Control device comprisong at least a selector switch

ES 2 284 560 T3

DESCRIPTION

Function control device comprising at least one selector.

The invention concerns a function control device comprising at least one function selector, and intended in particular to equip the console of a motor vehicle.

Vehicles today are equipped with a number of comfort and distraction functions, such as:

- car radio, air conditioning, telephone, telematic service (traffic information, cinema / theater reservations, meteorology, ...), navigation, internet access, email, DVD etc ...

In general, these functions are proposed in the form of a series of electronic control units (often according to DIN standard) with their own control interface, which are implanted in the center console.

From the point of view of ergonomics of use, this solution allows the functions to be appropriately defined by grouping them by zones on the central console.

Unfortunately, the multiplicity of new functions and the limited space in the center console impose a limit on this type of solution.

On the other hand, multiplying the buttons makes understanding difficult.

Another way is to propose multifunction control interfaces with the following buttons:

- adjustment buttons;

- select button;

- validation button;

- Cancel button;

- menu access button;

Such an approach allows you to dramatically reduce the space used in the center console, but it imposes major trade-offs in ergonomics, understanding of menus, and speed of access to the function to be adjusted.

On the other hand, in many cases, we are forced to place a control interface screen next to the buttons to specify their action depending on the context.

This is not very compatible with the ergonomics expected in a motor vehicle, a limitation being the fact that the control of the functions must distract the driver's attention as little as possible.

Also known is a selector which has symbols identifying the operating mode of a control device between a radio mode and a tape reader mode. In this device, the switching from the first mode to the second mode is carried out by means of the rotation of the selector connected to a wheel by means of a gear. The rotary movement of the selector for the purpose of changing the mode is then transmitted to the disks bearing the symbols. The discs are respectively linked by gears. They also surround the actuators, commanding the functions represented by the corresponding symbols on the discs. Such a device is known from EP 0 274 ​​670. However, the selector of this device does not include symbols associated with the functions of the actuators.

The invention proposes to remedy at least partially the drawbacks mentioned above.

The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to propose function control means whose identification is carried out by means of a symbol that can change depending on the context.

The invention thus concerns a control device according to claim 1.

At least one selector can be rotary.

The device can have at least one tilting device, for example a control lever that controls several actuators.

At least one said tilting device and at least one said rotary selector are advantageously coaxial. This is very advantageous from an ergonomic point of view.

ES 2 284 560 T3

The device can have a coaxial wheel with at least one tilting device, in the rest position.

According to a preferred variant, the device has at least one control element that is both rotating and tilting, so that it commands, by rotation, the movement of at least one said selector, and whose tilting movement commands several actuators.

At least one actuator can be arranged vertically with respect to an actuating element. For example a button, which can be operated by at least one finger of a user.

At least one symbol may be arranged vertically with respect to an actuator. In the case where an actuating element is also arranged vertically with respect to the actuator, there is a coincidence in the space between the visual aspect and the manual aspect of the control, which is particularly ergonomic.

At least one selector can have a front surface traversed by openings, the selector causing the displacement of a part displaying symbols to selectively position them in front of the openings.

At least one selector can have a non-opaque surface, for example a film, displaying the aforementioned symbols, which is dragged by the movement of the selector and which is backlit in regions where it is desired to make a symbol appear.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident with the help of the description that follows, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the annexed figures, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two embodiments of the present invention;

figure 3 represents an embodiment of the invention, with a rotary selector, of which the different positions are illustrated in figures 4a to 4c;

Figures 5 and 6 represent two embodiments of the invention, which use a rocking movement and a rotation.

The embodiment of figure 1 shows a device according to the invention, which has an opaque front surface 1 that has openings or holes 2 and 3 as well as flexible regions 4 and 5 intended to pressure actuators 14 and 15 as switches.

The front surface 1 covers a selector 10 in which a central cylindrical or frusto-conical region 11 receives the central opening 8 of the front surface 1. The selector 10 has a crown 12 that presents a certain number of symbols 18, here pictograms, distributed to along its perimeter, so that they are positioned in front of the openings 2 and 3 in the various positions that the selector 10 is capable of presenting. When the front surface 1 rests on the selector 10, the user can, with the help of the region 11, rotate the selector 10 to position it according to the different possible positions. The pictogram 18 that appears through opening 2 corresponds to the function of switch 14, while the pictogram that appears through opening 3 corresponds to the function of switch 15. Rotation of the selector in its different positions induces a modification of the function of switches 14 and 15, coinciding with the pictograms. For this purpose the selector 10 has, in a known manner, a programming function, for example computer science, of the function of the switches 14 and 15. Alternatively, the selector 10 can cause the switches to move, and in this case, to each pictogram corresponds to a switch.

The embodiment of figure 2 shows a selector 10 formed by a wide and flat rotary knob 25, which is housed in the opening 8 and whose upper face 26 is covered with symbols 19 that are backlit by light-emitting diodes 20. In the figure , four symbols 19 illuminated by four of those diodes 20 are shown, and four switches 14, 15, 16, 17, which can be actuated by four flexible zones or four buttons 4, 5, 6 and 7 on the front surface 1. For example, a polycarbonate film printed with icons 18 is used, which are not visible when not illuminated. Films like these are widely used for the fabrication of dashboard backgrounds, particularly for warning witnesses.

Within the framework of the invention, it is of course possible to use linear selectors in the form of a strip.

