WO2011070255A1

WO2011070255A1 - Luminous control button on a control panel of a motor vehicle instrument panel

Info

Publication number: WO2011070255A1
Application number: PCT/FR2010/000825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maryline Thorailler; Henry Beraud
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2009-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: EP2509824A1; FR2953469A1; FR2953469B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a luminous control button (1) having a control pad (13) which is made of transparent or translucent material, and having an opaque outer face (16) which has a first transparent or translucent part (14) at the periphery of said face (16) and is able to diffuse a functional light flux (17), and a second transparent part (15) which is able to diffuse an indicating light flux (18); said button (1) having a tube-shaped button body (23) which has a first, outer wall (24) and a concentric second, inner wall (25), said walls being arranged such that said button body (23) has a first internal space (26) and a second internal space (27) which are able to channel and diffuse the light flux (17) and the light flux (18) separately; a tube-shaped light guide (21) which is arranged in said first internal space (26) and is able to homogenize the diffusion and/or to guide said light flux (17) towards said transparent part (14).

Description

LIGHT CONTROL BUTTON OF A FACADE OF

CONTROL OF A DASHBOARD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a light control button of a control panel of a motor vehicle dashboard.

The invention relates more particularly to a light control button type push button, contact button or push button, typically present on a dashboard facade of a motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle is commonly equipped, at the facade of its dashboard, one or more accessories comprising a plurality of light control buttons. These accessories are for example: a car radio, an air conditioning installation of the air contained inside the cabin of the vehicle, or a satellite navigation system.

The indicator lights of such control buttons allow a user to be informed about the activation status of the selected command.

Thus, typically, the illuminated control buttons present on the front of a motor vehicle dashboard include:

- Indicator lights, called functional indicator lights, informing the user about the activation status of the command selected by means of the command button,

- logos or aesthetic luminous vignettes, called luminous identification symbols, of lower brightness than the functional indicator lights, illuminating the control button during the switching "in night mode", that is to say during the ignition crossing lights, or night lights, the motor vehicle thus locating the control button when the external brightness is low, for example at night. In known manner, the identification symbols are made by openings in the control button in which are inserted windows of transparent or translucent materials. On a dashboard facade of a motor vehicle, the marker lights symbols are mainly arranged in the center of the control button and represents a logo, a sign or an abbreviation.

The transparent windows of the identification indicators cooperate with one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs abbreviated) of low intensity implanted in a support type electronic card, the LEDs being located substantially opposite the transparent window.

The functional indicator lights are also made by openings integrated in the control button or remote on the facia of the dashboard, in which are inserted windows of transparent or translucent material. The windows of the functional LEDs cooperate with one or more LEDs of high intensity, that is to say with a luminance greater than 50 cd / m ² (candela per square meter), also implanted in the electronic card. The functional lights of the control buttons can be indifferently circular, oblong, rectangular or any other shape.

Between the electronic board supporting the LEDs and the transparent windows of the control button, internal light guides, of transparent material, are arranged to direct the maximum of the luminous flux emitted by one or more LEDs to the associated window.

The luminous fluxes of the high-brightness functional indicators of the luminous fluxes of the low-light registration symbols must be well separated in order to avoid any risk of confusion as to the activation or not of a command by a user.

In addition, with ever-changing aesthetic criteria for motor vehicle dashboards, car manufacturers are multiplying control buttons and consequently the functional and tracking lights, sometimes with different colors. way to offer the user an attractive cabin. Therefore, the number and type (low brightness, high brightness, color) of light-emitting diodes present on the electronic boards of the various accessories are important. For example, it is not uncommon to find different colors of LEDs (also called LEDs in English) with different brightness on the electronic cards that can significantly increase the cost of overall realization of a dashboard facade.

In addition, with the development of multiplexed facades to incorporate different accessories in a single facade, the distance between the electronic card and the facade of the dashboard is reduced, of the order of a few centimeters, typically 2 cm, of so that the use of LEDs which are directive becomes problematic, in particular because of the small distance separating the electronic card from the facade of the dashboard. The illumination of the witnesses is not homogeneous but has more or less intense light zones according to the distribution of the LEDs on the electronic card and which are visible to the user.

Thus, one of the current solutions to solve this problem is to multiply the number of light sources on the electronic card so as to homogenize the light scattered by a plurality of light sources close to each other, thereby increasing the cost of a light source. such an achievement.

