FR3046857A1 - CONTROL INTERFACE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control interface (1) for a motor vehicle configured to trigger a control according to the detection of the presence of a finger (5) of a user, said control interface (1) comprising - a first sensing sensing sensor (7) defining a central sensing area (15), - at least one sensing second sensing sensor (17) defining a sensing peripheral area (19) at least partially surrounding said central sensing area (15) , and - a processing and control unit connected to said sensors (7, 17) and configured to trigger a command when the first detection touch sensor (7) detects a presence signal of a finger (5) of a user in said central detection area (15) and when in combination said at least one second detection touch sensor (17) does not detect a presence signal in the detection peripheral area (19).

Description

Control interface for automotive vehicles

The present invention relates to a control interface for a motor vehicle.

In the automotive field, there are many simple functions that are controlled by switches in the form of a control button, for example of the "push" type in English, that is to say "support" in French.

These are mechanical switches which have a movable control element intended to be depressed for example by a support of a finger. During depression, the movable control element performs a certain stroke which by mechanical movements will bring into contact for example two electric tabs to close an electrical circuit.

Closing the electrical circuit results in the activation of a function or the closing of a relay which will control it for example an actuator of the vehicle.

As a typical example of this kind of control buttons, there may be mentioned the button for switching on the hazard warning lights, the button for locking the vehicle doors, or, more recently, the start button of the vehicle.

These mechanical control buttons are reliable and inexpensive, but suffer from an image too classic. Indeed, in the cabin, the fashion goes to smooth surfaces, for example at the dashboard or at the armrests of the doors.

However, the mechanical support buttons require for example a cut in the dashboard so that it is impossible to obtain a perfectly smooth surface. In addition, because of the movement of the movable control element, the flatness of the surface is destroyed once the button is depressed.

To solve this problem, it has been advanced to rely on tactile technologies such as capacitive or optical.

Indeed, capacitive sensors with a detection electrode can be installed on the rear face of the dashboard so as to obtain a perfectly smooth front surface. In addition, the actuation of such a capacitive sensor does not alter the control surface.

However, the simple replacement of a mechanical control button with a capacitive sensor poses a problem with unwanted controls.

Because of their operation, the sensing area of a capacitive sensor is generally larger than its sensing electrode, and passing near the capacitive sensor can inadvertently trigger control.

In addition, depending on the location chosen, for example for a door lock button of the vehicle, it may happen to place for example the palm of the hand next to or on the sensor without paying attention and to trigger an untimely command .

So we see that for this type of control button with touch technology, there is therefore a difficulty to distinguish voluntary commands from a user unwanted commands.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch control button that can better detect the voluntary commands of a user. For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a control interface for a motor vehicle configured to trigger a control according to the detection of the presence of a finger of a user, said control interface comprising: a first touch sensor detection device defining a central detection area, - at least one second detection touch sensor defining a peripheral detection area at least partially surrounding said central detection area, and - a processing and control unit connected to said sensors and configured to engage a command when the first detection touch sensor detects a presence signal of a finger of a user in said central detection area and when said at least one second detection touch sensor does not detect a presence signal in the area detection device.

Due to the second sensor, the detection zone of the first sensor is more precisely limited. Thus, only a well-targeted action on the part of the user makes it possible to obtain the activation of the command or the desired function. This effectively eliminates nuisance tripping.

Moreover, by reducing the size of the detection zone thus to that of a finger, more particularly of the index, it is possible to exclude any involuntary detection, for example from the palm of the hand. The control interface may have one or more of the following features taken alone or in combination:

In one aspect, the processing and control unit is further configured to inhibit a command when the at least one second detection touch sensor detects a presence signal in the detection peripheral area.

In another aspect, the first sensing sensing sensor defines a central sensing area in the form of a circle or rectangle.

The second sensing touch sensor for example defines a band-shaped peripheral detection zone disposed at least partially around the central detection zone of the first detection sensor.

The peripheral detection zone surrounds the central detection zone notably over a range between 240 ° and 280 °, in particular between 250 ° and 270 °.

According to yet another aspect, the central detection zone and the peripheral detection zone are separated by a dead zone in which no presence can be detected, the width of this dead zone being less than half the width of a finger , in particular less than 10 mm, and in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm.

According to a first variant, the first detection touch sensor is for example a capacitive sensor.

This capacitive sensor may be optically transparent or translucent and the control interface further comprises for example backlighting members.

