FR3097991A1 - Interface panel and associated system - Google Patents

Abstract

An interface panel (10) comprises: - a functional film (12) comprising at least one module (22) designed to measure a pressing force on said module (22) and to provide haptic feedback, - a set of capacitive sensors (16) extending along the functional film (12). An assembly comprising an interface panel and a processing circuit is also described. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Interface panel and associated system

The present invention relates to the technical field of user interfaces, in particular on board a vehicle.

The present invention relates in particular to an interface panel and an associated system.

There are known interface panels comprising capacitive touch sensors and distinct elements intended to provide haptic feedback to the user, in order for example to provide the user with haptic feedback when he performs a particular command by means of the sensor capacitive touch.

In this context, the invention proposes an interface panel comprising:

- a functional film comprising at least one module designed to measure a pressing force on said module and to provide haptic feedback,

- a set of capacitive sensors extending along the functional film.

Such an interface panel allows both a measurement of the user's support force and a better synchronization between this measurement and the haptic feedback performed (thanks to the use of modules combining the force measurement and the haptic feedback ), while maintaining good sensitivity thanks to capacitive sensors (these providing a signal as soon as a user's finger is approached).

Such an interface panel also makes it possible to combine the detection function of capacitive sensors and a trigger force threshold function (made possible by the force measurement of the module), which is useful for example to accurately validate a triggering a feature.

The combination of the force measurement and the provision of haptic feedback within the module(s) of the functional film also makes it possible to reduce the bulk in the direction orthogonal to the interface panel.

An interface panel is thus obtained comprising two superimposed and independent detection systems.

According to other optional characteristics:

- said module comprises a piezoelectric element and/or a circuit for measuring a voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric element and/or a circuit for exciting the piezoelectric element;

- the interface panel includes another functional film including the capacitive sensors;

- the functional film includes the capacitive sensors;

- the interface panel includes a set of light sources;

- the interface panel includes a printed circuit board;

- The light sources are carried by the printed circuit board;

- another functional film includes the light sources;

- the functional film includes the light sources;

- the functional film comprises a decorative layer;

- the interface panel comprises a decorative film (forming an external surface of the interface panel);

- the functional film includes a transparent plastic film.

In practice, the various elements (haptic effect modules or capacitive sensors or light sources) of a layer or of a functional film can be organized (for example deposited) in matrix form (in the plane of the film or of the layer concerned).

The invention also proposes a system comprising an interface panel as proposed above and a processing circuit connected to the measurement circuit and to the excitation circuit.

Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

represents a first example of an interface panel according to the invention;

represents a second example of an interface panel according to the invention;

represents a third example of an interface panel according to the invention;

represents a fourth example of an interface panel according to the invention;

represents a fifth example of an interface panel according to the invention; And

shows a system comprising a haptic effect module usable in these interface panels.

Five examples of interface panels produced in particular by means of at least one functional film are described below. This (or these) functional film(s) can be produced by means of a plastic film (here transparent and/or made for example of poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET for "Polyethylene terephthalate", or polycarbonate or PC), on which conductive tracks are deposited (for example by screen printing) and/or electronic components are transferred. Such a functional film can have a certain flexibility.

These interface panels can each be used on board a vehicle (such as a motor vehicle), for example to control a functionality of the vehicle following the detection of an instruction from the user via the interface panel .

Figure 1 shows a first example of interface panel 10.

According to this first example, the interface panel 10 comprises three functional films, namely (successively, from bottom to top in FIG. 1):

- a first functional film 12 comprising a plurality of haptic effect modules 22;

- a second functional film 14 comprising a plurality of light sources 24; And

- A third functional film 16 comprising a set of capacitive sensors.

The three functional films 12, 14, 16 are stacked so as to form a relatively thin interface panel 10.

The third functional film 16 (as therefore all three functional films 12, 14, 16) is covered by a decorative film 18. The decorative film 18 has a first surface in contact with the third functional film 16 and a second surface, opposite the first surface and which forms the outer surface of the interface panel 10.

In this first example, each functional film carries a single type of electronic element (haptic effect modules, light sources, capacitive sensors), which makes it possible to avoid a multilayer construction of the functional films and therefore simplifies their manufacture.

