FR3140684A1 - Electrical vehicle control device with a single rocker actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical control device (1) for a vehicle comprising a single manual rocker actuator (120) pivotally mounted between at least two control positions as well as a selection front (220) comprising several selection buttons with two states (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) electrically connected to said actuator, each said button making it possible to select when it occupies its active state a corresponding organ or function controlled by this actuator; said device comprising a card electronic control configured so that in the absence of manual actuation, at the end of a predetermined delay of at least one of said selection buttons, said selection panel automatically adopts a default configuration in which a a single predefined selection button (221A) among all of said selection buttons is in its active state so that only the organ or function corresponding to this button is then controlled by said actuator. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Electrical vehicle control device with a single rocker actuator

The present invention relates generally to electrical control devices for vehicles, particularly of the automobile type. It aims in particular at such a control device equipped with a single manual rocker actuator.

Electrical control devices equipped with one or more manual rocker actuators are generally installed in the armrests of the side doors of motor vehicles to control the opening and closing of one or more windows of these vehicles.

Described for example in patent application FR 3 104 753 A1, such an electrical control device conventionally comprises, for each window to be controlled, a respective rocker control actuator mounted pivoting around an articulation axis and arranged between two contactors.

For regulatory safety reasons and in order to comply in particular with American standard FMVSS 118 which requires that the vehicle windows cannot be closed by inadvertent pressing of a vehicle occupant on a control member, each of its rocker actuators have an upper support surface extending entirely on one side opposite its articulation axis.

This support surface is able to be pressed downwards so as to tilt said actuator in a first direction and activate said at least one first contactor so as to cause the opening of the corresponding opening.

The actuator also comprises, at the front end of the upper support surface, a protuberance allowing it to be pulled upwards so as to tilt it in a second direction and actuate said at least one second contactor so to cause the corresponding opening to close.

The obligation to use this type of rocker actuator makes the window control devices relatively expensive and also particularly bulky since each actuator requires the presence of an access recess adjoining its support surface in order to allow allows an occupant of the vehicle to slip one of their fingers into it to be able to pull it upwards.

In order to reduce their cost price and their size, document FR 3 081 236 A1 proposes an electrical control device for a motor vehicle comprising a single manual rocker actuator as well as a selection front comprising several manual selection buttons in two states electrically connected to said actuator, each said button making it possible to select when it is in its active state a corresponding window controlled by this actuator.

Such a control device thus has the advantage of being much more economical and compact than conventional control devices.

However, its use is not particularly intuitive for the user who is systematically obliged to visually check the selected window(s) and possibly modify this selection before manipulating the rocker actuator.

The present invention therefore aims to improve the ergonomics of use of such an electrical control device equipped with a single rocker actuator.

To this end, it proposes an electrical control device for a vehicle comprising a single manual rocker actuator pivotally mounted between at least two control positions as well as a selection panel comprising several two-state selection buttons electrically connected to said actuator, each said button making it possible to select, when it is in its active state, a corresponding organ or function controlled by this actuator.

According to the invention, this control device comprises an electronic control card configured so that in the absence of manual actuation, at the end of a predetermined delay of at least one of said selection buttons, said facade selection automatically adopts a default configuration in which a single predefined selection button among all of said selection buttons is in its active state so that only the organ or function corresponding to this button is then controlled by said actuator .

By ensuring a default preselection of a main organ or function controlled by the rocker actuator, the control device according to the invention allows more intuitive use for the user who can directly control this organ or this function main (typically, the window located closest to the home location of this device) without bothering to first check the state of the selection buttons.

According to preferred characteristics both for regulatory reasons and for convenience of use:
- at least one of said selection buttons is associated with an opening of said vehicle, preferably with a window of this vehicle;
- at least two of said selection buttons are each associated with a respective window of said vehicle; and or
- said predefined selection button is associated with a window of said vehicle.

According to yet other advantageous characteristics making it possible to improve the ergonomics of use:
- said electronic control card is also configured so that the manual actuation of a said selection button not associated with a window of the vehicle automatically causes all of the other said selection buttons to switch to the inactive state; and or
- said predetermined delay is between 5 and 10 seconds.

