DE102016109467A1 - Component, in particular interior equipment component for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a component, in particular an interior trim component for vehicles, comprising a layer composite (1) having a plurality of layers (2, 5, 6, 7, 10), of which an outer layer (2) has a surface (3) which in Installation state of the component in the vehicle by a vehicle occupant visible and can be touched, and of which a layer (10) at least in a partial area comprises a composite material comprising electrically conductive fillers, whereby the layer (10) is electrically conductive in at least the partial area; and a controller (13) arranged to measure the electrical resistance of the layer (10) or portion of the layer (10), to convert changes in electrical resistance due to pressure on the surface (3) into an electrical signal and to output to an electrical consumer of the vehicle.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a component, in particular an interior trim component for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a component in which a switching element (also actuating element or operating element) is integrated, via which an electrical load of the vehicle is controllable.

State of the art

In motor vehicles, a variety of control functions or on and off commands for various types of electrical consumers can be selected, activated or deactivated via switching elements, d. H. to be controlled. For example, it is customary to adjust, lift, lower or open and close the windows, the sunroof, the exterior mirrors or the like by means of electrically actuated servomotors. In addition, a plurality of switching elements are provided in motor vehicles, are connected via the electrical loads, such as heaters, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting elements, radio, on-board computer, navigation system and the like or adjustable in any way imaginable.

The switching elements for such function carriers in motor vehicles are usually mounted in the center console, in the instrument panel and / or in or on the steering wheel or in the door trim. The design of the various switching elements is carried out not only from the point of view of an advantageous and ergonomic operation, but also an advantageous appearance. For this purpose, it is customary that the switching elements are arranged within a decorative layer. The switching elements activate by closing an electrical contact a controller that controls the movement of the individual servomotors for the officials.

The switching elements are arranged within the decorative layer in such a way that they project perceptibly raised from the surface and are preferably also illuminatable. However, this tactile and / or illuminable arrangement of the switching elements leads to the fact that the decorative layer must be designed to be interrupted in the area of the switching elements. As a result, in particular in the region of the transitions from the decorative layer to the individual switching elements, joints are produced in which impurities accumulate over time, which can impair both the mode of operation of the actuating element and the appearance of the entire decorative layer.

Furthermore, piezo switches from the prior art are known which are used, for example, in ceramic hobs, coffee machines or else in so-called "vandal-proof" keyboards, in particular in the selection keys of cash dispensers. Such piezoelectric and pressure-sensitive keys are for example from the DE 693 04 443 T2 known. To the DE 103 59 297 A1 the use of such piezoelectric buttons in motor vehicles is described.

Such piezoelectric switching elements, however, prove to be problematic and costly in terms of integration in vehicle components. In particular, malfunctions and wear have emerged as problems. Finally, despite the use of piezoelectric switching elements, the design latitude is limited. The same, if not greater, problem arises in mechanical and electromechanical switching elements.

Description of the invention

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a component for vehicles, in which in the simplest way and while avoiding or reducing the above problem, a switching element is integrated.

This object is achieved by a component having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the present invention can be found in the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

As a rule, components for vehicles, in particular interior equipment components, are produced from a layer composite having a plurality of layers. According to one aspect, one of these layers is made of a composite material containing electrically conductive fillers, whereby this layer itself acts as a switching element through a corresponding connection to a controller.

Accordingly, according to one aspect, a component, in particular an interior trim component, is proposed for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. The component is, for example, an instrument panel, a center console, a steering wheel or a panel in the vehicle interior, such as a door inner lining.

The component comprises a layer composite of at least two, but usually several layers. A typical layer composite comprises at least one dimensionally stable, substantially rigid carrier, usually made of plastic, optionally a padding or haptic layer, as well as a decorative layer. In the Upholstery or haptic layer may be, for example, a spacer, a foam, a gel layer or the like. In the decorative layer a variety of materials in question include leather, synthetic leather, wood, stone, metal, light metal, plastics, etc. In addition, the decorative layer may be provided with a coating, which may be, for example, a lacquer layer or a plastic film , The layer composite has an outer layer. This will usually be the decorative layer or a coating of the decorative layer. This outer layer has a surface which is visible and can be touched in the installed state of the component in the vehicle by a vehicle occupant. In particular, pressure can be exerted on the layer composite, for example substantially perpendicular to the surface or parallel to the arrangement of the layers, by means of this outermost layer by an occupant or operator, for example with a finger.