Each haptic effect module 22 is on the one hand able to measure a force with which a user presses on this haptic effect module 22 (that is to say exerts a force in line with the haptic effect module 22 concerned); each haptic effect module 22 is also capable of providing haptic feedback to the user, for example by virtue of a vibration of the haptic effect module 22. An example of such a haptic effect module 22 is described below with reference in Figure 6.

The plurality of light sources 24 is located in the plane of the second functional film 14. Conductive tracks are deposited (for example by screen printing) on at least one side of the second functional film so as to bring an electric current to each source. of light 24.

The first functional film 12 and the second functional film 4 are positioned relative to each other so that, for at least one haptic effect module 22, this haptic effect module 22 is located between two light sources 24 Thus, the haptic effect module 22 does not overlap any light source 24. Consequently, the light sources 24 do not come to interact in the operation of the haptic effect module 22, and a press on the haptic effect module 22 and /or the haptic feedback of the haptic effect module 22 does not risk(s) damaging a light source 24.

The capacitive sensors of the third functional film 16 are also formed by depositing conductive tracks, for example by screen printing and/or on at least one side of the third functional film 16. Each capacitive sensor is for example formed by an antenna (here having a round shape). It is possible, for example, to provide for such an antenna a surface of at least 100 mm² and/or a surface resistance of less than 10 kΩ square.

Provision can be made for the third functional film 16 (like the second functional film 14) to be relatively flexible so that pressure from the user's finger will cause local deformation of the third functional film 16 (and of the second functional 14) and that the corresponding force will therefore only be measured by the haptic effect module 22 located in line with the user's finger (that is to say in line with the place where the pressure is exerted).

Figure 2 shows a second example of interface panel 30.

According to this second example, the interface panel 30 comprises two functional films, namely (successively, from bottom to top in FIG. 2):

- a first functional film 32 comprising a plurality of haptic effect modules 42; And

- a second functional film 34 comprising a first layer 33 integrating a plurality of light sources 44 and a second layer 35 comprising a set of capacitive sensors.

By combining the capacitive detection and lighting functions in the second functional film 34, the number of functional films is reduced and thus the number of connectors required. The haptic effect modules 42 can for their part be positioned only at the places where their function is necessary.

The two functional films 32, 34 are placed in contact with each other (a main face of the first functional film 32 being in contact with a main face of the second functional film 34).

The second functional film 34 (as therefore all of the two functional films 32, 34) is covered by a decorative film 38. The decorative film 38 has a first surface in contact with the second functional film 34 and a second surface, opposite the first surface and which forms the outer surface of the interface panel 30.

Each haptic effect module 42 is on the one hand capable of measuring a force with which a user presses on this haptic effect module 42 (that is to say exerts a force in line with the haptic effect module 42 concerned); each haptic effect module 42 is also capable of providing haptic feedback to the user, for example by virtue of a vibration of the haptic effect module 42. An example of such a haptic effect module 42 is described below with reference in Figure 6.

The plurality of light sources 44 is for example deposited on a first main face (here the lower main face) of the second functional film 34. Conductive tracks are then further deposited (for example by screen printing) on this first main face in a manner to bring an electric current to each light source 24.

The capacitive sensors can then be formed by depositing conductive tracks, for example by screen printing, on the second main face (opposite to the first main face), here the upper main face, of the second functional film 34.

As a variant, it is possible to obtain the second functional film 34 by producing a first temporary film comprising the plurality of light sources 44, producing a second temporary film comprising the set of capacitive sensors and assembling (for example by gluing) of the first and second temporary films.

The first functional film 32 and the second functional film 34 are positioned so as not to form any overlap between a haptic effect module 42 and a light source 44 (such an overlap may be detrimental to the proper functioning of these elements as already indicated) .

Provision can be made for the second functional film 34 to be relatively flexible so that pressure from the user's finger will cause local deformation of the second functional film 34 and the corresponding force will therefore only be measured by the effect module. haptic 42 located in line with the user's finger (that is to say in line with the place where the pressure is exerted).

Figure 3 shows a third example of interface panel 50.

According to this third example, the interface panel 50 comprises two functional films, namely (successively, from bottom to top in FIG. 3):

- a first functional film 52 comprising a plurality of haptic effect modules 62; And

- a second functional film 54 comprising (from bottom to top in figure 3) a first layer 53 integrating a plurality of light sources 64, a second layer 55 comprising a set of capacitive sensors and a decorative layer 57.

