FR3104752A1 - Electrical control device for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical control device for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component The invention relates to a control device (1) comprising a fixed base (200), a movable part (25) linked to the base ( 200) by an elastic element (65) for moving the movable part (25) along a first and a second axis (X, Y), the device being characterized in that it comprises a first capacitive sensor (81) comprising a pair electrodes (51, 71) arranged parallel to the first axis, one of said electrodes (51) being integral with the movable part and the other electrode (71) being integral with the fixed base, the first capacitive sensor being configured to detecting movements of the movable part along the second axis (Y) and in that the device comprises a second capacitive sensor (82) comprising a pair of electrodes (52, 72) arranged parallel to the second axis, one of said electrodes (52) being integral with the moving part and the other electrode (72) being integral with the fixed base, the second capacitive sensor being configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis (X). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Electrical control device for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component

The field of the present invention relates to electric controls for motor vehicles, such as for the opening and/or closing of an opening or the controls of a window mechanism.

Certain electric control modules for a motor vehicle comprise a control lever operable by tilting or pivoting around an axis of rotation, in particular for controlling an opening or a window regulator of a motor vehicle. When the control stalk is tilted, generally generated intentionally by the user, electrical switches integrated in a system for actuating the window lift mechanisms are then moved in order to close the electromechanical circuits triggering the opening functions and closing the windows. However, due to moving parts, sealing and corrosion problems may arise, for example if water is inadvertently projected onto the module.

In order to provide solutions that meet safety requirements while ensuring a satisfactory level of comfort for users of motor vehicles, a large number of technical characteristics of these motor vehicles have been adapted to combine developments in technologies with the requirements related to driving practice.

To cite just one example among many, the integration of tactile interfaces in the passenger compartments has made it possible to supplement or even replace electromechanical controls. Tactile interfaces have the advantage of allowing a multiplication of commands without occupying more space on a dashboard or any other place of the motor vehicle. Thus the commands initially controlled by unidirectional push buttons or rocker-operated joysticks have been replaced by tactile interfaces responding to a multitude of stimuli, in particular multidirectional forces or pressures exerted simultaneously along several axes of support, unlike push buttons. for which there is only one axis of support. Such touch interfaces are generally configured to trigger a specific command upon detection of a contact or a press, exerted for example by a stylus or a finger of a user on the touch interface.

An object of the present invention is to at least partially solve a drawback of the state of the art.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an electrical control device for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component, comprising a fixed base, a movable part connected to the fixed base by at least one elastic element for to be able to move the mobile part in the direction of the fixed base along a first axis and to be able to move the mobile part parallel to the fixed base along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the electric control device also comprising at least one protuberance projecting from relative to the moving part, the at least one protrusion being intended to be manipulated by a user of the device along the first and second axes, the device being characterized in that it comprises at least a first capacitive sensor comprising a pair of associated electrodes arranged parallel to the first axis, one of said electrodes being fixed to the mobile part and the other electrode being fixed to the fixed base, the at least one first capacitive sensor being configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the second axis and in that the device also comprises at least one second capacitive sensor comprising a pair of associated electrodes arranged parallel to the second axis, one of said electrodes being fixed to the mobile part and the other electrode being fixed to the fixed base, the at least one second capacitive sensor being configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis.

Thanks to such an electrical control device, the tilting movement of a lever is no longer necessary. Any movements of the moving part relative to the fixed base are of such small amplitude that the problem of sealing between the moving parts relative to each other no longer arises. Under the effect of a force exerted by a user on the at least one protrusion, the movable part is moved along the first and/or along the second axis, thus bringing the associated electrodes closer to or further from the first and second capacitive sensors respectively. The arrangement of the first and second capacitive sensors makes it possible to detect the small movements of the mobile part resulting from the pressures on the protrusions along two different axes. The measurements made by the first and second capacitive sensors along the two perpendicular axes are for example transcribed into electrical signals which are then interpreted by a processing unit using a specific algorithm configured to execute the corresponding commands.

