Patent Publication Number: US-7719142-B2

Title: Audio and tactile switch feedback for motor vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to motor vehicles and more particularly to an interface for controlling operations of a motor vehicle. Most particularly, the invention relates to audio and tactile switch feedback for motor vehicles. 
     A conventional interface for a motor vehicle typically includes a switch and/or a switch array, which generally comprises a large number of switches, that is mounted in and around the armrests, console, and/or dashboard of the motor vehicle. By convention, motor vehicles employ mechanical switches, which have physically moving (e.g., sliding) parts that create contact between conductors. Openings are provided in the interior trim components of the motor vehicle for receiving the switches. The openings commonly attract dust and dirt. This dust and dirt are difficult to reach. Consequently, the interior trim component is difficult to clean. 
     The physical characteristics of the switches usually occupy space (i.e., usually about 0.5 to 5 mm) for the mechanical movement of the switches. This limits the ability to style and craft the interior trim component. The switches are also subject to wear and mechanical breakdown due to the moving parts of the switches and thus may become unreliable. 
     The requirement for the switch openings in the interior trim components requires increased cut lines during the production of the interior trim components and the unique character of each of the switches requires an increased parts count. 
     What is needed is a highly-reliable interface with non-movable switches that is easy to use and that increases the ability to style and craft an attractive, easy-to-clean, environmentally protected interior component while reducing cut lines and total parts count. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed towards an interface for motor vehicles that meets the foregoing needs. The interface is supported by a motor vehicle interior trim component and includes a switch supported in relation to the motor vehicle interior trim component and sensory feedback component operatively connected to the switch. The switch is operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle. The sensory feedback component is adapted to produce a sensory feedback when the switch is operated. 
     Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a motor vehicle interior trim component according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the interior trim component shown in  FIG. 1  showing hazard flasher and rear defogger switches. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the interior trim component shown in  FIG. 1  showing a vent switch array of the motor vehicle climate control. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the interior trim component shown in  FIG. 1  showing a temperature control switch array of the motor vehicle climate control. 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cutaway front elevational view of alternative temperature control switch array. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view in plan of a non-movable switch that is adapted for use with the motor vehicle interior trim component. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of a sensing zone for the switch shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation in plan of another non-movable switch that is adapted for use with the motor vehicle interior trim component. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view in plan of a motor vehicle interior trim component with the switch shown in  FIG. 8  in combination with an audio driver assembly for providing audible and tactile sensations. 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the portion of the motor vehicle interior trim component shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view in plan of a motor vehicle interior trim component with the switch shown in  FIG. 8  in combination with a tone generator and a tactile transducer for providing audible and tactile sensations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  an interface supported by a motor vehicle interior trim component, generally indicated at 10. The interior trim component  10  supports a switch and/or a switch array, which includes a large number of switches, that is operable to actuate and de-actuate one or more electrically operated devices (not shown) of the motor vehicle, such as the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s heated seats, hazard flashers, rear defogger, and climate control system of the motor vehicle. 
     The interior trim component  10  is preferably made of a material, such as a plastic-based material, that is molded or otherwise crafted as desired to produce a substantially rigid structure having a desired style. The molding of interior trim components is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of the invention and thus will not be described in further detail. 
     The interior trim component  10  is preferably molded in a single piece, having unitary construction, and preferably having no openings, at least where switches are located, for collecting dust and dirt and thus is relatively easy to wash or otherwise keep clean. 
     The interior trim component  10  may be substantially flat or non-ornamental in style or have tactile features, such as, for example, deformations, such as raised areas, depressed areas, or both raised and depressed areas, to permit a user to easily locate the switches. 
     The interior trim component  10  according to the present invention may comprise a trim bezel, face plate or fascia  20 , which preferably has a tactile identifier  22 , such as the trough or mote shown in  FIG. 2 , to provide an appearance of a switch, such as the rear defogger and hazard flasher switches shown, and visually identify or define the location of such switches. Other switches, such as the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s heated seats and the climate control switches, may be formed in a similar manner. A tactile guide  24  may be provided within and concentric to the tactile identifier  22 . The tactile guide  24  is preferably in the form of a crown, in contrast to the trough or mote described above. The profile of the tactile guide  24  preferably does not exceed the profile of the fascia  20 . A target or target area  26  is located within the tactile guide  24  and is preferably in the form of a dimple, cavity or like depression, in contrast to the crown which forms the tactile guide  24 . The dissimilar topographies allow the user to visually identify the location of the switch and a sensitive operating portion or region (i.e., the target area  26 ) of the switch for actuating and de-actuating different electrically operated devices (not shown) when the switch is operated by a user. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interior trim component  10 , or at least portions thereof where switches are located, may be transparent or translucent and back-lit, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, to enable the user to visually identify the location of the switches when operating the motor vehicle in the dark. Moreover, the switches may carry indicia  28 ,  30 , such as the standard rear defogger and hazard flasher switch identification symbols shown, to allow the user to easily associate the switches with the devices the switches operate. 
