FR2867305A1 - Control device for controlling heating and/or air conditioning apparatus of motor vehicle, has push buttons whose hemispherical ends are prestressed inside housings of support surfaces of multi-function key - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a multi-function key articulated on a plate (10) by a spherical articulation that includes a ball connected to the plate by two opposite arms. The key rotates around two rotational axes (X, Y) that are parallel to plane of a board (2). Hemispherical ends (11) of push buttons (8) are prestressed inside housings of support surfaces (26) of the key.

Description

Multi-function key type control device for equipment

of motor vehicle

  The invention relates to control devices of motor vehicle equipment.

  It relates more particularly to a control device to be mounted on an electronic card and comprising a multi-function key mounted on a plate via a hinge.

  The motor vehicle equipment, for example the heating and / or air conditioning unit or the air conditioner, is controlled by the user from control buttons on the dashboard. 'These commands are grouped by function on multi-function buttons in the shape of crosses or squares or petals. A multi-function key, also known as a "cabochon", makes it possible to actuate a plurality of contactors by means of bearing surfaces which push electrical contact pushers with an elastomer sheet, called "blister", which constitutes a deformable membrane.

  Currently known control devices comprise a sphere carried by the plate with two arms. The multi-function key and a half-shell each comprise a concave half-housing spherical. The half-shell is snapped on the multi-function key so as to enclose the sphere and constitute a rotoid joint of the multi-function key on the plate.

  However, an articulation of this type does not prevent the rotation of the multi-function key in the plane of the control panel, in other words in a plane perpendicular to that of the electronic card. This has the consequence that the play between the multi-function key and the deck does not remain constant. This is why, in known manner, the axis of rotation of the multi-function key is blocked by two complementary shapes, for example a finger in a U-shaped slot or a pin in a hole, a rib in a groove. . However, these devices interfere with movements in the other two axes of rotation. It is necessary to increase the game to allow proper operation. In addition, the focus is long and difficult.

  Finally, the presence of the sphere in the middle of the multifunction button, supported by arms, is an inconvenience for the illumination of key symbols (pictograms) by light sources located in the plate.

  The object of the invention is in particular to provide a control device that overcomes these disadvantages.

  These objects are achieved by the fact that the multifunction button is articulated in rotation around at least two axes parallel to the plane of the card and in that at least one of these two axes prohibits rotation around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the map.

  The multi-function key advantageously comprises bearing surfaces capable of actuating push-buttons mounted perpendicularly to the electronic card. According to a first embodiment, the multifunction button comprises at least two bearing surfaces which each cooperate with an end of a associated pusher to form an axis that prohibits a rotation of the multi-function key about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the map.

  Thanks to these features, the cooperation of the support surfaces of the multi-function key and the end of the pushers recreates a fictitious axis of rotation that prevents the angular offset of the multifunction key. For example, in the case where the bearing surfaces of the multi-function key comprise V-shaped housings, the rounded or hemispherical end of the pushers engaging in these V-shaped forms under the effect of the preload exerted by the elastomeric membrane (the blister) eliminates the play between the support surfaces of the multi-function key and the end of the pushers, the lateral play is blocked, but the imaginary axis allows the multi-function key to pivot. -Functions to enable it to operate along two axes, concurrent rotation, parallel to the plane of the electronic card.

  In a particular embodiment, the support surfaces of the multi-function key have a V shape, the end of the pushers having a rounded shape engaged in the V of the multifunction key.

  According to another variant, the support surfaces of the multifunction key have a rounded shape, the end of the pushers having a V-shaped engaged on the support surfaces of the multi-function key.

  According to another embodiment, the bearing surfaces of the multi-function key have a conical shape, the end of the pushers having a hemispherical shape engaged in the conical shape of the multi-function key.

  According to yet another alternative embodiment, the bearing surfaces of the multi-function key have a spherical shape, the end of the pushers having a conical hollow shape in which is engaged the hemispherical shape of the bearing surfaces of the multi-function button. .

  According to a second embodiment, the control device comprises a spider comprising first and second branches substantially perpendicular to each other, the first branch being hinged to the multi-function key, the second branch being articulated on the plate.

  Thanks to the presence of the spider, it replaces the articulation with three degrees of freedom in rotation of the sphere by the two degrees of freedom in rotation of the multifunction button around the two intersecting axes passing respectively by the articulation of the latter on the multi-function key and on the turntable.

