FR3079174A1 - CONTROL INTERFACE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD AND / OR THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle comprising a control panel (8) assigned to control the operation by the driver at least one air conditioning installation (2). The human-machine interface also comprises a control device (3) with lever (7) tilting assigned to the control by the driver of the operation at least of wipers (4a, 4b) and sprinklers (5a, 5b) equipping at least one rear window (1b) and / or one windshield (1a) of the vehicle. The control device (3) is furthermore assigned to the control by the driver of at least one defogging and / or de-icing control of at least the rear window (1b), and / or the windshield (1a), via at least one actuator operable by the driver and comprising at least one of the lever (7) and / or a control member (14a, 14b) mounted on the lever (7).

Description

CONTROL INTERFACE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD AND / OR REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.

The present invention relates to the man-machine interface in the context of an application to motor vehicles. The invention relates more specifically to a control interface by the driver of a motor vehicle, of the treatment of the windshield and / or of the rear window of the vehicle for their demisting / defrosting, their wiping and / or their cleaning.

Motor vehicles are commonly provided with various equipment to improve the comfort of the vehicle interior and / or to provide a safe driving of the vehicle. Such equipment is then implemented at least under the driver's control, via control means which are distributed in the passenger compartment within easy reach of the driver.

For example concerning the comfort of the vehicle interior, an air conditioning installation, or in other words a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, makes it possible to ventilate the interior and / or to draw towards the passenger compartment heat-treated air for heating or cooling depending on weather conditions. To make driving safer, the air conditioning system is also used for demisting / defrosting the vehicle windshield by air ventilation, and for demisting / defrosting the rear window of the vehicle, which integrates into this effect an electrical resistance comprising one or more components.

The driver then conventionally has a control panel installed at the driving position, via which the air conditioning installation can be implemented by the driver. The control panel comprises several control members, including at least those controlling the operation of the air conditioning installation and / or the activation of the electrical resistance integrated in the rear window.

Still concerning the securing of the driving of the vehicle, the windshield and / or the rear window are commonly each equipped with at least one wiper. The wipers are used to wipe the windshield and / or the rear window in the presence of humidity and / or runoff, rain in particular. The windshield wipers are also used for cleaning the windshield and / or the rear window in the event of loss of visibility through them by the driver, using if necessary a cleaning fluid sprayed towards the windshield and / or towards the rear window rear via sprinklers.

The driver then conventionally has a control device with multiple control functions, to implement the windshield wipers and / or sprinklers according to predefined operating modes. The control device is commonly of the tilting lever type carrying several control members which can be operated by the driver.

More particularly, the lever of the control device is pivotally mounted on the steering column of the vehicle near the steering wheel, via a control unit. Relative to the driver in the vehicle driving station, the lever is pivotally mounted at its distal end, being typically maneuverable by the driver on the one hand in a first direction vertically up and / or down, and on the other hand leaves in a second direction transversely forward and / or rearward.

The lever is mounted movable in tilting on the control unit which is installed at the top of the steering column and below the steering wheel. The control unit centralizes the various control orders issued at least by said control device via the lever and / or the various control members with which it is equipped. Following an operation by the driver of one or more control members, the control orders transmitted to the control unit are distributed to the equipment of the vehicle to be operated, windshield wipers and sprinklers in particular.

The lever constitutes one of the control members of the control device, various control functions being assigned to it according to its various tilting operating positions. The lever itself is commonly the carrier of the other control members of the control device, such as for example one or more rotating rings mounted at the proximal end of the lever, and / or at least one push button installed at the proximal end of the lever and maneuverable in translation towards the inside of the lever in its main direction of extension, or even, for example, even touch-sensitive keys.

The various control members of the control device are likely to be in multiple positions which can be individually stable and / or unstable position, according to their predefined modes of issuing control orders as a result of their operation by the driver. The control functions and / or the arrangement of the control members are then determined by the designers according to the desired ergonomics of the control device.

To find out about a technological environment close to the present invention, reference may for example be made to documents FR3051154 (PEUGEOT CITROËN AUTOMOBILES) and FR2958793 (PEUGEOT CITROËN AUTOMOBILES), which describe tilting lever control devices which can be operated by the driver a motor vehicle to control the operation of the windscreen wipers and / or sprinklers fitted to the vehicle.

The evolution of the automobile market tends to increase the equipment of motor vehicles, in particular to improve their comfort and / or the safety of their driving. As a result, the number of control means equipping the vehicle and maneuverable by the driver to control the operation of the vehicle equipment is also increased. It is also frequent that the implementation of an equipment also implies the display of at least one indicator of its operation, which must be visually accessible quickly and without difficulty by the driver.

In this context, the global problem of the machine interface arises concerning the organization of the various control devices equipping a motor vehicle and maneuverable by the driver. The increase in the various control means and / or in the various indicators of the operation of the vehicle equipment makes it difficult to organize their installation at the vehicle driving position.

As part of an improvement in the man-machine interface, it is therefore appropriate to organize the installation in the passenger compartment of the various control means and / or their operation by the driver, while avoiding damaging the peace of mind of the driver and / or by proposing to him methods of ordering vehicle equipment which are rational and consistent with regard to the expected results on his comfort in driving the vehicle.