In order to take full advantage of the possibilities of this type of control and to achieve a more intuitive ergonomics, it is proposed to associate a selector to a main function.

For the center console of a motor vehicle, for example three selectors can be identified:

- an "audio" selector;

- a selector "air conditioning";

- a "communication" selector.

ES 2 284 560 T3

For each of these selectors, you will find below different examples of operating modes:

Audio function:

- CD mode;

- radio mode;

- option mode;

- off mode O or “OFF”;

Air conditioning function:

- Manual mode;

- automatic adjustment mode;

- off or “OFF” mode;

Communication function:

- phone book mode;

- option mode;

- “OFF” mode .

Finally, for each of the proposed modes, several settings are associated, for example 4, direct access.

To limit the space occupied by such a system, the selector is preferably used simultaneously in rotation, to choose the mode and according to a rocking movement along two axes (vertical / horizontal) for the adjustment buttons. On the other hand, to make this control more compact, a coaxial wheel can be used in addition to the selector for supplementary adjustments (volume etc ...). Alternatively, the selector knob can perform the function of that wheel.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the selector is operated in rotation by means of a button 30 recovered by a spring.

To select a mode (Radio, CD, Option, O) that is identified for the user by an index 35 linked to selector 10, the user presses on button 30 (arrow F '), and then rotates it (arrow F ). In RADIO position (figure 4a), the volume adjustment is obtained by rotating the button 30 (not depressed).

The band change (AM / FM / OC) is obtained by pressing the T button₃ In front of the “BAND” symbol, the frequency changes (by jumps or between memorized frequencies) are obtained by means of the buttons on the left T (to decrease the frequency) and on the right T₂ (to increase the frequency). The bottom button T₄ It is used to switch from the MAN manual mode to the MEM memory mode, to select the frequencies.

In the CD position (figures 3 and 4b), the volume adjustment is obtained by means of the button 30 (not depressed). The track change is obtained by means of the Ti and T buttons₂ in front of the corresponding pictograms. Finally, the choice of the reading mode (normal reading, repetition, random "random", or sampling of the beginning of the track "scan") is obtained by means of the lower button T4.

In the off or 0 position (figure 4c), no pictogram appears and the buttons Ti to T4 are inactive.

In another “OPTION” position, the T₃ and T₄ it can be used to select an option (balance, bass, treble, “RDS” function etc ...). The T buttons₁ and T₂ They are used to validate or to deactivate the option.

Figure 5 represents a device that is controlled by a "control lever" 40 that combines movements in rotation and according to a rocking movement.

By resting on the lever 40 in the direction of the arrow F ', the selector 10 is disengaged, and the rotation of the lever 40 makes it possible to position the selector 10 according to a chosen mode. The inclination of the lever in the direction of the arrows F₁, F₂ ... then allows you to act on the actuators, such as switches 14 ... 17, of selector 10.

ES 2 284 560 T3

In the embodiment of figure 6, the lever or wheel 60 only has the function of rotation allowing the selection of the mode of the selector 10. The actuators (14 ... 17) are actuated by means of a rocking movement of a annular piece 70 that surrounds the base 61 of the wheel 60.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the actuators are advantageously arranged vertically with respect to the symbols (18, 19). In the case of figure 5, it is the position of the lever 40, directed (arrows F₁, and F₂) towards the chosen pictogram or symbol commanded by the actuator. (14 ... 17) corresponding to the function searched. In the case of FIG. 6, the actuator can be acted upon by pressing the pictogram that covers the upper face of the tilting piece 70. In both cases, the ergonomics are particularly good.

The advantages of the invention can be listed as follows:

- the ergonomic principle consisting of having a single button for one function is respected;

- in each context, the base parameters of a function are direct access. Example: if you are listening to a “CD”, the track change or disc change can be carried out by direct pressing on a button;

- the appropriate controls are proposed in a given context. Example: if you are listening to a “CD”, the system does not propose buttons that allow you to change the radio frequency band. The user is not disturbed by useless buttons;

- the use of the system is made intuitive thanks to an identification of the parameter directly on the button;

- reducing the number of buttons allows an increase in their size. You can use a dashboard like that with gloves;

- thanks to the backlit polycarbonate technology, you can get color effects on the buttons. On the other hand, an adjustment mode can be identified with a color;

- the invention is compatible with a screen remote from the control interface;

- when the functions are in the inactive position “OFF”, it is possible to have a completely black mono-button, hence the discretion of the device;

- the simplicity of use, the reduction in the number of buttons, the readability of the panel, the use of colors improve the safety of using a command interface like that;

- the multi-function focus of each mono-button avoids unused buttons in low-end versions. On the other hand, the use of backlit polycarbonate sheets allows you to keep completely secret options while they are not illuminated;

- the customization of the control interface with symbols in the appropriate language is made less expensive thanks to the backlit polycarbonate. In fact, polycarbonate is obtained by a printing process that does not generate a specific expensive tool, and that allows easily to have several versions in different languages;

- the simplicity of the controls does not make it necessary to add a contextual help button;

- the possible use of backlit polycarbonate makes it possible to easily deal with the problem of night visibility;

- the option mode possibly present in each mono-button allows to easily integrate new functionalities (treated by code);

- all adjustment buttons can be indicated with buttons of the same size;

- the invention applies to 1, 2, 3 ... mono-buttons.