FR3041444A1 - ROTARY SWITCH AGENCY ON A SCREEN - Google Patents

Abstract

Rotary switch / selector device (1) arranged on a screen (10), comprising two light sources (S1, S2) emitted by the screen, each having a repetitive periodic pattern along the circle, with an angular offset of the patterns of a light source relative to the other, a support (2) fixed to the upper surface of the screen, a movable assembly (4) which comprises a rotor (41) and a wheel (42), two guide fingers of light (11, 12), two light collecting rings (21, 22), the light guide finger selectively transmitting light from the light sources to the light collecting ring, two optical sensors (31, 32), the light collector ring transmitting the light to the optical sensors, so that the optical sensors can then detect an angular movement of the wheel with its direction and information on its amplitude and speed.

Description

The present invention relates to rotary switches arranged on a screen (particularly tactile) in particular for man-machine interfaces in a motor vehicle.

Touch screens are increasingly used, including in human-machine interfaces ("HMI") of motor vehicles.

However, it turns out that the use of physical buttons has ergonomics that can not offer a touch screen, especially in a driving situation, where the fingers of the user can shake and are not accurate.

Therefore, there has been a need to combine the versatility of a touch screen with the ergonomics of physical buttons in the same HMI unit.

One of the physical buttons whose ergonomics are most appreciated by the user drivers is a rotary wheel optionally further equipped with an axial validation movement. We also speak of "multifunction wheel", the underlying technical part of the wheel is based on an optical principle encoder or Hall effect.

Some have proposed solutions, such as that disclosed by US 2010 0 214 213, to integrate such a wheel / encoder in a touch screen. However, it is necessary to provide a hole in the touch screen (which makes it non-standard) and the operation of this encoder can disturb the operation of the detection of the touch screen.

It has therefore appeared a need to propose an improved solution for integrating a wheel / encoder assembly on a touch screen. For this purpose, there is proposed here a rotary switch / selector device arranged on a screen, in particular but not exclusively tactile, the device comprising: two light sources of generally circular shape, emitted by the screen, each having a periodic pattern repetitive along the circle generated by the generally circular shape, one being angularly offset relative to the other, • a support fixed to the upper surface of the screen, • a movable assembly which comprises a rotor and a wheel, the rotor being rotatably mounted relative to the support, at least one light guide finger mounted on the rotor, at least one fixed light collecting ring, the at least one light guide finger selectively transmitting light from the light source up to the corresponding light collecting ring, • two optical sensors, the light collector ring transmitting the light to the sensors optical, said optical sensors being adapted to detect an angular movement of the wheel, its direction of rotation as well as information on its amplitude and its speed.

Thanks to these provisions, it is thus possible to form a wheel / encoder implanted directly on the screen and which uses screen resources. Advantageously, the use of such a wheel / encoder does not require a 100% visual mobilization of the user as is the case when making a touch on a touch interface. Thus, the setting of a parameter can be done by means of the wheel / encoder without fully mobilizing the visual function of the driver who remains available for driving. One can also provide a haptic feedback on the rotational movement of the wheel / encoder.

In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used: • two light sources may be present, the first and second light sources being at different positions; different radials from the axis of rotation, a first light guide finger and a second light guide finger being arranged in respective correspondence with the two light sources, a first light collector ring and a second light collector ring being arranged in correspondence respective with each of the two light guide fingers, the two light collecting rings respectively transmitting light beams to the first and second optical sensors. Thanks to two independent channels having a slight angular offset, detection of the direction of rotation is relatively easy by the processing electronics, because it is simply to determine the order of the switching edges; The light guide finger introduces a deviation of the light rays received from the corresponding light source by a predetermined angle close to 90 ° or close to 180 °. • The light beams can thus be invited to a photodiode type optical sensor and the size of the device remains relatively small, the whole being preferably housed in the inner volume of the wheel; • The wheel is mounted relative to the rotor with a translational movement axial but integrally in rotation. This provides intuitive movement for the "validation" function; • alternatively, the wheel and the rotor can form a single piece (conventional rotary knob without axial movement) • one of the light sources can include a continuous circular light border. This allows a self-diagnosis of the device and helps to decide the axial translation function; In addition, in this configuration, the axial movement of the wheel causes the cut of the light beam (s) in their path between the light source and the light collecting ring. This allows a discrimination between rotation of the wheel and a validation support, in particular thanks to the continuous edging; The optical sensors are preferably arranged on a printed electronic circuit placed on the screen, preferably at positions offset in the circumferential direction. We obtain a limited size and good integration; The number of repetitions of periodic patterns of light source per revolution is configurable by software application. One can choose the fineness of adjustment desired for a parameter to be set, this specifically for each parameter; • Each light source pattern can be formed by alternating a black arc and a white arc, the patterns being repeated Λ // 'times on the circumference of the circle generated by the circular shape. This pattern is particularly easy to decode even with a very simple optical sensor; Each pattern of the first light source may be formed by alternating a black circular arc and a first RGB primary color (Red, Green, Blue), each pattern of the second light source being formed by an alternation of a black circular arc and a second primary color RGB, the patterns being repeated Ni times on the circumference of the circle generated by the circular shape. Using two primary colors instead of white, emitted on a single circle, a single light guide finger and a single light-collecting ring can be used to achieve the same function as before (with two separate light sources and separate optical channels ); Each light collecting ring may comprise a plurality of small reflection mirrors for reflecting and guiding light from any point of entry depending on the angular position of the light guide finger to the corresponding optical sensor. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, especially with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. a general view of a screen equipped with a wheel-encoder device according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the wheel-encoder, - Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the wheel-encoder device, FIG. 4 is an axial axial sectional view of the wheel-encoder device, FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate light sources used, FIG. 5B showing a continuous border, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the optical operation of the rings. light collectors, respectively in top view and in circumferential development, - Figure 7 shows a timing diagram illustrating the signals from the optical sensors - Figure 8 shows a function diagram electronic processing.