The present invention is part of this human-machine interface problem, in the context of an arrangement of a device for controlling the operation of the wipers and / or sprinklers fitted to a motor vehicle, in particular of the lever type. tilting above.

The object of the invention is to propose, in the context of an improvement in the man-machine interface, a solution making it possible to improve the comfort and / or the security of the driving of the vehicle by the driver.

It is more specifically targeted by the invention to rationalize, to bring into coherence and / or to simplify the gestures which the driver must perform in order to achieve the desired end result (s), in particular in which concerns the visibility conditions through the glass walls of the vehicle, rear window and / or windshield in particular.

The aims of the present invention are achieved by applying the following provisions, considered individually or in combination.

On the basis of an approach relating to the presentation of the state of the art which has just been made, it is noted a dispersion of the locations at the driving position of the various control means controlling the equipment providing a windshield treatment and / or the rear window to improve visibility through them.

It is more particularly noted that the defogging / defrosting functions of the windshield and / or the rear window are commonly controlled from the control panel assigned to the implementation of the air conditioning installation, while those related to the operation of the wipers and / or sprinklers are controlled from the tilting lever control device.

According to the approach of the invention, it is concluded that such a dispersion in the driving position of the control means operable by the driver to globally treat the windshield and / or the rear window in order to provide visibility through their adapted to a safe driving of the vehicle, is the result of an inconsistency which affects the relevance of the human-machine interface.

According to the invention, the choice is made to group together on the same control device the means for controlling the operation of the wipers and / or sprinklers, and those for demisting / defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window which are traditionally installed on the control panel for the operation of the air conditioning installation.

Thus, all of the commands related to the overall processing of the windshield and / or the rear window to improve visibility through them are grouped together on the same control device. In addition, the control device is chosen as being the tilting lever control device familiarly used by the driver to specifically treat the windshield and / or the rear window by wiping and / or cleaning.

Such a choice also opens, without limitation, the possibilities of ergonomically organizing the methods of demisting / defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window by allowing:

-) to reduce both structural and assembly costs on the vehicle linked to the provision of control and display functions assigned to demisting and / or defrosting the rear window and / or the windscreen,

-) to further improve the relevance of the man-machine interface concerning the overall processing methods of the windshield and / or the rear window aimed at improving visibility through them,

-) to avoid interfering with the implementation of the air conditioning installation by the driver who specifically wishes to improve the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment.

-) allow the driver to control both demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window, and improving the thermal comfort of the vehicle interior via the air conditioning system according to specific procedures independent of a heat treatment of the windshield and / or the rear window.

-) to take into consideration the case, in particular under cold and dry climatic conditions, according to which the driver does not feel the need to wipe and / or clean the rear window and / or the windshield but wishes their heat treatment. An optional function for automating the heat treatment of the rear window and / or the windshield can for this purpose be advantageously automated.

More particularly still, it is proposed to avoid confusion for the driver by choosing to assign the demisting / defrosting controls of the rear window and the windshield, to an activation of electrical resistances which they integrate respectively. The methods of demisting / defrosting the rear window and / or the windscreen thus come under activation by the driver, via the same so-called familiar control device, of the same type of heating elements, namely the so-called electrical resistances.

More particularly still, it is also noted that the commands by the driver of the demisting / defrosting functions respectively of the windshield and the rear window are traditionally shared on the control panel assigned to the implementation of the conditioning installation. air.

According to the approach of the invention, it is concluded that such pooling is still an inconsistency affecting the relevance of the human-machine interface. Indeed, the treatment needs of the windshield and / or the rear window to improve visibility through them may be different, not only because of the potentially differentiated states of visibility through them, but also according to the wishes and / or driver visibility requirements at a given time.

It is therefore still made the choice to preferably segregate on said same control device with tilting lever, the demisting / defrosting controls on the one hand of the windshield and on the other hand of the rear window.

Advantage can be taken of the control members already present on the control device which are respectively and individually dedicated to wiping and / or cleaning the windshield and the rear window. Indicators for displaying the respective implementations of the demisting / defrosting functions on the one hand of the windshield and on the other hand of the rear window, can also advantageously be installed on the control device.

The installation of said indicators on the tilting lever control device can be carried out at lower cost and in coherence with the visual perception by the driver of the display of the functions related to the processing of the windshield and the rear window via the control device. with tilting lever.

In addition, the driver's visual perception of such tell-tales does not interfere with that of the tell-tales associated with the control panel via which the driver controls at least the operation of the air conditioning installation. It is also made available at least one location on the control panel for the installation of a control member and / or of a witness assigned to any other function in the abovementioned context of a constant increase in vehicle equipment. .

From then on and from a management of the man-machine interface felt coherently by the driver, the driver can control a demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window from distinct approaches with regard to specific situations, including:

-) a first step in the overall treatment of visibility through the windshield and / or the rear window via only the tilting lever control device, comprising not only their wiping and / or cleaning but also their demisting and / or defrosting , in particular via electrical resistors, and -) a second approach to heat treatment of the passenger compartment of the vehicle to improve comfort via pulsed air flows to the passenger compartment by the air conditioning installation. Such an air flow can be pulsed towards the windshield for its admission inside the passenger compartment, but the control of such a sending of air flow towards the windshield can be the result of a driver approach aimed at thermally improve the passenger compartment, which is independent of that specifically designed to provide demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield.