In order to form the switching element, at least one of the layers of the layer composite has a composite material at least in a partial area (in particular a partial area seen in the plan view of the layer composite). In this respect, a composite material is to be understood as meaning a material composed of two or more bonded materials which has different material properties than its individual components individually. One of these components is an electrically conductive filler, whereby the layer is electrically conductive in at least the subregion. In particular, the layer has an electrical resistance in at least the subregion. By pressure on the layer composite by an occupant or operator, the distance between the individual fillers in the composite material changes to each other, whereby the electrical conductivity and thus the electrical resistance changes.

The fillers may be graphenes, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and / or carbon black. The carbon nanotubes may be so-called SWCNTs (single wall carbon nanotubes) or MWCNTs (multiwall carbon nanotubes).

Furthermore, the composite material preferably comprises a matrix in which the fillers are bonded. The matrix comprises or consists of, for example, a polymer (eg an elastomer), an adhesive or a lacquer.

Particularly preferred are composite materials based on polymers, as used for example in the EP 2 174 910 A1 , of the US 2009/0200517 A1 or the US 2010/0000770 A1 as well as the DE 10 2011 051 871 B4 which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. Furthermore, also on the Publication "Piezoresistive, Printed Layers Based on a Carbon Nanotube Elastomer Composite" 16th GMA / ITG - Symposium Sensors and Measuring Systems 2012 pointed.

The layer comprising or formed from the composite material may be the outer layer (for example, the coating or coating of a decorative layer or the decorative layer itself). Likewise, the layer comprising the composite material or formed from it can be the dimensionally stable carrier, that is to say the component carrier or an adhesive layer which connects two layers of the layer composite to one another.

Furthermore, a controller is provided which is designed to measure the electrical resistance of the layer (the layer comprising or consisting of the composite material) and a change in the electrical resistance due to pressure on the surface of the outermost layer and to capture it on the layer composite and convert it into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is further output to an electrical load to control it, as explained above. The electrical consumer may be, for example, a window regulator, an electrical exterior mirror, a sunroof, a multimedia system, an air conditioning system, etc. In general, the electrical load is an electrical device in which electrical energy is converted to other forms of energy. By providing the layer and the controller, a switching element is provided to control such electrical loads or to operate. By the switching element is created in principle by the use of a special material, namely the composite material, for one of the layers of the present layer composite and otherwise takes place only an electronic processing in a control, a component is proposed which, if not avoided the above-mentioned problem , at least reduced and the design freedom of the component significantly increased.

In order to be able to carry out the resistance measurement, it may be advantageous, at least in the partial region of the layer in which the composite material is provided, to provide in each case an electrode on opposite surfaces of this layer in the direction of the layer composite, which electrodes are each connected to the controller. Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide two electrodes on only one of the opposite surfaces of this layer, which engage in a finger-like manner. Such electrodes are also referred to as interdigital electrodes. This can be a simple and reliable electrical Connection of the layer to the controller can be realized.

Furthermore, depending on the content of fillers in the composite, it may be necessary to electronically amplify the signal produced by the change in resistance.

The switching element formed by the layer comprising the composite material is no longer easily recognizable to the occupant or operator, ie. H. the pressure on the laminate could take place anywhere on the surface, especially if the composite is present throughout the composite material layer. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide in the surface of the composite layer a mark that makes the occupant or operator the switching element and its function recognizable. In particular, this marking will be in such a region in which the composite material is present in the layer in a plan view of the surface, so that the change in the resistance follows upon a pressure on the marking or in the vicinity of the marking.

Description of an embodiment

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

1 schematically shows a section of a composite layer of a component a) in cross section and b) in a bottom view.

1 shows a section of a composite layer of a component according to the invention, in which the composite material in the component carrier 10 is contained or the component carrier 10 made of the composite material. It is understood, however, that the composite material can also be provided in one of the other layers of the component described below for forming the switching element. The embodiment would be identical with the exception that the electrode and resistance measurement would then be assigned to the corresponding layer having the composite material.

The layered composite shown in cross section 1 a component according to the invention has an outermost layer 2 on, which may be, for example, a decorative layer of plastic or a coating of a decorative layer of plastic or other material such as leather, textile, wood, metals, etc. The coating may be, for example, a coating. The outermost layer 2 has opposite or opposite sides. In the 1a upper side defines a surface 3 , which is both visible in the vehicle in the installed state of the component according to the invention and can be touched by a vehicle occupant or operator. In particular, a vehicle occupant can press the surface with his finger 3 and thus the layer composite 1 exercise.

