EP2109869B1 - Electric control device - Google Patents

Electric control device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2109869B1
EP2109869B1 EP08707942.2A EP08707942A EP2109869B1 EP 2109869 B1 EP2109869 B1 EP 2109869B1 EP 08707942 A EP08707942 A EP 08707942A EP 2109869 B1 EP2109869 B1 EP 2109869B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit board
printed circuit
sensor
touch
common carrier
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP08707942.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2109869A1 (en
Inventor
Patrice Laurent
Xavier Drouin
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Dav SA
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Dav SA
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/81—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by electrical connections to external devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2207/00—Connections
    • H01H2207/004—Printed circuit tail
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/006—Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/01—Miscellaneous combined with other elements on the same substrate
    • H01H2239/014—Miscellaneous combined with other elements on the same substrate on both sides
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/076—Key stroke generating power

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical control device by tactile surface, for example a motorized mechanism for opening and / or closing of at least one opening, such as a motorized window, a sunroof, an assistance box motorized closing / opening, motorized tailgate or motorized sliding side door.
  • the invention also applies to an electrical control device by touch surface of an electronic component for a multimedia screen or an air conditioning system.
  • the technology using pressure-sensitive resistors (also known as the FSR sensor for "Force Sensing Resistor”) is more and more ahead of other equivalent technologies, such as capacitive or optical technologies, thanks to its ease of implementation and its robustness.
  • Such sensors are for example known under the name “digitizing tablet” (English name “Digitizer pad”) and are cited as prior art the following documents: US 4,810,992 , US5,008,497 , FR 2683649 or EP 0 541 102 .
  • These sensors comprise semiconductor layers sandwiched between, for example, a conductive layer and a resistive layer.
  • a pressure on the FSR layer By exerting a pressure on the FSR layer, its ohmic resistance decreases, thus making it possible, by application of a suitable voltage, to measure the applied pressure and / or the location of the place where the pressure is exerted.
  • These sensors are integrated in the control devices by connecting their electrical inputs / outputs to a printed circuit board.
  • the printed circuit board allows in particular the power supply and the processing of the sensor signals to determine the position and / or the pressure of a support.
  • the touch-sensitive surface of the sensor and the electrical connections can then be damaged during assembly and the functionality of the sensor destroyed or its reduced life.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electrical control device which makes the control device less fragile and which facilitates its handling during assembly processes.
  • the subject of the invention is an electrical control device by tactile surface comprising a touch-sensitive surface sensor, a printed circuit board, connection means providing the electrical connection between the touch-surface sensor and the circuit board.
  • the connecting means and the touch surface of the sensor being flexible and comprising a connection tab
  • the touch-surface sensor and the printed circuit board being carried by the opposite faces of a common support interposed between said sensor and said card , characterized in that a lateral face of the common support comprises a guiding protrusion of the connection tongue.
  • the figure 1 shows a control device 1 according to the invention integrated in a housing.
  • This device 1 is for example able to control a motorized mechanism (not shown) for opening and / or closing an opening, such as for example a window of a motor vehicle, a sunroof or the boot / tailgate motorized sliding door of a vehicle.
  • this type of device can be adapted to any other electrical control of a motor vehicle such as an electric seat control or light controls such as a ceiling lamp or ambient lighting.
  • the case made of plastic material for example, is formed of a cover 3 and a bottom 5 which fit together and held together by fixing screws 7, such as self-tapping screws, cooperating with associated holes 9 formed on the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the cover 3 after their passage through flanges 11 made in the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the bottom 5 of the housing.
  • the lower portion 12 of the bottom 5 of the housing forms a connector 13 for a male electrical connector for connection to the motorized mechanism for example.
  • Clips 15 are inserted on the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the cover 3 of the housing to connect the housing to the vehicle.
  • Each transverse longitudinal face of the cover 3 has in its center a centering notch 17 (see also on FIG. figure 2 ) cooperating with a rib 19 corresponding disposed in the middle of each of the longitudinal transverse faces of the bottom 5 of the housing so as to center the cover 3 on the bottom 5 of the housing during assembly.
  • a cut 20 can be formed on one of the transverse lateral faces of the bottom 5 of the housing to cooperate with the control device 1, so that there is only one possible direction to assemble the control device 1 on the bottom 5 of the box.
  • the cover 3 of the housing has an opening 21 in which is inserted a coating 23.
  • This coating 23 is for example a skin, made of an elastic material, preferably rubber or silicone. Other more rigid, non-elastic but deformable materials, such as polycarbonate or metal-silicone blend materials, can be used.
  • the skin 23 has a peripheral edge 24 and two transverse ribs 25a, 25b to delimit three active zones 26a, 26b and 26c.
  • the active zone 26a can be used for a closure command of the opening in so-called “manual” mode.
  • the active zone 26b is, for example, an active zone called “sliding", that is to say that not only the support of a finger of the user is detected, but also its movement, in particular the direction of movement of a finger of the user for an opening or closing command of the opening in so-called “automatic” mode.
  • the active zone 26c can be used for an opening command of the opening in so-called “manual" mode.
  • the active areas 26a, 26b and 26c comprise pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d which can be etched in the skin 23.
  • Each pictogram 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d corresponds to a specific control function.
  • These pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d are translucent, that is to say they let the light pass, with respect to the rest of the skin 23 which is generally opaque, which makes it possible to make the pictograms visible by a backlight that will be described in more detail below.
  • control device 1 Directly under the coating 23 and enclosed in the housing, are arranged the various elements of the control device 1 according to the invention. These different elements, represented in particular on the figure 2 , comprise a touch-sensitive surface sensor 29, a support 31 for the touch-sensitive sensor 29 and a printed circuit board 33.
  • a touch sensor 29 using pressure-sensitive resistors also known as the FSR sensor for "Force Sensing Resistor" is used.
  • the touch-sensitive surface sensor 29 comprises three adjacent active zones 35, 36 and 37 corresponding to the active zones 26a, 26b and 26c for controlling the specific electrical function described above in these zones.
  • the tactile surface 29 has two inactive side regions 39, also called dead zones. These dead zones are crossed by passages 41 of the signal of the sensor 29.
  • connection means 42 at its end, to provide the electrical connection with the printed circuit board 33.
  • connection means 42 are flexible.
  • connection means 42 are formed by an extension of the sensor 29.
  • guiding means such as a guiding protrusion 44 made in one piece on a lateral face of the support 31 for guiding the connection means 42, which will be described later.
  • the sensor 29 is preferably glued on the upper solid face 43 of the support 31.
  • the support 31 of height D and represented on the Figures 3a and 3b also supports the printed circuit board 33 on its lower longitudinal face 46, opposite to the face 43.
  • the support 31 is thus interposed between the sensor 29 and the printed circuit board 33.
  • removable fixing means such as clipping means 47 of the printed circuit board 33 are provided on the support 31.
  • the clipping means 47 may comprise two lateral notches 45 formed on the opposite sides of the sides of the printed circuit board 33 (see FIG. figure 2 ) and associated elastic clipping arms 48 carried by the support 31.