Furthermore, said grouping of control members on the control device with tilting lever also makes it possible to install thereon one or more control members assigned to one or more optional functions relating to the treatment of the windshield and / or the rear window. More specifically, it is also proposed to equip the tilting lever control device with at least one function of automatic regulation of the implementation of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or of the rear window.

Such a regulating function can, for example, implement a time delay regulating the duration of activation of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or of the rear window. For example again, such a regulating function can implement at least one external temperature sensor and / or one frost sensor, depending on which or which demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window are kept in operation.

The various control members fitted to the control device are likely to have multiple control positions, individually stable or unstable.

From the approach of the invention, the relevance of the man-machine interface allowing the driver to control all of the functions for global processing of the windshield and / or the rear window to improve overall visibility through them. .

In particular, the following provisions should be noted:

-) the control element (s) and the indicator (s) associated therewith, which are assigned to the activation of the defogging and / or defrosting functions of the windshield and / or the rear window, in particular via electrical resistances, may be absent from the control panel controlling the operation of the air conditioning installation as a result of their transfer to the control device. The control elements and the associated indicators for the driver's control of the operation of the air conditioning installation can only be maintained on the control panel.

-) the control members of the demisting and / or defrosting functions respectively of the windshield and the rear window are preferably segregated on the control device by being formed by the multi-position control members for activating the wiping and / or cleaning the windshield and the rear window respectively.

According to a general approach of the present invention, there is provided a man-machine interface of a motor vehicle comprising a control panel assigned to the control of operation by the driver at least of an air conditioning installation, and a device control lever assigned to the control by the driver of the operation of at least wipers and sprinklers fitted to at least one rear window and / or a vehicle windshield. Typically, the control panel is installed near or below the vehicle dashboard, and the lever control device is installed near the steering wheel while being mounted on the vehicle's steering column, in particular via a control box. ordered.

In this context, the invention is recognizable in that the control device is also assigned to the control by the driver of at least one demisting and / or de-icing command at least of the rear window and / or the windscreen, via at least one activation member operable by the driver and comprising at least one of the lever and / or of a control member mounted on the lever. In other words, a demisting and / or defrosting at least of the rear window, and preferably also of the windscreen, can be controlled by means of the control device, via individually either the lever or said control member, or in combination via the lever and the controller.

In this case, the control panel can be dispensed, or in other words free, from control member (s) specifically assigned to the demisting and / or defrosting at least of the rear window and preferably also of the windshield. It can then only be maintained on the control panel of the control members associated with means for displaying the implementation of the air conditioning installation, according to activation methods by the driver aimed solely at providing a heat treatment of the passenger compartment without taking account of a procedure aimed at demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window.

According to one embodiment, said at least one activation member is a member for controlling the activation of electrical resistors respectively integrated monthly into the rear window and / or the windscreen providing their demisting / defrosting. The control panel is then advantageously free of a member for activating the electrical resistances.

According to one embodiment, the control device is equipped with at least two said activation members. At least one first activation member is assigned to control the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield. At least one second activation member is assigned to control the demisting and / or defrosting of the rear window.

More particularly according to one embodiment, the first activation member comprises a first multi-position control member further assigned to the control by the driver of the operation of at least one wiper and / or at least one sprinkler fitted to the windshield. The second activation member comprises a second multi-position control member further assigned to the driver's control of the operation of at least one wiper and / or at least one nozzle fitted to the rear window.

Each of the multiple positions of said first and second control members is potentially a stable position or an unstable position. At least one of the multiple positions of each of said first and second control members is predefined for use by the driver in order to control the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window, in particular by activating the electrical resistances. The other multiple positions of each of said first and second control members are each predefined for use by the driver in order to control at least the wiping and / or cleaning of the windshield and / or the rear window, in particular by activating the windshield wipers and / or sprinklers fitted respectively to the windshield and the rear window.

More specifically according to an embodiment:

-) the first control member comprises at least the lever. A demisting and / or defrosting command for the windshield is issued by the driver via at least one impulse maneuver in an unstable position of the lever in tilting. -) the second control member comprises at least one ring, called proximal, rotatably mounted around the lever. A demisting and / or defrosting command for the rear window is issued by the driver via at least one impulse maneuver in an unstable position of the proximal ring in rotation.

It will be noted that the controls for demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and the rear window are carried out according to pulses operated respectively on the lever and on the proximal ring. Such impulse maneuvers are of the same impulse nature, which makes it possible to avoid confusion on the part of the driver as to the nature of the gestures to be carried out to control the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and the rear window respectively.

The lever is potentially tiltable in each of the opposite directions of two concurrent directions.

As regards the demisting and / or defrosting control of the windshield, the lever tilting maneuver is then preferably operated by the driver on an impulse from an unstable position when the lever is tilted according to a first tilting direction of a first direction of tilting of the lever. For example, the demisting and / or defrosting control of the windshield is carried out by the driver from a pulse operated on the lever downwards with regard to the driver's station in the driving position of the vehicle. One or more operations of the lever up are then reserved for the operation of the windscreen wipers fitted to the windshield.

According to one embodiment, a control of a wiping of the windshield by the windscreen wiper or wipers with which it is equipped according to a single sweeping round trip is for example carried out by the driver from a combination of a actuation by impulse of the lever in tilting in the first direction of the first direction of tilting, which can be associated with an operation in translation in push-pull of the lever.