The invention may further comprise one or more of the following aspects taken alone or in combination:

–the device comprises two first capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the second axis;

–the device comprises two second capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis;

–the first and second capacitive sensors are arranged in an alignment parallel to the second axis;

–the second capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis are arranged in a central zone of the alignment;

–the first capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the moving part along the second axis are arranged at the ends of the alignment;

-the at least one protuberance protruding from the movable part is a rib having a cross section of triangular shape;

–the device comprises a haptic actuator integral with the mobile part;

–the haptic actuator is configured to generate haptic feedback to a user of the device;

–the at least one elastic element comprises an elastomer ring of the silentblock type;

–the fixed base comprises at least one frame configured to position the at least one elastic element with respect to the movable part;

–the device comprises several protuberances;

-the mobile part comprises at least one detection cell configured to detect an approach of a finger or of a contact between a user and the control device; And

the detection cell is arranged on a plate of the mobile part, the plate comprising reliefs of a shape similar to that of the at least one protrusion projecting with respect to the mobile part.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle passenger compartment in which an electric control device is installed for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the control device of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 represents an exploded schematic view in perspective of a second embodiment of the control device of FIG. 1;

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

The longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 are designated by the dihedral (L, V, T). The vertical plane corresponds to the plane (L, V).

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

In the description, certain elements can be indexed, as first element or second element. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements that are close but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element over another and it is easy to interchange such denominations without departing from the scope of the present description. Nor does this indexing imply an order in time.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an electrical control device 1 for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component. By way of illustration, the device 1 is for example arranged in a door or in the central console of the passenger compartment between the driver and passenger seats or in the ceiling light of the passenger compartment. The electrical control device 1 can of course take any orientation in space. For example, it can be turned 180° with respect to the orientation shown in the figures to be integrated into the ceiling light.

The electrical control device 1 allows a user to control at least one component of the motor vehicle, such as the opening and/or closing of an opening, such as the roof, the windows, the partitions; trunk, vehicle doors, or vehicle fuel filler door.

The electrical control device 1 comprises a fixed base 200 and a mobile part 25 linked to the fixed base 200 by at least one elastic element 65 (FIG. 2) in order to be able to move the mobile part 25 in the direction of the fixed base 200 along a first axis X which is in particular parallel to the vertical axis V. Similarly, the elastic element(s) 65 make it possible to move the mobile part 25 parallel to the fixed base 200 along a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X. The second axis Y is in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

The mobile part 25 comprises for example an interface 100 intended to be manipulated by a user of the electrical control device 1 . In addition, the electrical control device 1 may comprise a haptic actuator 90 secured to the mobile part 25 and configured to generate haptic feedback to a user of the device 1, in particular to signal to him that his command has been taken into account following contact. or pressing a finger of the user on the interface 100. A haptic feedback generated by the haptic actuator 90 can in particular manifest itself in the form of a vibration or a series of vibrations transmitted to the fingers of the user. user via interface 100.

The electrical control device 1 also comprises at least one protrusion 150 projecting relative to the movable part 25 and intended to be manipulated by a user of the device 1 along the first and second axes X and Y. In other words, by exerting a force on a protuberance 150 integral with the mobile part 25, the latter is slightly displaced with respect to the fixed base 200 along the first and second axes X and Y. 25 relative to the fixed base 200 are very low, they are for example of the order of a millimeter.

The protuberances 150 for example each have the shape of a rib having a triangular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such a cross section of the protrusions 150 is for example included in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the longitudinal axis L and l vertical axis V, as illustrated in Figure 2. Each protrusion 150 thus has at least two gripping surfaces inclined with respect to the vertical axis V.

Under the effect of the stresses exerted by a user of the device 1 via the interface 100 and more particularly on the protuberances 150, the relative movements between the mobile part 25 and the fixed base 200 cause elastic deformations of the elastic elements 65. According to a embodiment of the elastic elements 65, these each comprise an elastomer ring of the silentblock type. The use of this kind of silentblock type elastomer ring is widespread in the automotive field.

The deformations of the elastic elements 65 are of very small amplitude, they are for example of the order of a millimeter, or even half a millimeter. The deformations of the elastic elements 65, in this case the deformations of the elastomer rings, make it possible to attenuate the vibrations transmitted within the device 1 of electrical control. The elastic elements 65 can in particular be configured to prevent the transmission of vibrations generated by the haptic actuator 90 to the fixed base 200.