  • the length of the lateral notches 45 is slightly greater than the width of the elastic clipping arms 48 of the support 31 so that a certain sliding movement on a predefined longitudinal displacement stroke (C) is possible between the printed circuit board 33 and the support 31.
  • the elastic clipping arms 48 may advantageously comprise ribs 61 which cooperate with corresponding centering grooves 64 arranged in the middle of the transverse longitudinal faces of the periphery of the cover 3 to guide it on the control device 1 during the final assembly.
  • the clipping means 47 comprise at least one oblong hole formed in the printed circuit board 33 associated with a rivet-shaped pin comprising at least one pair of retractable elastic arms, carried by the support 31.
  • the pawn is inserted into the associated oblong hole. During the insertion, end portions of each pair of resilient arms of the pin engage and snap into the oblong hole.
  • the printed circuit board 33 advantageously comprises, at an angle, an oblong hole 51 cooperating with an associated positioning pin 53 carried by the support 31 to position the printed circuit board 33 on the support 31.
  • the length of the hole oblong 51 corresponds to the predefined displacement travel of the sliding movement between the printed circuit board 33 and the support 31.
  • the sliding movement allows a slight clearance between the printed circuit board 33 and the bottom 5 of the housing, which then facilitates the assembly of the two parts 3 and 5 of the housing.
  • the support 31 is well positioned relative to the bottom 5 of the housing, it also comprises lateral recessed portions 59 which cooperate with the elastic centering arms 48 of the support 31.
  • the resilient centering arms 48 of the support 31 protrude slightly from the printed circuit board 33 when it is assembled to the support 31.
  • Recessed portions 62 and 63 may also be provided on the transverse faces of the support 31 and the printed circuit board 33 so as to correspond to the holes 9 formed on the transverse outer faces of the periphery of the cover 3 of the housing to guide the device. 1 in the case during the final assembly.
  • the PCB 33 (“Printed Circuit Board” or “PCB” in English) comprises on the one hand the circuits for the power supply and the signal processing of the sensor 29 and, where appropriate, components for triggering a corresponding specific action.
  • the printed circuit board 33 makes it possible in particular to send the signals from the sensor 29 to the communication networks of the vehicle such as the CAN network.
  • the upper face 60 of the printed circuit board 33 comprises at least one light source such as a light-emitting diode 38 for the backlighting of the control device 1, which will be described in detail below.
  • the printed circuit board 33 further comprises, on its lower face 64, connecting pins 40 which are plugged into the connector of the male electrical connector 13 of the lower portion 12 of the bottom 5 of the housing.
  • connection pins 40 of the printed circuit board 33 in the connector of the male electrical connector 13 also guides the control device 1 in the bottom 5 of the housing.
  • connection means 42 are formed by a connection tab 67, itself formed by the extension of the touch-sensitive surface of the sensor. 29.
  • connection tongue 67 is guided by the guiding protrusion 44 formed on a lateral face of the common support 31 to be connected to contacts 69 of the printed circuit board 33 by associated force-mounting connectors 71 which allow a seamless connection.
  • the connecting tab 67 is connected to the lower face 64 of the printed circuit board 33, which facilitates assembly.
  • the touch-surface sensor 29 is preferably held by gluing on the upper solid face 43 of the support 31 and the printed circuit board 33 clipped on the lower face 46, it is understood that the support 31 is common to both the touch-sensitive sensor. 29 to the printed circuit board 33, each being carried by the opposite faces of the common support 31.
  • control device 1 assembled as shown in FIG. figure 4 , easy to integrate into the box and which avoids all the disadvantages of the devices of the state of the art by proposing a connection between the printed circuit board 33 and the sensor touch surface 29 without bending at right angles to the connector and for which the connector is held in position.
  • the control device 1 then constitutes a compact and robust manufacturing unit, which can be handled independently during the assembly phases of the manufacturing processes and for which the prestress applied to the connectors are limited.
  • the coating 23 is placed on the touch surface of the sensor 29 so that the ribs 25a, 25b at the surface delimit the active control zones 35, 36 and 37.
  • control device 1 is further improved. Indeed, thus integrated into the housing, no connection or fragile element exceeds, with the exception of the connection pins 40 themselves protected by the connector of the male electrical connector 13.
  • the guiding protrusion 44 which guides the connecting tongue 67 is formed by fins 73a, 73b and 73c arranged in parallel.
  • Three fins 73a, 73b and 73c are preferably arranged in parallel, so that their edges support the connection tongue 67.
  • each fin 73a, 73b and 73c is particularly adapted so that the connecting tongue 67 perfectly matches the shape of the guide protrusion 44 when the connecting tab 67 is connected to the printed circuit board 33.
  • each fin 73a, 73b and 73c comprise a first rounded portion 75, which is extended by a second straight portion 76, then by a third rounded portion 77 whose angle of curvature corresponds to the angle of curvature of the first rounded portion 75.
  • the rounded portions 75 and 77 make it possible to avoid connections at right angles which could damage the sensor 29.
  • the height of the straight portions of the fins 76 is chosen relative to the height D of the common support 31, the printed circuit board 33 and the connectors, the connection being related in particular to the height of the force-mounting connectors 71.
  • each outer fin 73a, 73c has an outer lateral centering wall 79a, 79b to prevent the connecting tongue 67 from shifting laterally on the guide protrusion 44.
  • the backlighting of the pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d is achieved by providing light-emitting diodes 38 on the upper longitudinal face 60 of the printed circuit board 33 to illuminate the rear face of the full longitudinal face 43. of the common support 31.
  • a light-emitting diode 38 is provided for each pictogram 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.
  • the face 43 of the common support 31 supporting the sensor 29 is transparent or translucent as well as the touch surface of the sensor 29 so that the light emitted by the diodes 38, can illuminate the pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.
  • the height D of the common support 31 is provided in such a way that the light emitted by each emission cone of each light emitting diode 38 of the printed circuit board 33 forms a light spot larger than or equal to the size of a pictogram. associated 27a, 27b, 27c or 27d to illuminate so that the illumination of pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d is homogeneous.
  • the touch-sensitive electrical control device 1 whose tactile surface sensor 29 and printed circuit board 33 are carried by the opposite faces of a common support 31, solves the problems of the prior art.
  • the common support 31 provides a manufacturing unit easily manipulated during assembly phases.
  • the device comprises removable fixing means for fixing the printed circuit board 33 on one of the faces of the common support 31, the device is further adapted to facilitate the maintenance phases.
  • connection means 42 providing the electrical connection between the touch-sensitive surface sensor 29 and the printed circuit board 33 and the touch-sensitive surface 29 of the sensor are flexible, and that they are formed by a connecting tab 67 such as extension of the touch surface 29 of the sensor, a side face of the common support 31 may comprise a guiding protrusion 44 of the connecting tab 67.
  • connection between the printed circuit board and the sensor is then protected and reinforced, which reduces the risk of rebus and increase the life of electrical control devices.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de commande électrique par surface tactile, par exemple d'un mécanisme motorisé d'ouverture et / ou de fermeture d'au moins un ouvrant, tel qu'une vitre motorisée, un toit ouvrant, un coffre à assistance de fermeture / ouverture motorisé, un hayon motorisé ou encore une porte latérale coulissante motorisée. L'invention s'applique également à un dispositif de commande électrique par surface tactile d'un organe électronique pour un écran multimédia ou un système de climatisation.The present invention relates to an electrical control device by tactile surface, for example a motorized mechanism for opening and / or closing of at least one opening, such as a motorized window, a sunroof, an assistance box motorized closing / opening, motorized tailgate or motorized sliding side door. The invention also applies to an electrical control device by touch surface of an electronic component for a multimedia screen or an air conditioning system.