According to a preferred variant, a command for wiping the windshield by the windscreen wiper or wipers with which it is equipped according to a single sweeping round trip is carried out by the driver via at least one push button whose lever is equipped with its proximal end.

According to one embodiment, a control of a wiping of the windshield by the windscreen wiper or wipers with which it is equipped according to a repetitive sweep, is preferably carried out by the driver from a maneuver in tilting of the lever in a position stable in the second tilting direction opposite to the first tilting direction of the first tilting direction.

According to one embodiment, a command to clean the windshield by activating the windscreen wiper (s) and the sprinkler (s) with which it is equipped is preferably carried out by the driver from a lever tilting operation in an unstable position in one of the directions of tilting of a second direction of tilting of the lever, such as for example a first direction of the direction of tilting oriented towards the driver in the driving position of the vehicle.

The proximal ring is notably installed at the proximal end of the lever opposite its distal end via which the lever is articulated in tilting on the steering column of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the proximal ring is potentially mobile in rotation in two opposite directions. As regards the demisting and / or defrosting control of the rear window, the rotation of the ring is then carried out by the driver on an impulse from an unstable position of the proximal ring in a first direction of rotation.

The impulse commands with unstable position which are applied by the driver to the lever and / or to the proximal ring to control the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and the rear window respectively, are operated from stable reference positions respectively of the lever and ring. In particular with regard to the proximal ring, its stable reference position can be identified by the driver via a pictogram marked on the lever, such as for example the number zero.

According to one embodiment, said at least one control for demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window is timed. At least one demisting and / or defrosting delay of the windshield and / or the rear window during activation can be deactivated by the driver via a predefined maneuver of said at least one activation member.

According to a manual operating mode of the control device, the time delay (s) make it possible to interrupt the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window, according to the result obtained on the visibility through it judged by the driver. taking into account in particular the initial state of the windshield only in the fogged state or in the fogged and / or frosted state.

Preferably, the deactivation of said time delay is carried out by the driver from an impulse operated on the lever and / or on the proximal ring in the same first direction of their maneuver having previously activated the demisting and / or defrosting respectively of the windshield and rear window.

According to one embodiment, the control device is provided with at least one automatic defogging and / or defrosting control function for the windshield and / or the rear window. The implementation of said automatic control function is preferably subject on the one hand to a predefined stable positioning by the driver of at least one annex control member equipping the control device, and on the other hand to a detection by at least one external temperature sensor and / or by at least one frost sensor of the presence of mist and / or frost on the windshield and / or on the rear window.

Said annex control member preferably comprises a ring, called a distal ring, rotatably mounted on the lever near the proximal ring, being interposed between the proximal ring and the distal end of the lever via which the lever is articulated on the vehicle steering column.

In particular, an optional mode of automatic operation of the control device is taken into account, according to which an activation of the demister and / or the windshield and / or the rear window is spontaneously caused in the event of detection of fogging and / or frost on the windshield and / or on the rear window. In this case, demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window are automatically implemented subject to placement by the driver of the adjoining control member in said predefined stable position.

According to one embodiment in the event of an implementation of said automatic control function and of a detection of frost on the windshield and / or on the rear window by said at least one frost sensor, the implementation of windshield wipers as a result of a wiping control operated by the driver is preferably conditioned by the defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window detected by said at least one frost sensor.

Said annex control member is preferably formed of said distal ring. However, it is understood that said annex control member can be configured differently. For example According to a variant, said annex control member can have at least one annex push button installed at the proximal end of the control lever.

According to one embodiment, the control device is equipped with at least one indicator for implementing demisting and / or defrosting the windshield and / or the rear window. The control panel is free of any indicator associated with the implementation of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield and / or the rear window via the control device.

More particularly according to one embodiment, the control device is equipped with at least two indicators distinctly displayed during the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield respectively on the one hand and of the rear window on the other hand. Such indicators are preferably associated with pictograms marked on the control device for their rapid and easy identification by the driver.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a man-machine interface according to the invention. Preferably, the air conditioning installation is exclusively assigned to the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment by being implemented by the driver via the control panel. The driver's commands to demist and / or defrost the rear window and / or the windshield are carried out via the control device by means of said activation members, in particular for controlling activation of said electrical resistors integrated into the windshield and the rear window.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in relation to the single FIG. 1 of the appended plate, which schematically represents a man-machine interface according to the invention.

Figure 1 and its detailed description discloses the invention in specific ways which are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Figure 1 and its detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be used to better define it, if necessary in relation to the general description which has just been made.

In Figure 1, there is schematically shown some equipment of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The equipment shown includes a windshield 1a, a rear window 1b, an air conditioning installation 2 and a control device 3 with tilting lever 7.

The rear window 1b and the windshield 1a are conventionally each fitted with at least one wiper 4a, 4b and at least one nozzle 5a, 5b. The wipers 4a, 4b make it possible to wipe the windshield 1a and the rear window 1b, and participate in their cleaning. To clean the windshield 1a and / or the rear window 1b, these are also equipped with nozzles 5a, 5b for spraying a cleaning liquid, the wipers 4a, 4b sweeping the windshield 1a and / or the rear window 1 b then participating in their cleaning.