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a screen 10 of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the screen in question is tactile, however a non-touch screen may also be suitable for the present invention.

On this screen 10, is installed a rotary switch / selector device, marked 1, in other words a device type wheel / encoder. This switch / selector device 1 is preferably arranged close to a border 10A of the screen 10, since as will be seen later, it can be provided a layer 38 of electrical tracks which allows to connect optical sensors of the device switch / selector 1 to a processing unit 8, integrated or not to the control logic of the screen 10.

In the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, according to a first embodiment, the switch / selector device 1 comprises a wheel 42 ("knob-wheel") which can be rotated about an axis A according to a first sense W1 and a second sense W2. Furthermore, according to one option, the wheel 42 can be pressed towards the screen (arrow V) for a validation function known per se.

In the illustrated example, the switch / selector device 1 allows for example to select a number of options which are displayed graphically in a peripheral area outside the switch / selector device 1. The rotation of switch / selector 1 can also be used to set a parameter, to move in drop-down menus, etc.

Said switch / selector device 1 comprises two light sources S1, S2 emitted by the screen 10. It is a software application for controlling the screen 10 which generates these two light sources S1, S2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5A, a first light source S1 is in a generally circular shape of axis A. The first light source S1 has a repetitive periodic pattern along the circle generated by the general circular shape of axis A, that is to say a pattern which repeats a number N1 of times over a complete turn 360 °. Here N1 = 4.

In the first illustrated example (FIG. 5A), each pattern consists of a black circular arc followed by a white 91 bright circular arc. We can define a primitive circle C1 located at a radius R1. In the illustrated example, each of the circular arcs extends 45 ° angular, but it could be others, black and white could be different.

Similarly, the second light source S2 has a repetitive periodic pattern along the circle generated by the general circular shape of axis A, that is to say a pattern which repeats a number N2 of times over a complete revolution. 360 °. Here N2 = 4. Here again, each pattern consists of a black circular arc followed by a bright white arc of circle 92 and it is possible to define a pitch circle C2 situated at a radius R2. The primitive circle passes through a median radius of white circular arcs.

In the variant shown in FIG. 5B, a small continuous circular luminous edging 44 is additionally provided on the light source S 2.

The light signals of the light sources S1, S2 are preferably emitted continuously when the screen 10 is operating and the display is constant for a given operation of parameter setting or element selection.

However, for another parameter setting or element selection operation, the light signals of the light sources S1, S2 may be different, in particular the number of repetitions N1, N2 may be different from one operation to another . N1 and N2 could be different from each other, for example one being a multiple of the other.

Note that there is an angular offset Θ1 between the patterns of the first light source S1 and the patterns of the second light source S2. This offset will advantageously be used to determine without ambiguity the direction of rotation applied to the wheel 42. This is an overall angular offset, it is preferably the same offset that separates all the transitions black / white or white / black from one light source to the other.

Furthermore, the switch / selector device 1 comprises: a support 2 fixed to the upper surface of the screen 10, with a body 20 which can be a hollow hub through which a user can see the surface of the screen 10 in the center 16 of said switch / selector device 1, • a mobile assembly 4 which comprises a rotor 41, the rotor 41 being rotatably mounted with axis A relative to the support 2, and the wheel 42 already mentioned, which is mounted with an axial degree of freedom with respect to the rotor 41 but with a rigid connection in rotation about the axis A, • optical equipment which will be detailed later, • an electronic card 3 (PCB) equipped with two optical sensors 31, 32, otherwise known in practice photodiodes or phototransistors, a first optical sensor 31 responsible for recovering a luminous flux F1 from the first light source S1 and a second optical sensor 32 responsible for recovering a light. luminous flux F2 from the second light source S2.