To measure various parameters such as the force and/or the pressure or even the duration of a contact or a pressure on the interface 100 and more particularly on one of the protrusions 150, the electrical control device 1 comprises at at least a first capacitive sensor 81 comprising a pair of associated electrodes 51, 71 arranged parallel to the first axis X which corresponds in this specific case to the vertical axis V. One of said electrodes is a movable electrode 51 which is integral with the mobile part 25 and the other electrode is a fixed electrode 71 which is integral with the fixed base 200. The at least one first capacitive sensor 81 is configured to detect movements of the mobile part 25 along the second axis Y, which corresponds in this specific case to the longitudinal axis L.

Similarly, the electrical control device 1 also comprises at least a second capacitive sensor 82 comprising a pair of associated electrodes 52, 72 arranged parallel to the second axis Y. One of said electrodes is a mobile electrode 52 which is integral with the mobile part 25 and the other electrode is a fixed electrode 72 which is integral with the fixed base 200. The at least one second capacitive sensor 82 is configured to detect movements of the mobile part 25 along the first axis X.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 3, the electrical control device 1 comprises more particularly two first capacitive sensors 81 configured to detect movements of the movable part 25 along the second axis Y and two second capacitive sensors 82 configured to detect movements of the mobile part 25 along the first axis X. The duplication of the first and second capacitive sensors 81 and 82 makes it possible to improve the detection of the movements of the mobile part 25 along the first axis X and the second axis Y.

The two first capacitive sensors 81 and two second capacitive sensors 82 are for example arranged in an alignment parallel to the second axis Y. The first and the second capacitive sensors 81, 82 are therefore arranged next to each other throughout the interface 100 of the electrical control device 1. Such an arrangement of the first and second capacitive sensors 81, 82 makes it possible to detect and measure the movements of the mobile part 25 at any point of the alignment.

More particularly, the first capacitive sensors 81 configured to detect movements of the mobile part 25 along the second axis Y are arranged at the ends of the alignment. The first capacitive sensors 81 thus surround the second capacitive sensors 82 which are configured to detect movements of the mobile part 25 along the first axis X. The second capacitive sensors 82 are therefore arranged in a central zone of the alignment, the central zone is thus delimited by the ends of the alignment.

The associated electrodes 51, 71 and 52, 72 of the first and second capacitive sensors 81 and 82 have, for example, the form of flat parallelepipedal plates, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The surfaces of the associated electrodes 52, 72 and 51, 71 located facing each other are for example rectangular or square. The associated electrodes 51, 71 or 52, 72 of the same capacitive sensor 81, respectively 82 are slightly spaced from each other. In the absence of external stress, this space is between 0.5mm and 0.8mm, it is more particularly equal to 0.6mm.

As a variant (not illustrated in the figures), the respective associated electrodes 51, 71 and 52, 72 of the first and second capacitive sensors 81 and 82 are for example cylindrical, the surface with the largest area of each electrode 51, 71 and 52, 72 has in this specific case a circular shape, like a disc.

Many embodiments of such an electrical control device 1 can be imagined. The remainder of the description presents one in detail. This embodiment is particularly illustrated in Figure 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the fixed base 200 of the electrical control device 1 comprises, for example, a casing 210 and at least one protective shell 220 which covers the casing 210 like a cover. A stack of components is arranged in the box 210 along the vertical direction V, some components of this stack are secured to the movable part 25, others are secured to the fixed base 200. In Figure 3, part of the shell cover 220 is omitted to show the stacking of components inside the fixed base 200.

The interface 100 of the mobile part 25 is for example arranged in a mobile manner within the protective shell 220, there is in particular a clearance between the edges of the interface 100 and the peripheral edges of the protective shell 220 surrounding the interface 100. Interface 100 is then located above the stack of components arranged in housing 210.

The protrusion(s) 150 are integral with the interface 100 and extend parallel to the transverse axis T across all or at least part of the width of the interface 100. There may be a multitude of protrusions 150 arranged parallel to each other on the interface 100. The number of protrusions 150 is for example equal to the number of controllable windows in the motor vehicle. The protuberances 150 of the electrical control device 1 make it possible in particular to control two side windows at the front arranged respectively next to the driver and the front passenger and two side windows at the rear arranged next to the rear passengers.