Furthermore the rear window 1b and the windshield 1a, each incorporate an electrical resistance 6a, 6b to one or more components. Such electrical resistances 6a, 6b provide a heat treatment of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b for their demisting and / or defrosting.

The air conditioning installation 2 is conventionally configured to treat at least one flow of air F1, F2, F3 and draw it towards the passenger compartment to improve thermal comfort. The air conditioning installation 2 thus selectively provides ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air flows F1, F2, F3 are sent to various zones inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, in particular at the front, rear and / or at the right and left sides of the passenger compartment.

For example as usual, at least one air flow F3 is pulsed towards the foot areas of the passengers. At least one air flow F1 is pulsed towards transversely median zones and / or right and left zones of the passenger compartment with respect to the passengers. An air flow F2 is pulsed in the direction of the windshield 1a, the curve of which is advantageously used to return the air generally towards the interior of the passenger compartment.

In this context, the driver of the vehicle has the control device 3 to control the implementation of the equipment providing a global treatment of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b to improve visibility through them. Such equipment includes in particular the wipers 4a, 4b, the nozzles 5a, 5b and the electrical resistors 6a, 6b. The driver also has a control panel 8 for the operation of the air conditioning installation 2.

The control panel 8 conventionally comprises various control means that can be activated by the driver to selectively implement the various pieces of equipment that comprise the air installation. When the control means are activated by the driver, indicators provide the driver with information relating to the operation of the air conditioning installation 2.

As usual, the control means equipping the control panel 8 essentially comprise at least:

-) a first control means 8a for implementing and / or stopping the air conditioning installation 2. A visual control by the driver of the activation of the air conditioning installation 2 is provided by a witness 9a associated with a pictogram 10a.

-) a second control means 8b for regulating the temperature of the air flows F1 right and left relative to the driver which are pulsed towards the passenger compartment. Visual control by the driver of the individual temperatures of the right and left air flows F1 is provided by visuals 9b integrated into a display screen 11a.

-) a third control means 8c of the power of the air flows F1, F2, F3 generated by the air conditioning installation 2 and sent to the passenger compartment. Visual control by the driver of the power of the air flows F1, F2, F3 sent is provided by visuals 9c integrated into the display screen 11a.

-) a fourth control means 8d for choosing the areas of the passenger compartment towards which the air flows F1, F2, F3 are pulsed. Visual control by the driver of the direction or directions of admission of the air flows F1, F2, F3 into the passenger compartment is provided by tell-tales 9d, for example configured in light pictograms integrated into the fourth control means 8d as illustrated, or on the display screen 11a.

The control device 3 comprises a lever 7 configured to be pivotally mounted on the steering column 12a of the vehicle near the steering wheel 12b. The mounting of the lever 7 on the steering column 12a is carried out via a control unit 13 which centralizes the control orders 13a, 13b emitted by the control device 3 and transmits them to the equipment of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b providing their treatment for their activation, including in particular the wipers 4a, 4b, the nozzles 5a, 5b and / or the electrical resistors 6a, 6b.

The lever 7 is pivotally articulated on the control unit 13 via its distal end 7a. Alternatively, the lever 7 can also be mounted on the control unit 13 while also being movable in translation along its main extension direction. In this case, the lever 7 can also be operated by the driver in potentially stable or unstable pushed and / or pulled positions.

More particularly, the lever 7 constitutes a control member with multiple positions which includes the control device 3 and also forms a support for mounting on the control device 3 other control members 14a, 14b, 14c maneuverable by the driver. .

Various control orders 13a are issued by the lever 7 as a result of its operation by the driver, as a function of the stable or unstable positions individually or collectively taken by the lever 7 in tilting, or even also in translation.

To this end, the lever 7 is conventionally mounted tilting on the control unit 13 in two concurrent directions D1, D2 which are substantially perpendicular to each other. A first direction D1 for tilting the lever 7 is oriented from front to back with respect to the driver installed in the driving station in the vehicle. The lever 7 can be operated in accordance with the first direction D1 in a first direction S1 oriented in the direction of the driver and in a second direction S2 opposite to the first direction S1 and oriented away from the driver.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the lever 7 forms a support for control members consisting of a proximal ring 14a, a distal ring 14b and / or at least one push button 14c.

The proximal 14a and distal 14b rings have multiple control positions, individually stable and / or unstable, and are mounted to rotate at the periphery of the lever 7 in two opposite directions of rotation R1, R2. The push button 14c is mounted at the proximal end of the lever 7 while being manoeuvrable in translation T1 inwards and / or out of the lever 7, in one or more positions which can be individually stable and / or unstable.

The distal and proximal concepts are relative concepts considered with respect to the position of the driver's hand on the lever 7 at its proximal end 7b when it operates the control members 7, 14a, 14b, 14c of the control device 3, the lever 7 is movably mounted on the control unit 13 at its distal end 7a.

The control device 3 includes various pictograms to assist the driver with regard to the control members 7, 14a, 14b, 14c to be used, their directions of operation and / or the various positions potentially individually stable or unstable of the control members? , 14a, 14b, 14c. The control device 3 also includes indicator lights for signaling at least the activation of the electrical resistors 6a, 6b respectively integrated in the windshield 1a and / or in the rear window 1b.

