever (5) slides said at least one slider (4) in the opposite direction, wherein the haptic means (7, 8) have a form of at least one first haptic member (7) slidable along with said at least one actuator (3) and engaging at least one second haptic member (8) slidable along with said at least one slider (4).

Description

[0001] HAPTIC SWITCH ASSEMBLY

[0002] The present invention relates to a haptic switch assembly, in particular for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing provided with an opening, a switching member, disposed slidably within the housing protruding from and movable within the opening, switching means activated in response to the movements of the switching member within the housing, and a haptic means providing a haptic response to a user when the switching member slides.

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] Switch assemblies of this kind can be employed in consumer devices and especially in the automotive industry.

[0005] Publication CN102386015 discloses a multi-direction switch device comprising a frame body, an operating body penetrating through the frame body and being capable of multi directional sliding, two sliding blocks for the operating body to slide on the inside and arranged in vertical overlaid and orthogonal mode, terminals installed on the sliding blocks and a plurality of elastic components assembled on the sliding blocks and capable of enabling the operating body to automatically recover to an initial position. A containing groove extending along respective lengthwise direction is arranged on each sliding block. The elastic components are contained in the containing groove, and the operating body penetrates into the containing groove and abuts against the elastic components.

[0006] Publication CN102403156 discloses a multidirectional switch device comprising a frame, an operating body, two sliders, terminals and two elastic components. The operating body penetrates through the frame and can be slidably operated in multiple directions. The two sliders are vertically overlaid and disposed in an orthogonal manner. The operating body slides inside the two sliders. The terminals are mounted on the sliders. The two elastic components are mounted on the frame and the sliders and can lead the operating body and the sliders to automatically return to initial positions, and each elastic component consists of two elastic arms abutted to the outer side of the corresponding slider. Publication CN116510322 discloses a rocker apparatus including a housing, a lever assembly, a magnetic element and a circuit board. The lever assembly is mounted in the housing and can move in parallel with the housing. The magnetic element is mounted in the lever assembly. The circuit board includes a magnetic sensor configured to sense a magnetic field change of the magnetic element. When the lever assembly moves in parallel with the housing, the magnetic element is driven by the lever assembly to move with respect to the magnetic sensor in any direction in a plane.

[0007] Other constructions of switch assemblies are disclosed in publications JP2007004705, JPH0575831 , and JP2008257630.

[0008] It has been the object of the present invention to provide a compact, cost efficient and simple to manufacture switch assembly of the kind mentioned at the outset.

[0009] Another object of the present invention has been to provide a switch assembly that would double the length of interaction of the haptic means in response to a slide of the switching member.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention provides a haptic switch assembly of the kind mentioned in the outset which further comprises at least one actuator disposed slidably within the housing defining an axis of the slide, at least one slider disposed slidably within the housing along said axis of the slide, at least one lever disposed pivotably within the housing and engaging said at least one actuator and said at least one slider, wherein the slide of said at least one actuator rotates said at least one lever and said at least one lever slides said at least one slider in the opposite direction, wherein the haptic means have a form of at least one first haptic member slidable along with said at least one actuator and engaging at least one second haptic member slidable along with said at least one slider.

[0012] Therefore, the length available for the haptic effect is doubled, as the actuator slides with respect to the slider, not the housing.

[0013] Preferably the haptic switch assembly further comprises at least one spring cooperating with said switching member and / or said at least one actuator and / or slider and / or lever to maintain the neutral position of said switching member within the housing.

[0014] The spring allows to provide a monostable functionality of the switch assembly, which otherwise would work in a multistable mode.

[0015] Preferably said at least one spring rotates and / or changes its length during the slide of said at least one actuator out of the neutral position.

[0016] Preferably the haptic switch assembly further comprises two actuators defining two orthogonal axes of the slide and two axes orthogonal to said axes of the slide, two sliders disposed slidably within the housing along said axes of the slide, and two levers disposed pivotably within the housing, wherein each actuator has an opening for the switching member, wherein the width of the opening along said axis of the slide substantially corresponds to the width of the switching member along said axis of the slide and the length of the opening along said orthogonal axis is larger than width of the switching member along said orthogonal axis.

[0017] Preferably the opening is cross-shaped and its intersecting lines correspond to said orthogonal axes of the slide.

[0018] Preferably said first haptic member is provided with a protrusion or a number of haptic grooves and said second haptic member is provided with a number of haptic grooves or a protrusion, wherein the protrusion cooperates with the grooves.

[0019] Alternatively both haptic members can be provided with a number of haptic grooves.

[0020] Preferably said first haptic member and / or said second haptic member has a form of a flat spring.

[0021] Preferably the switching means have a form of contact, magnetic, capacitive, or Hall effect switches.