On a proposé, plus récemment, d'utiliser pour ces commandes des surfaces tactiles permettant de détecter un appui simple du doigt du conducteur et, en fonction de la position de l'appui détecté et/ou du déplacement ultérieur de cet appui sur la surface, de déclencher un type particulier d'action ou de commande d'organe du véhicule. On pourra se référer par exemple aux documents FR 2 798 329 , FR 2 800 885 et US 6 157 372 . Ces surfaces tactiles peuvent être de tout type et utiliser différentes technologies.It has been proposed, more recently, to use for these commands tactile surfaces for detecting a simple support of the driver's finger and, depending on the position of the detected support and / or the subsequent displacement of this support on the surface , to trigger a particular type of action or organ control of the vehicle. For example, documents may be referred to FR 2 798 329 , FR 2,800,885 and US 6,157,372 . These touch surfaces can be of any type and use different technologies.

Ainsi par exemple la technologie utilisant des résistances sensibles à la pression (également connu sous le nom capteur FSR pour « Force Sensing Resistor ») devance de plus en plus d'autres technologies équivalentes, comme par exemple des technologies capacitives ou encore optiques, grâce à sa facilité de mise en oeuvre et à sa robustesse.For example, the technology using pressure-sensitive resistors (also known as the FSR sensor for "Force Sensing Resistor") is more and more ahead of other equivalent technologies, such as capacitive or optical technologies, thanks to its ease of implementation and its robustness.

De tels capteurs sont par exemple connus sous le nom « tablette digitalisante » (dénomination anglaise "Digitizer pad") et on cite comme art antérieur les documents suivants : US 4,810,992 , US 5,008,497 , FR 2683649 ou encore EP 0 541 102 .Such sensors are for example known under the name "digitizing tablet" (English name "Digitizer pad") and are cited as prior art the following documents: US 4,810,992 , US5,008,497 , FR 2683649 or EP 0 541 102 .

Ces capteurs comprennent des couches semi-conductrices prises en sandwich entre par exemple une couche conductrice et une couche résistive. En exerçant une pression sur la couche FSR, sa résistance ohmique diminue, permettant ainsi, par application d'une tension adaptée, de mesurer la pression appliquée et / ou la localisation de l'endroit où la pression est exercée.These sensors comprise semiconductor layers sandwiched between, for example, a conductive layer and a resistive layer. By exerting a pressure on the FSR layer, its ohmic resistance decreases, thus making it possible, by application of a suitable voltage, to measure the applied pressure and / or the location of the place where the pressure is exerted.

Ces capteurs sont intégrés dans les dispositifs de commande par la connexion de leurs entrées / sorties électriques à une carte à circuit imprimé. La carte à circuit imprimé permet notamment l'alimentation et le traitement des signaux du capteur pour déterminer la position et/ou la pression d'un appui.These sensors are integrated in the control devices by connecting their electrical inputs / outputs to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board allows in particular the power supply and the processing of the sensor signals to determine the position and / or the pressure of a support.

Le document US 4 628 408 divulgue un dispositif de commande comme défini par le préambule de la revendication 1.The document US 4,628,408 discloses a control device as defined by the preamble of claim 1.

Toutefois, l'assemblage et la fabrication de ces dispositifs de commande est délicate. En particulier, la connexion entre la carte à circuit imprimé et le capteur est fragile et vulnérable du fait des fines connexions électriques du capteur.However, the assembly and manufacture of these control devices is difficult. In particular, the connection between the printed circuit board and the sensor is fragile and vulnerable because of the thin electrical connections of the sensor.

La surface tactile du capteur et les connexions électriques peuvent alors être détériorées lors de l'assemblage et la fonctionnalité du capteur détruite ou sa durée de vie réduite.The touch-sensitive surface of the sensor and the electrical connections can then be damaged during assembly and the functionality of the sensor destroyed or its reduced life.

Le but de la présente invention est donc de proposer un dispositif de commande électrique qui rend le dispositif de commande moins fragile et qui facilite sa manipulation lors des procédés d'assemblage.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electrical control device which makes the control device less fragile and which facilitates its handling during assembly processes.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un dispositif de commande électrique par surface tactile comprenant un capteur à surface tactile, une carte à circuit imprimé, des moyens de connexion assurant la liaison électrique entre le capteur à surface tactile et la carte à circuit imprimé, les moyens de connexion et la surface tactile du capteur étant souples et comprenant une languette de connexion, le capteur à surface tactile et la carte à circuit imprimé étant portés par les faces opposées d'un support commun interposé entre ledit capteur et ladite carte, caractérisé en ce qu'une face latérale du support commun comporte une protubérance de guidage de la languette de connexion.To this end, the subject of the invention is an electrical control device by tactile surface comprising a touch-sensitive surface sensor, a printed circuit board, connection means providing the electrical connection between the touch-surface sensor and the circuit board. printed, the connecting means and the touch surface of the sensor being flexible and comprising a connection tab, the touch-surface sensor and the printed circuit board being carried by the opposite faces of a common support interposed between said sensor and said card , characterized in that a lateral face of the common support comprises a guiding protrusion of the connection tongue.