The lever 7 is assigned to the control by the driver of the windshield equipment 1a comprising in particular a pair of front wipers 4a, a couple of front nozzles 5a and the front electrical resistance 6a fitted to the windshield 1a.

The windshield wiping control 1a by the front wipers 4a for wiping it is generated by the driver from an operation in tilting of the lever 7 upwards, or in other words in the second direction S2 of the first direction D1 tipping. The front wiper control 4a is in several stable positions according to the wiping speed desired by the driver.

The command for implementing the front nozzles 5a is generated by the driver from an operation in an unstable position in tilting of the lever 7 towards the driver, or in other words in a direction S3 of the second tilting direction D2.

First pictograms 15a, 15b are marked on the control device 3 to assist the driver in making his decision on the operating modes of the lever 7 for wiping and / or cleaning the windshield 1a. According to the example illustrated, the first pictograms 15a, 15b are marked on the lever 7 in interposition between the proximal ring 14a and the distal ring 14b.

The first pictograms include, for example, a pictogram 15a depicting a windshield provided with a windscreen wiper, and a set of pictograms 15b having the same conformations but with different dimensions showing the velocity of the different potential scanning speeds of the windshield 1a.

The lever 7 also constitutes an activation member by the conductor of the front electrical resistance 6a for demisting and / or defrosting the windshield 1a. To this end, the driver applies an impulse maneuver in an unstable position in tilting of the lever 7 downwards, or in other words in the first direction S1 of the first direction D1 of tilting. Such an impulse maneuver is operated with respect to a stable reference position of the lever 7 in the middle position of tilting maneuver in the first tilting direction D1.

A second pictogram 15j representing a windshield associated with a first indicator 16a, indicate the activation of the electrical resistance before 6a. According to the example illustrated, the second pictogram 15j and the first indicator 16a are placed on the distal ring 14b. When the electrical resistance before 6a is activated, an LED integrated into the first indicator is also activated (LED: acronym for Light Emitting Diode).

It should be noted the differentiations made in the maneuvering modes of the lever 7 in the first tilting direction D1 to control the implementations respectively on the one hand of the front wipers 4a and / or of the nozzles 5a, and on the other hand of the electrical resistance before 6a.

In addition to the differentiation made for this purpose between the directions S1, S2 of tilting of the lever 7 in the first direction D1, the commands for activating the front wipers 4a and / or nozzles 5a are in stable positions, while the commands activation and / or deactivation of the electrical resistance before 6a are pulsed in an unstable position.

The proximal ring 14a is assigned to the control by the driver of the equipment of the rear window 1b, comprising in particular a rear wiper 4b, a rear nozzle 5b and the rear electrical resistance 6b equipping the rear window 1b.

The rear window wiping control 1b by the rear wiper 4b for wiping it is generated by the driver from an operation of the proximal ring 14a in rotation R1 in a second direction S5 in a stable position. The command to operate the rear nozzle 5b is generated by the driver from an operation of the proximal ring 14a in rotation R1 in the second direction S5 in an unstable position succeeding its stable position for wiping control of the rear window 1 b.

A third pictogram 15c and a fourth pictogram 15d are marked on the control device 3 to assist the driver in making his decision on the operating modes of the proximal ring 14a respectively for only wiping or for wiping and cleaning the windshield 1a.

According to the example illustrated, the third and fourth pictograms 15c, 15d are marked successively on the proximal ring 14a. The third pictogram 15c shows a rear window and a wiper, and the fourth pictogram 15d is similar to the third pictogram 15c to which is added a symbol for spraying a liquid.

The proximal ring 14a also constitutes an activation member by the conductor of the rear electrical resistance 6b for demisting and / or defrosting the rear window 1b. To this end, the driver applies an impulse maneuver in an unstable position in rotation R1 of the proximal ring 14a in a first direction S4 of rotation R1 opposite to the second direction S5 of rotation R1.

Such an impulse maneuver is operated relative to a stable reference position of the proximal ring 14a identified by marking a sign 15e on the proximal ring 14a, such as the zero sign according to the example illustrated, opposite a reference 15f marked on the lever 7.

A fifth pictogram 15g representing a rear window associated with a second indicator 16b, indicate the activation of the rear electrical resistance 6b. According to the example illustrated, the fifth pictogram 15g and the second indicator 16b are placed on the proximal ring 14a. When the rear electrical resistance 6b is activated, an LED integrated into the second indicator is also activated.

It should also be noted the differentiations made in the maneuvering modes of the proximal ring 14a in opposite directions S5, S4 of rotation R1 to control the implementations respectively of the rear wiper 4b and of the rear electrical resistance 6b. In addition to the differentiation made for this purpose between the directions S5, S4 of rotation R1 of the proximal ring 14a, the control of the rear wiper 4b is in a stable position while that of activation of the rear electrical resistance 6b is impulse in an unstable position.

Furthermore, in manual mode of use of the control device 3, an activation by the driver of the front electrical resistance 6a via the lever 7 and / or an activation of the rear electrical resistance 6b via the proximal ring 14a, are timed 17.

Preferably, timers 17a, 17b are assigned to each of the activations of the front electrical resistance 6a and of the rear electrical resistance 6b respectively. The joint time delay 17 or the individual time delays 17a, 17b of the activations of the front electrical resistance 6a and / or of the rear electrical resistance 6b are controlled by the control unit 13 via timing devices 17a, 17b with which it is equipped.