The outermost layer 2 is with her other side 4 over an adhesive layer 5 on a spacer knit 6 concealed. Instead of the spacer knitted fabric 6 a foam layer or a gel layer could also be used. The spacer fabric 6 is in turn with its the outer layer 2 on the opposite side again via an adhesive layer 7 on a dimensionally stable component carrier 10 laminated from plastic.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the component carrier 10 formed from a polymer-based plastic. At least in the illustrated section in 1 indicates the component carrier 10 a composite material consisting of a polymer-based matrix and a filler. The polymer may be, for example, an elastomer. According to one embodiment, carbon nanotubes are used as fillers. The higher the degree of filling of carbon nanotubes, the higher the electrical conductivity of the component carrier 10 in the area where the composite material is present. Even an addition of 0.04 percent by weight of carbon nanotubes is sufficient to produce electrical conductivity. Even with very small filling lines of 0.4 percent by volume and less, perculatory networks can be realized. However, depending on the application, other fillers are conceivable, as mentioned above.

At the spacer knit 6 remote surface of the component carrier 10 are also two electrodes 8th . 9 , the finger-like intermesh provided. How out 1b can be seen, the electrodes each have a connection pad 11 . 12 on, over that a control 13 connected to the electrodes. Between the individual fingers 14 . 15 the electrodes 11 . 12 can be about the fillers in the component carrier 10 Current flow, wherein the composite material forms an electrical resistance. This electrical resistance is via the controller 13 measured. A vehicle occupant exerts pressure on the surface 3 off, becomes the layer composite 1 compressed and the distance between the fillers of the composite material in the component carrier 10 each other changes. This change causes the electrical resistance in the composite material and between the individual fingers 14 . 15 the electrodes 11 . 12 changes. This change of resistance is caused by the control 13 detected and used to output an electrical signal.

This electrical signal is in turn used to drive an electrical load. Purely by way of example, a side window of the vehicle can be operated or the volume of an entertainment system can be set. But there are also other electrical consumers and functions conceivable.

Insofar as the electrical signal generated by the resistance change itself is too low, it may be advantageous this electrical signal in the controller 13 amplify electronically before it is output to the electrical consumer.

It is understood that the above description of an embodiment describes only one way of implementing the present invention and various modifications are conceivable. Thus, the layer composite itself can only be two-layered and the nature and nature of the individual layers is variable. In addition, as mentioned, the composite material instead of in the component carrier 10 also be present in any other layer including the adhesive layers. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in any vehicle components, but in particular interior equipment components. This may be purely by way of example the dashboard, interior trim, such as door interior trim, or the center console and the steering wheel.

The present invention provides a simple way and without the need for complex electrical and / or mechanical facial expressions to integrate a switching element for operating an electrical load in such a component. In particular, only one of the layers of the composite layer is formed or equipped with a composite material, which forms the switching element by providing a controller and a resistance measurement.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 69304443 T2 [0005]
• DE 10359297 A1 [0005]
• EP 2174910 A1 [0015]
• US 2009/0200517 A1 [0015]
• US 2010/0000770 A1 [0015]
• DE 102011051871 B4 [0015]

Cited non-patent literature

• Publication "Piezoresistive, Printed Layers Based on a Carbon Nanotube Elastomer Composite" 16th GMA / ITG - Symposium Sensors and Measuring Systems 2012 [0015]

Claims (9)

Component, in particular interior equipment component, for vehicles, comprising a layer composite ( 1 ) with several layers ( 2 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 10 ), of which an outer layer ( 2 ) a surface ( 3 ), which in the installed state of the component in the vehicle by a vehicle occupant is visible and touchable, and of which a layer ( 10 ) comprises at least in a partial area a composite material comprising electrically conductive fillers, whereby the layer ( 10 ) is electrically conductive in at least the subregion; and a controller ( 13 ), which is adapted to the electrical resistance of the layer ( 10 ) or the subregion of the layer ( 10 ), changes in electrical resistance due to pressure on the surface ( 3 ) to convert into an electrical signal and output to an electrical consumer of the vehicle.  Component according to claim 1, in which the fillers are graphenes, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and / or carbon black.  Component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composite material comprises a matrix in which the fillers are bonded.  A component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the matrix is a polymer, an adhesive or a lacquer.  Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component is an instrument panel, a center console, a steering wheel or a trim in the vehicle interior. Component according to one of the preceding claims, in which the layer comprising the composite material comprises the outer layer ( 2 ), a component carrier ( 10 ) or a two layers of the layer composite ( 10 ) bonding adhesive layer ( 5 . 7 ). Component according to one of the preceding claims, in which the layer ( 10 ) for measuring resistance on one of two or both opposite surfaces of electrodes ( 8th . 9 ) having. Component according to one of the preceding claims, in which the controller ( 13 ) is arranged for electronically amplifying the signal generated by the change of the resistance. Component according to one of the preceding claims, in which on the surface ( 3 ) in a region in which the composite material of the layer is provided in a plan view of the surface is a marking.

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