FR3006635A1 - PACKING ELEMENT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DETECTION ELEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The packing element comprises a main body (2) having a three-dimensional shape and at least one area (10) extending recessed or protruding from another area of the main body (2), the packing element further comprising at least one touch control means, said touch control means comprising a sensing element (12) applied to a film (18) made of a non-extensible material attached to the main body (2). Said film (18) is folded around said sensing element (12) so that said film (18) has the three-dimensional shape of at least a portion of the three-dimensional shape of the main body (2), the film comprising an area of recess or projection (20) carrying the sensing element (12) and being disposed against the recessed or protruding region (10) of the main body.

Description

The present invention relates to a packing element, of the type comprising a main body having a three-dimensional shape and at least one zone extending hollow or protruding with respect to another zone of the body. main, the packing member further comprising at least one touch control means, said touch control means comprising a detection member applied to a film made of a non-extensible material fixed against the main body. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a lining element.

In vehicles, it is increasingly common to provide an actuation of certain functions, for example the opening of windows, the control of an electronic device, the control of ventilation, by means of touch controls, not requiring the mechanical actuation of a switch. To do this, the trim elements, for example a facade or a door panel, carrying the operating zones of these functions are provided with detection element arranged in a detection zone extending in look at an operating zone of one of the functions. When a user's finger enters the detection zone, the capacitive sensing element and the control electronics of the function generate a control signal of the actuated function.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain packing elements having improved aesthetics since it is no longer necessary to provide actuating buttons or switches on the facade of the packing element. However, in order to facilitate the understanding of a user, it would be preferable for the actuation zones to be provided in recessed or protruding parts of the lining element, allowing the user to simply identify the zones of the user. actuation. Then there is the problem of placing the detection elements against these recessed or protruding areas, the side of the inner side of the lining element to be invisible from the outside. Indeed, the detection zones, so as not to interfere with each other, are of small volume, requiring positioning of the detection elements as close as possible to the actuation zones extending on the outer face of the element. packing. Thus, in order to function correctly, the detection elements should be precisely positioned at the right of the recessed or protruding zones and pressed against the internal face of the packing element so that the detection zone of each detection element reaches the zone of detection. corresponding actuation.

In general, the detection elements are generally made by printing electronic tracks on a flat film by means of a conductive ink. In order to preserve the integrity of the printed tracks and to avoid any breakage in them, the film is preferably non-stretchable. However, the use of such a film is not compatible with a packing element, or at least one of the actuation zones, of three-dimensional shape, since the film is not able to be stretched so as to follow the contour of the packing element. One of the aims of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage by proposing a packing element comprising an actuating zone extending hollow or protruding usable with a detection element extending on a non-stretchable film. To this end, the invention relates to a packing element of the aforementioned type, in which the film is folded around said detection element so that said film has the three-dimensional shape of at least a part of the three-dimensional shape of the main body, the film comprising a hollow or projecting zone carrying the detection element and being disposed against the recessed area or projecting from the main body. By folding the plane film around the detection element, it is possible to adapt the shape of this film to the shape of the detection zone, corresponding to the hollow or projecting zone of the main layer, without stretching the film and without risking breaking the conductive tracks arranged on the film to form the detection element. Thus, the packing element can have any desired shape, while being usable with a touch actuation system using detection elements.