With the same aim of improving the ergonomics of use, said selection buttons are preferably of the tactile type.

Each said tactile selection button also advantageously comprises haptic validation means of active or passive type allowing the user to feel the change in state of this button.

These haptic validation means comprise, for example, vibrators each implanted under the contact surface of a respective tactile button and capable of emitting a vibratory response when a pressing force greater than or equal to a predetermined value is exerted on the corresponding button .

Finally and always with the objective of improving the ergonomics of use, said selection buttons each preferably present a backlit surface area, in the form of a pictogram representative of the corresponding organ or function that it allows you to select, and whose color varies depending on the state of this button.

Finally, in a second aspect, the invention aims at a motor vehicle comprising at least one such control device.

The presentation of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of several exemplary embodiments, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- represents a perspective view of an electrical control device for a vehicle according to the invention;
- is a perspective view of the actuation module of the control device according to the invention;
- represents an elevation view illustrating the mounting of the covering module comprising the selection facade on the actuation module comprising the rocker actuator;
- is a top view of the control device according to the invention, the selection facade of which occupies its default configuration in which a single predefined selection button among all the selection buttons electrically connected to the rocker actuator is in its active state;
- represents a top view of the control device according to the invention, the selection facade of which occupies a temporary configuration in which a selection button associated with another opening of the vehicle occupies its active state; And
- represents a top view of the control device according to the invention, the selection facade of which occupies a temporary configuration in which several selection buttons associated with different windows of the vehicle occupy their active state.

There represents an electrical control device 1 according to the invention intended to be integrated into equipment not shown in a motor vehicle such as an armrest of a side door of this vehicle or its central console.

By convention, we define with respect to this control device 1, an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three perpendicular axes in pairs, namely:
- an X axis, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction,
- a Y axis, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, and
- a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane.

In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms "longitudinal" or "longitudinal" will refer to a direction parallel to the axis direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms "vertical" or "vertically" will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

The terms “lower”, “upper”, “front” and “rear” will be understood in relation to the conventional orientation of the control device 1 when it is installed in the armrest of a side door of a vehicle . Following such an orientation, the terms “lower” and “lower” will indicate greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms “upper” or “high”. The term “front” will indicate a positioning towards the front of a vehicle in the horizontal direction and the term “rear” will indicate a positioning towards the rear of a vehicle in the same horizontal direction.

As illustrated on the , the control device 1 consists of an actuation module 100 and a covering module 200 mounted on this actuation module 100 to which it is electrically connected.

Represented alone on the , the actuation module 100 comprises a housing 110 comprising a hollow main body 111 of parallelepiped shape and whose horizontal upper wall 112 has a central opening 113.

Housing at least one first contactor and at least one second non-visible contactor, this housing 110 further comprises two side flanges 114, 115 extending vertically above the main body 111 from the two side edges of the opening 113.

The actuation module 100 also comprises a single manual rocker actuator 120 projecting above the main body 111 of the housing 110 between the two side flanges 114, 115 on which it is pivotally mounted along a first transverse articulation axis T ₁ via a cylindrical rod 121 passing through these two flanges 114, 115 and this actuator 120.

The rocker actuator 120 comprises a hollow articulation body 122 crossed by the rod 121 and intended to be hidden from the eyes of the user, as well as a nose-shaped gripping member 125 connected to the front end of this articulation body 122 so as to extend in front of the transverse articulation axis T ₁ , and intended to be manipulated by a user to control an organ or function of the vehicle.

The gripping nose 125 has an upper support surface 126 extending substantially horizontally and which can be pressed downwards so as to tilt the actuator 120 forward around the transverse articulation axis T ₁ and activate said at least one first contactor.

This gripping nose 125 further comprises, at the front end of this upper support surface 126, a protuberance 127 defined in this case by a cavity 128 formed on the front face of this nose 125 and allowing it to be pulled upwards so as to tilt the actuator 120 backwards around the transverse articulation axis T ₁ and activate said at least one second contactor.