     The fascia  20  may further be provided with a tactile identifier  32  in the form of a protruding member, similar in shape to an adjustment knob, for identifying a home position or starting point for a switch array, such as the vent switch array shown in  FIG. 3 , for controlling the function or operation of an electrically operated device, such as the vents of the motor vehicle climate control system. A tactile guide  34 , such as the crown shown, may be formed about the tactile identifier  32  to guide the user to the tactile identifier  32 . The profile of the tactile guide  34  preferably does not exceed the profile of the fascia  20 . Extending from the tactile identifier  32  are spokes or veins  36  that may be provided to guide the user to various targets or target areas  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the target areas  38  are dimples that function to provide a tactile sensation when encountered by the user. The target areas  38  may be located within an auxiliary tactile guide  40 , which may be provided about and concentric to the tactile identifier  32  and the tactile guide  34 . The target areas  38  identify the sensitive operating region of switches in the switch array that actuate and de-actuate the electrically operated device when the switch is operated by the user. The interior trim component  10 , or at least portions thereof where switches are located, may be transparent or translucent and back-lit to enable the user to visually identify the location of the switches when the motor vehicle is operated in the dark. Moreover, the interior trim component  10  may carry indicia  42 , such as the standard vent identification symbols shown, to allow the user to easily associate the switches with the devices the switches operate. Furthermore, the interior trim component  10  may have areas  44  associated with each target area  38  that are transparent or that otherwise permit indicators, such as light emitting diodes (LED) (not shown), to be viewed when the switches associated with corresponding areas  44  are operated. Other switch arrays, such as the fan motor speed control switch array shown in  FIG. 1 , may be formed in a similar manner to the vent control switch array described above. 
     Another example of a switch array is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This switch array is suitable for use as the temperature control switch array of the motor vehicle climate control system. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fascia  20  may have therein a tactile identifier  46 , such as the relief shown. A plurality of targets or target areas  48 , such as the dimples, cavities or like depressions shown, may be located within the tactile identifier  46 . A tactile guide  50 , such as the raised button shown, may be located within the tactile identifier  44 , preferably in the axial center of the tactile identifier  46  and equidistantly between opposing target areas  48  to function as a home position for the switch array. The illustrated switch array has switches associated with outer axial target areas  48  that cause the operating temperature of the motor vehicle climate control system to operate at maximum cold and hot temperatures. Switches associated with inner axial target areas  48 , when operated cause incremental changes in the operating temperature of the motor vehicle climate control system. The switch array may have areas  52  that are transparent or that otherwise permit an indicator, such as an LED (not shown), to be viewed when certain conditions are met. For example, the areas  52  may be color-coded. In accordance with known standards, the areas  52  associated with cooler thermostatic temperatures may be blue while the areas  52  associated with warmer thermostatic temperatures may be red. 
