FR3060783A1 - TOUCH CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The tactile control device comprises: - a rear layer (3); a transparent front layer (5); a transparent capacitive film (7) interposed between the rear layer (3) and the transparent front layer (5); a plurality of transparent organic electroluminescent diodes (9) printed on the transparent capacitive film (7), the control device (1) being configured so that the transparent capacitive film (7) controls the organic electroluminescent diodes (9).

Description

(54) TOUCH CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF.

©) The touch control device includes:

- a rear layer (3);

- a transparent front layer (5);

- a transparent capacitive film (7) interposed between the rear layer (3) and the transparent front layer (5);

- a plurality of transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) printed on the transparent capacitive film (7), the control device (1) being configured so that the transparent capacitive film (7) controls the organic light-emitting diodes (9).

Tactile control device, vehicle equipped with such a device, corresponding manufacturing process

The invention generally relates to tactile control devices for vehicles.

FR 3 016 563 discloses a tactile control device with a capacitive film hidden behind an opaque translucent part. Diodes are used to backlight certain areas of the translucent opaque part.

Such a touch control device is invisible only if it is integrated into a panel of the same color as the opaque translucent part. This is particularly restrictive.

In this context, the invention aims to propose a tactile control device for a vehicle which can be integrated into panels with various decorations.

To this end, the invention relates to a tactile control device for a vehicle, the control device comprising:

- a rear layer;

- a transparent front layer;

- a transparent capacitive film interposed between the rear layer and the transparent front layer;

- A plurality of transparent organic light emitting diodes printed on the transparent capacitive film, the control device being configured so that the transparent capacitive film controls the organic light emitting diodes.

Since the front layer, the transparent capacitive film and the light-emitting diodes are transparent, only the rear layer is visible when the control device is inactive. This rear layer can carry any kind of decoration, and therefore be integrated into structures having different appearances. On the other hand, when a user approaches a finger of the touch control device, the transparent capacitive film detects the presence of the finger and activates the transparent organic light-emitting diodes. These indicate to the user the presence of the control device and the function controlled by this device. In addition, the construction of the control device gives an impression of depth when the light-emitting diodes are on. This effect is obtained while the control device is particularly compact in thickness.

The touch control device may also have one or more of the characteristics below, considered individually or in any technically possible combination:

- the transparent capacitive film defines a plurality of control zones, configured to control different vehicle functions from one another, transparent organic light-emitting diodes being printed at the level of each control zone so as to draw a pattern symbolizing the corresponding function ;

- the transparent organic light-emitting diodes are configured to emit light of predetermined color;

the transparent organic light-emitting diodes comprise several light-emitting layers, generating lights of different colors from each other;

the device comprises a controller driving the transparent organic light-emitting diodes as a function of a parameter capable of adopting a plurality of values, the controller being configured so that the color emitted by the transparent organic light-emitting diodes changes as a function of the value of the parameter ;

- The device comprises an electrical supply and transparent conductive tracks electrically connecting the electrical supply to the transparent capacitive film;

- the transparent organic light-emitting diodes each comprise at least one transparent layer defining an anode or a cathode;

- The rear layer has a large decorative face facing the transparent capacitive film.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a touch control device having the above characteristics.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a device having the above characteristics, the method comprising the following steps:

- supply of a transparent capacitive film;

- printing of a plurality of transparent organic light-emitting diodes on the transparent capacitive film;

- interposition of the transparent capacitive film between a rear layer and a transparent front layer.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

- Figure 1 is a simplified schematic representation of the touch control device of the invention, when the light emitting diodes are not activated, certain hidden elements being shown in broken lines;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1; and

- Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, the light emitting diodes being shown lit;

- Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the control device of Figure 1, for an alternative embodiment in which the light emitting diodes comprise three layers which emit light.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 is a touch control device for a vehicle. The vehicle is typically a motor vehicle, for example a car or a truck.