  In this way, the rotation of the multi-function key around a plane perpendicular to the card, in other words around the plane of the front of the plate, is prevented. The game between the multi-function button and the front of the deck remains constant when the user actuates a command.

  In an alternative embodiment, the first branch comprises journals which engage in bearings of the multifunction key.

  Advantageously, the plate comprises journals which engage in bearings formed at the end of the second branch of the spider.

  In a particular embodiment, the plate comprises a peripheral groove on which the trunnions of the plate are formed.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the multifunction button has pictograms, each pictogram symbolizing a command, at least one light source being arranged in the plate in order to backlight the pictograms.

  Advantageously, the multi-function key has four pictograms and the branches of the spider are angularly oriented so as to be arranged between these pictograms.

  Thanks to this feature, the branches of the brace do not form any obstacle to the light emitted by the card to illuminate the symbols of the multi-function key. This can make it possible to use only one light source, for example a diode emitting at an angle of 120 and placed in the center of the plate.

  In a particular embodiment, the multi-function key further comprises a fifth central pictogram, the center of the spider being cleared to allow the backlighting of the central pictogram.

  Advantageously, the spider comprises an asymmetric shape and / or branches of different lengths to form a polarizer. Thus, the spider can be mounted in a single position, which avoids errors at the time of assembly of the device.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures: Figures 1 to 3 respectively show an exploded perspective view, an assembled view and a sectional view of a control device according to the prior art; Figure 4 is a top view of a controller 25 according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective representation of the control device shown in Figures 4 to 6; Figure 8 is an exploded view, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a detail perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of a pusher of the control device shown in Figures 4 to 8; Figure 10 is another detail perspective view showing another alternative embodiment of a pusher of the control device shown in Figures 4 to 8; Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a control device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 'is a perspective view of the multi-function button of Figure 11, the spider assembled to the multi-function button; Figure 13 is a front view of the device of Figures 11 and 12; Figure 14 is a sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a sectional view along the line XV-XV of Figure 13; and FIG. 16 is a sectional view along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show respectively an exploded perspective view, an assembled view and a sectional view of a control device according to the prior art. It comprises an electronic card 2 comprising a printed circuit and electronic components. A flexible elastomer plate 4, also called a blister, is mounted on the electronic card to form a deformable membrane.

  Four pads 6 are mounted on the blister 4 being arranged in a cross. The pads 6 are actuated by pushers 8, a pusher being associated with each pad 6. These studs are designed to operate directly or indirectly 2867305 7 contacts or electrical contactors of the electronic card 2, in a manner known per se. The pads can act, by a spring effect of the blister, on electrical contacts carried by the electronic card. The pads may alternatively carry conductive pads adapted to ensure contact with contact points that terminate conductive tracks formed on the electronic card.

  The pushers 8 are guided in guide surfaces provided in a plate 10, as can be seen more particularly in Figure 3. The pushers 8 have an end 9 which is applied to the pads 6 and one end 11. Surfaces 12 formed in a multi-function control key 14 (also called "cabochon") are adapted to be applied on the ends 11, pushers 8 to drive and control the pads 6 and, therefore, the electrical contacts that carry the electronic card. The multi-function key 14 comprises symbols or pictograms 16 which represent the command associated with the zone of the multi-function key on which they are formed. These pictograms 16 are formed on an outer face 13 of the key 14.

  The multi-function key 14 is articulated on the plate by means of a spherical articulation. This articulation comprises a sphere 18 connected to the plate by two opposite arms 20 (Figure 2). The multi-function key 14 comprises a concave spherical half-housing which is placed on the sphere 18. A half-shell 22, also comprising a concave spherical half-housing, is snapped onto the multi-function key so as to imprison the sphere. Thus, a rotational joint of the multi-function key 14 is made on the plate 10. The multi-function key 14 is thus rotatable about two axes of rotation X and Y perpendicular to each other, which makes it possible to actuate, at choice, one of the four pads 6 by pressing the corresponding symbol 16 of the multi-function key 14. 0 (

  However, in a device of this type, the multifunction key 14 is not guided in rotation about an axis Z perpendicular to the plane containing the X and Y axes, in other words, perpendicular to the plane of the card. 2 which is also the plane of the front of the plate 10. This is why the peripheral clearance between the multi-function key and the corresponding slot of the plate in which the multi-function key is housed does not remain constant when the the user presses a key. In a device of this type, it is necessary to block the rotation of the multi-function key around the Z axis by two complementary shapes, for example a finger provided on the multi-function key engaging in a slot. U of the plate (not shown). However, a locking device of this type impedes rotational movements around the X and Y axes, so that it is necessary to increase the peripheral clearance between the multi-function key and the housing of the plate.