In reference to the , the covering module 200 comprises a hollow housing 210 defining in its rear central part a casing 211 open on the underside and fixedly attached to the housing 110 of the actuation module 100 as illustrated by the .

This casing 211 is provided with an upper masking wall 212 covering the hollow articulation body 122 of the actuator 120 and from which extends an access recess 213 housing in its rear part the gripping nose 125 of the actuator 120 and dimensioned to allow manipulation of this gripping nose 125 by the finger of a user.

In the neutral rest position of device 1 and as illustrated on this , the upper bearing surface 126 of the gripping nose 125 of this actuator 120 extends coplanar to the upper masking wall 212 and in the extension of the upper rear edge of the access recess 213.

Still referring to the , the covering module 200 also includes a selection front 220 covering the housing 210 to which it is fixed by snap-fastening. Extending coplanar to the upper masking wall 212 on the lateral sides and in front of the access recess 213, this selection facade 200 is equipped with a tactile matrix making it possible to identify the position of the user's finger.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, the selection facade 220 thus comprises two lateral zones 221, 222 bordering this access recess 213 and a front zone 223 extending in front of this access recess 213 and these two zones lateral 221, 222.

Each lateral zone 221 (respectively 222) comprises two two-state tactile manual selection buttons 221A, 221B (respectively 222A, 222B) electrically connected to the rocker actuator 120 and allowing each to select a corresponding window controlled by this actuator 120.

In this case, the lateral zone 221 located on the driver's side of the access recess 213 comprises in its front part a first manual touch button 221A making it possible to select the front window on the driver's side of the vehicle. This lateral zone 221 also includes in its rear part a second manual touch button 221B making it possible to select the rear driver's side window of this vehicle.

In the same way, the lateral zone 222 located on the front passenger side of the access recess 213 comprises in its front part a first manual touch button 222A making it possible to select the front window on the front passenger side of the vehicle. This side zone 222 also includes in its rear part a second touchscreen manual button 222B making it possible to select the rear window on the front passenger side of this vehicle.

The front area 223 of this selection panel 220 includes three other two-state tactile manual selection buttons 223A, 223B, 223C electrically connected to the rocker actuator 120.

The two buttons 223A, 223B each make it possible to select another opening of the vehicle controlled by the actuator 120, in this case the fuel flap for button 223A and the rear trunk for button 223B.

The button 223C allows the actuator 120 to select a vehicle function controlled by the actuator 120, in this case the rear window locking function.

The front zone 223 of the facade also includes in this case a multidirectional touch control pad 223D making it possible to adjust the positioning of a rear-view mirror of the vehicle, as well as two manual touch selection buttons 223E, 223F being electrically connected to it and making it possible to each select a corresponding mirror controlled by this control pad 223D.

The selection buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C, 223E, 223F each have a backlit surface area, in the form of a pictogram representative of the corresponding organ or function that 'it allows you to select, and whose color varies depending on the state of this button (for example, orange for the active state and white for the inactive state) in order to inform users of the organ(s) (opening and/or mirrors) selected.

Each selection button 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C, 223E, 223F is also advantageously provided with haptic validation means of active or passive type allowing the user to feel the change in state of this button.

Advantageously of the active type, these haptic validation means can for example comprise vibrators each implanted under the contact surface of a respective tactile button and capable of emitting a vibratory response when a support force greater than or equal to a predetermined value is exerted on the corresponding button.

Furthermore, the selection buttons associated with the windows 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B are advantageously provided with tactile identification means constituted by raised protrusions E visible on the and allowing the user to identify them by touch.

The selection facade 220 further comprises an electronic control card not visible in the figures and capable of managing the change of state of the selection buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C electrically connected to the actuator rocker 120.

According to the invention, this electronic control card is configured so that in the absence of manual actuation, at the end of a predetermined period advantageously between 5 and 10 seconds, of at least one of these selection buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C electrically connected to the actuator 120, the selection panel 220 automatically adopts a default configuration illustrated over there in which a single predefined selection button 221A among all of these selection buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C is in its active state so that only the organ or function corresponding to this button 221A is then controlled by this actuator 120.