The number of functional films used is therefore also reduced here (by additionally integrating the decorative layer). We also benefit here from the reduction in the number of connectors.

A first main face (the lower face in FIG. 3) of the second functional film 54 is in contact with the first functional film 52 (specifically with a main face of the first functional film 52). The second main face of the second functional film 54 (opposite to the first main face and corresponding to the upper face in FIG. 3) then forms in this case the external surface of the interface panel 50.

Each haptic effect module 62 is on the one hand capable of measuring a force with which a user presses on this haptic effect module 62 (that is to say exerts a force in line with the haptic effect module 62 concerned); each haptic effect module 62 is also capable of providing haptic feedback to the user, for example by virtue of a vibration of the haptic effect module 62. An example of such a haptic effect module 62 is described below with reference in Figure 6.

As in the case of FIG. 2, the first layer 53 and the second layer 55 can be produced by depositing elements (light sources 64, conductive tracks, capacitive sensors) respectively on two main (opposite) faces of the second functional film 54, or, as a variant, by forming two temporary films corresponding respectively to the first layer 53 and to the second layer 55, then assembling (for example by gluing) these two temporary films.

The decorative layer 57 can itself be deposited on the assembly formed by the first layer 53 and the second layer 55, for example by gluing or by injection.

The first functional film 52 and the second functional film 54 are positioned so as not to form any overlap between a haptic effect module 62 and a light source 64 (such an overlap may be detrimental to the proper functioning of these elements as already indicated) .

Provision can be made for the second functional film 54 to be relatively flexible so that pressure from the user's finger will cause local deformation of the second functional film 54 and the corresponding force will therefore only be measured by the effect module. haptic 62 located in line with the user's finger (that is to say in line with the place where the pressure is exerted).

Figure 4 shows a fourth example of interface panel 70.

This interface panel 70 is formed by a stack of the following elements (from bottom to top in FIG. 4):

- a printed circuit 71 (or printed circuit board) which carries a plurality of light sources 84;

- a first functional film 72 comprising a plurality of haptic effect modules 82;

- a second functional film 76 comprising a set of capacitive sensors; And

- a decor film 78.

The printed circuit 71 may include electrical tracks making it possible to supply an electrical current to each light source 84.

The positioning of the light sources 84 on the printed circuit makes it possible to reduce the number of functional films (as well as the use of multilayer films). As indicated, the printed circuit 71 is also used to bring the electric current and the connection is therefore simplified.

The first functional film 72 is positioned on the printed circuit 71 so that, for at least one haptic effect module 82, this haptic effect module 82 is interposed between two light sources 84 in order to avoid any overlapping between this module at haptic effect 82 and a light source 84. Thus, the light sources 84 do not come to interact in the operation of the haptic effect module 82 and a press on the haptic effect module and/or the haptic feedback of the haptic effect module does not risk(s) damaging a light source 84.

Each haptic effect module 82 is on the one hand able to measure a force with which a user presses on this haptic effect module 82 (that is to say exerts a force in line with the haptic effect module 82 concerned); each haptic effect module 82 is also able to provide haptic feedback to the user, for example by virtue of a vibration of the haptic effect module 82. An example of such a haptic effect module 82 is described below with reference in Figure 6.

The capacitive sensors are formed by conductive tracks deposited (for example by screen printing) on one face (at least) of the second functional film 76.

Provision can be made for the second functional film 76 to be relatively flexible so that pressure from the user's finger will cause local deformation of the second functional film 76 and the corresponding force will therefore only be measured by the effect module. haptic 82 located in line with the user's finger (that is to say in line with the place where the pressure is exerted).

Figure 5 shows a fifth example of interface panel 90.

According to this fifth example, the interface panel 90 comprises a (single) functional film 96 formed of a plurality of layers (successively in this order, from bottom to top in figure 5):

- a first layer 91 comprising haptic effect modules 92;

- a second layer 93 comprising light sources 94;

- a third layer 95 comprising capacitive sensors

- A fourth layer 97 forming decoration.

The integration of all the functionalities in the same functional film 96 makes it possible to simplify the connections. The production of the interface panel 90 from the functional film 96 is also simplified.

Each haptic effect module 92 is on the one hand capable of measuring a force with which a user presses on this haptic effect module 92 (that is to say exerts a force in line with the haptic effect module 92 concerned); each haptic effect module 92 is also capable of providing haptic feedback to the user, for example by virtue of a vibration of the haptic effect module 92. An example of such a haptic effect module 92 is described below with reference in Figure 6.

