Removable dial with touch switch control and electroluminescent backlighting

• US 20080030465A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Farion, Francois, Konet, Heather, Hashikawa, Tomohito
• Application Number:
  US11/496,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

An embodiment includes a control apparatus for at least partially controlling a component of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a knob having a body portion, a connection portion, and a conductive portion. The apparatus also includes a device having a proximity sensor and an illuminating portion. The conductive portion is selectively positioned adjacent the illuminating portion. The apparatus further includes a system controller in communication with the proximity sensor and the illumination portion. The system controller selectively detects movement of the conductive portion relative to the proximity sensor.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for at least partially controlling a component of a vehicle, comprising:

a knob having a body portion, and a conductive portion;

a device having a proximity sensor and an illuminating portion, wherein the knob is positioned relative to the device; and

a system controller in communication with the proximity sensor and the illumination portion, wherein the system controller selectively detects movement of the conductive portion relative to the proximity sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system controller selectively controls a component of the vehicle in response to the detected movement of the conductive portion relative to the proximity sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system controller selectively illuminates the illumination portion in response to the detected movement of the conductive portion relative to the proximity sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knob is selectively positioned relative to the device with a magnet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system controller selectively controls a component of the vehicle in response to detected movement of a portion of a user relative to the proximity sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knob further includes a detent portion with a roller at least partially positioned therein, wherein the roller is selectively interposed between the knob and the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a faceplate, interposed between the knob and the proximity sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the faceplate includes a transparent or a translucent portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the faceplate selectively permits light emitting from the illuminating portion to at least partially pass therethrough.

10. A control system comprising:

a knob having a body portion, a connection portion, and a conductive portion;

a device having a faceplate, a substrate, and a at least a portion of a proximity switch and an electroluminescent portion interposed at least partially between the faceplate and the substrate, wherein the faceplate is selectively interposed between the knob and the substrate.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the faceplate further includes an indicating detent and the knob further includes a projection, wherein the projection is selectively positioned within the indicating detent.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection portion is selectively retained relative to the device with a magnet.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the knob is selectively rotatably coupled to the device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the knob is selectively slidably coupled to the device.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the knob is formed of a non-conductive material and the conductive portion is formed of a metal.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least portions of the proximity switch are printed on the faceplate.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least portions of the electroluminescent portion are printed on the faceplate.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the faceplate selectively permits light emitting from the electroluminescent portion to at least partially pass therethrough.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a system controller in communication with the proximity switch and the electroluminescent portion, wherein the system controller selectively detects movement of the conductive portion relative to the proximity switch.