  FIGS. 4 to 8 show a first embodiment of a control device according to the invention which overcomes the disadvantages listed above. In this embodiment, the multifunction button 14 is articulated on the plate 10 in the same manner as in the prior art described above, namely via a sphere 18 secured to the plate and taken between two half spherical housing, namely respectively a housing formed in the multi-function key 14 and a housing formed in a half-shell 22 snapped on the multi-function key. The latter is rotatable along the three axes X, Y and Z relative to the plate. However, according to the invention, the ends 11 of at least two pushers 8 cooperate with the bearing surfaces of the multifunction button 14 to form at least one imaginary axis which blocks the rotation of the multi-function key according to the Z axis. In the example shown in Figures 4 to 8, the ends 11 of the four pushers 8 are hemispherical. In addition, at least two bearing surfaces 26 of the multi-key 28 functions 14 have a V-shape. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the V-shaped bearing surfaces 26 are arranged according to FIG. the X axis. It goes without saying that they could also be along the Y axis or that each of the bearing surfaces could have this V shape. Whereas, in the prior art, the contact of bearing surfaces 12 on the ends 11 of the pushers is of the sphere-on-plane type, on the contrary, the hemispherical ends 11 of the two pushers 8 arranged along the X axis are prestressed inside the V-shaped housings, which immobilizes the multi-function key 14 in rotation along the Z axis perpendicular to the plane of the electronic card 2 and the blister 4. This preload is exerted by the opposing force exerted between the key-sphere connection and the blister.

  A fictitious axis is thus produced that does not prevent the rotation of the multi-function key along the X and Y axes while allowing the peripheral clearance between the periphery of the multifunction key and the housing of the plate in which the multifunction button is housed. The cooperation between a V-shaped bearing surface 26 and the hemispherical end 11 of a pusher 8 appears better on the exploded detail of FIG. 8.

  Of course, other shapes are conceivable with respect to the end 11 of the pushers 8 and the bearing surfaces of the multifunction key. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to invert the shapes, the bearing surfaces 28 of the multi-function button having a rounded shape which is housed in a V-shaped housing 30 formed at the end 11 of at least two of the pushers 8. Or again, the bearing surfaces 26 of the multi-function key may have a conical shape, as shown in Figure 10, in which engage the hemispherical ends of at least two pushers 8.

  FIGS. 11 to 16 show a second embodiment of a control device according to the invention. It differs from the first mode described in that the sphere 18 is here replaced by a cross 40 (Figures 11 and 12). The spider 40 consists of a first branch 42 and a second branch 44 perpendicular to each other. The first branch 42 is articulated on the multi-function key 14. A, this effect, each of the two ends of the first branch 42 is terminated by a pin 46 which engages in a corresponding bearing 48 of the multi-function key 14 The second branch 44 is hinged to the plate 10. In the example, each of the two ends of the second branch 44 has bearings 50 which are mounted on the journals 52 of the plate. Thus, the spider 40 pivots about a fixed axis relative to the plate 10, while the multifunction button 14 pivots around the spider by describing all the positions necessary for the operation of the pushers 8. The spider 40 thus constitutes a double seal of gimbal.

  FIG. 13 is a view from above of the device of FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 14, which is a sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13, shows the articulation of the journals 46 of the first branch 42 in FIG. the bearings 48 of the multi-function key 14. Note in this figure that the plate 10 has a peripheral groove 54 which circumnavigates the housing in which is placed the multi-function key 14. Note also that the flange 15 of the multi-function key 14 is housed in this groove.

  The latter thus constitutes a baffle which prevents light leakage from diodes 56 (see FIG. 16) which serve to backlight the pictograms 16 formed on the internal or external face (by screen printing or laser) of the multi-function key 14. Pictograms can also be formed in the thickness of the key 14 by letting the light pass into areas representing the pictogram. at

  In FIG. 15, which is a sectional view along the line XVXV of FIG. 13, the articulation of the journals 52 formed on the peripheral groove 54 of the plate 10 and which engage in the bearings 50 of FIG. the second branch 44 of the cross 40. It will be noted that the peripheral rim 15 of the multi-function key 14 is engaged in this groove, but that the journals 52 are located outside the groove.