The second layer 93 can incorporate conductive tracks designed to bring current to the light sources 94.

The capacitive sensors of the third layer 95 can also be produced by means of conductive tracks deposited at the level of the third layer 95.

The functional film 96 is for example obtained by producing temporary films corresponding respectively to the different layers 91, 93, 95, 97, each temporary film comprising the elements (haptic effect modules 92, light sources 94, capacitive sensors) provided in the corresponding layer, and by assembling the various temporary films.

The haptic effect modules 92 and the light sources 94 are positioned in the first layer 91 and the second layer 93 so as to avoid any overlap between these elements so as not to generate a (problematic) interaction between a haptic effect module 92 and a light source 94.

FIG. 6 represents a system comprising a processing circuit 5 and an example of a haptic effect module 2 usable in the interface panels 10, 30, 50, 70, 90 which have just been described.

At least some of the haptic effect modules 22, 42, 62, 82, 92 mentioned above can thus be produced in accordance with this example.

The haptic effect module 2 in FIG. 6 comprises a piezoelectric element 100, a circuit 102 for measuring a voltage Vmes across the terminals of the piezoelectric element 100 and an excitation circuit 104 for the piezoelectric element 100.

The voltage Vmes measured by the measurement circuit 102 is representative of the support force (applied for example by a user) on the piezoelectric element 100, that is to say at the level of the haptic effect module.

The processing circuit 5 is connected to the measurement circuit 102 so as to acquire the voltage Vmes representative of the aforementioned pressing force. In practice, the processing circuit 5 is for example connected on the one hand to a conductive layer 106 deposited on a functional film 108 carrying the piezoelectric element 100, and on the other hand to the measurement circuit 102, the piezoelectric element 100 being interposed between the conductive layer 106 and the measurement circuit 102 so that the voltage Vmes is the voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric element 100.

It is noted in this respect that the functional film 108 of Figure 6 corresponds for example to the first functional film 12, 32, 52, 72 of Figures 1 to 4, or to the functional film 96 of Figure 5.

The processing circuit 5 can also apply a voltage Vh (for example variable) to the excitation circuit 104 so as to cause a movement (for example a vibration) of the piezoelectric element 100, which provides a haptic effect to the module at haptic effect 2. In practice, this voltage Vh is for example applied (by the processing circuit 5) between the aforementioned conductive layer 106 and the excitation circuit 104.

Finally, the processing circuit 5 can also be connected to each of the capacitive sensors (in order to monitor any detections made by these capacitive sensors) and/or to each of the light sources (in order to control each light source independently).

Claims (12)

Interface panel (10; 30; 50; 70; 90) comprising:
- a functional film (12; 32; 52; 72; 96) comprising at least one module (22; 42; 62; 82; 92) designed to measure a pressing force on said module (22; 42; 62; 82 ; 92) and to provide haptic feedback,
- a set of capacitive sensors (16; 35; 55; 76; 95) extending along the functional film (12; 32; 52; 72; 96). Interface panel according to Claim 1, in which the said module (22; 42; 62; 82; 92) comprises a piezoelectric element (100), a measurement circuit (102) of a voltage (Vmes) across the terminals of the piezoelectric element (100) and an excitation circuit (104) of the piezoelectric element (100). An interface panel according to claim 1 or 2, comprising another functional film (16; 34; 54; 76) including the capacitive sensors. An interface panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional film (96) comprises the capacitive sensors. Interface panel according to one of Claims 1 to 4, comprising a set of light sources (24; 44; 64; 84; 94). An interface panel according to claim 5, comprising a printed circuit board (71), wherein the light sources (84) are carried by the printed circuit board (71). Interface panel according to claim 5, comprising another functional film (14; 34; 54) including the light sources (24; 44; 64). An interface panel according to claim 5, wherein the functional film (96) comprises the light sources (94). An interface panel according to claim 8, wherein the functional film comprises a decor layer (97). Interface panel according to one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising a decorative film (18; 38; 78). Interface panel according to one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the functional film comprises a transparent plastic film. System comprising an interface panel (10; 30; 50; 70; 90) according to claim 2 and a processing circuit (5) connected to the measurement circuit (102) and to the excitation circuit (104).