FR2977363A1 - TOUCH INTERFACE MODULE WITH HAPTIC RETURN - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stirrup (13) of an electromagnetic actuator device for inertial actuator (9) forming a support for magnets (17) and a core for a coil (15) cooperating with said magnets (17) to put in motion the inertial actuator (9), comprising parts of simple thickness (e) and parts of double thickness (2e), characterized in that it is produced by means of one or more metal strips (37) of simple thickness (e) folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts.

Description

The present invention relates to a tactile interface module for a motor vehicle, in particular for transmitting a haptic feedback to a user, such as a vibratory feedback. In the automotive field, multifunction control modules, made for example in the form of a joystick or a rotary knob, are increasingly used to control electrical or electronic systems, such as an air conditioning system, an audio system or a navigation system. Such modules may be associated with a display screen and allow navigation in pull-down menus comprising various commands relating to the systems to be controlled. However, the presence of more and more numerous and complex functions leads to a multiplication of these modules. Also, to increase the ergonomic comfort, the use of a touch screen interface module, at a control surface or a touch screen, is considered an interesting development. When a user exerts pressure on the touch screen of such a sensor, it is possible to measure the pressure applied and / or to determine the location of the place where the pressure is exerted. In this case, a support of the user is for example associated with the selection of a command. In addition, to indicate to the user that his order has been taken into account, especially in night driving or during a blind manipulation, it is important that the user has a haptic feedback so as to remain focused on the road. For this purpose, haptic feedback control modules are already known comprising actuators, such as electromagnetic actuators, connected to the interface module for transmitting a vibration movement, so that the user perceives a haptic feedback informing him that his order has been taken into account. These electromagnetic actuators comprise a coil and one or more magnets movable in translation relative to the coil. By feeding the coil, the magnets are set in motion, and this movement is transmitted to the touch screen. The magnets are placed on at least one stirrup, which forms a support. The stirrups are metallic and have complex shapes that are long and expensive to machine.

To at least partially overcome this defect, the invention proposes a caliper of an electromagnetic actuator device of inertial actuator, forming a support for magnets and a core for a coil cooperating with said magnets to set in motion the inertial actuator, comprising parts of simple thickness and parts of double thickness, characterized in that it is made by means of one or more metal strips of simple thickness folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts. A caliper is thus produced at a reduced cost since no three-dimensional machining is required. The yoke may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination. It comprises three parallel branches starting from a plane base, two lateral branches forming a support for the magnets and a central branch forming the core, the side branches being of simple thickness and the central branch and the base being of double thickness. It is made by means of a strip having a main length, the central part of which folds the central branch, the lateral parts forming a thickness of the base and the lateral branches by folding at right angles, and a tongue 25 starting from the central part folds the second thickness of the base. It is made by means of two strips, the first having a fold in the center and two bends at right angles so as to have a T-section, the second having two folds at right angles so as to have a U-shaped section with flat bottom , and assembled so that the portion of the first strip corresponding to the horizontal bar 30 of the T is disposed against the portion of the second strip corresponding to the flat bottom of the U. It is made by means of three strips, the first and second having two folds at right angles so as to have a U-shaped section, the third being plane, the first and the second strips being arranged side by side on the third. It is made by means of three strips, the first and the second having bends at right angles so as to have an L-shaped section, the third having two bends at right angles so as to have a U-section with a flat bottom. the first and the second being arranged so that the portions corresponding to the vertical bar of the L of the first and second strips are contiguous, and the portions corresponding to the horizontal bar of the L of the first and second strips are arranged on the part corresponding to the flat bottom of the U of the third strip. The strips are assembled by crimping. The strips are assembled by welding. The strips are pre-positioned by tenon-mortise shapes.

The magnets are overmolded on the parts of the strips intended to form the lateral branches. The tenon-mortise shapes are held in position by the overmoulding of the magnets. Magnet attachments are formed on the portions of the strips 20 for forming the lateral branches. The at least one strip may comprise plastic overmoldings on its guide edge for the coil. The invention also relates to an inertial actuator of a tactile interface module adapted to generate a haptic feedback as a function of the support detected on a touch screen, 25 comprising: a frame, a movable core cooperating with the frame, intended for being driven in motion between extremal positions to generate the haptic feedback, and electromagnetic actuating means for driving the moving core in motion; Characterized in that the electromagnetic actuating means comprise a stirrup forming a support for magnets and a core for a coil cooperating with said magnets for setting in motion the inertial actuator, comprising parts of simple thickness and parts of double thickness, made by means of one or more single thickness metal strips folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts.