     Another example of a switch array is illustrated in a partially cutaway view in  FIG. 5 . This switch array is suitable for use as the temperature control switch array of the motor vehicle climate control system as well. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, a plurality of target areas  54  may be provided for more discrete control of the climate control system. Each target area  54  has associated therewith a switch and an associated visual indicator  56 , such as an LED (not shown), which provides a visual indication when the switch associated therewith is operated. The indicators  56  associated with the switches causing the climate control system to operate at cooler temperatures may be blue and the indicators  56  associated with the switches causing the climate control system to operate at warmer temperatures may be red. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the switches are non-mechanical or non-movable touch cells or switches, such as, but not limited to, resistive, inductive, piezoelectric and capacitive switches. A capacitive switch that is suitable for carrying out the invention is shown at  58  in  FIG. 6 . The switch  58  may be of the type described, for example, in U.S. patent application Publication No. 2002/0057020, published May 16, 2002, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The fascia  20  may be in the form of a substantially rigid substrate having a front surface  20   a , which may form a part of the interior trim component  10  of the motor vehicle and may be decorated and contoured for switches. The switch  58  may include one or more independent dielectric substances, which may support one or more electrodes and one or more electrical components (i.e., one or more R-C filters or networks and integrated circuits, such as the controller  110  described hereinbelow). In the illustrated embodiment, a first one of the dielectric substances may support at least a first electrode  64 . A second one of the dielectric substances may support at least a second electrode  68 . One or more electrical components may be supported by either dielectric substance, or by a separate component. The first and second electrodes  64 ,  68  are associated with a touch sensor, which is cooperatively formed by the dielectric substances, the electrodes, and the electrical components. The electrodes  64 ,  68  are preferably separated to provide three-dimensional separation therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second dielectric substances are defined by first and second printed circuit boards  72 ,  74 . The first and second printed circuit boards  72 ,  74  are spaced apart to provide the preferred three-dimensional separation. Due to the three-dimensional separation of the electrodes  64 ,  68 , the second electrode  68  forms a background capacitive sensor for detecting ambient conditions and, to a lesser extent, external disturbances while the first electrode  64  forms a capacitive sensor that detects both detecting ambient conditions and external disturbances but has a greater coupling to the external disturbances. This construction provides an accurate detection of external disturbances when a stimulus (i.e., a touch input) is placed between the first and second electrodes  64 ,  68  and, more so, in greater proximity to the first electrode  64 . 
     The operation of the aforementioned switch  58  is best understood with reference to the diagrammatic representation in  FIG. 7 . In the drawing, there is illustrated a portion of the fascia  20  having a target area  76  within which a stimulus  78  is sensed. The stimulus  78  is via a touch input, such as an operator&#39;s finger. The instant invention is most suitably adapted for sensing a covered or gloved finger because of the three-dimensional separation between the electrodes  64 ,  68  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The sensitivity of the switch  58  may be adjustable by adjusting the external disturbance detected by the electrodes  64 ,  68 . The switch  58  is not operated unless and until the stimulus  78  actually enters “into” the target area  76  and is in greater proximity to the first electrode  64  than the second electrode  68 . In this way, the disturbance of the stimulus  78  must be detected by the first and second electrodes  64 ,  68  but, to a greater extent, by the first electrode  64  in order for the switch  58  to operate. 
     An alternative switch  80 , similar to the switch  58  described above, is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A switch suitable for this application is likewise described in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Publication. This switch  80  comprises a first electrode  82  and a second electrode  84  spaced from and surrounding the first electrode  82 . Unlike the above-described switch  58 , the electrodes  82 ,  84  of this switch  80  are oriented in the same plane. A signal is provided to the switch  80  to generate an electric field about the switch  80 . Introduction of a stimulus, such as an operator&#39;s finger, near the switch  80  disturbs the electric field. A control circuit (not shown) detects disturbances in the electric field and generates a control signal in response. The control signal controls the operation of an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle. 
     The interior trim component  10  according to the invention may have attached thereto an audio driver assembly  86 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , for providing audible and/or tactile switch feedback. The fascia  20  of the interior trim component  10  may be in the form of an acrylic, polycarbonate or other lightweight, high-performance material and is ideally a tough, durable, shatter-resistant, and heat-resistant material. The fascia  20  may be a relatively dark transparent or translucent material, such as a flat smoked polycarbonate material. The fascia  20  may be flat, as shown, or may have tactile features, such as those described above. An applique  88 , which may include a plurality of layers, may be disposed behind or adjacent an inner surface of the fascia  20  (i.e., below the fascia  20  when viewing  FIG. 9 ). The applique  88  may, for example, have an outermost dark translucent or transparent layer, such as a black layer, which is disposed in the foreground. An intermediate layer may be provided behind or adjacent the outermost layer (i.e., below the outermost layer when viewing  FIG. 9 ). The outermost layer may be etched and the intermediate layer may be translucent and an intermediate color, such as gray, which preferably contrasts well with the color of the outermost layer to provide a visual indication of the location of the switch  80 . In addition, the intermediate layer may be etched and an innermost layer may be provided behind or adjacent the intermediate layer in the background, or opposite the outermost layer (i.e., below the intermediate layer when viewing  FIG. 9 ). The innermost layer may be a lighter color, such as white, which preferably contrasts well with the color of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer may also be etched with a pattern representing a conventional or standard symbol. The lighter color of the innermost layer may be displayed through the etched intermediate layer. The layers may be paint layers, such as a black paint layer, a gray paint layer, and a diffused white paint layer. 