Suivant d'autres caractéristiques du dispositif de commande,

  • la languette de connexion est formée par une prolongation de la surface tactile du capteur,
  • la protubérance de guidage est formée d'au moins deux ailettes parallèles dont les chants supportent la languette de connexion,
  • le chant de chaque ailette comporte une première partie arrondie, une deuxième partie droite et une troisième partie arrondie,
  • chaque ailette extérieure comporte une paroi latérale extérieure de centrage de la languette de connexion,
  • les moyens de connexion se raccordent à la carte de circuit imprimé par des connecteurs à montage en force,
  • les moyens de connexion se raccordent sur la face de la carte à circuit imprimé opposée à la face en vis-à-vis de la face du support commun,
  • le dispositif comporte en outre des moyens de fixation amovibles pour fixer la carte à circuit imprimé sur une des faces du support commun,
  • les moyens de fixation amovibles comportent des moyens de clipsage de la carte à circuit imprimé sur le support commun,
  • les moyens de clipsage comportent un trou oblong ménagé dans la carte à circuit imprimé et un pion en forme de rivet associé comportant au moins une paire de bras élastiques escamotables, porté par le support commun,
  • les moyens de clipsage comportent deux encoches latérales ménagées dans la carte à circuit imprimé et deux bras élastiques de clipsage associés, portés par le support commun,
  • la longueur des encoches latérales est supérieure à la largeur des bras élastiques de clipsage du support commun de façon à permettre un mouvement coulissant entre la carte à circuit imprimé et le support commun,
  • la surface tactile du capteur et la face du support commun supportant le capteur à surface tactile est transparente ou translucide et en ce que la face de la carte à circuit imprimé en vis-à-vis de la face du support commun comporte au moins une source lumineuse, telle qu'une diode électroluminescente,
  • la hauteur du support commun soit telle que la lumière émise par chaque source lumineuse de la carte à circuit imprimé forme une tache lumineuse de taille supérieure ou équivalente à la taille d'un pictogramme associé à éclairer sur la surface tactile du capteur, préférentiellement de sorte que l'éclairage des pictogrammes soit homogène,
  • le capteur à surface tactile est un capteur FSR.
According to other characteristics of the control device,
  • the connection tongue is formed by an extension of the touch surface of the sensor,
  • the guiding protrusion is formed of at least two parallel fins whose edges support the connecting tongue,
  • the edge of each fin has a first rounded portion, a second straight portion, and a third rounded portion;
  • each outer fin has an outer lateral wall for centering the connection tongue,
  • the connection means are connected to the printed circuit board by force-mounting connectors,
  • the connection means are connected to the face of the printed circuit board opposite the face opposite the face of the common support,
  • the device further comprises removable fixing means for fixing the printed circuit board on one of the faces of the common support,
  • the removable fixing means comprise means for clipping the printed circuit board on the common support,
  • the clipping means comprise an oblong hole in the printed circuit board and an associated rivet-shaped pin comprising at least one pair of retractable elastic arms carried by the common support,
  • the clipping means comprise two lateral notches formed in the printed circuit board and two associated resilient clipping arms, carried by the common support,
  • the length of the lateral notches is greater than the width of the elastic clipping arms of the common support so as to allow sliding movement between the printed circuit board and the common support,
  • the touch-sensitive surface of the sensor and the face of the common support supporting the touch-sensitive sensor is transparent or translucent and in that the face of the printed circuit board opposite the face of the common support comprises at least one source light, such as a light-emitting diode,
  • the height of the common support is such that the light emitted by each light source of the printed circuit board forms a light spot larger than or equal to the size of an associated pictogram to illuminate on the touch surface of the sensor, preferably so that the illumination of the pictograms is homogeneous,
  • the touch-sensitive sensor is an FSR sensor.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques apparaîtront à la lecture de la description de l'invention, ainsi que des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de commande selon l'invention, intégré dans un boitier,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dispositif éclaté de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3a est une vue de desssus en perspective d'un élément du dispositif de commande selon l'invention,
  • la figure 3b est une vue de dessous en perspective de l'élément de la figure 3a,
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de commande assemblé selon l'invention.
Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a perspective view of the control device according to the invention, integrated into a box,
  • the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device exploded from the figure 1 ,
  • the figure 3a is a perspective view of an element of the control device according to the invention,
  • the figure 3b is a perspective bottom view of the element of the figure 3a ,
  • the figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembled control device according to the invention.

Sur ces figures, les éléments identiques portent les mêmes numéros de référence.In these figures, the identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

La figure 1 montre un dispositif de commande 1 selon l'invention intégré dans un boitier. Ce dispositif 1 est par exemple apte à commander un mécanisme motorisé (non représenté) d'ouverture et/ou de fermeture d'un ouvrant, tel que par exemple une vitre d'un véhicule automobile, un toit ouvrant ou encore le coffre / hayon / porte coulissante motorisé d'un véhicule.The figure 1 shows a control device 1 according to the invention integrated in a housing. This device 1 is for example able to control a motorized mechanism (not shown) for opening and / or closing an opening, such as for example a window of a motor vehicle, a sunroof or the boot / tailgate motorized sliding door of a vehicle.

Bien entendu, ce type de dispositif peut être adapté à toute autre commande électrique de véhicule automobile comme une commande de siège électrique ou des commandes de lumière telles qu'une liseuse de plafonnier ou un éclairage d'ambiance.Of course, this type of device can be adapted to any other electrical control of a motor vehicle such as an electric seat control or light controls such as a ceiling lamp or ambient lighting.

Le boitier, en matériau plastique par exemple, est formé d'un couvercle 3 et d'un fond 5 s'emboitant l'un dans l'autre et maintenus assemblés via des vis de fixation 7, telles que des vis auto-taraudeuses, coopérant avec des trous associés 9 ménagés sur les faces extérieures transversales du pourtour du couvercle 3 après leur passage au travers de collerettes 11 réalisées dans les faces extérieures transversales du pourtour du fond 5 du boitier.The case, made of plastic material for example, is formed of a cover 3 and a bottom 5 which fit together and held together by fixing screws 7, such as self-tapping screws, cooperating with associated holes 9 formed on the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the cover 3 after their passage through flanges 11 made in the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the bottom 5 of the housing.

Comme on le voit à gauche sur la figure 1, la partie inférieure 12 du fond 5 du boitier forme un raccord 13 pour un connecteur électrique mâle de connexion au mécanisme motorisé par exemple.As we see on the left on the figure 1 , the lower portion 12 of the bottom 5 of the housing forms a connector 13 for a male electrical connector for connection to the motorized mechanism for example.

Des clips 15 sont insérés sur les faces extérieures transversales du pourtour du couvercle 3 du boitier pour raccorder le boitier au véhicule.Clips 15 are inserted on the outer transverse faces of the periphery of the cover 3 of the housing to connect the housing to the vehicle.

Chaque face longitudinale transversale du couvercle 3 comporte en son milieu une entaille de centrage 17 (voir aussi sur la figure 2) coopérant avec une nervure 19 correspondante disposée au milieu de chacune des faces longitudinales transversales du fond 5 du boitier de manière à centrer le couvercle 3 sur le fond 5 du boitier lors de l'assemblage.Each transverse longitudinal face of the cover 3 has in its center a centering notch 17 (see also on FIG. figure 2 ) cooperating with a rib 19 corresponding disposed in the middle of each of the longitudinal transverse faces of the bottom 5 of the housing so as to center the cover 3 on the bottom 5 of the housing during assembly.