The invention also relates to a touch interface module with haptic feedback comprising a touch screen capable of detecting a support of a user, and at least one actuator connected to the touch screen, able to generate a haptic feedback based the detected support and comprising: a frame, a movable core cooperating with the frame, adapted to be driven in motion between end positions for generating the haptic feedback, and electromagnetic actuating means for driving the moving core in motion; ; characterized in that the electromagnetic actuator means a support stirrup for magnets and a core for a coil cooperating with said magnets for moving the inertial actuator, having portions of single thickness and portions of double thickness, made by means of one or more single thickness metal strips folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts. Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a module; 2 is a perspective view of an exploded haptic feedback interface module actuator; FIG. 3 shows a strip for obtaining an embodiment of a stirrup as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 shows the strip of FIG. 3 after a first folding step; - Figure 5 shows the strip of Figures 3 and 4 after a second folding step; - Figure 6 shows the stirrup obtained from the strip of Figures 3, 4 and 5; Figures 7 to 9 show alternative embodiments of the stirrup.

In all the figures, the same elements bear the same reference numbers.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a haptic feedback tactile interface module 1, for example for a control panel of a motor vehicle, or for a central console of a motor vehicle, for controlling electrical systems or vehicle electronics, and can transmit a haptic feedback to a user having for example modified or selected a command so as to ensure the user takes into account the modified or selected command. The interface module comprises a touch screen 3, for example using capacitive technology, or Force Sensing Resistors (FSRs), for detecting the location of a user's finger at a position on its surface. corresponding to an order. It is also possible to use a touch screen, transparent and superimposed on a display screen, functioning for example by detection of surface waves. In FIG. 1, the touch-sensitive panel is floatingly connected to the frame 5 of the touch-sensitive interface module 1. The connection between the surface 3 and the frame 5 is via a connection 7 of the semi-rigid membrane type, or any other fixing means allowing limited movements, especially in vibration along the axis A -A perpendicular to the touch screen 3. The touch screen 3 is connected to an actuator 9 which causes the haptic feedback during the detection of the support of the user. This actuator 9 comprises firstly a frame 11, made integral with the touch screen 3, and a bracket 13 cooperating with the frame. The stirrup 13, housed in the frame 11 is set in motion between extreme positions by electromagnetic actuating means 15, 17. During this movement back and forth, the core alternates phases of acceleration and deceleration, in which the stirrup 13 causes the setting in motion of the touch screen 3, and thus the haptic feedback. In addition, the actuator 9 comprises a first and a second elastic means 19A and 19B preloaded, on either side of the stirrup 13. The stirrup 13 is taken between this first 19A and the second 19B pretensioned elastic means, one 19A located between the touch screen 3 and the movable core 13, the other 19B between said stirrup 13 and the frame 11. Thus, the elastic means 19A and 19B assist the electromagnetic actuating means 15, 17 in that they store a part of the kinetic energy imparted to the mobile core during its deceleration phases in the form of elastic potential energy, and then restitute it during the acceleration phases.

The pretensioned elastic means 19A and 19B can define, in the absence of supply of the spool, a rest position of the stirrup 13, in which position the forces exerted by each of the elastic means 19A and 19B compensate each other. The arrangement of the elastic means 19A and 19B causes this rest position to be floating: the stirrup 13 is in contact with no other component of the actuator than the said elastic means 19A and 19B. The resilient means 19A and 19B may be coil springs or leaf springs. It is also possible to use an elastic material, such as a urethane type expanded polymer, an ionomer (ionically crosslinked polymer), or rubber.

Finally, one of the resilient means 19A or 19B may be composed of a combination of the previously enumerated embodiments. An exemplary embodiment places the elastic means 19A and 19B in alignment with the axis AA, which is parallel to the direction of movement of the stirrup 13, indicated by the arrow 20, and which passes through the center of gravity. G of the stirrup 13.