According to other characteristics of the packing element according to the invention: the detection element is a capacitive or field effect-type detection element; the film is cut around the sensing element so as to comprise a non-printing peripheral zone surrounding the sensing element and substantially conforming to the shape of said sensing element; the element comprises at least two detection elements, said elements being applied to the film of non-extensible material and being each disposed in a hollow or raised zone different from the main body, the film being continuous between the detection elements and being folded so as to follow the three-dimensional shape of the main body between the two recessed or projecting zones of the film carrying said detection elements; a carbon zone is applied to the film or to the main body on at least one zone extending between the two detection elements; the film is translucent and lets the light pass to the main body; and the main body comprises an outer face and an inner face, the film being fixed on the internal face of the main body and the detection element being arranged to form a detection zone on the outer face of the main body to the right of the hollow or projecting area. The invention also relates to a method of producing a packing element as described above, comprising the following steps: - providing a main body having a three-dimensional shape and at least one area extending hollow or projecting by in relation to another zone of the main body, - providing a flat non-extensible film and applying thereto at least one detection element, - fixing the film on the main body so as to position the detection element against the zone in question. hollow or projecting, and comprising, before fixing the film on the main body, a folding step of the film so as to make him acquire the three-dimensional shape of at least a portion of the three-dimensional shape of the main body and that it comprise at least one hollow or seam area corresponding to the hollow or protruding zone of the main body (2) around the detection element. According to other characteristics of the method according to the invention: the detection element is printed on the non-extensible film; the method comprises a step of cutting the film around the detection element before the step of folding the film; and the film is fixed to the main body by thermocompression or by gluing. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a planar film comprising a capacitive sensing element used in a method of making a packing element according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the film of FIG. 1 after a folding step, - FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation in section along the axis III-III of FIG. 2, - FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a packing element according to the invention provided with the film of FIG. 2, and - FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation in section along the axis V-V of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is described a lining element 1 for a vehicle, such as a dashboard lining or a door panel or the like. Such a lining element 1, outside the touch control system, is conventional for this type of application and comprises a main body 2, comprising an outer face 4, turned towards the visible side of the lining element, and a internal face 6, opposite the outer face 4 and turned towards the non-visible side of the lining element, that is to say towards the vehicle body, when the lining element furnished part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The main body 2 is for example made of injected plastic material or compressed composite material, loaded or not with fiber. Alternatively, the main body 2 may be formed of a foam, in order to impart a certain flexibility and a particular feel to the lining element 1. Of course, other materials may be envisaged for producing the main body 2. The main body 2 may optionally be coated with a coating layer 8, extending over all or part of its outer face 4 to give a particular appearance to the packing element, as shown in FIG. 5. Such a coating layer 8 is for example formed by a skin or a layer of woody material or the like. Alternatively, the outer face 4 of the main body 2 may be textured or arranged to have the desired appearance and feel and does not require the addition of a coating layer 8. The main body 2 has a three-dimensional shape adapted to the part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle it is intended to cover. The shape shown in the figures is illustrative and given by way of example, the main body 2 may have any other three-dimensional shape. The main body 2 comprises at least one hollow or projecting zone 10 with respect to an adjacent zone of the main body 2. That is to say that the main body 2 has at least one protuberance or a cavity extending into different planes from the plane in which an area adjacent to the protuberance or the cavity extends, as shown in FIG. 4. In the example of this figure, the main body 2 comprises several projecting zones 10 forming button-shaped protuberances. It should be noted, however, that the shape of the zones 10 shown in the figures is illustrative only and that other forms may be envisaged, including relatively large shapes, such as a rod shape or the like. In addition, when a plurality of recessed or projecting areas 10 are provided, these areas 10 need not all be of the same shape or size. The hollow or protruding zone 10 forms an actuation zone of a vehicle function intended to allow the control of this function when it is touched or touched. For this purpose, the shape of the hollow or projecting zone 10 is for example arranged to allow a user to simply identify that it is an actuation zone. Pictograms may be provided to appear on the outer face 4 of the main body 2 or on the outer face of the coating layer 8 of the main body to the right of the hollow or projecting zone 10 in order to identify the function that can be actuated by this zoned. This pictogram can be backlit as will be described later. In this case, the main body 2 and, if appropriate, the coating layer 8 are made of a translucent material, at least in line with the hollow or projecting zone 10. A detection element 12 is disposed against the face 6 of the main body 2 to the right of the or each recessed area or projecting 10. The detection elements 12 have been very schematically represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such detection elements 12 are known. There are different types, for example capacitive type, or even field effect. For example, in the context of a field effect detection element, these detection elements are generally formed by an antenna 14, arranged to emit an electromagnetic field, and by appropriate electronic connections, formed by tracks of conducting material. The antenna is arranged to emit an electromagnetic field towards the outer face 4 of the body 2 in line with the hollow or projecting zone 10, so that a user approaching his finger of the hollow or projecting zone 10 and touching this area or touching it, enters the electromagnetic field, which modifies the impedance of the detection element 12 and allows the control of the desired function via a signal emitted by an appropriate electronic processing of the variation of 'impedance. As regards the capacitive type detection elements, they generally comprise sensitive electrodes, for example in the form of an antenna 14, formed by tracks of conductive material. The variation of capacity is measured continuously, so that a user, approaching his finger of the recessed area or projecting and touching this area or touching it, brings an additional capacity and thus changes the reference capacity of the system and allows the control of the desired function via a signal emitted by an appropriate electronics. Since such a capacitive sensing element is known, it will not be described in more detail here.