When the driver activates demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield 1 a and / or of the rear window 1 b, the time delay (s) 17 or 17a and / or 17b are implemented following the activation of the electrical resistance rear 6b and / or the front electrical resistance 6a for their respective implementations for a determined period.

It is also taken into account the case where visibility through the windshield a and / or of the rear window 1b is obtained sufficient before the completion of the time delay (s) 17, 17a, 17b assigned to the rear electrical resistance 6b and to the electrical resistance before 6a. Such a case arises, for example, from the case or cases where the front electrical resistance 6a and / or the rear electrical resistance 6b have been activated by the driver to provide a simple demisting and / or a slight defrosting of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window. rear 1b.

To this end, the time delay (s) 17, 17a, 17b can be deactivated by the driver during their activation.

More specifically, the driver can use the lever 7 to deactivate the implementation of the front electrical resistance 6a from an operation of the lever 7 similar to that of activating the front electrical resistance 6a. As a reminder, such an operation of the lever 7 is an impulse operation in an unstable position in tilting of the lever 7 downwards, or in other words in the first direction S1 of the first direction D1 of tilting.

More specifically still, the driver can use the proximal ring 14a to deactivate the implementation of the rear electrical resistance 6b from an operation of the proximal ring 14a similar to that of activation of the rear electrical resistance 6b. As a reminder, such an operation of the proximal ring 14a is an impulse operation in an unstable position in rotation in the first direction S4 of rotation R1.

The push button 14c is a control member operable by the driver by one pulse or several successively short pulses according to an unstable position of the push button 14c. Various functions of the control device 3 can thus be controlled via the push button 14c according to the number of successively short pulses applied by the driver to the push button 14c.

It will be noted that, according to a variant, the lever 7 may be equipped with several push buttons 14c individually forming control members of at least one function of the control device 3. Such a plurality of push buttons 14c allows the driver to controlling a so-called diversity of functions by limiting the number of successive pulses to be exerted on the same push button 14c to implement a specific function to be controlled.

It is recalled the choices made to use the first direction S1 of the first direction D1 of tilting of the lever 7 to control the activation of the front electrical resistance 6a and to use the first direction S4 of rotation R1 of the proximal ring 14a to control the activation of the rear electrical resistance 6b. It appears that the lever 7 and / or the proximal ring 14a are preferably no longer available for other functions, at the risk of making their methods of use more complex for other functions and / or at the risk of causing confusion. for the driver as to their uses.

According to the example illustrated, the push button 14c is used to allow the driver at least to control a function relating to a brief wiping control of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b by the wiper (s) 4a, 4b with which they are respectively equipped. Such a brief wiping command conventionally activates the wipers 4a, 4b respectively equipping the windshield 1a and the rear window 1b in a single sweeping round trip.

For example, a first pulse can be applied to the push button 14c to order the activation of a so-called short scan of the windshield 1a. Two successively short pulses can be applied to the push button 14c to order the activation of a so-called short scan of the rear window 1b.

Additional commands can also be assigned to one or more pushbuttons, not shown, which can be mounted parallel to the proximal end of the lever 7. For example, an impulse command exerted by the driver on an optional pushbutton activates an adjustment function relating to a control of the simultaneous progress or time difference of the demisting and / or defrosting functions of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b.

To assist the driver in the methods of using the push button (s), such as the push button 14c, at least a sixth pictogram 15h showing the number of pulses to potentially exert on a push button considered is marked on the proximal ring 14a .

Furthermore, it is also optionally proposed an automatic mode of operation of the control device 3, comprising at least one automatic control function for demisting and / or defrosting the windshield 1a and / or the rear window 1b.

According to the example illustrated, the activation command of the automatic command is carried out by the driver via the distal ring 14b placed in a predefined stable position. Under this condition, a detection by a temperature sensor 18a and / or a frost sensor 18b of the presence of mist and / or frost on the windshield 1a and / or on the rear window 1b automatically causes, via the control, the implementation of the demisting and / or defrosting function of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b.

More particularly information 13c relating to the potential presence of fogging and / or frost on the windshield 1a and / or on the rear window 1b by the temperature sensor 18a and / or the frost sensor 18b, cause an activation of the resistance. electric front 6a and / or rear resistor 6b.

The time delay 17 can then be potentially exploited via the time member (s) 17a, 17b to implement the functions either of defogging or of defogging and defrosting windshield 1a and / or on the rear window 1b. Such alternatives for implementing the demisting and / or defrosting functions are regulated as a function of the information 13c supplied by the temperature sensor 18a at a temperature threshold inducing a risk of the presence of fogging and / or by the sensor. of frost 18b inducing a risk of the presence of frost and / or ice on the windshield 1 a and / or on the rear window 1 b.

Preferably when the automatic control function is activated and in the event of a frost detection on the windshield 1 a and / or on the rear window 1 b. The implementation of the windshield wipers 4a, 4b before and / or rear is conditioned to the previously completed defrosting of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b.

The implementations of the wipers 4a, 4b and / or of the nozzles 5a, 5b as a result of activation of the lever 7 and / or of the proximal ring 14a by the driver are thus placed under condition (s) of defrosting beforehand accomplished with windshield 1 a and / or rear window 1 b, via the implementation of the automatic control function previously controlled by the driver.