This multiplication of the light sources is used in particular for circular functional indicator lights encircling a control key.

Thus, with the current policy of car manufacturers on cost reductions, none of the technical solutions presented is really satisfactory.

Indeed, either the rendering of the lighting in facade is not homogeneous and does not reflect a sufficient quality, is the multiplication of the number of LEDs present in a frontage, in particular of the LEDs of strong luminosity and of specific color (white, green, blue ...) of high cost, presents a cost of realization too important.

In this context, the invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above and aims to provide a light control button of a control panel of a dashboard of a motor vehicle to reduce the number of parts needed to achieve such a light control button, as well as the cost of producing such a control button while providing a homogeneous and aesthetic lighting front.

To this end, the invention proposes a light control button of a control panel of a motor vehicle dashboard comprising:

a substantially circular control key; or oval or oblong

a plate comprising at least one functional light source and at least one locating light source;

a functional indicator light to indicate to the user the activation or deactivation of the command,

- a marking indicator light to indicate to the user the position of said control button in "night mode"

said control button being characterized in that:

said control key is made of transparent or translucent material and comprises an opaque outer face comprising:

a first transparent part at the periphery of said external face capable of diffusing a light flux emitted by said at least one functional light source so as to form said functional light indicator;

a second transparent part able to diffuse a light flux emitted by said at least one light source of identification

said control knob comprises a button body, of substantially tubular shape, comprising a first external wall and a second concentric inner wall arranged so that said button body comprises a first internal space and a second internal space, said first and said second spaces being able to channel and diffuse separately the light flux emitted by said at least one functional light source and the light flux emitted by said at least one locating light source;

a tubular light guide arranged in said first internal space capable of homogenizing the diffusion and / or guiding said stream of light emitted by said at least one functional source towards said first transparent part at the periphery of said external face.

The term "night mode", the mode during which the marking indicator is illuminated, this mode is obtained typically when lighting the cross lights or pilot lights of the motor vehicle by the user.

In addition to the main features just mentioned in the previous paragraph, the illuminated control button may have one or more additional features below, considered individually or in any technically feasible combination:

said light sources are light-emitting diodes;

said control button comprises two diametrically opposed functional light sources;

said platen comprises a switch located substantially along the axis of axial sliding of said button body so that the ignition of said at least one functional light source is controlled by the pressure of said control body on said switch (35);

said tube-shaped light guide comprises a longitudinal slot capable of introducing said light guide into said button body;

- Said button body comprises lateral fins adapted to cooperate with integral support rails of the facade forming a slide adapted to axial sliding of said button body; said second transparent portion is centered on said outer face;

said second transparent part capable of diffusing a light flux emitted by said at least one light source of identification forms a symbol, an abbreviation or an abbreviation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

- Figure 1 is a representation of a diametral sectional view of a light control button according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view partially broken away of a control button shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a top view of a light guide common to several light control buttons of a dashboard facade according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a light control button 1 according to the invention typically present on a control panel 10 of a motor vehicle dashboard (not shown).

Figure 1 shows a diametral sectional view of a light control button according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view partially broken away of the control knob illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the luminous control button 1 enables the activation or deactivation of an organ, such as, for example, the air-conditioning of the motor vehicle.

The illuminated control button 1 forms a cylindrical pushbutton whose each pulse makes it possible to switch the activation state of the associated member by switching from a deactivated state to an activated state and vice versa.

However, according to other embodiments of the invention, the luminous control button can be indifferently a touch of contact or a push button with indicator lights.

The illuminated control button 1 comprises:

- A push button 13, circular in shape, forming the visible portion of the control button of the facade 10;

- A button body 23 of tubular form secured to the push button 13 conventionally by clipping or clamping, or multiple molding process;

a plate 31 comprising an electronic circuit 32 on which electroluminescent diodes 33, 34 are incorporated;

- A light guide 21 disposed between the plate 31 and the push button 13;

electrical means 35, of the switch type, making it possible to make electrical contact when the push button 13 is depressed by the user, the electrical means swinging from one state to another or causing the state of a microprocessor input to change or a toggle memory, upon contact of the button body 23 with the electrical means;

- return means (not shown) to an output position of the push button 13 and the button body 23, the return means being formed by a spring, or by an elastomeric dome, or any other equivalent means, and by a stop ring for the abutment of the push button 13 in the extended position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stop ring is formed by the upper surface 28 of the button body 23 coming into contact with the internal face 1 1 of the facade 10.