The invention will be described hereinafter with a capacitive type detection element. The sensing element 12 forms part of a touch control means. The detection element 12 is applied to a film 18 forming a support of the conductive material tracks 16 and the antenna 14. When the packing element comprises several capacitive detection elements 12, these are all applied on the same movie 18.

Before making the packing element 1, the film 18 is plane, that is to say it extends only in two directions substantially perpendicular to each other, as shown in FIG. 1. The film 18 is further made of a non-stretchable or non-stretchable material, such as polycarbonate. By non-stretchable or non-stretchable, it is meant that the film is substantially inelastic and has, for example, an elongation capacity of less than 0.2%. According to one embodiment, the film 18 is translucent, so as to let the light. The detection element or elements 12 are for example printed on the film 18, by means of an ink of conductive material, making it possible to simply make the tracks and the antennas. When several detection elements 12 are provided, the printing is arranged to connect them together by means of appropriate conductive material tracks, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Once the detection elements 12 are applied to the flat film 18, the latter is shaped so as to acquire the three-dimensional shape of the main body 2, at least in the hollow or projecting zone or zones 10 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the zones of the film 18 carrying the antennae 14 of the detection elements 12 being in particular shaped so as to correspond to the recessed or protruding zones 10 of the main body 2. Because of the non-extensibility of the film 18, this shaping step is a folding step of the film 18, along fold lines 19 adapted to give the film the desired shape, that is to say a shape complementary to that of the main body 2, at least in the recessed area or areas. The film 18 is thus folded in the manner of an "origami" and acquires a three-dimensional shape comprising at least one hollow or projecting zone 20, complementary to the hollow or projecting zone 10 of the main body, and carrying the antenna 14 of a capacitive sensing element 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the case where the film comprises at least two capacitive sensing elements 12, the film zone 18 connecting these two sensing elements and carrying tracks 16 is substantially continuous and this zone is folded so as to follow the shape three-dimensional main body 2 between the two recessed areas or projecting 10 in which each of the capacitive sensing elements 12 are intended to be arranged. Before the folding step, the method of producing the packing element optionally comprises a step of cutting the film 18 around the capacitive sensing element or elements 12 and fold lines 19 for shaping the film. This cutting step is for example carried out by laser in order to have a satisfactory cutting accuracy and thus allow the film 18 to be cut as close as possible to the capacitive detection elements 12 and the folding lines, leaving only a peripheral zone 22 without printing surrounding the capacitive sensing element (s) 12 and substantially matching the shape of this element. Such a cutting step makes it possible to limit the number of folding steps by avoiding to provide a film 18 at the places where the packing element is not intended to comprise an operating zone.