Thus, they generate no torque on the movable core 13. This has the effect of preventing the rotation of said movable core 13, which may imply that it gets stuck or that it strikes. other mechanical parts. In particular, according to a variant not shown, it can be provided that one of the elastic means 19A or 19B is composed of several elastic elements, and that these are regularly distributed around the axis AA, so that the sum of the couples they exercise on the mobile core is zero. The present embodiment describes the use of elastic means 19A and 19B prestressed in compression, however the use of resilient means 19A and 19B preloaded in extension is also possible. To achieve the electromagnetic actuating means 15, 17, the frame 11 carries a coil 15 which can provide a magnetic field and the stirrup 13 carries at least one magnet 17, preferably several, arranged closest to the coil and free in translation along the axis A -A. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a so-called "suspended" actuator. Suspended by 15 means that the actuator 9 is not connected to the frame 5 of the touch interface module 1, and the frame 11 is secured to the touch screen 3. In the suspended assembly is the stirrup 13 which sets the touch screen 3 in motion to generate the haptic feedback. The frame 11 has a cover 21 supporting for attachment to the touch panel 3. The frame 11 forms a receptacle accommodating the rest of the actuator 9. The first elastic means 19A of the actuator is connected to the cover 21 of the frame 11 on the one hand and the stirrup 13 on the other hand, and the second resilient means 19B is connected to the frame 11 on the one hand and the stirrup 13 on the other. The actuator 9 then forms a well-defined, easily mountable and removable functional block of the interface module 1. In fact, this functional block is simply screwed or clipped to the touch screen 3, and can therefore be interchanged quickly, without the elastic means 19A and 19B have to be manipulated. FIG. 2 represents an alternative embodiment of a suspended actuator 9. The frame 11 is composed of two parts: a coil 15 and a fixed support 23. The fixed support 23 forms a frame and surrounds the coil 15. It also accommodates the other parts of the actuator 9. it has on its lid upper portion 21 two pre-drills 25, in which are fitted holding screws which fix it to the touch screen 3. In its interior, it has two latching sites 27, intended to be engaged with two tabs The movable core 31 has two magnets 17, which are held opposite the sides of the spool, on the sides of the spool 15 to hold it in place as seen in FIG. 15, and the stirrup 13, to which are attached the magnets 17 by clipping or gluing to form a movable core 31. The stirrup 13 has a cross section E, the central leg 33 is embedded in the coil 15 slightly protruding at each end of the coil 15. The two lateral branches 35 carry the magnets 17. The elastic means 19A and 19B consist of two helical springs, pressing on the central leg 33 of the E-section of the stirrup 13. The coil springs 19A and 19B are maintained compressed by the support 23 of the frame 11, which accommodates the previously described parts in a housing whose height is less than the sum of the lengths of the coil springs 19A and 19B in the unconstrained state, added to the height of the stirrup 13. During assembly, the coil assembly 15, stirrup 13 with magnets 17 and springs 19A and 19B is first assembled separately, then compressed to preload the springs 19A and 19B. Finally it is inserted in the fixed support 23 by one of the lateral openings 20 of said fixed support. The actuator 9 thus assembled is then screwed onto the inner or rear surface of the touch screen 3, as suggested in FIG.

In operation, the coil 15 receives a signal in response to the detection of a touch on the touch screen 3. This signal is, for example, either an alternating current or a train of pulses. When the coil 15 is powered by the signal current, it exerts an electromagnetic force on the magnets 17. These are set in motion, and carry with them the stirrup 13 with which they form the movable core 31. The core movable 31 deviates from a rest position in which the forces exerted on him the springs 19A and 19B compensated each other. In this way, relative to the rest position, one of the springs 19A or 19B is compressed, while the other is released. The springs 19A and 19B thus exert a first force opposing the movement of the movable core 13 and a second force, reaction on the fixed support 23, 5 which is transmitted to the touch screen 3 and generates the haptic feedback.

In fact, the movable core 31 oscillates between extremal positions. A lesser portion of the energy supplied electrically is therefore used to compensate for the energy transferred to the touch screen 3 to set it in motion, and to compensate for the friction losses that the assembly tends to reduce to the maximum.