Une entaille 20 (voir figure 2) peut être ménagée sur une des faces latérales transversales du fond 5 du boitier pour coopérer avec le dispositif de commande 1, de telle sorte qu'il n'y ait qu'un seul sens possible pour assembler le dispositif de commande 1 sur le fond 5 du boitier.A cut 20 (see figure 2 ) can be formed on one of the transverse lateral faces of the bottom 5 of the housing to cooperate with the control device 1, so that there is only one possible direction to assemble the control device 1 on the bottom 5 of the box.

Le couvercle 3 du boitier comporte une ouverture 21 dans laquelle est inséré un revêtement 23.The cover 3 of the housing has an opening 21 in which is inserted a coating 23.

Ce revêtement 23 est par exemple une peau, réalisée en une matière élastique, de préférence en caoutchouc ou en silicone. D'autres matières plus rigides, non élastiques mais déformables, telles que le polycarbonate ou des matières à base de mélange de métal et de silicone, peuvent être utilisées. La peau 23 présente une bordure périphérique 24 et deux nervures transversales 25a, 25b pour délimiter trois zones actives 26a, 26b et 26c.This coating 23 is for example a skin, made of an elastic material, preferably rubber or silicone. Other more rigid, non-elastic but deformable materials, such as polycarbonate or metal-silicone blend materials, can be used. The skin 23 has a peripheral edge 24 and two transverse ribs 25a, 25b to delimit three active zones 26a, 26b and 26c.

La zone active 26a, peut servir pour une commande de fermeture de l'ouvrant en mode dit « manuel ». La zone active 26b est par exemple, une zone active dite « glissante », c'est-à-dire que l'on détecte non seulement l'appui d'un doigt de l'utilisateur, mais aussi son mouvement, en particulier la direction de déplacement d'un doigt de l'utilisateur pour une commande d'ouverture ou de fermeture de l'ouvrant en mode dit « automatique ». La zone active 26c peut servir pour une commande d'ouverture de l'ouvrant en mode dit « manuel ».The active zone 26a, can be used for a closure command of the opening in so-called "manual" mode. The active zone 26b is, for example, an active zone called "sliding", that is to say that not only the support of a finger of the user is detected, but also its movement, in particular the direction of movement of a finger of the user for an opening or closing command of the opening in so-called "automatic" mode. The active zone 26c can be used for an opening command of the opening in so-called "manual" mode.

Les zones actives 26a, 26b et 26c comportent des pictogrammes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d qui peuvent être gravés dans la peau 23. Chaque pictogramme 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d correspond à une fonction spécifique de commande. Ces pictogrammes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d sont translucides, c'est-à-dire qu'ils laissent passer la lumière, par rapport au reste de la peau 23 généralement opaque, ce qui permet de rendre les pictogrammes visibles par un rétroéclairage qui sera décrit plus en détail plus loin.The active areas 26a, 26b and 26c comprise pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d which can be etched in the skin 23. Each pictogram 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d corresponds to a specific control function. These pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d are translucent, that is to say they let the light pass, with respect to the rest of the skin 23 which is generally opaque, which makes it possible to make the pictograms visible by a backlight that will be described in more detail below.

Directement sous le revêtement 23 et enfermés dans le boitier, sont disposés les différents éléments du dispositif de commande 1 selon l'invention. Ces différents éléments, représentés en particulier sur la figure 2, comprennent un capteur à surface tactile 29, un support 31 pour le capteur à surface tactile 29 et une carte à circuit imprimé 33.Directly under the coating 23 and enclosed in the housing, are arranged the various elements of the control device 1 according to the invention. These different elements, represented in particular on the figure 2 , comprise a touch-sensitive surface sensor 29, a support 31 for the touch-sensitive sensor 29 and a printed circuit board 33.

De préférence, on utilise un capteur tactile 29 utilisant des résistances sensibles à la pression (également connu sous le nom de capteur FSR pour « Force Sensing Resistor »).Preferably, a touch sensor 29 using pressure-sensitive resistors (also known as the FSR sensor for "Force Sensing Resistor") is used.

Le capteur à surface tactile 29 comporte trois zones actives adjacentes 35, 36 et 37 corresponant aux zones actives 26a, 26b et 26c pour commander dans ces zones la fonction électrique spécifique décrite ci-dessus.The touch-sensitive surface sensor 29 comprises three adjacent active zones 35, 36 and 37 corresponding to the active zones 26a, 26b and 26c for controlling the specific electrical function described above in these zones.

De préférence, au niveau des nervures transversales 25a, 25b, la surface tactile 29 comporte deux régions latérales inactives 39, également appelées zones mortes. Ces zones mortes sont traversées par des passages 41 du signal du capteur 29.Preferably, at the transverse ribs 25a, 25b, the tactile surface 29 has two inactive side regions 39, also called dead zones. These dead zones are crossed by passages 41 of the signal of the sensor 29.

La surface tactile du capteur 29 comprend des moyens de connexion 42 à son extrémité, pour assurer la liaison électrique avec la carte à circuit imprimé 33.The touch-sensitive surface of the sensor 29 comprises connection means 42 at its end, to provide the electrical connection with the printed circuit board 33.

Avantageusement, on prévoit que non seulement le capteur à surface tactile 29, mais aussi les moyens de connexion 42, soient souples. Ainsi, on peut envisager que les moyens de connexion 42 soient formés par une prolongation du capteur 29.Advantageously, it is provided that not only the touch-sensitive surface sensor 29, but also the connection means 42, are flexible. Thus, it can be envisaged that the connection means 42 are formed by an extension of the sensor 29.

De même, on peut avantageusement prévoir des moyens de guidage tels qu'une protubérance de guidage 44 réalisée d'une seule pièce sur une face latérale du support 31 pour guider les moyens de connexion 42, que l'on décrira plus loin.Similarly, it is advantageous to provide guiding means such as a guiding protrusion 44 made in one piece on a lateral face of the support 31 for guiding the connection means 42, which will be described later.

Le capteur 29 est de préférence collé sur la face supérieure pleine 43 du support 31.The sensor 29 is preferably glued on the upper solid face 43 of the support 31.

Le support 31 de hauteur D et représenté sur les figures 3a et 3b, supporte également la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sur sa face longitudinale inférieure 46, opposée à la face 43.The support 31 of height D and represented on the Figures 3a and 3b , also supports the printed circuit board 33 on its lower longitudinal face 46, opposite to the face 43.

Le support 31 est ainsi interposé entre le capteur 29 et la carte à circuit imprimé 33.The support 31 is thus interposed between the sensor 29 and the printed circuit board 33.

Pour cela, on prévoit des moyens de fixation amovibles tels que des moyens de clipsage 47 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sur le support 31.For this purpose, removable fixing means such as clipping means 47 of the printed circuit board 33 are provided on the support 31.

Les moyens de clipsage 47 peuvent comporter deux encoches latérales 45 ménagées sur les faces opposées des cotés de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 (voir figure 2) et des bras élastiques de clipsage 48 associés, portés par le support 31.The clipping means 47 may comprise two lateral notches 45 formed on the opposite sides of the sides of the printed circuit board 33 (see FIG. figure 2 ) and associated elastic clipping arms 48 carried by the support 31.