The film 18 thus shaped is then applied and fixed against the inner face 6 of the main body 2 so as to coincide the recessed or protruding area (s) 20 of the film 18 with the recessed or protruding zone (s) 10 of the main body 2, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The fixing of the film 18 is obtained for example by gluing, for example by gluing the peripheral zones 22 of the film 18 on the inner face 6 of the main body. Alternatively, the attachment can be obtained by thermocompression, or the like. A packing element is thus obtained whose hollow or projecting zones form operating zones for a function of a vehicle, since the capacitive detection elements 12 are arranged in line with these recessed or protruding zones. 10 and make it possible to form a detection zone on the external face of the main body 2 to the right of these zones 10. The fact of providing a non-stretchable film 18 makes it possible to avoid any risk of degradation of the antennas 14 and tracks 16 forming the capacitive sensing elements 12 when shaping the film 18. In addition, a non-stretchable film provides dimensional stability of the film, once it is shaped by folding, eliminating the need for recalibration capacitive detection, necessary when the film is deformed and changes the shape or location of the electromagnetic field emitted by the capacitive sensing element (s) 12. When the packing element comprises more their capacitive sensing elements 12 and in order to prevent the fields emitted by these elements from interfering with each other and in order to define detection zones of precise dimensions corresponding precisely with the recessed or projecting zones 10, It is intended to form carbon masks around the capacitive sensing elements 12 to precisely orient the fields emitted by each of these elements. Such masks are therefore applied between the capacitive elements 12 on the outer face of the film or on the inner face 6 of the main body 2. According to one embodiment, the masks are formed on a film extending between the film 18 bearing the detection elements 12 and the inner face 6 of the main body 2. The film is covered with a carbon layer and a step of etching this layer, for example by laser, removes the carbon from the layer to the right of the elements The film is then shaped and fixed on the inner face 6 of the main body 2. The film carrying the carbon may for example be shaped by thermoforming with the main body 2 or by cold forming with this material. body 2 before fixing the film 18 carrying the capacitive detection elements. The film carrying the carbon is for example translucent in order to let the light. The etching of the film can be carried out after the shaping and fixing step to the main body 2, in order to facilitate the identification of the areas to be engraved, corresponding to the recessed or protruding zones 10 of the main body 2. and a lining element 1 having precise detection zones to the right of the recessed areas or projecting and allowing a control without interference of each of the functions controlled by means of the detection zones.

Such a lining element 1 can easily be backlit to illuminate the detection areas and allow a user to easily identify these areas and controlled functions. To do this, one or more light sources are arranged on the side of the inner face of the film 18 to emit light through this film and through the unmasked areas of the carbon film onto the outer face of the main body 2, and where appropriate, the outer face of the coating layer 8.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS1.- Vehicle trim element (1) comprising a main body (2) having a three-dimensional shape and at least one zone (10) extending in recess or projecting with respect to another zone of the main body (2) the packing member further comprising at least one touch control means, said touch control means comprising a detection member (12) applied to a film (18) made of a non-extensible material attached to the main body (2). characterized in that said film (18) is folded around said sensing element (12) so that said film (18) has the three-dimensional shape of at least a portion of the three-dimensional shape of the main body (2), the film comprising a hollow or protruding region (20) carrying the sensing element (12) and being disposed against the recessed or protruding region (10) of the main body. 2.- packing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection element is a capacitive type detection element, or field effect. 3. A packing element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film is cut around the detection element (12) so as to comprise a peripheral zone (22) devoid of printing surrounding the element of detecting (12) and substantially matching the shape of said detecting element (12). 4. A packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two detection elements (12), said elements being applied to the film (18) of non-extensible material and being each disposed in a recessed or raised area (10) different from the main body, the film being continuous between the sensing elements (12) and being folded so as to follow the three-dimensional shape of the main body (2) between the two areas recessed or projecting (20) of the film carrying said detection elements (12). 5.- packing element according to claim 4, characterized in that a carbon zone is applied on the film (18) or on the main body (2) on at least one zone extending between the two detection elements ( 12). 6. A packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the film (18) is translucent and allows the light to pass to the main body (2). 7.- packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the main body (2) comprises an outer face (4) and an inner face (6), the film (18) being fixed on the inner face (6) of the main body (2) and the detecting element (12) being arranged to form a detection zone on the outer face (6) of the main body (12) in line with the recessed zone or protrusion (10). 8.- A method of producing a packing element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: - providing a main body (2) having a three-dimensional shape and at least one zone (10) s' extending recessed or protruding from another area of the main body (2), - providing a flat non-extensible film (18) and applying thereon at least one detecting element (12), - fixing the film ( 18) on the main body (2) so as to position the detection element (12) against the recessed or protruding zone (10), characterized in that it comprises, before the fixing of the film (18) on the main body (2), a folding step of the film (18) so as to make it acquire the three-dimensional shape of at least a part of the three-dimensional shape of the main body (2) and that it comprise at least a recessed area (20) corresponding to the hollow or projecting area (10) of the main body ( 2) around the sensing element (12). 9. A production method according to claim 8, characterized in that the detection element (12) is printed on the film (18) non-expandable. 10. A production method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a step of cutting the film (18) around the detection element (12) before the step of folding the film (18). . 11. A production method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the film (18) is attached to the main body (2) by thermocompression or by gluing.