Audio and tactile switch feedback for motor vehicle

• US 20050134116A1
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert M., Hein, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,719,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/03 Sound
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96042 with illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

An interface comprises a switch supported in relation to a motor vehicle interior trim component. The switch is operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle. A sensory feedback component is operatively connected to the switch for producing a sensory feedback when the switch is operated.

Claims

1. A switch assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a motor vehicle interior trim component;

at least one switch supported in relation to the motor vehicle interior component, the switch being operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of a motor vehicle; and

at least one sensory feedback component operatively connected to the switch for producing a sensory feedback when the switch is operated.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback component is an audio driver assembly for producing an audio sensation when the switch is operated.

3. The switch assembly of claim 2, wherein the audio driver assembly is also adapted to function as a speaker for the motor vehicle.

4. The switch assembly of claim 2, wherein the audio driver assembly is located behind the motor vehicle interior trim component and sufficiently close to the motor vehicle interior trim component to produce a tactile sensation when the switch is operated.

5. The switch assembly of claim 4, wherein the audio driver assembly is also adapted to function as a speaker for the motor vehicle.

6. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback component is an audio driver assembly that is located behind the motor vehicle interior trim component and sufficiently close to the motor vehicle interior trim component to produce a tactile sensation when the switch is operated.

7. The switch assembly of claim 6, wherein the audio driver assembly is also adapted to function as a speaker for the motor vehicle.

8. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback component is an audio driver assembly that is located behind the motor vehicle interior trim component, the audio driver assembly being programmable to operate at different frequencies to produce an audio sensation, a tactile sensation, or both audio and tactile sensations.

9. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback component is a tone generator for producing a tone when the switch is operated.

10. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory feedback component is a tactile transducer for producing a tactile sensation when the switch is operated.

11. The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the tactile transducer is in the form of a solenoid that is energized to displace a plunger which engages the motor vehicle interior trim component when the switch is operated.

12. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch and the sensory feedback component are supported on a flexible printed circuit board that is located behind the motor vehicle interior trim componment and which conforms to the shape of the motor vehicle interior trim componment.

13. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensitivity of the switch and output of the sensory feedback component are adjustable.

14. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle interior trim component has a touch pad having at least one target area associated with the switch.

15. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the switch is a non-movable switch located behind the target area, the switch being operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle, the target area being associated with a sensitive portion of the switch for operating the switch.

16. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the non-movable switch is a capacitive switch.

17. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the motor vehicle interior trim component is molded and has no openings associated with the target area.

18. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the motor vehicle interior trim component has tactile features that permit a user to easily identify the target area via tactile sensations.

19. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle interior trim component is substantially flat.

20. The switch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light source behind the motor vehicle interior trim component, the motor vehicle interior trim component being at least partially translucent, the light source being adapted to be energized to providing back-lighting through the translucent portion of the motor vehicle interior trim component when the motor vehicle is energized.