WO2021050492A1

WO2021050492A1 - Knob with display preview feature

Info

Publication number: WO2021050492A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/049862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Susan Drescher; Arthur Stephen Brown
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 2019-09-12
Filing date: 2020-09-09
Publication date: 2021-03-18

Abstract

One general aspect includes a vehicle instrument panel assembly having an actuatable control device for adjusting at least one vehicle system operating parameter, the actuatable control device including a sensing means for generating a signal in response to touching of the actuatable control device by a vehicle operator; and a visual display for generating an image corresponding with an adjustable feature controlled by operation of the control device in response to the signal from the sensing means.

Description

KNOB WITH DISPLAY PREVIEW FEATURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to input control knobs that provide control over vehicle functions and generate visual feedback to a vehicle operator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles include instrument panels to communicate information indicative of operation to an operator and include control features such as buttons and knobs that provide an operator to adjust vehicle functions. Typical control features include a set of markings that indicate the adjustment setting for each vehicle feature. Many control features, such as buttons and/or knobs in a vehicle are identically shaped and sized. Accordingly, an operator cannot simply reach for and adjust a control feature without looking at the specific knob or button. Vehicle manufactures are continually seeing improvements to a vehicle operator experience including features that aid an operator in maintaining a focus on operation of the vehicle.

[0003] The background descripti on provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting a context of this disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

[0004] One general aspect includes a vehicle instrument panel assembly having an actuatable control device for adjusting at least one vehicle system operating parameter, the actuatable control device including a sensing means for generating a signal in response to touching of the actuatable control device by a vehicle operator; and a visual display for generating an image corresponding with an adjustable feature controlled by operation of the control device in response to the signal from the sensing means. [0005] Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

[0006] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited where the actuatable control device is a control knob and the sensing means is a capacitive surface disposed on the control knob.

[0007] The visual display may include a heads-up display projected within a view of the vehicle operator.

[0008] The visual display may include a display screen. The generated image may include a symbol indicative of the control feature corresponding with the control device.

[0009] The generated image may include a value of the at least one vehicle operating parameter.

[0010] The sensing means may include a pressure sensing means that generates the signal in response to a sensed pressure being applied to the control device.

[0011] The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited including an audible cue generated in response to the signal generated by the sensing means, the audible cue providing information indicative of the vehicle operating parameter corresponding with the control device.

[0012] The control device in includes an identifying tactile feature that provides an identification of the vehicle operating parameter corresponding w ith the control device. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example vehicle dashboard and instrument panel with a plurality of control knobs.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example visual display corresponding with operation of a control knob.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic view of another example visual display corresponding with operation of a control knob.

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the example instrument panel and visual displays. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle instrument panel 10 is shown that includes a plurality of actuatable control devices for adjusting at least one vehicle system operating parameter. Each of the actuatable control devices include a sensing means for generating a signal in response to touching of the actuatable control device by a vehicle operator. In this disclosed example, the control devices are knobs 12 that control vehicle systems and devices such as adjustment between 2 wheel drive and all-wheel drive, cabin temperature and fan speed. As appreciated, the example knobs 12 may also control other vehicle systems, including infotainment systems.

[0018] A vehicle operator uses each of the controls by graspi ng an outer periphery and turning in a direction that corresponds with a desired adjustment. The vehicle operator must glance, even momentarily, at the knobs to ensure that the proper knob 12 is grasped. Tins may be especially required when any knobs 12 of the same size and shape are utilized for the various vehicle systems.

[0019] Referring to Figure 2, with continued reference to Figure 1, an example knob according to this disclosure includes the sensing means that generates a signal in response to touching of that corresponding knob 12. In one disclosed embodiment, the sensing means is capacitive sensor 14 disposed on a surface grasped by the operator. In this disclosed example, the capacitive sensor 14 is actuated responsive to touching an outer periphery of the knob 12. When the knob 12 is touched by an operator's hand, the knob 12 is visualized in a display 16 to confirm which control is being interacted with. The Operator is therefore able to avoid or reduce glance time from the road while using the control knob 12.