The button body 13 has a double tubular shape formed by a first outer cylindrical wall 24 in which is integrally formed a second inner cylindrical wall 25, so that the button body 23 has a first central cylindrical cavity 27 and a second cylindrical cavity 26 device. The two cylindrical walls 24 and 25 are interconnected by a through element 22 in the cylindrical cavity 26. The push button 13 is integral with the button body 23, the push button 13 being the portion of the control button 1 visible to the user, the button body 23 being the part interacting with the plate 31, the electrical means 35 and the return means (not shown). Under the action of the user, the control button 1 slides axially along an axis XX ', the control button 1 being guided axially by rails 29 secured to the front structure 10 in which fins 38 in periphery of the outer wall 24 of the button body 23 are engaged so that the peripheral fins 38 and the rails 29 form axial slide rails.

The push button 13 of circular shape and thin is made of a transparent or translucent material having an opaque surface treatment covering the outer faces of the push button 13, and in particular the contact surface 16 visible to the user. The push button 13 is made opaque, for example, by the application of a paint.

The contact surface 16 of the push button 13 comprises a first zone 14 of annular shape, located at the periphery of the contact surface 16, devoid of surface treatment, revealing the transparent or translucent material of the push button 13.

The contact surface 16 of the push-button 13 also comprises a second central zone devoid of surface treatment revealing the transparent or translucent material of the push-button 13. The second zone 15, generally associated with the identification indicator, forms a symbol or an acronym, for example "A / C" for air conditioning (Air / Conditioning in English mango), representing an abbreviation of the member associated with the control button 1.

Areas 14, 15 without surface treatment are made by "burn-evaporation of the paint locally" of the surface treatment by means of a laser, or can be obtained by depositing or insertion of a decorated film, or pigments reported by special decoration processes (ex IMD In Mold Decoration) Thus, the first transparent zone 14 allows the diffusion of an intense luminous flux 17 towards the outside of the control button 1 thus forming the functional light indicator informing the user on the activation state of the command selected by the button 1. The second transparent zone 15 allows the diffusion of a second luminous flux 18 towards the outside of the control button 1 forming the identification light, of lower luminosity, making it possible to identify and locate the control button. command 1, especially when switching to "night mode", that is to say when lighting the cross lights or pilot lights of the motor vehicle when the external brightness is low, for example at night.

As an indication, high brightness is understood to mean a luminance greater than 50 cd / m ² (candela per square meter) and low luminosity a luminance of less than 10 cd / m ²

The electronic card 32 comprises light-emitting diodes

33 of high luminous intensity for illuminating the functional indicator and light-emitting diodes 34 of low light intensity, typically of the order of 5 to 10 cd / m2, for the illumination of the identification indicator.

It is necessary that the diodes 33 have a light intensity sufficiently large to allow the user to view the functional indicator in the middle of the day when the controlled device is activated.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic card 32 may comprise a single diode, if not more for example two diodes 33 of high intensity, diametrically opposed, suitable for illuminating the annular-shaped functional indicator located substantially opposite to a virtual circle passing through each of the diodes 33.

In order to recover the maximum of the luminous flux 17 emitted by the diodes 33, it is necessary to guide this luminous flux 17 towards the annular transparent zone 14 of the functional indicator while proposing a homogeneous luminous flux at the level of the push button 13, that is, to say without variation of intensity relative to the location of the diodes, the control button 1 comprises a light guide 21.

The light guide 21 is formed by a split tube of transparent material disposed between the diodes 33 of the electronic card and the push button 13 located on the front. The light guide 21 is introduced into the cylindrical cavity 26 of the button body between the outer cylindrical wall 24 and the inner cylindrical wall 25 by the rear of the button body 23.

The specific shape of the light guide 21 makes it possible to reduce the number of diodes necessary for the production of the function indicator and for the formation of a homogeneous luminous halo on the surface of the pushbutton 13. Advantageously, a single diode 33 or two diodes 33, of high intensity, are sufficient for producing a homogeneous functional light indicator. Thus, the luminous control button according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of such a button.

The light guide 21 also eliminates problems of homogeneity of the functional light halo due to the small distance between the plate, on which the diodes 33 are located, and the facade 10 of the dashboard.

