Reconfigurable, shape-changing button for automotive use and vehicle control panel having reconfigurable, shape-changing buttons

• US 20070247420A1
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen Of America (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Stoschek, Arne, Strohband, Sven, Srinivasan, Venkat, Derse, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,858,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 2209/08 with memory properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/022 Part of keyboard not operable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/068 having a not operable condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 61/0107 making use of shape memory materials

Abstract

A button configuration includes a shape-changing button that has a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region encircles the central region and defines a surface plane. The shape-changing button has an active state and an inactive state. The central region of the button protrudes from the surface plane and provides a push button function when the button is in the active state. The central region of the button extends substantially in the surface plane and provides no push button function when the button is in the inactive state. A control panel having shape-changing buttons is also provided.

Claims

1. A button configuration comprising:

a button having a central region and a peripheral region, said peripheral region encircling said central region and defining a surface plane;

said button having an active state and an inactive state;

said central region of said button protruding from the surface plane and providing a push button function when said button is in the active state; and

said central region of said button extending substantially in said surface plane and providing no push button function when said button is in the inactive state.

2. The button configuration according to claim 1, wherein:

at least said central portion of said button includes a shape memory material;

said shape memory material exhibits a bistability such that said shape memory material forms a protrusion on said surface plane when said button is in the active state; and

said shape memory material forms a substantially flat layer extending in the surface plane when said button is in the inactive state.

3. The button configuration according to claim 2, wherein said shape memory material is a material selected from the group consisting of a shape memory polymer and a shape memory alloy.

4. The button configuration according to claim 1, wherein a continuous layer of a shape memory polymer forms said central region and said peripheral region of said button.

5. The button configuration according to claim 2, wherein:

said shape memory material is a shape memory alloy wire mesh; and

said shape memory alloy wire mesh is embedded in a flexible material.

6. The button configuration according to claim 5, wherein:

said shape memory alloy wire mesh has an ohmic resistance and is configured to be heated with an electric current flowing through said shape memory alloy wire mesh; and

said shape memory alloy wire mesh has a memory shape and deforms into the memory shape when heated to a given transformation temperature.

7. The button configuration according to claim 2, wherein:

said shape memory material is a shape memory alloy thin film; and

a flexible material and said shape memory alloy thin film form a sandwich structure.

8. The button configuration according to claim 2, wherein said shape memory material is a shape memory polymer having a memory shape and said shape memory polymer deforms into the memory shape when heated to a given transformation temperature.

9. The button configuration according to claim 8, including an internal heating mechanism integrated with said shape memory polymer.

10. The button configuration according to claim 1, wherein at least said central region of said button includes a compliant mechanism having two stable states such that said central region of said button forms a protrusion on the surface plane defined by said peripheral region when said button is in the active state and said central region of said button is substantially flat and level with said peripheral region of said button when said button is in the inactive state.

11. A vehicle control panel configuration, comprising:

a control panel including a button;

said button having a central region and a peripheral region, said peripheral region encircling said central region and defining a surface plane;

said button having an active state and an inactive state;

said central region of said button protruding from the surface plane and providing a push button function when said button is in the active state; and

said central region of said button extending substantially in said surface plane and providing no push button function when said button is in the inactive state.

12. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 11, wherein said control panel is provided on a vehicle interior component selected from the group consisting of a vehicle console, a door panel, a steering wheel and a dashboard.

13. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 11, including:

a control unit operatively connected to said button for selectively activating and deactivation said button.

14. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 13, wherein:

said control panel includes further buttons operatively connected to said control unit; and

said control unit selectively activates and deactivates said buttons for controlling an electronic vehicle subsystem.

15. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 14, wherein said buttons are configured to control an electronic vehicle subsystem selected from the group consisting of an audio system, a navigation system, a climate control system and a communications system.

16. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 13, wherein said control unit is configured to activate said button via a voice control.

17. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 13, wherein:

said control panel includes further buttons having an active state and an inactive state; and

said control panel is configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes wherein a respective subset of said buttons is activated when said control panel is in a respective one of the operating modes; and

a selection device is connected to said control unit for selecting the operating modes.

19. The vehicle control panel configuration according to claim 11, including:

a display disposed adjacent to said button; and

said display indicating a function of said button when said button is in the active state.