FR3062816A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT, VEHICLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device (14) for a vehicle interior equipment (2), the control device comprising an elongate support (16) and a control button (18) slidably mounted along the support (16). for modifying a setting of the indoor equipment (2), at least one electrical device (24) carried by the button (18), and a power supply device (28) configured for the power supply of the electrical device (24) , the power supply device (28) comprising at least one electrical contact (32) disposed on the button (18) and sliding on a conductive track (34) extending along the support (16).

Description

© Publication no .: 3,062,816 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 17 51225 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © IntCI ⁸

B 60 H 1/00 (2017.01), B 60 Q 3/10

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 15.02.17. © Applicant (s): FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE (© Priority: Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): BOUZERDA WASSIM. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 17.08.18 Bulletin 18/33. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): LAVOIX.

CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERIOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, INTERIOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED VEHICLE.

FR 3,062,816 - A1 (5 /) The present invention relates to a control device (14) for interior equipment (2) of a vehicle, the control device comprising an elongated support (16) and a button (18) for control mounted sliding along the support (16) to modify a setting of the interior equipment (2), at least one electrical device (24) carried by the button (18), and a supply device (28) configured to the electrical supply of the electrical device (24), the supply device (28) comprising at least one electrical contact (32) disposed on the button (18) and sliding on a conductive track (34) extending along the support (16).

Vehicle interior equipment control device, vehicle interior equipment and associated vehicle

The present invention relates to the field of control devices for interior equipment of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a device for controlling vehicle interior equipment which is ergonomic and which can have a greater number of functions.

To this end, the invention provides a device for controlling vehicle interior equipment comprising an elongated support and a control button mounted sliding along the support to modify a setting of the interior equipment, at least one electrical device carried by the button, and a supply device configured for the electrical supply of the electrical device, the supply device comprising at least one electrical contact disposed on the button and sliding on a conductive track extending along the support.

The control device may include one or more of the following optional characteristics, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

- the support is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation;

- The support is pivotally mounted by means of at least one articulation configured for the supply of a conductive track via this articulation;

the articulation comprises a movable part and a complementary fixed part and engaged one inside the other, a conductive track joining the movable part and the fixed part being at least partly conductive to ensure electrical contact between the fixed part and the conductive track;

- The button is linked in rotation to the support, the button being manipulated to rotate the support around its axis of rotation;

- the rotation of the support modifies a setting of the interior equipment;

- At least one electrical contact comprises a fixing portion fixed to the button and a contact portion configured to come into contact with a conductive track;

the electrical contact comprises at least two fixing portions fixed on the button and a contact portion located between the two fixing portions;

- The contact portion is arched, in particular in an arc;

- the support is a fin for orienting an air flow;

- the fin is rotatably mounted to modify the orientation of the air flow;

- the electrical device comprises a light source;

- which the button has a light output through which the light generated by the light source leaves the button and a light guide extending between the light source and the light output;

- the light source is carried by a flexible film fixed on the button.

The invention also relates to vehicle interior equipment comprising a control device as defined above.

According to a particular aspect, the interior equipment is an aerator of a ventilation system for the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the aerator comprising an outlet opening configured to eject an air flow and an adjustment device configured to adjust the flow of air exiting through the outlet opening, and the controller is configured to control the adjuster.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an interior equipment control device as defined above.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front view of a vehicle interior equipment comprising a control device for modifying a setting of the interior equipment;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the control device;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view of the control device according to III-III in Figure 4;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view of the control device according to IV-IV in Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the control device from a different angle of view than that of Figure 2, a control button being shown in transparency to see the inside; and

- Figure 6 is a front view illustrating a variant of the interior equipment of Figure 1.

The interior equipment 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to be placed inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

The interior equipment 2 here is an aerator of a ventilation system for the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It comprises an outlet opening 4 for the ejection of an air flow and an adjustment device 6 for regulating the air flow leaving through the outlet opening 4.

The outlet opening 4 is located on an interior trim 8 of the vehicle, for example a dashboard, a door panel, a central console, a ceiling light, etc.

The adjusting device 6 is configured for adjusting the orientation and / or adjusting the flow rate of the outgoing air flow.