The touch control device is intended to be integrated into the interior of the vehicle, and more precisely into the passenger compartment.

For example, it is intended to be integrated in the dashboard, in the central console located between the two front passenger seats, in the trim of an opening of the vehicle, or in any other suitable location.

The touch control device is intended to control one or more functions of the vehicle, as will be described later. These functions are of all kinds:

- audio system;

- interior heating and ventilation system;

- air conditioning system for the passenger compartment;

- electric window lift;

- adjustment of mirrors;

- hazard lights ;

- etc.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the device 1 comprises a rear layer 3, a transparent front layer 5 and a transparent capacitive film 7 interposed between the rear layer 3 and the transparent front layer 5. Furthermore, the control device also comprises a plurality of transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9, printed on the transparent capacitive film 7.

The transparent front layer 5 is typically a piece of plastic, for example polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). This layer constitutes the outermost layer of the control device, and faces the interior of the vehicle interior. As a variant, it is covered with a protective layer, which is also transparent, for example a varnish. The transparent front layer 5 is typically not tinted or, as a variant, is slightly tinted.

In the present application, the term “transparent” is intended to mean a material which has a light transmission rate typically comprised of more than 60%.

The transparent capacitive film 7 defines, as visible in FIG. 1, a plurality of control zones 11. In FIG. 1, three control zones 11 are shown. However, the transparent capacitive film defines any number of control zones 11, for example a single zone or two control zones or a large number of control zones 11. The control zones 11 are configured to control different vehicle functions from each other, for example the functions listed above.

Typically, the control zones 11 are spaced from one another. They are arranged in any kind of configuration: in line, in triangle, in square etc.

The constitution of a transparent capacitive film is known, and will not be detailed here.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the transparent front layer 5 has, opposite the passenger compartment, a large face 12. The transparent capacitive film 7 is pressed against the large face 12.

Alternatively, a mechanical protection and electrical insulation layer P is interposed between the transparent capacitive film 7 and the transparent front layer 5 (see FIG. 4). In this case, a layer of adhesive A advantageously fixes the mechanical protection and electrical insulation layer P to the transparent front layer 5. The layers P and A are transparent.

Typically, the transparent capacitive film 7 comprises an electrically conductive layer 13 which covers only the control zones 11. Optionally the space between the control zones 11 is filled with a transparent material 14. This transparent material 14 and the conductive layer 13 together constitute a continuous layer covering the entire large face 12 of the front layer.

As a variant, the electrically conductive layer 13 covers substantially the entire large face 12.

Opposite the transparent front layer 5, the transparent capacitive film 7 comprises an electrically insulating intermediate layer 15.

Organic light emitting diodes are known by the acronym DELo or OLED in English. In known manner, an DELo 9 comprises several layers of organic materials, placed between a layer forming a cathode and a layer forming an anode. The organic semiconductor layers and the anode and cathode layers are transparent. The cathode and anode layers are for example made of tin indium oxide (known by the acronym ITO for Indium Tin Oxide in English).

Light-emitting diodes 9 are printed in line with each control zone 11, so as to draw a pattern symbolizing the function controlled by at said control zone 11. This is visible in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 are printed on the intermediate layer 15, on the long face of this layer opposite to the conductive layer 13.

The space between the light-emitting diodes 9 is filled with a transparent material 17, as visible in FIG. 2. The material 17 and the light-emitting diodes 9 together constitute a continuous layer, covering the entire large face of the intermediate layer 15.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 are configured so as to emit light of a determined color.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. The transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 are printed with several layers 19, 21, 23, which generate lights of different colors from each other. Each light emitting layer 19, 21, 23 is placed between a cathode layer 24 and an anode layer 25.

The light emitting layers 19, 21, 23 are made of transparent organic semiconductor materials and the anode and cathode layers 24, 25 are also transparent. The cathode and anode layers are for example made of ITO.