By allowing oscillation of the movable core 31 between extremal positions, the two springs 19A and 19B avoid the loss of energy represented by shocks, even dampened, of the movable core 31 against the other parts. Figures 3 to 6 show an embodiment of a stirrup 13 for movable core 31 from a metal strip 37. In FIG. 3, the strip 37 has a unitary uniform thickness e over its entire surface, and a plane before the shaping steps. The strip 37 is cut so as to obtain an elongate main body 39 formed of six elementary surfaces 41 end-to-end, from one end to the other: a lateral surface SL, a base surface SB, two lateral surfaces SL, a base surface SB, and a lateral surface SL. The elementary surfaces are optionally separated by pre-fold marks 43, for example stamped grooves, at which bends will take place. The elementary surfaces 41 are rectangular, and respectively correspond to the lateral surface of a branch 33, 35 for the lateral surfaces SL, and to the surface of a portion of the base between the branches 33, 35 for the base surfaces SB . These two types of surface SL, SB can however be identical. From the main body 39, at the second elementary surface 41, extending from one of the sides, a tongue 45 of a size of two base surfaces SB arranged parallel to the main body 39. This tongue 45 is integral with the main body 39, one of the elementary surfaces 41 of the tongue 45 is directly in extension of the second elementary surface 41 starting from one of the sides of the main body 39. The second elementary surface 41 tongue 45 is secured to the first elementary surface 41, and placed on the side of the latter towards the center of the main body 39. In FIG. 4, the two side surfaces SL at the ends of the main body 39 have been bent at an angle 2. In FIG. 5, the two lateral surfaces SL at the center of the main body 39 have been folded over each other at right angles to the surface. In order to finish, the tongue 45 is folded on the surfaces opposite to the branches 33, 15 35 of the base of the stirrup 13. the stirrup 13 shown in FIG. 6. In said FIG. 6, it can be seen that the central branch 33 and the base of the stirrup 13 have a second double thickness with respect to the lateral branches 35. The totality of the movable core 31 obtained a thickness in accordance with the requirements of the magnetic circuit. The folded surfaces may optionally be crimped or welded to each other. It is also conceivable to make the tongue 45 in a second strip 37, and to bring said tongue by crimping or welding directly to its final location in second base thickness.

The invention therefore proposes a stirrup 13 obtained from a single strip 37 folded correctly. Such a strip is inexpensive, and machining does not require any subsequent cutting. In this way, the cost price of the stirrup 13 is decreased.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show alternative embodiments of stirrups 13 from strips 37 of unit thickness e. In FIG. 7, the stirrup is produced by means of two strips 37, the first having a fold in the center and two folds at right angles so as to have a T-section, the second having two folds at right angles. so as to have a U-shaped section with a flat bottom, and assembled so that the portion of the first strip 37 corresponding to the horizontal bar of the T is disposed against the portion of the second strip 37 corresponding to the flat bottom of the U.

In FIG. 8, the stirrup is made by means of three strips 37, the first and second having two folds at right angles so as to have a U-shaped section, the third being planar so as to form a thickness of the base. the first and second strips 37 being arranged side by side on the third. Finally, in FIG. 9, the stirrup 13 is made by means of three strips 37, the first and the second having a right-angle bending so as to have an L-shaped section, the third having two right-angle bends so as to present a U-shaped section 15 with a flat bottom forming a thickness of the base, the first and the second being arranged so that the portions corresponding to the vertical bar of the L of the first and second strips 37 are contiguous, and the corresponding parts at the horizontal bar of the L of the first and second strips 37 are arranged on the portion corresponding to the flat bottom of the U of the third strip 37.

Fasteners for the magnets 17 may be provided on the strips 37 before folding, which simplifies their implementation. In the same way the magnets 17 can be overmolded on the portions of strips 37 forming after folding the lateral branches 35.