[0022] Brief description of

[0023] The invention shall be described and explained below in connection with the attached drawings in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic axonometric, exploded, bottom view of an embodiment of the haptic switch assembly according to the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic axonometric and partially cross-sectional bottom view of the haptic switch assembly shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the haptic switch assembly along a vertical plane A-A shown in Fig. 2;

[0027] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the haptic switch assembly along a vertical plane B-B shown in Fig. 2;

[0028] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the haptic switch assembly along a horizontal plane C-C shown in Fig. 3;

[0029] Fig. 6 is another schematic axonometric and partially cross-sectional bottom view of the haptic switch assembly shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0030] Fig. 7 is a schematic axonometric top view of an embodiment of the haptic switch assembly according to the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 8 is a schematic axonometric and partially cross-sectional bottom view of another embodiment of the haptic switch assembly.

[0032] Detailed embodiment

[0033] An embodiment of a haptic lever switch assembly shown in Figs. 1-7 is designed to be employed as a cruise control of an automotive vehicle enabling to haptically signal subsequent steps of its operation to a user. The assembly comprises a plastic injection molded housing 1 comprising a first housing member 11 and a second housing member 12 snap-locked with each other by means of a number of snap fasteners 13. The first housing member 11 is provided with a cross-shaped opening 14 defining two perpendicular axes x, y, depicted by arrows. A switching member 2 disposed within the housing, defines an axis 0, and protrudes from the cross-shaped opening 14. The switching member 2 is slidable within the opening 14 along the axes x, y, so that its axis 0 remains substantially perpendicular with respect to the axes x, y. A switching means (not shown in the drawing) e.g. in the form of contact, magnetic, or capacitive switches are activated in response to the movements of the switching member 2. The housing 11 , 12 enables to fix the assembly 1 at the vehicle assembly line, where the switching means can be electrically connected to the vehicle wiring in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Reference numerals of the same functional elements described below remain the same in the drawing provided with additional suffixes “x”, “y” to refer to these perpendicular axes x and y, and - where appropriate - with additional suffixes “a”, “b”, etc. to distinguish their distinct constructional features performing the same function.

[0034] Two actuators 3x and 3y are slidably disposed within the housing substantially perpendicularly along the axes x and y. The actuators 3 overlap at the area of the switching member 2 and each actuator has an opening 31 through which the switching member 2 passes. The width Wx of the opening 31 x in the actuator 3x along the x axis substantially corresponds to the width of the switching member 2 along the x axis. Similarly the width Wy of the opening 31 y in the actuator 3y along the y axis substantially corresponds to the width of the switching member 2 along the y axis. On the other hand, the lengths of the openings 31 along the orthogonal axes are larger, allowing for the movement of the switching member 2. Therefore, the switching member 2 displaced by user in the cross-shaped opening 14 along the x axis is unrestricted to move in the opening 31 y of the actuator 3y but pushes on the edges of the opening 31 x forcing the corresponding movement of the actuator 3x. Similar action occurs if the switching member 2 is displaced along the y axis, forcing the corresponding movement of the actuator 3y.

[0035] Two sliders 4x and 4y are slidably disposed within the actuators 3x and 3y. Two levers 5x and 5y are disposed pivotably within the second housing member 12. Each lever 5 has a cylindrical protrusion 53 in its central area passing through an opening 15 in the second housing member 12. Furthermore, each lever 5 is provided with two pins 51 and 52 coaxial with and on the opposite sides of the protrusion 53 protruding in the direction opposite to the protrusion 53. The first pin 51 cooperates with a slot 32 in the actuator 3, while the second pin 52 cooperates with a slot 41 in the slider 4. The widths of the slots 32 and 41 along the axis of the slide of the actuator 3 and the slider 4 substantially correspond to the diameters of the pins 51 and 52. On the other hand, the lengths of the slots 32 and 41 along the orthogonal axis are larger allowing for the slide of the pins 51 and 52 within the slots 32 and 41. Therefore, the actuator 3x sliding along the x axis pushes the first pin 51 x rotating the lever 5x around the protrusion 53 and the second pin 52x forces the slide of the slider 4x in the opposite direction along the x axis. Two returning springs 6 in the form of tangential torsion springs enable the actuators 3 to return to the neutral position after their displacement. The springs 6 have their coils 61 fixed in a bracket 16 of the first housing member 11. The legs 62 of the springs 6 are disposed within the slots 33 of the actuators 3 and slots 17 made in the first housing member 11. The returning springs 6 define the neutral position of the switching member 2 in the housing 11 , 12.

[0036] Two first haptic members 7 are fixed within the slots 34 of the actuators 3. Each haptic member 7 has form of a metal plate with a protrusion 71. Two second haptic members 8 are formed in the surfaces of the sliders 4 facing the actuators 3 in a form of a number of haptic grooves 81 disposed in the surface of the slider 4 facing the actuator 3. The protrusion 71 cooperates with the grooves 81. Therefore, displacement of the actuator 3 by some distance D leads to the rotation of the lever 5 and displacement of the slider 4 in the opposite direction by the same distance D, so that the actuator 3 displaces with respect to the slider 4 by the doubled distance 2D. During this slide the protrusion 71 “jumps” between the grooves 42 generating a tangible haptic effect even if the distance D is relatively short.