Avantageusement, la longueur des encoches latérales 45 est légèrement supérieure à la largeur des bras élastiques de clipsage 48 du support 31 de sorte qu'un certain mouvement coulissant sur une course de déplacement longitudinale prédéfinie (C) soit possible entre la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et le support 31.Advantageously, the length of the lateral notches 45 is slightly greater than the width of the elastic clipping arms 48 of the support 31 so that a certain sliding movement on a predefined longitudinal displacement stroke (C) is possible between the printed circuit board 33 and the support 31.

Les bras élastiques de clipsage 48 peuvent avantageusement comporter des nervures 61 qui coopèrent avec des rainures de centrage 64 correspondantes, disposées au milieu des faces longitudinales transversales du pourtour du couvercle 3 pour guider celui-ci sur le dispositif de commande 1 lors de l'assemblage final.The elastic clipping arms 48 may advantageously comprise ribs 61 which cooperate with corresponding centering grooves 64 arranged in the middle of the transverse longitudinal faces of the periphery of the cover 3 to guide it on the control device 1 during the final assembly.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention non représenté, les moyens de clipsage 47 comportent au moins un trou oblong ménagé dans la carte à circuit imprimé 33 associé à un pion en forme de rivet comportant au moins une paire de bras élastiques escamotables, porté par le support 31.According to another embodiment of the invention not shown, the clipping means 47 comprise at least one oblong hole formed in the printed circuit board 33 associated with a rivet-shaped pin comprising at least one pair of retractable elastic arms, carried by the support 31.

Le pion est inséré dans le trou oblong associé. Pendant l'insertion, des parties d'extrémité de chaque paire de bras élastiques du pion s'engagent et s'enclenchent dans le trou oblong.The pawn is inserted into the associated oblong hole. During the insertion, end portions of each pair of resilient arms of the pin engage and snap into the oblong hole.

En revenant à la figure 2, la carte à circuit imprimé 33 comporte de façon avantageuse, sur un angle, un trou oblong 51 coopérant avec un pion de positionnement 53 associé porté par le support 31 pour positionner la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sur le support 31. La longueur du trou oblong 51 correspond à la course de déplacement prédéfinie du mouvement coulissant entre la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et le support 31.Returning to figure 2 , the printed circuit board 33 advantageously comprises, at an angle, an oblong hole 51 cooperating with an associated positioning pin 53 carried by the support 31 to position the printed circuit board 33 on the support 31. The length of the hole oblong 51 corresponds to the predefined displacement travel of the sliding movement between the printed circuit board 33 and the support 31.

Le mouvement coulissant permet de laisser un léger jeu entre la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et le fond 5 du boitier, ce qui facilite ensuite l'assemblage des deux parties 3 et 5 du boitier.The sliding movement allows a slight clearance between the printed circuit board 33 and the bottom 5 of the housing, which then facilitates the assembly of the two parts 3 and 5 of the housing.

On peut également prévoir un chanfrein 55 dans un angle de la carte à circuit imprimé 33, de manière à détromper la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sur le support 31 à l'aide de la partie 57 chanfreinée associée du support 31.It is also possible to provide a chamfer 55 in an angle of the printed circuit board 33, so as to detest the printed circuit board 33 on the support 31 by means of the associated chamfered portion 57 of the support 31.

Ensuite, pour que le support 31 soit bien positionné par rapport au fond 5 du boitier, celui-ci comporte également des parties évidées latérales 59 qui coopèrent avec les bras élastiques de centrage 48 du support 31.Then, so that the support 31 is well positioned relative to the bottom 5 of the housing, it also comprises lateral recessed portions 59 which cooperate with the elastic centering arms 48 of the support 31.

A cet effet, les bras élastiques de centrage 48 du support 31 dépassent légèrement de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 lorsque celle-ci est assemblée au support 31.For this purpose, the resilient centering arms 48 of the support 31 protrude slightly from the printed circuit board 33 when it is assembled to the support 31.

Des parties en retrait 62 et 63 peuvent également être prévus sur les faces transversales du support 31 et de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 de manière à correspondre aux trous 9 ménagés sur les faces extérieures transversales du pourtour du couvercle 3 du boitier pour guider le dispositif de commande 1 dans le boitier lors de l'assemblage final.Recessed portions 62 and 63 may also be provided on the transverse faces of the support 31 and the printed circuit board 33 so as to correspond to the holes 9 formed on the transverse outer faces of the periphery of the cover 3 of the housing to guide the device. 1 in the case during the final assembly.

La carte à circuit imprimé 33 (« Printed Circuit Board » ou « PCB » en anglais) comporte d'une part les circuits pour l'alimentation et le traitement des signaux du capteur 29 et le cas échéant, des composants pour le déclenchement d'une action spécifique correspondante. La carte à circuit imprimé 33 permet notamment d'envoyer les signaux du capteur 29 vers les réseaux de communication du véhicule tel le réseau CAN.The PCB 33 ("Printed Circuit Board" or "PCB" in English) comprises on the one hand the circuits for the power supply and the signal processing of the sensor 29 and, where appropriate, components for triggering a corresponding specific action. The printed circuit board 33 makes it possible in particular to send the signals from the sensor 29 to the communication networks of the vehicle such as the CAN network.

La face supérieure 60 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 comporte au moins une source lumineuse telle qu'une diode électroluminescente 38 pour le rétroéclairage du dispositif de commande 1, que l'on décrira en détail plus loin.The upper face 60 of the printed circuit board 33 comprises at least one light source such as a light-emitting diode 38 for the backlighting of the control device 1, which will be described in detail below.

La carte à circuit imprimé 33 comporte en outre, sur sa face inférieure 64, des broches de connexion 40 qui s'enfichent dans le raccord du connecteur électrique mâle 13 de la partie inférieure 12 du fond 5 du boitier.The printed circuit board 33 further comprises, on its lower face 64, connecting pins 40 which are plugged into the connector of the male electrical connector 13 of the lower portion 12 of the bottom 5 of the housing.

L'insertion des broches de connexion 40 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 dans le raccord du connecteur électrique mâle 13 permet également de guider le dispositif de commande 1 dans le fond 5 du boitier.The insertion of the connection pins 40 of the printed circuit board 33 in the connector of the male electrical connector 13 also guides the control device 1 in the bottom 5 of the housing.

Pour réaliser la connexion électrique entre la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et le capteur à surface tactile 29, on prévoit que les moyens de connexion 42 soient formés par une languette de connexion 67, elle-même formée par la prolongation de la surface tactile du capteur 29.In order to make the electrical connection between the printed circuit board 33 and the touch-sensitive surface sensor 29, it is provided that the connection means 42 are formed by a connection tab 67, itself formed by the extension of the touch-sensitive surface of the sensor. 29.