The adjustment device 6 comprises for example at least one mobile air flow adjustment member for modifying the orientation of the air flow and / or for adjusting the flow rate of the air flow exiting through the outlet opening 4 .

An adjustment member is, for example, a pivoting fin whose orientation makes it possible to orient the air flow or a pivoting flap whose pivoting makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the air flow.

In the example illustrated, the adjustment device 6 comprises substantially horizontal fins 10, the orientation of which makes it possible to orient the air flow vertically, and substantially vertical fins 12, the orientation of which allows to orient the flow of air horizontally.

The interior equipment 2 has a control device 14 configured to modify a setting of the interior equipment 2. The control device 14 is here configured to control the adjustment device 6.

The control device 14 comprises an elongated support 16 and a control button 18 slidably mounted along the support 16 (arrow F) to modify a setting of the interior equipment 2.

The button 18 can be manipulated by a user to slide the button 18 along the support 16, and thus modify a setting of the interior equipment 2.

As is best seen in Figures 2 to 5, the support 16 is elongated in an extension direction A and the button 18 is slidably mounted along the support 16 in the extension direction A.

Furthermore, in the example illustrated, the support 16 is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation B, the rotation of the support 16 modifying an adjustment of the interior equipment.

2. The axis of rotation B is parallel to the direction of extension A.

The button 18 is linked to the support 16 around the axis of rotation B. The button 18 can therefore be manipulated by a user to rotate the support 16 around the axis of rotation B, and thus modify an adjustment of the equipment. interior 2.

Thus, the button 18 can be manipulated by a user to slide the button along the support 16 and to jointly rotate the button 18 and the support 16 around the axis of rotation B.

The control device 14 is here configured to control the orientation of the fins 10, 12.

The button 18 is provided with a button control portion 20 mechanically connected to the vertical fins 12, so that the movement of the control button 18 along the support 16 modifies the orientation of the vertical fins 12.

The support 16 is here provided with a support control portion 22 mechanically connected to the horizontal fins 10, so that the rotation of the support 16 modifies the orientation of the horizontal fins 10.

The control device 14 comprises an electrical device 24 (Figures 3 and 5) carried by the button 18.

The electrical device 24 is received in a housing 26 formed inside the button 18.

The control device 14 comprises a supply device 28 for the electrical supply of the electrical device 24 carried by the button 18.

The supply device 28 comprises at least one supply assembly 30, each supply assembly 30 comprising an electrical contact 32 carried by the button 18 and a conductive track 34 carried by the support 16, so that the electrical contact 32 slides along the conductive track 34 and is in permanent contact with the conductive track 34 when the button 18 slides along the support 16.

The supply device 28 here comprises two supply assemblies 30, each supply assembly 30 comprising a contact 32 carried by the button 18 and an associated conductive track 34 carried by the support 16.

The power supply device 28 comprises an electrical source 36 (Figure 2) electrically connected to the conductive tracks 34.

In the example illustrated, the electrical device 24 comprises a light source 38 (Figure 3). The light source 38 is for example a light emitting diode (or LED for “Light Emitting Diode” in English).

The electrical device 24 comprises a support film 40 carrying the light source 38 and received in the housing 26. The film 40 is flexible. Thus, the film 40 is shaped to the shape of the housing 26 for fixing the electrical device 24 to the button 18.

The electrical device 24 comprises conductive links 42 extending over the film and connecting the electrical contacts 32 to the terminals of the light source 38 for the electrical supply thereof.

The button 18 has a mounting part 44 slidably mounted on the support 16 and a grip part 46 which can be manipulated by a user to move the button 18 along the support 16, and, optionally, pivot the button 18 and the support 16 around of the extension axis.

The mounting part 44 has a U shape or in a jumper, the support 16 being engaged between the two branches of the mounting part 44. Each electrical contact 32 is located on a respective branch, and each conductive track 34 extends over a respective face of the support 16. Each electrical contact 32 is disposed on an internal face of the branch carrying this electrical contact 32, to come into contact with a conductive track 34 of the support 16 located opposite.

The electrical device 24 is disposed inside the mounting part 44, the film 40 comprising an intermediate portion 48 carrying the light source 38 and two lateral portions 50, each lateral portion 50 extending in a respective branch of the mounting part 44 and receiving an electrical contact 32 (Figures 3 and 5).