     An example of a smoked polycarbonate fascia  20  with an applique  88  as described above is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The fascia  20  is generally indicated at  20 . The dark outermost layer is indicated at  90 . The outermost layer  90  may be etched to reveal the intermediate layer to indicate the location of a switch at  92  and optionally reveal a visual indicator at  94 . The intermediate layer may be similarly etched to reveal the innermost layer to provide a visual indication (i.e., such as the rear defogger symbol shown) of the switch function at  96  and the visual indicator of the switch condition at  94 . It should be appreciated that a source of light  100 , such as the LEDs shown in  FIG. 9 , may be located behind or in the background of the applique  88  for emitting light through the applique  88  and the fascia  20 . This provides a visual indication of the location of a switch and the operable condition of the switch when the motor vehicle is operated in the dark. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the switch  80 , the audio driver assembly  86 , and the light source  100  may be supported by a flexible printed circuit board  98  that is located behind or adjacent the applique  88 . The flexible printed circuit board  98  may conform tightly to the shape of the fascia  20 , whether the fascia  20  is flat or has tactile features. Consequently, the audio driver assembly  86  may be located sufficiently close to the fascia  20  to produce a tactile sensation when operating the switch  80 . 
     It should be understood that a tone generator  102  and a tactile transducer  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , may be used in addition to, or in place of, the audio driver assembly  86  described above to produce audible and/or tactile switch feedback. The tone generator  102  and the tactile transducer  104 , together with the switch  80  and a light source  100 , may similarly be supported by a flexible printed circuit board  106 . The tone generator  102  may function to produce audible sensations, such as soft soothing tones, to provide an audible sensation when the switch  80  is operated. The tactile transducer  104  may provide tactile sensations, such as clicking or thumping sensations, when the switch  80  is operated. The tactile transducer  104  may be in the form of a solenoid, which, when used in this application, may be referred to as a stamper or thumper. Upon operating the switch  80 , the solenoid may be energized to displace a plunger, such as indicated at  108 , which may tap, thump, vibrate, or otherwise cause a tactile sensation through the interior trim component  10 . 
     It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art of the invention that various components of the invention may be programmable. For example, as stated above, the sensitivity of the switches  58  and  80  may be adjusted to accommodate the tactile features, or lack thereof, in the fascia  20 . The intensity of the light source  100  may be programmed as desired. The frequency of the audio driver assembly  86  may be programmed to control the audible and tactile sensations produced therewith. For example, higher frequency signals could be produced by the audio driver assembly  86  to produce audible sensations while lower frequency signals could be produced by the audio driver assembly  86  to produce tactile sensations. Both high and low frequency signals can be produced to produce both audible and tactile sensations. These programmable features may be achieved by a controller, such as a microcontroller or processor, as indicated at  110  in  FIG. 9 , and instructions in memory accessed by the controller  110 . The controller and suitable control circuitry may be supported by or otherwise connected to the printed circuit board  72 ,  98 ,  106  to control the operation of the switch  58 ,  80 , the light source  100 , the audio driver assembly  86 , the tone generator  102 , and the tactile transducer  104 . The control circuitry may include individual latching switches for toggling individual light sources  100  and triggering the audio driver assembly  86 , the tone generator  102 , and the tactile transducer  104  to produce audible and tactile sensations when the switch  58 ,  80  is operated. Alternatively, the audio driver assembly  86 , the tone generator  102 , and the tactile transducer  104  may have an integral controller or control circuitry to control the operation thereof independently. 
     It should further be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the audio driver assembly  86 , in addition to producing audible sensations, may also function as a center speaker for the motor vehicle. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switches, the light sources  100 , the audio driver assembly  86 , the tone generator  102 , and the tactile transducer  104  are contained within a box or housing  112  so as to be a self-contained unit. The entire housing  112  is preferably very small or thin and simple to remove from the interior trim component. 
     Through the use of mechanical or non-movable touch pads or switches, multiple parts and motion can be eliminated. The elimination of motion permits the elimination of gaps, which would otherwise be provided between the moving parts. Through the elimination of gaps, the appearance of the interior trim component  10  is improved, as is the cleanability of the interior trim component  10  and the environmental protection afforded by the interior trim component  10 . 
     The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.