Each transparent organic light-emitting diode 9 thus comprises three stacks each formed by a light-emitting layer 19, 21, 23 placed between a cathode layer 24 and an anode layer 25, the stacks being separated from each other by intermediate layers 26, 27 of transparent electrically insulating material.

Typically, the colors emitted by the light emitting layers 19, 21, 23 are chosen so that they can be combined to generate light having any shade.

For example, one of the layers generated a red light, the other a blue light and a third a green light.

The control device 1 also comprises an electrical supply 29 and transparent conductive tracks 31 electrically connecting the electrical supply to the transparent capacitive film 7. The transparent conductive tracks 31 are for example made of ITO. This is particularly advantageous when the electrically conductive layer 13 covers only the control zones 11. The tracks then pass through the spaces filled 14 with the transparent material to reach the zones 11, but are invisible.

Furthermore, the control device 1 comprises at least one other power supply 32, and other transparent conductive tracks 33 connecting the light-emitting diodes 9 located at the right of each of the control zones 11 to the or to one or other of the other power supplies 32 The conductive tracks 33 are transparent. They are for example made in ITO.

For example, another transparent intermediate layer 34, electrically insulating, is interposed between the layer or layers containing the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 and the rear layer. It is for example made of plastic. It covers the entire layer or layers containing the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9.

The rear layer 3 has a large decoration face 35 facing the transparent capacitive film 7. The large face 35 carries any decoration: wood, brushed metal, geometric or non-geometric pattern, etc. The large face 35 can be defined by a decorative film integrated into the rear layer 3. It can also be made of the material of the rear layer 3, the latter being for example made of wood or metal.

In contrast to the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9, the intermediate layer 34 is pressed against the large decorative face 35 of the rear layer.

The control device 1 is configured so that the transparent capacitive film 7 controls the organic light-emitting diodes 9. By this is meant that when the transparent capacitive film detects the approach of a user's finger, it controls the light-emitting diodes 9 to light up.

More specifically, when the transparent capacitive film 7 detects that a finger is approaching one of the control zones 11, it controls the light-emitting diodes 9 printed on said control zone 11 to light up. To this end, the control device comprises a controller 37 connected to the transparent capacitive film 7, for example connected to each of the control zones 11 by transparent tracks 38. When the control zone 11 detects the approach of the finger of a user, a control signal is sent to the controller 37. The latter then commands the or one of the other power supplies 32 to light the organic light-emitting diodes printed in line with the corresponding control area.

When the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 are not activated, the large face 35 appears through the different transparent layers of the control device 11.

This is particularly the case when the vehicle is stationary. Passengers see the large face 35 of the rear layer, which is advantageously a decorative surface imitating wood, metal, etc.

According to an alternative embodiment, when the vehicle is in motion, the LEDs are permanently on so as to display pictograms on the front layer. The structure of the touchscreen control device gives an impression of depth, the pictograms appearing floating in the thickness of the control device.

As a variant, the diodes 9 are normally extinguished. When the transparent capacitive film 7 detects the approach of a user's finger to one of the control zones 11, the organic light-emitting diodes 9 printed in front of each of the zones 11 are lit.

According to another variant, when the transparent capacitive film 7 detects the approach of the finger of a user to one of the control zones 11, the organic light-emitting diode or diodes 9 printed in line with said zones 11 are lit. On the other hand, the function controlled by the control zone 11 is only activated when the finger touches the control zone 1.

The variant embodiment of FIG. 4 is particularly advantageous. The controller 37 in this case controls the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 as a function of at least one parameter capable of adopting a plurality of values. The controller 37 is then configured so that the color emitted by the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 change as a function of the value of the parameter (s). More specifically, the color emitted by the light-emitting diodes 9 located at the right of at least one of the control zones 11 changes as a function of the value of the parameter (s).