Each stream of light, functional 17 or 18, is separated by the button body 23 so as to be dissociated and to avoid the presence of parasitic light flux between the different functions. Thus, the functional luminous flux 17 is guided through the internal space 26 of the button body 23 and the luminous flux 18 of registration is guided through the internal space 27 of the button body 23.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light guide is a common light guide to a plurality of control buttons present on a control panel formed by a single piece having cylindrical portions able to guide the light towards the buttons of control interconnected by connecting straps.

As a result, the light guide must include means to prevent the spurious diffusion of intense light fluxes, due to the activation of a light. command, towards the indicator light of a second command button not activated.

In this respect, FIG. 3 represents an exemplary embodiment, seen from above, of a light guide 51 of a façade portion comprising two control buttons as well as a stylistic element reinforcing the visualization of the activation. of the order. The one-piece light guide 51 thus comprises two cylindrical portions 52 and 53 able to guide a luminous flux homogeneously respectively to an associated control key and a substantially comma-shaped element 60 giving a stylistic effect to the facade. The two cylinders 52 and 53 as well as the element 60 are interconnected by bayonet-shaped connecting straps formed by a succession of breaks whose angles of fracture form angles greater than 90 ° (degree) so as to to trap the light rays.

Thus, when activating a command, the high intensity light flux coming from the functional diodes of the activated control button is channeled in the cylindrical part as well as in the link straps thus avoiding any light scattering in the light guide. may illuminate another indicator light on a non-activated command button.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical parts of the light guide are slotted, substantially in the shape of a "C", so as to allow the positioning of the waveguide inside the button bodies formed by two cylinders concentric.

The invention has been particularly described for a circular light control knob; however, the invention is also applicable to a control button of any shape, for example, oval, rectangular, triangular, oblong, etc.

The invention has been particularly described for a ring-shaped functional indicator; however, the invention is also applicable to a functional indicator light oblong, rectangular or any other form. Finally, the invention has been particularly described for a push button type control button; however, the invention is also applicable to a button-type control button, push button or any other type typically present on a dashboard facade of a motor vehicle.

Other advantages of the invention include the following:

- reduction of the number of parts required by the removal of a transparent part for the formation of a halo of light around the control key;

reduction of the number of light-emitting diodes used for the formation of a homogeneous functional halo;

- formation of a homogeneous functional halo in facade with the use of a multiplexed facade.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

Light control button (1) of a control panel (10) of a motor vehicle dashboard comprising:

a substantially circular control key (13)

a plate (31) comprising at least one functional light source (33) and at least one locating light source (34);

said control button (1) being characterized in that:

said control key (13) is made of transparent or translucent material and has an opaque outer face (16), said outer face (6) comprising:

• a first portion (14) transparent or translucent, at the periphery of said face (16) capable of diffusing a light flux (17) emitted by said at least one functional light source (33) so as to form said functional light indicator;

A second transparent or translucent part, (15) able to diffuse a light flux (18) emitted by said at least one locating light source (34):

said control knob (1) comprises a substantially tubular button body (23) having a first outer wall (24) and a second concentric inner wall (25) arranged so that said button body (23) comprises a first internal space (26) and a second internal space (27), said internal spaces (26,27) being able to channel and to separately diffusing the light flux (17) emitted by said at least one functional light source (33) and the light flux (18) emitted by said at least one locating light source (34):

a tubular light guide (21) arranged in said first internal space (26) able to homogenize the diffusion and / or guide said light flux (17) emitted by said at least one functional source (33) towards said first transparent portion (14) at the periphery of said outer face (16).

Light control button (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said light sources (33, 34) are light emitting diodes. LED (LED)

Light control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to

2 characterized in that said control button comprises two functional light sources (33) diametrically opposed.

Light control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to

3 characterized in that said plate (31) comprises a switch (35) located substantially along the axis of axial sliding of said button body (23) so that the ignition of said at least one functional light source (33) is controlled by the pressure of said control body (23) on said switch (35).

Light control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to

4 characterized in that said tubular light guide (21) comprises a longitudinal slot adapted to introduce said light guide (21) into said button body (23).

6. Luminous control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said button body (23) comprises lateral fins (38) adapted to cooperate with retaining rails (29) integral with the facade (10) forming a slide capable of axial sliding of said button body (23). 7. Light control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said second transparent or translucent portion (15) is centered on said outer face (16).

8. illuminated control button (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said second transparent or translucent portion, (15) capable of diffusing a light flux (18) emitted by said at least one light source marker (34) forms a symbol, an abbreviation or an abbreviation.