According to a second variant, the first detection touch sensor is an optical sensor.

According to a third variant, the second touch sensor of detection is a capacitive sensor.

According to a fourth variant, the second touch sensor of detection is an optical sensor.

According to yet another aspect, the first and second sensors are in particular fixed on the rear face of a facade element.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of the invention, as well as on the appended figures which represent a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention and in which: FIG. simplified diagram in cross section of an interface according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a top view of the interface of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a block diagram of the interface of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of one of the sensors in the case of another embodiment.

In these figures, the identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

The horizontal plane is designated by a reference (X, Y) and the vertical direction by the Z direction, the three directions forming a trihedron (X, Y, Z), fixed with respect to a control interface 1. These axes may correspond to the denomination of the axes in a motor vehicle, that is to say by convention, in a vehicle, the axis X corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, Y corresponds to the transverse axis of the vehicle and the axis Z to the vertical axis of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a possible embodiment of the control interface 1 for a motor vehicle will be described in detail.

This control interface 1 can for example be used as a touch control button for triggering including hazard warning lights of a motor vehicle (see in particular Figure 2 with pictogram 3 in the form of a triangle), to control the central locking of all the doors of the vehicle, for controlling the starting of the vehicle or for example activating a screen. Of course, other applications can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

This control interface 1 is therefore configured to trigger a command based on the detection of the presence of a finger 5 of a user. For this purpose, said control interface 1 comprises a first detection touch sensor 7.

This first detection sensor 7 is for example a capacitive sensor comprising a first detection electrode 8 fixed, in particular by gluing with a transparent optical adhesive, on a rear face 9 of a front element 11. The first detection electrode 8 is for example transparent and may be made of glass, polycarbonate or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) in the form of a circular disc with a transparent conductive coating such as ITO (indium oxide) tin) or PDOT: PSS (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate). The facade element 11 is for example made of an optically transparent or translucent material, for example glass, polycarbonate or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) and is a constituent element or integrated for example of a dashboard, d a console in the middle or a door edge.

The pictogram 3 is for example etched in a transparent pellet 12 which is interposed between the rear face 9 of the facade element 11 and the first detection electrode of the first detection touch sensor 7.

Below the first detection electrode 8 of the first detection touch sensor 7 is a backlighting member 10, such as a light-emitting diode (LED or LED) which can send light towards the pictogram 3 so that the control interface 1 is clearly visible and identifiable for a user.

This first detection touch sensor 7 defines on the front surface 13 of the front element 11 a central detection zone 15 in the form of a circle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by dashed lines. This circle has for example a diameter of between 20mm and 25mm to be adapted to the average size of the index of an adult person. The control interface 1 further comprises at least one second touch sensor 17.

In the present exemplary embodiment, this second detection touch sensor 17 is for example also a capacitive sensor comprising a second detection electrode 18 fixed, in particular by bonding, on the rear face 9 of the facade element 11.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the sensing electrode 18 has a curved band shape that surrounds the sensing electrode 8 of the first sensing sensor 7 over an angular range of about 260 °. Other values are possible for this angular range, such as values between 240 ° and 280 °, in particular between 250 ° and 270 °.

This second detection sensor 17 thus defines a peripheral detection zone 19 (in dot-dashed lines) in the form of a curved strip disposed around the central detection zone 15 of the first detection sensor 7.

The central detection zone 15 and the peripheral detection zone 19 are separated by a dead zone 21 (represented by a hatched band) in which no presence can be detected. The width of this dead zone 21 is less than half the width of a finger, especially less than 10 mm, and in particular between 3 mm and 5 mm. The control interface 1 further comprises a processing and control unit 23 which is connected to said sensors 7 and 17 (see FIG. 3).

This processing and control unit 23 receives the signals detected by the first 7 and second 17 detection sensors and is configured to trigger a command, such as for example the activation of the hazard lights, when the first touch sensor 7 detects a a presence signal of a finger 5 of a user in said central detection zone 15 and when said at least one second touch sensor 17 does not detect a presence signal in the peripheral detection zone 19.

In fact, to obtain this result, the user must make an applied and targeted gesture which corresponds to a voluntary action on his part.

On the other hand, the processing and control unit 23 is configured to inhibit or not to send a command when the second touch sensor 17 detects a presence signal in the detection peripheral zone 19 regardless of whether the first detection touch sensor 7 detects a presence or not.