Avantageusement, cette languette de connexion 67 est guidée par la protubérance de guidage 44 formée sur une face latérale du support commun 31 pour être reliée à des contacts 69 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 par des connecteurs à montage en force 71 associés qui permettent une connexion sans soudure.Advantageously, this connection tongue 67 is guided by the guiding protrusion 44 formed on a lateral face of the common support 31 to be connected to contacts 69 of the printed circuit board 33 by associated force-mounting connectors 71 which allow a seamless connection.

De façon avantageuse, la languette de connexion 67 se raccorde sur la face inférieure 64 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33, ce qui facilite le montage.Advantageously, the connecting tab 67 is connected to the lower face 64 of the printed circuit board 33, which facilitates assembly.

Une fois le capteur à surface tactile 29 maintenu préférentiellement par collage sur la face supérieure pleine 43 du support 31 et la carte à circuit imprimé 33 clipsée sur la face inférieure 46, on comprend que le support 31 est commun aussi bien au capteur à surface tactile 29 qu'à la la carte à circuit imprimé 33, chacun étant porté par les faces opposées du support commun 31.Once the touch-surface sensor 29 is preferably held by gluing on the upper solid face 43 of the support 31 and the printed circuit board 33 clipped on the lower face 46, it is understood that the support 31 is common to both the touch-sensitive sensor. 29 to the printed circuit board 33, each being carried by the opposite faces of the common support 31.

Ainsi, on obtient le dispositif de commande 1 assemblé comme représenté sur la figure 4, facile à intégrer dans le boitier et qui évite tous les inconvénients des dispositifs de l'état de la technique en proposant une connexion entre la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et le capteur à surface tactile 29 sans pliage à angle droit de la connectique et pour laquelle la connectique est maintenue en position.Thus, the control device 1 assembled as shown in FIG. figure 4 , easy to integrate into the box and which avoids all the disadvantages of the devices of the state of the art by proposing a connection between the printed circuit board 33 and the sensor touch surface 29 without bending at right angles to the connector and for which the connector is held in position.

Le dispositif de commande 1 constitue alors une unité de fabrication compacte et robuste, qui peut être manipulée de façon indépendante lors des phases d'assemblage des procédés de fabrication et pour laquelle les précontraintes appliquées sur la connectique sont limitées.The control device 1 then constitutes a compact and robust manufacturing unit, which can be handled independently during the assembly phases of the manufacturing processes and for which the prestress applied to the connectors are limited.

Puis, lorsque le dispositif de commande 1 est assemblé sur le fond 5 du boitier, on dispose le revêtement 23 sur la surface tactile du capteur 29 de telle sorte que les nervures 25a, 25b en surface délimitent les zones actives de commande 35, 36 et 37.Then, when the control device 1 is assembled on the bottom 5 of the housing, the coating 23 is placed on the touch surface of the sensor 29 so that the ribs 25a, 25b at the surface delimit the active control zones 35, 36 and 37.

Il suffit ensuite d'assembler le couvercle 3 sur le fond 5 du boitier et de fixer les vis 7 dans les trous 9 correspondants pour obtenir le dispositif de commande 1 intégré dans son boitier comme représenté en figure 1.Then simply assemble the lid 3 on the bottom 5 of the housing and fix the screws 7 in the corresponding holes 9 to obtain the control device 1 integrated in its housing as shown in FIG. figure 1 .

Ainsi, la protection du dispositif de commande 1 est encore améliorée. En effet, ainsi intégré dans le boitier, aucune connexion ou élément fragile ne dépasse, à l'exception des broches de connexions 40 elles-mêmes protégées par le raccord du connecteur électrique mâle 13.Thus, the protection of the control device 1 is further improved. Indeed, thus integrated into the housing, no connection or fragile element exceeds, with the exception of the connection pins 40 themselves protected by the connector of the male electrical connector 13.

Selon le mode de réalisation illustré par les figures 3a et 3b, on voit que la protubérance de guidage 44 qui permet de guider la languette de connexion 67 est formée par des ailettes 73a, 73b et 73c disposées en parallèles.According to the embodiment illustrated by the Figures 3a and 3b it can be seen that the guiding protrusion 44 which guides the connecting tongue 67 is formed by fins 73a, 73b and 73c arranged in parallel.

On dispose de préférence trois ailettes 73a, 73b et 73c en parallèle, de telle sorte que leurs chants supportent la languette de connexion 67.Three fins 73a, 73b and 73c are preferably arranged in parallel, so that their edges support the connection tongue 67.

La forme de chaque ailette 73a, 73b et 73c est particulièrement adaptée pour que la languette de connexion 67 épouse parfaitement la forme de la protubérance de guidage 44 lorsque la languette de connexion 67 est connectée à la carte à circuit imprimé 33.The shape of each fin 73a, 73b and 73c is particularly adapted so that the connecting tongue 67 perfectly matches the shape of the guide protrusion 44 when the connecting tab 67 is connected to the printed circuit board 33.

Pour ce faire, les chants de chaque ailette 73a, 73b et 73c comportent une première partie arrondie 75, qui se prolonge par une deuxième partie droite 76, puis par une troisième partie arrondie 77 dont l'angle de courbure correspond à l'angle de courbure de la première partie arrondie 75.To do this, the edges of each fin 73a, 73b and 73c comprise a first rounded portion 75, which is extended by a second straight portion 76, then by a third rounded portion 77 whose angle of curvature corresponds to the angle of curvature of the first rounded portion 75.

Les parties arrondies 75 et 77 permettent d'éviter des connexions à angles droits qui pourraient endommager le capteur 29.The rounded portions 75 and 77 make it possible to avoid connections at right angles which could damage the sensor 29.

La hauteur des parties droites des ailettes 76 est choisie relativement à la hauteur D du support commun 31, de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et de la connectique, la connectique étant notamment liée à la hauteur des connecteurs à montage en force 71.The height of the straight portions of the fins 76 is chosen relative to the height D of the common support 31, the printed circuit board 33 and the connectors, the connection being related in particular to the height of the force-mounting connectors 71.

De manière avantageuse, chaque ailette extérieure 73a, 73c comporte une paroi latérale extérieure de centrage 79a, 79b pour éviter que la languette de connexion 67 ne se décale latéralement sur la protubérance de guidage 44.Advantageously, each outer fin 73a, 73c has an outer lateral centering wall 79a, 79b to prevent the connecting tongue 67 from shifting laterally on the guide protrusion 44.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, on réalise le rétroéclairage des pictogrammes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d en prévoyant des diodes électroluminescentes 38 sur la face longitudinale supérieure 60 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 pour éclairer la face arrière de la face longitudinale pleine 43 du support commun 31. De préférence, on dispose une diode électroluminescente 38 pour chaque pictogramme 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.According to a particular embodiment, the backlighting of the pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d is achieved by providing light-emitting diodes 38 on the upper longitudinal face 60 of the printed circuit board 33 to illuminate the rear face of the full longitudinal face 43. of the common support 31. Preferably, a light-emitting diode 38 is provided for each pictogram 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.