This predefined selection button 221A is advantageously associated with a window of the vehicle (in this case, that of the driver and generally with that located closest to the reception location of the control device 1).

The electronic control card is also configured so that the manual actuation of a selection button not associated with a window of the vehicle (in this case one of the buttons 223A, 223B, 223C) automatically causes the passage to the inactive state of all the other selection buttons electrically connected to the actuator 120.

Such a configuration of the control module thus prevents the actuator 120 from being able to simultaneously control several different components of the vehicle, with the exception of the windows.

In this case and as illustrated by the , manual actuation of the selection button 223A will thus have the effect of automatically causing the buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223B and 223C to switch to the inactive state.

In the same way, manual actuation of the selection button 223B (respectively 223C) will have the effect of causing the buttons 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A and 223C (respectively 221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A and 223B).

Furthermore, the manual actuation of a first selection button (for example 222A) among the buttons 221B, 222A or 222B from the default configuration in which the selection button 221A is active, will not result in a change of state of this button 221A which will remain active.

As illustrated by way of example by the , the manual actuation of a second selection button (for example 221B) among the buttons 221B, 222A or 222B from the configuration of the previous paragraph, will also not result in any change of state of the button 221A and said first button which will remain active.

According to alternative embodiments not shown, the selection facade is arranged differently.

This facade may in particular be devoid of a multidirectional touch control pad making it possible to adjust the positioning of the vehicle's mirrors, as well as selection buttons electrically connected to this pad.

The number and arrangement of the selection buttons electrically connected to the rocker actuator may also vary depending on the location of the control device in the vehicle and/or the equipment of this vehicle.

Generally speaking, this selection panel will include at least two selection buttons electrically connected to the single actuator, preferably at least one associated with an opening of the vehicle (for example, the window located closest to the location control device).

We could also provide for example one or more additional selection buttons each allowing the rocker actuator to control, for example, the opening and closing of the hood, a sunroof or a soft top, the locking and unlocking of the doors, the activation or deactivation of certain functions of the seat located closest to the location of the control device, etc.

The selection buttons can also be different, for example consisting of push-type mechanical buttons.

According to yet other alternative embodiments, the tactile identification means may be absent or constituted differently (for example by hollow impressions).

Finally, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all the variants of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

Electrical control device (1) for a vehicle comprising a single manual rocker actuator (120) pivotally mounted between at least two control positions as well as a selection panel (220) comprising several two-state selection buttons (221A, 221B , 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) electrically connected to said actuator (120), each said button (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) making it possible to select when it occupies its active state an organ or a corresponding function controlled by this actuator (120);
characterized in that it comprises an electronic control card configured so that in the absence of manual actuation, at the end of a predetermined delay of at least one of said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A , 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C), said selection panel (220) automatically adopts a default configuration in which a single predefined selection button (221A) among all of said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) is in its active state so that only the organ or function corresponding to this button (221A) is then controlled by said actuator (120). Control device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B) of said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B , 223C) is associated with an opening of said vehicle. Control device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B) of said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) is associated with a window of said vehicle. Control device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least two (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B) of said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) are each associated to a respective window of said vehicle. Control device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said predefined selection button (221A) is associated with a window of said vehicle. Control device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said electronic control card is also configured so that the manual actuation of a said selection button (223A, 223B, 223C) is not associated with a window of the vehicle automatically causes all of the other so-called selection buttons to go into an inactive state. Control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said predetermined delay is between 5 and 10 seconds. Control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) are of the touch type. Control device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that each said tactile selection button (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) comprises haptic validation means of active or passive type allowing the The user feels the change in state of this button. Control device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said haptic validation means comprise vibrators each implanted under the contact surface of a respective tactile button (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C ) and capable of emitting a vibration response when a pressing force greater than or equal to a predetermined value is exerted on the corresponding button. Control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said selection buttons (221A, 221B, 222A, 222B, 223A, 223B, 223C) each have a backlit surface area, presenting itself in the form of a pictogram representing the corresponding organ or function that it allows to select, and whose color varies depending on the state of this button. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises at least one control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.