[0037] In other embodiments (not shown) the first haptic member 7 could be provided with a number of haptic grooves and the second haptic member 8 could be provided with a protrusion cooperating with the grooves. Alternatively both haptic members 7 and 8 could be provided with a number of haptic grooves.

[0038] Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the haptic switch assembly 1a in which the returning springs 6a have a form of a longitudinal compression springs having their ends abutting the surfaces of the slots 35a of the actuators 3 and the surfaces of the slots 17a of the first housing member 11 . During the slide of the actuator 3 out of the neutral position, the surface of the slot 35a acts on the spring 6a so that it shortens its length exerting force acting to return the actuator 3 to its neutral position.

[0039] The above embodiments of the present invention are therefore merely exemplary. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized. These and other factors however should not be considered as limiting the spirit of the invention, the intended scope of protection of which is indicated in appended claims. List of reference numerals

[0040] 0 axis of the switching member x first axis of the slide y second axis of the slide

[0041] W width (of the opening 31 )

[0042] 1. housing

[0043] 11. first housing member

[0044] 12. second housing member

[0045] 13. snap fastener

[0046] 14. opening (for the switching member 2)

[0047] 15. opening (for the cylindrical protrusion 53)

[0048] 16. bracket (for the spring 6)

[0049] 17. slot (for the spring 6)

[0050] 2. switching member

[0051] 3. actuator

[0052] 31 . opening (for the switching member 2)

[0053] 32. slot (for the first pin 51 )

[0054] 33. slot (for the spring 6)

[0055] 34. slot (for the haptic member 7)

[0056] 35. slot (for the spring 6)

[0057] 4. slider

[0058] 41 . slot (for the second pin 52)

[0059] 5. lever

[0060] 51 . first pin (cooperating with the actuator 3)

[0061] 52. second pin (cooperating with the slider 4)

[0062] 53. cylindrical protrusion

[0063] 6. returning spring

[0064] 61. coil

[0065] 62. leg

[0066] 7. first haptic member

[0067] 71. protrusion

[0068] 8. second haptic member

[0069] 81 . haptic groove

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 31 March 2025 (31.03.2025)1. A haptic switch assembly (1 ), in particular for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing (11 , 12) provided with an opening (14), a switching member (2), disposed slidably within the housing (11 , 12) protruding from and movable within the opening (14), switching means activated in response to the sliding movements of the switching member (2) within the housing (11 , 12), and a haptic means (7, 8) providing a haptic response to a user when the switching member (2) slides characterized in that it further comprises two actuators (3x, 3y) disposed slidably within the housing (11 , 12) defining two orthogonal axes of the slide (x, y) and two axes (y, x) orthogonal to said axes of the slide (x, y), two sliders (4x, 4y) disposed slidably within the housing (11 , 12) along said axes of the slide (x, y), two levers (5x, 5y) disposed pivotably within the housing (11 , 12) and engaging said actuators (3x, 3y) and said sliders (4x, 4y), wherein the slide of each actuator (3x, 3y) along the axis of its slide (x, y) in one direction rotates said lever (5x, 5y) and said lever (5x, 5y) slides said slider (4x, 4y) along said axis of its slide (x, y) in the opposite direction, wherein the haptic means (7, 8) have a form of two first haptic members (7x, 7y) slidable along with said actuators (3x, 3y) and engaging two second haptic members (8x, 8y) slidable along with said sliders (4x, 4y), wherein each actuator (3x, 3y) has an opening (31 ) for the switching member (2), wherein the width (W) of the opening (31 ) along said axis of the slide (x, y) substantially corresponds to the width of the switching member (2) along said axis of the slide (x, y) and the length of the opening (31 ) along said orthogonal axis (y, x) is larger than width of the switching member (2) along said orthogonal axis (y, x).

2. The switch assembly according to Claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises at least one spring (6x, 6y) cooperating with said switching member (2) and / or at least one of said actuators (3x, 3y) and / or sliders (4x, 4y) and / or levers (5x, 5y) to maintain the neutral position of said switching member (2) within the housing (11 , 12).

3. The switch assembly according to any one of Claim 2, characterized in that said at least one spring (6) rotates during the slide of said at least one actuator (3x, 3y) out of the neutral position.

4. The switch assembly according to any one of Claim 2, characterized in that said at least one spring (6a) changes its length during the slide of said at least one actuator (3x, 3y) out of the neutral position.

5. The switch assembly according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the opening (14) is cross-shaped and its intersecting lines correspond to said orthogonal axes of the slide (x, y).

6. The switch assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said first haptic member (7) is provided with a protrusion (71 ) or a number of haptic grooves and said second haptic member (8) is provided with a number of haptic grooves (81) or a protrusion, wherein the protrusion (71 ) cooperates with the grooves (81 ).

7. The switch assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that said first haptic member (7) and / or said second haptic member has a form of a flat spring.

8. The switch assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that, the switching means have a form of contact, magnetic, capacitive, or Hall effect switches.

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