  In the example shown, the spider 40 has an asymmetric shape, which serves as a foolproof assembly. Note also (see Figures 11 and 12) that in the example shown, the first and the second branch of the spider 40 are angularly offset, for example 45, relative to the axes of rotation X and Y of the multifunction button 14 In this way, the pictograms 16 are located between the ends of the branches of the spider and are therefore completely free. The spider does not interfere with the light emitted by the diodes 56 (Figure 16). Therefore, in an alternative embodiment, one could use only one light source, for example an LED (light emitting diode), located in the center of the plate 10.

  In an alternative embodiment (not shown) could be a fifth pictogram in the center of the face 13 of the multifunction key 14. In this case, the central portion of the spider 40 should be hollowed out to allow the backlighting of this pictogram or central symbol.

  The device which has just been described thus provides a simple and effective way immobilization in rotation of the multi-function key around an axis Z perpendicular to the plane of the card and the maintenance of a constant peripheral clearance between the peripheral rim 15 of the multifunction key and the plate. o (

  In addition, this device has other secondary advantages. The spider 40 is an easy piece to mold because of its simplicity. This allows the removal of sinkholes in the multi-function key due to the molding of the hemispherical half-housing and the fixing clips of the half-shell. In the field of thermoplastic injection, a shrink means a bubble, a hollow or a crack which occurs in massive parts not fed with molten material during pressure maintenance and cooling. These sinkholes often appear on injected parts of different thicknesses. The use of the brace according to the invention makes it possible to mold a multi-function key that is simple and without excess thickness, thereby avoiding shrinkage and thus the scrapping of an appearance part.

  In addition, in another alternative embodiment, it could realize the spider 40 in the form of a half-bowl to reflect light rays and guide upward while reducing the amount of light needed for lighting 16. In this case, the crosspiece performs an additional function of light guide to distribute or limit the luminous flux.

Claims (15)

claims   1. Control device for mounting on an electronic card (2), comprising a multi-function key (14) mounted on a plate (10) via a hinge (18, 40), characterized in that the multi-function key (14) is articulated in rotation around at least two axes (X, Y) parallel to the plane of the electronic card (2), and in that at least one of these axes prohibits a rotation around an axis (Z) perpendicular to the plane of the electronic card (2).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the multi-function key (14) comprises bearing surfaces (11, 26) adapted to actuate pushers. (8) mounted perpendicularly to the electronic board (2).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the multi-function key (14) comprises at least two bearing surfaces (26) which each cooperate with an end (11) of the pusher (8) associated with them for forming an axis (X) which prevents rotation of the multi-function key (14) about an axis (Z) perpendicular to the plane of the electronic card (2).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing surfaces (26) of the multi-function key (14) have a V shape, the end (11) of the pushers (8) having a rounded shape engaged in the V-shaped (26) of the multi-function key (14).   5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing surfaces (26) of the multi-function key (14) have a rounded shape, the end of the pushers (8) having a V-shape (30) engaged on the bearing surfaces (28) of the multi-function key (14).   6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing surfaces (26) of the multi-function key 2867305 14 (14) have a conical shape, the end of the pushers (8) having a hemispherical shape engaged in the conical shapes of the multi-function key (14).   7. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing surfaces of the multi-function key (14) have a hemispherical shape, the end of the pushers (8) having a hollow conical shape in which is engaged the shape hemispherical support surfaces of the multi-function key (14).   8. Control device according to claim 1, characterized. in that it comprises a spider (40) comprising a first and a second limb (42, 44) substantially perpendicular to each other, the first limb (42) being articulated on the multi-function key (14) , the second leg (44) being articulated on the plate (10).   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first leg (42) comprises pins (46) which engage in bearings (48) of the multi-function key (14).   10. Device according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the plate (10) comprises pins (52) which engage in bearings (50) formed at the end of the second leg (44). brace (40).   11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the plate (10) has a peripheral groove (54) on which the journals (52) of the plate are formed.   12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the multi-function key (14) has pictograms (16), and in that at least one light source (56) is disposed in the plate (10) to backlight the pictograms. 0 (   2867305 15 13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the multi-function key (14) comprises four pictograms E (16), and in that the first and second branches (42, 44) of the spider are oriented angularly so as to be arranged between these pictograms.   14. Device according to claims 12 and 13, taken in combination, characterized in that the multi-function key (14) has a central pictogram disposed at its center and in that the center of the spider (40) is clear to allow the backlighting of the central pictogram.   15. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the spider (40) comprises an asymmetric shape and / or branches of different lengths to form a polarizer.