Furthermore, the switch / selector device 1 comprises in particular, with regard to its optical equipment: a first light guide finger 11 and a second light guide finger 12, mounted on the rotor 41 (thus rotating) in housings, preferably insulated by walls 27 with respect to the external environment, • a first light-light collecting ring 21 and a second light-collecting ring 22, fixedly mounted relative to the surface of the screen 10.

Thanks to these elements (see FIGS. 4, 6A and 6B), a first optical path can be established from the first light source S1 to the first optical sensor 31: indeed, the first light guide pin 11 selectively transmits light received from the first light source S1 to the first light collector 21 (by passing through two successive reflections at 90 ° on the cut corners of the light guide finger), and then the first light collecting ring 21 transmits the light received from the first light guide finger 11 to the first optical sensor 31.

Similarly, but at positions slightly further from the axis A, a second optical path can be established from the second light source S2 to the second optical sensor 32, passing through the second light guide finger 12 the second ring light collector 22.

Each of the light-guiding fingers 11, 12 is in the form of an inverted L-shaped optical guide with two sections cut at 45 °, which provides the aforementioned reflections.

The first light guide finger 11 and the second light guide finger 12 are arranged in the illustrated example at diametrically opposed positions; however it is not excluded that they are at other angular positions (but consistent with the patterns of light sources), or even one above the other.

In addition, the upper portion of each light guide finger 11, 12 is interrupted by a gap 13 whose utility will be seen further.

The first and second light collecting rings 21, 22 are arranged coaxially around A, the second outside the first. Each of the light collecting rings includes a downward projection 72 facing the corresponding type optical sensor.

The two optical sensors 31, 32 are arranged on the printed electronic circuit (PCB), preferably one after the other in the circumferential direction as can be seen in FIG.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3,6A and 6B, (FIGS. 6A and 6B show only one of the two optical devices of the first embodiment), the light guide finger 11 travels a circular path with a foot zone 11a which is always above the primitive circle of the first light source, either above a white arc or above a black area, the light guide finger 11 captures light rays from the source especially the most powerful rays perpendicular to the surface of the screen 10. The light rays thus captured then undergo along the light guide finger 11 two reflections at 90 °, and therefore are at the exit 11b a light guide finger, directed towards the screen 10 perpendicular to the latter. At this point, they impact the upper surface of the light-collecting ring 21. Inside the light-collecting ring 21, the light rays form an internal optical path 7 with one or more reflections on a zone of light. semicircular collection 70 to an exit zone 71 which continues with projection 72 already mentioned. At the location of the exit zone, the light rays are directed substantially towards the optical sensor 31 which is located opposite the light collecting ring 21.

It should be noted that the light collecting ring consists of two halves which meet on the one hand at the location of the optical sensor (0 °) and on the other hand on the opposite side in the diametrically opposite zone (180 °). ).

An elastic return of the wheel 42 is provided in the direction opposite to the screen 10, for example by means of springs 17 interposed between the rotor 41 and the wheel 42 itself.

FIG. 7 illustrates the optical signals 51, 52 captured respectively by the first optical sensor 31 and by the second optical sensor 32. The processing unit 8 processes these signals and detects in particular the falling fronts and the rising edges, which allows elaborating the rotation tops signals 61, 62 respectively in one direction W1 and the other W2.

Note that the processing unit 8 could work only on rising edges or falling edges.

In the left-hand part of FIG. 7, it is noted that the signal 51 of the first optical sensor 31 is in advance on the signal 52 of the second optical sensor 32, which allows the processing unit 8 to conclude that it is rotating according to the clockwise. Conversely, in the right-hand part of FIG. 7, the signal 51 of the first optical sensor 31 is delayed on the signal 52 of the second optical sensor 32, which allows the processing unit 8 to conclude that it is rotating. according to the trigonometric sense.

Note also that, since the angular offset Θ1 is small, even when the wheel 42 is rotated rapidly (reference 84 Figure 7), the offset between the first and the second signal remains small compared to the width of the slots, this which allows the processing unit 8 to continue to discriminate one or other of the directions of rotation.

The support 2 comprises, in the illustrated example, a cylindrical body 20, and is equipped with three flexible tabs, configured to retain the rotor 41 in position after mounting.