As is better visible in Figures 4 and 5, each electrical contact 32 has at least one fixing portion 52 fixed to the button 18 and a contact portion 54 in contact with the conductive track 34 associated. The contact portion 54 is here arcuate. This allows sliding with a reliable and lasting contact.

In the example illustrated, each electrical contact 32 has the shape of an arcuate tongue having two fixing portions 52 fixed on the button 18 and a contact portion 54 located between the two fixing portions 52 and in contact with the conductive track. 34 corresponding. This ensures reliable fixing of the electrical contact 32 on the button 18.

In a variant, an electrical contact 32 has a single fixing portion 52, and the contact portion 54 extends in overhang from the button 18.

Returning to Figure 3, the gripping portion 46 extends from the mounting portion 44 and has a free end 46A opposite the mounting portion 44. In the example illustrated, the gripping portion 46 s' tapers towards its free end 46A.

The button 18 has a light outlet 56, through which light generated by the light source 38 exits from the button 18, and a light guide 58 extending between the light source 38 and the light outlet 56.

The light outlet 56 is arranged at the free end 46A of the grip part 46 of the button 18. The light guide 58 extends in the grip part 46, from its end linked to the mounting part 44 up to at the light outlet 56 located at the free end 46A.

Returning to FIG. 2, the support 16 is pivotally mounted by means of at least one articulation 60. In the example illustrated, the support 16 is pivotally mounted by means of two articulations 60, each arranged at a respective end 16A of the support 16.

Each articulation 60 comprises a movable part 62 and a fixed part 64 complementary and engaged one in the other.

In the example illustrated, each articulation 60 has a movable part 62 male and a fixed part 64 female.

Each articulation is here a pivot connection having as a pivot axis the axis of rotation B of the support 16. The movable part 62 of each articulation 60 is a pivot and the fixed part 64 of each articulation is a bearing receiving the pivot.

In a possible variant, the configuration of a joint 60 or of the two joints 60 is reversed: the fixed part 64 is male, for example a pivot, and the mobile part 62 is female, for example a bearing.

Each conductive track 34 of the support 16 is supplied with electricity by means of a joint 60. Each conductive track 34 is here supplied with electricity by means of a respective joint 60.

Each conductive track 34 joins the mobile part 62 of a joint 60, the joint 60 being configured for the electrical connection of the conductive track 34 joining this joint 60 to the source of electricity 36 over the entire angular movement of the support 16 around of the extension axis.

In the example illustrated, each conductive track 34 has a connection portion 66 which covers the movable part 62 of the articulation 60, the fixed part 64 of the articulation 60 being at least partly conductive so as to ensure electrical contact. between the mobile part 62 and the fixed part 64. In addition, the fixed part 64 is electrically connected to the electric source 36.

In the example illustrated, each conductive track 34 has a connection portion 66 which externally covers the pivot forming the male movable part 62 of the articulation 60, the fixed part 64 of the articulation 60 having an internal conductive surface so as to ensuring electrical contact, this internal surface being electrically connected to the electrical source 36.

In a variant in which the configuration of a hinge 60 is reversed, the connection portion 66 internally covers the mobile part 62 female and the fixed part 64 male has an external conductive surface to ensure electrical contact, the external conductive surface being connected electrically from the electric source 36.

In another variant, a conductive track 34 comprises a circumferential connection portion 66 extending around the axis of rotation B, and the control device 14 comprises a connection brush fixed to the fixed part 64 of the joint and in electrical contact with the connection portion 66, the brush being connected to the electrical source 36.

In operation, to modify a setting of the interior equipment 2, here the orientation and / or the flow rate of the air flow leaving the aerator, the user manipulates the button 18 to slide the button 18 along the support 16, and possibly to rotate support 16.

The electrical device 24 integrated into the button 18 is supplied with electricity via the conductive tracks 34 which extend along the support 16, and electrical contacts 32 carried by the button 18 and which ensure permanent electrical contact with the tracks conductive 34 over the entire stroke of the button 18 along the support 16.

In the example illustrated, the conductive tracks 34 are themselves supplied with electricity via the articulations 60 by means of which the support 16 is pivotally mounted, and this over the entire angular movement of the support 16 around its axis of rotation B .