On prévoit également que la face 43 du support commun 31 supportant le capteur 29 soit transparente ou translucide de même que la surface tactile du capteur 29 pour que la lumière émise par les diodes 38, puisse éclairer les pictogrammes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.It is also expected that the face 43 of the common support 31 supporting the sensor 29 is transparent or translucent as well as the touch surface of the sensor 29 so that the light emitted by the diodes 38, can illuminate the pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d.

La hauteur D du support commun 31 est prévue de telle sorte que la lumière émise par chaque cone d'émission de chaque diode électroluminescente 38 de la carte à circuit imprimé 33 forme une tache lumineuse de taille supérieure ou équivalente à la taille d'un pictogramme associé 27a, 27b, 27c ou 27d à éclairer de sorte que l'éclairage des pictogrammes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d soit homogène.The height D of the common support 31 is provided in such a way that the light emitted by each emission cone of each light emitting diode 38 of the printed circuit board 33 forms a light spot larger than or equal to the size of a pictogram. associated 27a, 27b, 27c or 27d to illuminate so that the illumination of pictograms 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d is homogeneous.

On comprend donc que le dispositif de commande électrique 1 par surface tactile selon la présente invention, dont le capteur à surface tactile 29 et la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sont portés par les faces opposées d'un support commun 31 résoud les problèmes de l'art antérieur. En effet, le support commun 31 permet d'obtenir une unité de fabrication facilement manipulable lors des phases d'assemblage.It will therefore be understood that the touch-sensitive electrical control device 1 according to the present invention, whose tactile surface sensor 29 and printed circuit board 33 are carried by the opposite faces of a common support 31, solves the problems of the prior art. Indeed, the common support 31 provides a manufacturing unit easily manipulated during assembly phases.

De plus, lorsque le dispositif comporte des moyens de fixation amovibles pour fixer la carte à circuit imprimé 33 sur une des faces du support commun 31, le dispositif est en outre adapté pour faciliter les phases de maintenance.In addition, when the device comprises removable fixing means for fixing the printed circuit board 33 on one of the faces of the common support 31, the device is further adapted to facilitate the maintenance phases.

D'autre part, lorsque les moyens de connexion 42 assurant la liaison électrique entre le capteur à surface tactile 29 et la carte à circuit imprimé 33 et la surface tactile 29 du capteur sont souples, et qu'ils sont formés par une languette de connexion 67 telle qu'une prolongation de la surface tactile 29 du capteur, une face latérale du support commun 31 peut comporter une protubérance de guidage 44 de la languette de connexion 67.On the other hand, when the connection means 42 providing the electrical connection between the touch-sensitive surface sensor 29 and the printed circuit board 33 and the touch-sensitive surface 29 of the sensor are flexible, and that they are formed by a connecting tab 67 such as extension of the touch surface 29 of the sensor, a side face of the common support 31 may comprise a guiding protrusion 44 of the connecting tab 67.

La connexion entre la carte à circuit imprimé et le capteur est alors protégée et renforcée, ce qui permet de diminuer les risques de rébus et d'augmenter la durée de vie des dispositifs de commande électrique.The connection between the printed circuit board and the sensor is then protected and reinforced, which reduces the risk of rebus and increase the life of electrical control devices.

Claims (15)

  1. Touch-surface electrical controlling device (1) comprising a touch-surface sensor (29), a printed circuit board (33) and connecting means (42) ensuring the electrical connection between the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33), the connecting means (42) and the touch surface (29) of the sensor being flexible and comprising a connecting tongue (67), the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33) being borne by opposite faces of a common carrier (31) that is interposed between said sensor (29) and said board (33), characterized in that a lateral face of the common carrier (31) includes a protuberance (44) for guiding the connecting tongue (67).
  2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting tongue (67) is formed by an extension of the touch surface (29) of the sensor.
  3. Device according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the guiding protuberance (44) is formed of at least two parallel fins (73a, 73b, 73c) the edge faces of which support the connecting tongue (67).
  4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the edge face of each fin (73a, 73b, 73c) includes a first rounded portion (75), a second straight portion (76) and a third rounded portion (77).
  5. Device according to either one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that each exterior fin (73a, 73c) includes an exterior lateral wall (79a, 79b) for centring the connecting tongue (67).
  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (42) are connected to the printed circuit board (33) by press-fit connectors (71).
  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (42) are connected to that face of the printed circuit board (33) which is opposite the face facing the face of the common carrier (31).
  8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it furthermore includes releasable fastening means for fastening the printed circuit board (33) to one of the faces of the common carrier (31).
  9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the releasable fastening means include means (47) for clip fastening the printed circuit board (33) to the common carrier (31).
  10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the clip-fastening means include an oblong hole in the printed circuit board and an associated rivet-shaped pin including at least one pair of retractable elastic arms, which pin is borne by the common carrier.
  11. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the clip-fastening means (47) include two lateral indents (45) in the printed circuit board (33) and two associated elastic clip-fastening arms (48) borne by the common carrier (31).
  12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the length of the lateral indents (45) is larger than the width of the elastic clip-fastening arms (48) of the common carrier (31) so as to allow a sliding movement (C) between the printed circuit board (33) and the common carrier (31).
  13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the touch surface (29) of the sensor and the face (43) of the common carrier (31) supporting the touch-surface sensor (29) is transparent or translucent and in that the face of the printed circuit board (33) facing the face (43) of the common carrier (31) includes at least one light source (38), such as a light-emitting diode.
  14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the height (D) of the common carrier (31) is such that the light emitted by each light source (38) of the printed circuit board (33) forms a light spot of size larger than or equivalent to the size of an associated pictogram (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d) to be illuminated on the touch surface (29) of the sensor, preferably so that the illumination of the pictograms (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d) is uniform.
  15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the touch-surface sensor (29) is an FSR sensor.
EP08707942.2A 2007-01-25 2008-01-16 Electric control device Active EP2109869B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0700513A FR2911970B1 (en) 2007-01-25 2007-01-25 ELECTRICAL CONTROL DEVICE
PCT/EP2008/050470 WO2008090072A1 (en) 2007-01-25 2008-01-16 Electric control device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2109869A1 EP2109869A1 (en) 2009-10-21
EP2109869B1 true EP2109869B1 (en) 2017-07-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08707942.2A Active EP2109869B1 (en) 2007-01-25 2008-01-16 Electric control device

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Country Link
US (1) US8106325B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2109869B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2911970B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008090072A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2911970B1 (en) 2009-10-02
FR2911970A1 (en) 2008-08-01
US20100038223A1 (en) 2010-02-18
EP2109869A1 (en) 2009-10-21
US8106325B2 (en) 2012-01-31
WO2008090072A1 (en) 2008-07-31

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