Furthermore, it is possible to use tenon-mortise type shapes to pre-position the folding of strips 37, and to finalize the holding in position of folding by means of overmolding of magnets 17. Again on strips 37 still not folded, plastic overmoldings for forming a guide in translation of the coil 15 may be provided. By proposing the obtaining of the stirrup 13 from 37 folded strips, the invention makes it possible to reduce the cost of this part, and additional machining can be done on the strip still not folded in a simple manner. on parts that will become more difficult to access on the finalized stirrup. In this way, the cost price of the touch-sensitive interface module 1 with associated haptic feedback is reduced.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Inertial actuator electromagnetic actuator (9) bracket (13), forming support for magnets (17) and core for a coil (15) cooperating with said magnets (17) for moving the inertial actuator ( 9), comprising parts of simple thickness (e) and parts of double thickness (2e), characterized in that it is produced by means of one or more metal strips (37) of simple thickness (e ) folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts. 2. Caliper (13) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises three parallel branches (33, 35) starting from a flat base, two lateral branches (35) forming a support for the magnets and a central branch (35) forming the core, the lateral branches (35) being of simple thickness (e) and the central branch (33) and the base being of double thickness (2e). 3. stirrup (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is formed by means of a strip (37) having a main body (39), the central portion folds the central leg (33), the side portions forming a thickness of the base and the lateral branches (35) by bends at right angles, and a tongue (45) extending from the central part forming the second thickness of the base. 4. stirrup (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is made by means of two strips (37), the first having a fold in the center and two bends at right angles so as to have a T-section, the second having two right-angled folds so as to have a flat-bottom U-section, and assembled so that the portion of the first strip (37) corresponding to the horizontal bar of the T is disposed against the portion of the second strip (37) corresponding to the flat bottom of the U. 5. A stirrup (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is produced by means of three strips (37), the first and the second having two folds at right angles so as to have a cross section. U, the third being plane, the first and the second strips being arranged side by side on the third. 5 6. stirrup (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is made by means of three strips (37), the first and the second having a right angle folds so as to have an L-shaped section, the third having two right-angled folds so as to have a U-section with a flat bottom, the first and the second being arranged so that the portions corresponding to the vertical bar of the L of the first and second strips (37) are contiguous, and the portions corresponding to the horizontal bar of the L of the first and second strips (37) are arranged on the portion corresponding to the flat bottom of the U of the third strip (37). 7. Caliper (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips (37) are assembled by crimping. 8. Caliper (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips (37) are assembled by welding. 20 9. A stirrup (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips (37) are pre-positioned by tenon-mortise shapes. 10. Caliper (13) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the magnets (17) are overmolded on the portions of the strips (37) for forming the lateral branches (35). 11. Caliper (13) according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the tenon-mortise shapes are held in position by overmoulding magnets (17). 30 12. Caliper (13) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that fasteners 2977363 for the magnets (17) are formed on the portions of the strips (37) intended to form the lateral branches (35). ). 13. A stirrup (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strip (37) comprises plastic overmoldings on its edge forming a guide for the coil (15). 14. Inertial actuator (9) of a tactile interface module adapted to generate a haptic feedback as a function of the support detected on a touch-sensitive panel (3), comprising: a frame (11), a movable core (13) cooperating with the frame (11), intended to be driven in motion between extremal positions to generate the haptic feedback, and electromagnetic actuating means (15, 17) for moving the movable core (13); Characterized in that the electromagnetic actuating means comprise a stirrup (13) forming a support for magnets (17) and a core for a coil (15) cooperating with said magnets (17) for setting in motion the inertial actuator (9). ), comprising parts of single thickness (e) and parts of double thickness (2e), made by means of one or more single thickness metal strips (37) bent or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts. 15. A tactile feedback interface module (1) comprising a touch-sensitive panel (3) capable of detecting a user's support, and at least one inertial actuator (9) connected to the touch-sensitive panel (3), suitable for generating a haptic feedback as a function of the detected support and comprising: a frame (11), a movable core (13) cooperating with the frame (11), intended to be driven in movement between extremal positions to generate the return 30 haptically, and electromagnetic actuating means (15, 17) for driving in motion the movable core (13); characterized in that the electromagnetic actuating means comprise a stirrup (13) forming a support for magnets (17) and a core for a coil (15) cooperating with said magnets (17) to set in motion the inertial actuator (9). ), comprising parts of single thickness (e) and parts of double thickness (2e), made by means of one or more single thickness metal strips (37) folded or assembled to obtain the different thicknesses of the different parts.