In order to link each protuberance 150 to a specific window, the mobile part 25 comprises for example at least one electrode 45 per protuberance 150 connected to a detection cell (not referenced in the drawings) of the electric charge of each electrode 45. The electrodes 45 are in particular configured to detect an approach of a finger or a contact between a user and the device 1 in order to identify the positioning of a finger of the user on the interface 100. There are therefore at least as many electrodes 45 than protrusions 150. There may however be more electrodes 45 than protrusions 150, for example there are as many electrodes 45 as there are control zones provided on the interface 100. This case is particularly illustrated in Figure 3.

The electrodes 45 and the detection cell are for example arranged on a capacitive film 40 disposed on a plate 30 comprising reliefs 152 of similar shape to that of the protuberances 150. These reliefs 152 are more particularly configured to be inserted by shape complementarity in the cavities of the protuberances 150 of the interface 100. The malleability of the capacitive film 40 enables it to precisely follow the shape of the reliefs 152 of the upper face of the plate 30 in order to bring the electrodes 45 closer to the inclined surfaces of the transverse ribs of the protuberances 150 , thus improving their function of detecting a support or a contact on the protrusions 150.

In the embodiment of the electrical control device 1 illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile electrodes 51 and 52 of the first capacitive sensor(s) 81 are carried by the same metal and rectangular plate 50 which is integral with the mobile part 25. mobile electrodes 51 of the first capacitive sensors 81 are in particular arranged at the longitudinal ends of the plate 50, they extend perpendicularly to the plane of the plate 50. The mobile electrodes 52 of the second capacitive sensors 82 on the other hand extend parallel to the plane of the plate 50, they are for example arranged coplanar with the plane of the plate 50.

The small thickness of the plate 50 contributes to improving the compactness of the electrical control device 1 . It also makes it possible to use only one part to arrange the four mobile electrodes 51 and 52 therein, the number of parts within the electrical control device 1 is thus reduced. In addition, the plate 50 comprises for example a central opening 15 configured to at least partially accommodate therein the haptic actuator 90 which is fixed to the plate 30, in particular by screws.

The respective fixed electrodes 71 and 72 of the capacitive sensors 81 and 82 are for example carried by a thin rectangular plate 70 which is integral with the fixed base 200. The fixed electrodes 71 of the first capacitive sensors 81 extend perpendicularly to the plane of the plate 70 and are in particular arranged at the longitudinal ends of plate 70. The fixed electrodes 72 of the second capacitive sensors 82 extend parallel to the plane of plate 70, they are for example arranged coplanar with the plane of plate 70.

The fixed electrodes 71 are for example parts attached to the ends of the plate 70. They are in particular screwed onto an upper face of the plate 70, this upper face being oriented in the positive direction of the vertical axis V. This arrangement of the associated electrodes 51, 71 of the first capacitive sensors 81 makes it possible in particular to free up space in the center of the stack of components, this more particularly favors the integration of the haptic actuator 90 within the stack of components. Like plate 50, tray 70 includes a central opening 17 configured to at least partially accommodate haptic actuator 90 therein.

According to one embodiment of the fixed base 200 illustrated in Figure 3, the latter comprises in particular at least one armature 60 configured to position the at least one elastic element 65 with respect to the movable part 25. There may be a multitude elastic elements 65 positioned by the frame 60, they are more particularly four in number. The elastic elements 65 are in this case arranged in a rectangular formation at the edges of the frame 60. This arrangement makes it possible to balance the distribution of the elastic elements 65 with respect to the mobile part 25 and with respect to the fixed base 200.

When the mobile part 25 is set in motion, in particular when a user exerts pressure on one of the inclined faces of the protrusion 150, the movement of the mobile part 25 along the first and/or along the second axis X and/or or Y modifies the position of the mobile electrodes 51 and 52 with respect to the fixed electrodes 71 and 72 integral with the fixed bass 200 which does not move. The elastic deformation of the elastic elements 65 in fact makes it possible to move the part 25 along the first and second axes X and Y without affecting the position of the fixed base 200.

The setting in motion of the mobile part 25 causes more particularly a variation of the spacing between the two associated electrodes 51, 71 of the first capacitive sensors 81 and/or a variation of the spacing between the two associated electrodes 52, 72 of the second capacitive sensors 82. The variation of the spacing between two associated electrodes 51, 71 or 52, 72 of a capacitive sensor 81 or 82 can be similar to a distance, a rapprochement or even a lateral offset of the mobile electrode 51, 52 relative to the fixed electrode 71, 72.