The rotor 41 comprises an outer rim 28; at the location of the light-guiding fingers 11, 12, vertical walls 27 are provided which make it possible to hold the light-guiding fingers 11, 12 and to isolate the light-guiding fingers in particular with respect to the lighting conditions. ambient. Moreover, there is provided a slot 26 in these vertical walls 27, to let a skirt 43 projecting downwards inside the wheel 42.

When the wheel 42 is equipped with the axial validation movement, a continuous circular end 44 is used on one of the two light sources (the second in the case shown in FIG. 5B); therefore, when the wheel 42 is not depressed, the second optical sensor 32 continuously captures a minimum residual illumination (which can also be used for a self-diagnostic function of the system), while conversely when the wheel 42 is pressed towards the screen 10, the skirt 43 descends into the slots 27 and in the aforementioned intervals 13 of the light-guiding fingers, which interrupts the path of the optical paths. Under these conditions, receiving zero illumination on both optical sensors at once means that the button is depressed.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the wheel 42 and the rotor 41 may form a single piece, that is to say a conventional rotary knob, without axial movement (in which case the slots 26 and intervals 13 are not necessary).

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the two light collecting rings 21, 22 could be arranged one above the other at the same radial position, with a change of direction of only 90 ° in the light-guiding fingers 12, 13, the optical sensors 31, 32 then receiving the light in a substantially radial (and not axial) direction.

According to another embodiment, it is possible to use, for the first light source S1, in place of the white circular arcs, an arc of a first primary color, for example green, and for the second light source S2. , an arc of a second primary color, for example red. In addition, the two light sources are positioned in the vicinity of a single pitch circle, that is to say at the same radius seen from the axis A. Under these conditions, a single light guide finger is used and a single ring light collector, on the same principle as before. According to this configuration, the two optical sensors 31, 32 are positioned almost in the same place, namely under the exit zone 71 of the light-collecting ring.

In addition, a green filter is placed on the first photodiode forming the first optical sensor 31 and a red filter is placed on the second photodiode forming the second optical sensor 32.

Advantageously, the first primary color and the second primary color can be chosen to correspond exactly to the colors of two of the three emission diodes of the screen (that is to say the primary colors of the emission slab of the screen. 'screen).

With the present invention, it is possible to replace a command that would be performed by a touch with a finger (trembling in a driving situation) by selection and validation using a conventional presentation and grip wheel and that does not require attention. 100% visual during the operation.

Claims (9)

1. Rotary switch / selector device (1) arranged on a screen (10), the device comprising: two light sources (S1, S2) emitted by the screen (10), each of generally circular shape of axis A each having a repeating periodic pattern along the generally circular shape of axis A, with at least one angular offset of the patterns of a light source relative to the other, • a support (2) fixed to the upper surface of the screen (10), • a movable assembly (4) which comprises a rotor (41) and a wheel (42), the rotor (41) being rotatably mounted with axis A relative to the support (2), characterized in that the device comprises: at least one light guide finger (11, 12), mounted on the rotor (41), at least one fixed light collecting ring (21, 22), at least one guide finger light (11, 12) selectively transmitting light from the light source (s) to at least one collecting ring of light (21, 22), • two optical sensors (31, 32), the light collecting ring (21, 22) transmitting the light to the optical sensors (31, 32), so that the optical sensors can then detect a movement angular of the wheel (42), its direction of rotation and information on its amplitude and speed. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first light source (S1) and second light source (S2) are at different radial positions (R1, R2) from the axis A, a first light guide finger (11). and a second light-guiding finger (12) are arranged in respective correspondence with the two light sources (S1, S2), a first light-collecting ring (21) and a second light-collecting ring (22) are arranged in respective correspondence with each of the two light guide fingers (11,12), the two light collecting rings (21,22) respectively transmitting light beams (F1, F2) to the first optical sensor (31) and the second optical sensor (32). 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the light-guiding finger (11, 12) introduces a deviation of the light rays received from the corresponding light source (S1, S2) by a predetermined angle close to 90 ° or close to 180 °. °. 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel (42) is mounted relative to the rotor (41) with an axial translation movement but integrally in rotation. The device of claim 4, wherein one of the light sources (S1, S2) comprises a continuous circular light border (44). 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the axial movement of the wheel (42) causes the cutting of the light beam or beams (F1, F2) in their path between the light source (S1, S2) and the collector ring. light (21,22). 7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensors (31,32) are arranged on a printed electronic circuit (3) placed on the screen (10), preferably at positions offset in the circumferential direction. 8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the number of repetitions of periodic patterns of light source per revolution (N1, N2) is configurable by software application. The device according to claim 1, wherein each light collecting ring (21, 22) comprises a plurality of small reflecting mirrors for reflecting and guiding light from any point of entry depending on the angular position of the light guide finger. (11,12) to the corresponding optical sensor (31, 32).