Said predefined stable position of the distal ring 14b conditioning the implementation of the automatic function is identified by the driver via a seventh pictogram 15i marked on the distal ring 14b and representing an automated function, such as for example the inscription AUTO illustrated.

It should be noted that despite the addition to the control device 3 of the defogging and / or defrosting functions of the windshield 1 a and / or of the rear window 1 b, the arrangement of the control device 3 is ergonomic and improves in itself the man-machine interface of the vehicle.

In addition, the operation and / or ergonomics of the control device 3 to allow the driver to activate the demisting and / or defrosting functions of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b further improves the man interface. -machine, allowing in particular:

-) group together on the same control device 3 all of the control members 7, 14a, 14b, 14c respectively assigned to the different functions providing an overall treatment of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b to improve visibility at through them.

-) remove from the control panel 8 already loaded with control members and / or pictograms and / or tell-tales and / or display screen (s), the usual control members for demisting and / or defrosting functions windshield 1a and / or rear window 1b, and the display members for implementing these functions. The control panel 8 can therefore only include the control and / or display members relating only to the operation of the air conditioning installation 2. The ergonomics of the control panel is favored by its simplification obtained.

-) to avoid setting up on the vehicle outside the control panel 8 and the additional costs resulting therefrom, of an additional control device specifically assigned to the control of the defogging and / or defrosting functions of the windshield 1 a and / or rear window 1 b.

-) to limit the costs involved in thermally treating the windshield 1a and the rear window 1b, by using a control device 3 with tilting lever 7 already existing on the vehicle to wipe and / or clean them,

-) to reduce the cost of the control panel 8 due to the withdrawal of the control members and the display members relating to the defogging and / or defrosting functions of the windshield 1a and / or of the rear window 1b.

Claims (10)

1. - Man-machine interface of a motor vehicle comprising a control panel (8) assigned to the control of operation by the driver at least of an air conditioning installation (2), and comprising a control device ( 3) with tilting lever (7) assigned to the driver's control of the operation of at least wipers (4a, 4b) and sprinklers (5a, 5b) fitted to at least one rear window (1b) and / or a windshield (1a) of the vehicle, characterized in that the control device (3) is also assigned to the control by the driver of at least one defogger control at least of the rear window (1b), and / or of the windshield ( 1a), via at least one activation member operable by the driver and comprising at least one of the lever (7) and / or a control member (14a, 14b) mounted on the lever (7). 2, - Human-machine interface according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one activation member is a control member for the activation of electrical resistors (6a, 6b) respectively integrated at least in the rear window ( 1 b) and / or to the windshield (1 a) providing their demisting / defrosting, the control panel (8) being free of a member for activating the electrical resistances (6a, 6b). 3. - Human-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the control device (3) is equipped with at least two said activation members, at least one of which activation (7,14b) assigned to the control of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield (1a), and of which at least a second activation member (14a, 14b) assigned to the control of the demisting and / or deicing of the rear window (1b). 4, - Human-machine interface according to claim 3, characterized in that the first activation member comprises a first control member (7) with multiple positions further assigned to the control by the driver of the operation of at least one windscreen wiper (4a) and / or at least one nozzle (5a) equipping the windshield (1a), and in that the second activation member comprises a second control member (14a) with multiple positions which is also assigned when the driver controls the operation of at least one wiper (4b) and / or at least one nozzle (5b) fitted to the rear window (1b). 5. - Human-machine interface according to claim 4, characterized in that the first control member comprises at least the lever (7), a demister and / or defrost control of the windshield (1a) being emitted by the driver via at least one impulse maneuver in an unstable position of the lever (7) in tilting, and in that the second control member comprises at least one proximal ring (14a) rotatably mounted around the lever (7), a demisting control and / or defrosting the rear window (1b) being emitted by the driver via at least one impulse operation in an unstable position of the proximal ring (14a) in rotation. 6. - Human-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one demisting and / or defrosting control of the windshield (1a) and / or of the rear window (1b) is time delay, at least one time delay (17, 17a, 17b) during activation of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield (1 a) and / or of the rear window (1 b) being deactivable by the driver via an operation predefined of said at least one activation member (7, 14a). 7. - Human-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control device (3) is provided with at least one automatic control function for demisting and / or defrosting the windshield ( 1a) and / or the rear window (1b), the implementation of which is subject on the one hand to a predefined stable positioning by the driver of at least one annex control member (14b) equipping the device control (3), and on the other hand to a detection by at least one external temperature sensor (18a) and / or by at least one frost sensor (18b) of the presence of mist and / or frost on the windshield (1a) and / or on the rear window (1b). 8. - Human-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control device (3) is equipped with at least one indicator (16a, 16b) for implementing the demisting and / or defrosting the windshield (1 a) and / or the rear window (1 b), and in that the control panel (8) is free from any indicator associated with the implementation of the demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield (1a) and / or rear window (1b) via the control device (3). 9. - Human-machine interface according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device (3) is equipped with at least two tell-tales (16a, 16b) distinctly displayed during demisting and / or defrosting of the windshield respectively ( 1a) on the one hand and the rear window (1b) on the other. 10. -A motor vehicle equipped with a man-machine interface according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 1/1