In this case, it can be considered that the gesture that caused the detection of the presence of a finger 5 or a palm of the hand is not targeted and controlled. Activation of a command on this basis would result in inadvertent activation of the function to be controlled, which must be avoided by inhibition of the transmission of the control signal.

Of course, the inhibition is simply understood by the fact that no control signal is transmitted by the control interface 1. This does not necessarily imply that a control signal is generated and then stopped.

So in operation, only if the user puts his finger 5 exclusively in the central detection zone 15, a command is engaged.

On the other hand, as soon as a presence is detected in the detection peripheral zone 19, there is no activation of a command by the control interface 1.

There is also an advantage that the peripheral detection zone 19 does not completely surround the central detection zone 15.

Indeed, if the peripheral detection zone 19 completely surrounds the central detection area 15, the user can only activate the control by placing the tip of the finger 5 in the central detection zone 15 and a laying of his finger 5 flat would be detected by the second sensor touch sensor 17 which would prevent the activation of a desired function while the gesture performed by the user can always be considered as targeted and applied, and therefore voluntary.

According to a first variant of the control interface 1, the first detection touch sensor 7 and / or the second detection touch sensor 17 are in the form of an optical sensor 30 as represented in FIG. 4.

In this case, the optical sensor 30 comprises an emitting diode 32 which sends a light signal towards the transparent or translucent facade element 11 and a photoreceptor 34, for example a photodiode, which receives the light reflected by the light element. When a user places a finger in the detection zone (the central or peripheral sensing zone 19) of the optical sensor 30, the quantity of light reflected and received by the photodetector 34 is modified which can be measured and assimilated to the detection of the presence of a finger 5.

Of course, several modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Thus, there may be several second detection sensors 17 surrounding the first detection sensor 7 or more detection electrodes, for example in the form of band portions surrounding the first detection sensor 7.

Moreover, the shape of the electrodes 8 and 19 of the sensors 7 and 17 may be adapted to obtain, for example, a central detection zone 15 of oval or rectangular shape and a peripheral detection zone 19, for example an oval or rectangular band, shaped in the form of the central detection zone 19. The control interface 1 described above is distinguished by its simplicity of operation to distinguish voluntary actions from unwanted actions. It can be easily integrated into various areas of the vehicle and requires little space.

Claims (13)

A control interface (1) for a motor vehicle configured to trigger a command according to the detection of the presence of a finger (5) of a user, said control interface (1) comprising - a first touch sensor of detecting (7) defining a central detection zone (15), - at least one second detection touch sensor (17) defining a peripheral detection zone (19) at least partially surrounding said central detection zone (15), and - a processing and control unit (23) connected to said sensors (7, 17) and configured to engage a command when the first detection touch sensor (7) detects a user's finger presence signal (5) in said central detection area (15) and when in combination said at least one second detection touch sensor (17) does not detect a presence signal in the detection peripheral area (19). Control interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing and control unit (23) is furthermore configured to inhibit a command when said at least one second detection touch sensor (17) detects a signal of presence in the peripheral detection zone (19). Control interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first detection touch sensor (7) defines a central detection zone (15) in the form of a circle. Control interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first touch sensing sensor (7) defines a rectangle-shaped central detection zone (15). 5. Control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second touch sensor sensor (17) defines a band-shaped peripheral detection zone (19) arranged at least partially around the central detection zone (15) of the first detection sensor (7). Control interface according to claim 5, characterized in that the peripheral detection zone (19) surrounds the central detection zone (15) over a range of between 240 ° and 280 °, in particular between 250 ° and 270 °. . Control interface according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central detection zone (15) and the peripheral detection zone (19) are separated by a dead zone (21) in which no presence can not be detected, the width of this dead zone (21) being less than half the width of a finger (5), especially less than 10mm, and in particular between 3mm and 5mm. 8. Control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first sensing sensor (7) is a capacitive sensor. 9. Control interface according to claim 8, characterized in that the capacitive sensor (7) is optically transparent or translucent and in that it further comprises backlighting members (10). 10. Control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first sensing sensor (7) is an optical sensor (30). 11. Control interface according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second sensing touch sensor (17) is a capacitive sensor. Control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second detection touch sensor (17) is an optical sensor (30). 13. Control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first (7) and second (17) sensors are fixed on the rear face (9) of a facade element (11).