Referring to the axes L, V, T of the marker, bringing together or moving away the electrodes 51 and 71 results in a movement of the movable part 25 along the second axis Y which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L while a lateral offset of the electrodes 51 and 71 results for example in a movement of the mobile part 25 along the first axis X which is parallel to the vertical axis V.

Similarly, bringing together or moving away electrodes 52 and 72 results in a movement of the movable part 25 along the first axis X, parallel to the vertical axis V and a lateral offset of the electrodes 52 and 72 results for example a movement of the movable part 25 along the second axis Y, parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

In general, the pressure exerted by the finger of the user on the inclined surface of the protuberance 150 is not exerted in a purely vertical direction (parallel to the vertical axis V) or purely longitudinal (parallel to the longitudinal axis L). The force exerted during the pressure of the finger on the protrusion 150 induces a "mixed" displacement of the mobile support 25 and therefore of the associated electrodes 51, 71 and 52, 72 of the capacitive sensors 81 and 82 both along the vertical axis V and along the longitudinal axis L. The displacements of the mobile part 25 are therefore “broken down” by projection on the first and second axes X and Y.

A displacement of one of the movable electrodes 51 or 52 relative to its associated fixed electrode 71 or 72 generates a disturbance in the field, which modifies the coupling capacity of the capacitive sensors 81 and/or 82. These disturbances can be transcribed in the form of electrical signals within the associated electrodes 51, 71 and 52, 72 of the capacitive sensors 81 and 82. These electrical signals are then transmitted to a processing unit (not referenced in the figures) configured to receive and analyze these signals in order to interpret them as a measurement of displacement or force or pressure thanks to a specific algorithm.

Depending on the result obtained following the implementation of the algorithm, the processing unit selects a specific function to control at least one component of the motor vehicle. Each capacitive sensor 81 and 82 is for example connected to an input port of a microcontroller (not referenced in the drawings) whose output ports are connected to the power circuit controlling the means for activating the window lifter mechanism.

The fact of detecting and measuring the movements of the mobile part 25 by two first capacitive sensors 81 and/or two second capacitive sensors 82 makes it possible to average the measurements carried out or to apply other similar data processing operations to them within the unit. treatment.

Thus the electrical control device 1 makes it possible to couple the capacitive technology to the use of the control interfaces used in particular to control the window lift mechanisms by proposing a simple, compact, economical and intuitive design which solves the problem of sealing. of the mechanism.

Claims (10)

Electrical control device (1) for controlling at least one function of a motor vehicle component, comprising:
- a fixed base;
- a mobile part linked to the fixed base by at least one elastic element to be able to move the mobile part in the direction of the fixed base along a first axis and to be able to move the mobile part parallel to the fixed base along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
- at least one protrusion projecting relative to the movable part, the at least one protrusion being intended to be manipulated by a user of the device along the first and second axes,
the device being characterized in that it comprises:
at least one first capacitive sensor comprising a pair of associated electrodes arranged parallel to the first axis, one of said electrodes being fixed to the mobile part and the other electrode being fixed to the fixed base, the at least one first capacitive sensor being configured to detect movements of the movable part along the second axis and in that the device also comprises at least one second capacitive sensor comprising a pair of associated electrodes arranged parallel to the second axis, one of said electrodes being integral with the part mobile and the other electrode being integral with the fixed base, the at least one second capacitive sensor being configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two first capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the second axis and in that it comprises two second capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the movable part along the first axis. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second capacitive sensors are arranged in an alignment parallel to the second axis. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second capacitive sensors configured to detect movements of the mobile part along the first axis are arranged in a central zone of the alignment and in that the first capacitive sensors configured to detecting movements of the movable part along the second axis are arranged at the ends of the alignment. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one protuberance projecting with respect to the movable part is a rib having a cross section of triangular shape. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a haptic actuator integral with the mobile part and configured to generate haptic feedback for a user of the device. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one elastic element comprises an elastomer ring of the silentblock type. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed base comprises at least one armature configured to position the at least one elastic element with respect to the movable part. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several protrusions. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile part comprises at least one detection cell configured to detect an approach of a finger or of a contact between a user and the control device and in that the detection cell is arranged on a plate of the movable part, the plate comprising reliefs of shape similar to that of the at least one protrusion projecting with respect to the movable part.