For example, the diodes located to the right of a control zone 11 can adopt a first color when the function controlled by the control zone 11 is not activated, and another color when this function is activated. According to another example, the light-emitting diodes 9 placed in line with a control zone 11 provided for adjusting the temperature of the air blown by the vehicle ventilation system can adopt a color depending on the chosen temperature.

The controller 37 as a variant is programmed to create animations in each zone 11: flashes, variations in the brightness of the light-emitting diodes etc.

As a variant, at least one transparent organic light-emitting diode 9 comprises a plurality of stacks each formed by a light-emitting layer 19, 21, 23 placed between a cathode layer 24 and an anode layer 25, the stacks being configured to represent different pictograms, and preferably to emit lights of different colors. The controller 37 in this case controls the or each transparent organic light-emitting diode 9 as a function of at least one parameter capable of adopting a plurality of values. The controller 37 is then configured so that the pictogram appearing on the zone 11 corresponding to the diode 9, and possibly the color, changes as a function of the value of the parameter (s). For example, for an audio system, zone 11 can display either the "pause" pictogram, the "stop" pictogram, or the "on" pictogram, depending on the state of the audio system.

In the foregoing, an alternative embodiment has been described in which the light-emitting diodes 9 were placed between the capacitive film 7 and the rear layer 3. According to another variant, the light-emitting diodes 9 are placed between the capacitive film 7 and the front layer transparent 5.

The method of manufacturing a device as described above will now be detailed.

The process includes the following steps:

- obtain a transparent capacitive film 7;

- Printing a plurality of transparent organic light emitting diodes 9 on the transparent capacitive film 7;

- interpose the transparent capacitive film between the rear layer 3 and the transparent front layer 5.

The transparent capacitive film 7 is arranged as described above.

Likewise, the transparent organic light-emitting diodes 9 are arranged as described above.

Electrically insulating intermediate layers 15, 34 are interposed between the transparent capacitive film 7 and the light-emitting diodes 9, and between the light-emitting diodes 9 and the rear layer 3.

The transparent capacitive film 7 is typically bonded with an optical quality adhesive on the transparent front layer 5. The intermediate layer 15 is for example printed on the transparent capacitive film 7. Likewise, the intermediate layer 34 is typically printed on the container layer organic light-emitting diodes 9. It is typically bonded to the rear layer 3, with an adhesive of optical quality.

Claims (10)

1. - Touch control device for a vehicle, the control device (1) comprising: - a rear layer (3); - a transparent front layer (5); - a transparent capacitive film (7) interposed between the rear layer (3) and the transparent front layer (5); - a plurality of transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) printed on the transparent capacitive film (7), the control device (1) being configured so that the transparent capacitive film (7) controls the organic light-emitting diodes (9). 2. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transparent capacitive film (7) defines a plurality of control zones (11), configured to control functions of the vehicle different from each other, transparent organic light emitting diodes ( 9) being printed at the right of each control zone (11) so as to draw a pattern symbolizing the corresponding function. 3. - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) are configured to emit light of predetermined color. 4. - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transparent organic light emitting diodes (9) comprise several light emitting layers (19, 21,23), generating lights of different colors from each other. 5. - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a controller (37) driving the transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) according to a parameter capable of adopting a plurality of values, the controller (37) being configured so that the color emitted by the transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) changes as a function of the value of the parameter. 6. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises an electrical supply (29) and transparent conductive tracks (31) electrically connecting the electrical supply (29) to the transparent capacitive film (7). 7. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) each comprise at least one transparent layer defining an anode or a cathode. 8. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized 5 in that the rear layer (3) has a large decor face (35) facing the transparent capacitive film (7). 9. - Vehicle comprising a touch control device according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. - A method of manufacturing a device according to any one of claims 10 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: - supply of a transparent capacitive film (7); - printing of a plurality of transparent organic light-emitting diodes (9) on the transparent capacitive film (7); - interposition of the transparent capacitive film (7) between a rear layer (3) and a transparent front layer (5). 12 5