The light source 38 supplied with electricity from the electric source 36 generates light which leaves the button 18 through the light outlet 56.

Thus, the control device 14 of the invention makes it possible to integrate an electrical device 24 with the button 18, which increases its functionalities, while ensuring the electrical supply of this electrical device 24 during the manipulations of the button 18.

In particular, the electrical device 24 comprises a light source 36 making it possible to generate light visible to the user. Such a functionality notably makes it possible to increase the quality perceived by the user.

The electrical supply of the electrical device 24 is provided in a reliable and simple manner by means of each supply assembly comprising an electrical contact 32 sliding along the conductive track 34.

Each power supply unit 30 can be produced discreetly and with small dimensions, which allows its integration discreetly and, preferably, not visible to a user.

The control device provides simple and reliable lighting on the control button, although this control button is movable along the support. The lighting increases the visibility of the control button, which makes it easier for the driver to use, especially at night or in the dark.

In addition, it is possible to provide a button lighting with a variable intensity and / or a variable color, adjustable (s) at the driver's choice or varying (s) automatically according to driving conditions (for example: day / night ) and / or the adjustment of the equipment (e.g. hot air / cold air for an aerator).

The driver's choice allows you to choose the intensity and / or color to suit the driver's taste. The variation depending on the driving conditions makes it possible, for example, to adapt the lighting to the ambient light, in particular so that the lighting is visible without disturbing the driver. It is possible to provide active lighting only at night, the lighting being inactive during the day. The variation according to the setting of the equipment provides the driver with an indication of the current setting of the equipment, for example checking the activation or selection of a function.

The invention is not limited to the examples shown and / or described. Variants are possible.

Thus, Figure 6 illustrates an example which differs from that of Figure 1 in that the support 16 is defined by a fin 10 for orienting the air flow. The fin 10 is elongated in an extension direction A. In order to allow the orientation of the air flow, the fin

10 is pivotable about an axis of rotation B, here parallel to the direction of extension A. The control button 18 is slidably mounted along the fin 10, here along the axis of rotation B.

Claims (11)

1 Control device (14) for interior equipment (2) of a vehicle, the control device comprising an elongated support (16) and a control button (18) slidably mounted along the support (16) to modify a setting of the interior equipment (2), at least one electrical device (24) carried by the button (18), and a supply device (28) configured for the electrical supply of the electrical device (24), the power supply (28) comprising at least one electrical contact (32) disposed on the button (18) and sliding on a conductive track (34) extending along the support (16). 2. - control device (14) according to claim 1, wherein the support (16) is pivotally mounted by means of at least one articulation (60) configured for the supply of a conductive track (34) via this articulation (60). 3. - control device (14) according to claim 2, wherein the articulation (60) comprises a movable part (62) and a fixed part (64) complementary and engaged one in the other, a conductive track (34) joining the movable part (62) and the fixed part (64) being at least partly conductive to ensure electrical contact between the fixed part (64) and the conductive track (34). 4. - control device (14) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the button (18) is rotatably linked to the support (16), the button (18) being manipulated to rotate the support (16) around its axis of rotation (B). 5. - Control device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one electrical contact (32) comprises a fixing portion (52) fixed on the button (18) and a contact portion (54 ) configured to come into contact with a conductive track (34). 6. - Control device (14) according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion (54) is arcuate, in particular in an arc. 7. - Control device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical device (24) comprises a light source (38). 8. - A control device (14) according to claim 7, wherein the button (18) has a light outlet (56) through which the light generated by the light source (38) exits the button and a light guide (58) extending between the light source (38) and the light outlet (56). 9. - control device (14) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the light source (38) is carried by a flexible film fixed on the button (18). 10. - Interior equipment (2) of a vehicle comprising a control device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. - interior equipment (2) of vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the interior equipment (2) is an aerator of a ventilation system of the passenger compartment 5 vehicle, the aerator comprising an outlet opening (4) configured to eject an air flow and an adjustment device (6) configured to regulate the air flow leaving through the outlet opening (4), and wherein the control device (14) is configured to control the adjustment device (6). 10 12, - Vehicle comprising an interior equipment control device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 1/6