[0020] In this disclosed embodiment, the display 16 is a heads up display that projects an image within the field of view of the operator. Further, in this disclosed embodiment, the image 24 provides a visual graphic that represents the vehicle parameter that is being adjusted. In this example, the knob 12 corresponds with a vehicle drivetrain control for adjusting the drivetrain between different operating modes. In this example, the drivetrain mode is shown as a two wheel drive mode (2WD).

[0021] Referring to Figure 3 with continued reference to Figures 1 and 2, another control knob 12 is shown that is utilized for adjusting a fan speed for a vehicle cabin heating environmental control system. In this embodiment, the image includes a symbol 24 indicative of the system being adjusted and a second symbol 26 indicative of the value of the operating parameter. In this example, the value is fan speed represented by the two dashed lines. As appreciated, other graphic representation could be utilized and are within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, as the knob 12 is adjusted, the setting 26 is indicated on the display 16. The knob 12 still function to adjust the setting 26 with or without capacitive sense preview.

[0022] Referring to Figure 4 with continued reference to Figures 1-3, the example instrument panel is schematically indicated at 10. Although a heads up display 16 is disclosed in the previous examples, other communication devices and displays could also be utilized within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure. For example, an internal display 18 that is located within the interior cabin of the vehicle could be utilized to provide the visual representation in response to touching and operation of one of the knobs 12. Additionally, a sound system within the vehicle schematically indicated by speaker 20 could also be utilized to provide audio feedback and cues to the vehicle operator.

[0023] A controller 22 is in communication with each of the knobs 12 and sensors 14 and is programmed to include instructions for operating the displays 16, 18 and audio system 20. The controller 22 may be a dedicated controller for the disclosed system, or part of an overall vehicle controller.

[0024] An example method of adjusting a HUD display with a control device includes detecting that a driver has moved a position of a control device. In one embodiment, once the hand is detected near the switch, a HUD system 12 displays an image 25 that corresponds to a function of the switch. The HUD system 12 may communicate with the capacitive touch switch via the vehicle controller 20, for example.

[0025] Many modem vehicles include control devices and control knobs, which often have buttons, sliders, or rocker switches that do not provide haptic feedback. These control knobs may be used for functions such as changing the radio station or changing the temperature inside the vehicle, for example. For such capacitive switches, the driver of the vehicle must look away from the road to operate the switch. The disclosed HUD system allows the driver to operate the control device or control knob without looking away from the road. The HUD system projects a simplified display of the control knob so the driver can see his or her selections without looking down from the road. Tins system may help reduce distracted driving and make it easier for the driver to interact with control device device.

[0026] It should be appreciated that although a sensing means is disclosed by way of example, other technologies could be utilized as an alternative to capacitive sensing. For example, sensing may be provided by sensing a pressure on the knob surface. Additional, a "preview" other than a display visualization could be implemented, such as a corresponding distinct audible cue.

[0027] Additionally, the knobs may include a designed with distinct tactile features for better differentiation. Such example knobs could include an identifying tactile feature that provides an identification of the vehicle operating parameter corresponding with the control device.

[0028] Accordingly, the example system eliminates and/or reduces the time needed to glance away at the road to adjust settings for a vehicle system.

[0029] Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle instrument panel assembly comprising: an actuatable control device for adjusting at least one vehicle system operating parameter, the actuatable control device including a sensing means for generating a signal in response to touching of the actuatable control device by a vehicle operator; and a visual display for generating an image corresponding with an adjustable feature controlled by operation of the control device in response to the signal from the sensing means.

2. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuatable control device is a control knob and the sensing means is a capacitive surface disposed on the control knob.

3. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the visual display comprises a heads-up display projected within a view of the vehicle operator.

4. Tire vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the visual display comprises a display screen.

5. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the generated image comprises a symbol indicative of the control feature corresponding with the control device.

6. Tire vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the generated image comprises a value of the at least one vehicle operating parameter.

7. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprises a pressure sensing means that generates the signal in response to a sensed pressure being applied to tire control device.

8. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 1, including an audible cue generated in response to the signal generated by the sensing means, the audible cue providing information indicative of the vehicle operating parameter corresponding with the control device.

9. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the control device in includes an identifying tactile feature that provides an identification of the vehicle operating parameter corresponding with the control device.