SWITCH WITH USER FEEDBACK

• US 20160064166A1
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Ruiz Larios, Carlos Ivn, Hernandez Diaz, Manuel, Snchez Lpez, Jos Arturo
• Granted Patent: US 9,838,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9645 Resistive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

A switch includes a substrate that has a contact area on a first face. At least one first conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. At least one second conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. A sensor is configured to detect when a user contacts the contact area.

Claims

1. A switch comprising:

a substrate having a contact area on a first face;

at least one first conductor located in the substrate extending onto the contact area;

at least one second conductor located in the substrate extending onto the contact area; and

a sensor configured to detect when a user contacts the contact area.

2. The switch of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located on a second face of the substrate opposite the first face.

3. The switch of claim 2, wherein the at least one second conductor and the at least one second conductor extend from the first face of the substrate to a second face of the substrate.

4. The switch of claim 1, wherein the at least one first conductor is configured to be electrically connected to a ground.

5. The switch of claim 4, wherein the at least one second conductor is configured to be connected to a positive electrical source.

6. The switch of claim 5, wherein the at least one first conductor and the at least one second conductor extend across a width of the substrate from a first edge of the substrate to a second opposite edge of the substrate.

7. The switch of claim 5, wherein the at least one first conductor forms a first ring and the at least one second conductor forms a second ring, the first ring radially spaced from the second ring.

8. The switch of claim 5, wherein the at least one first conductor is cylindrical and extends from the first face to a second face of the substrate and the at least one second conductor is cylindrical and extends from the first face to the second face.

9. The switch of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to a microprocessor when the user contacts the contact area.

10. The switch of claim 9, wherein the microprocessor is configured to direct a current from an electrical power source to a ground through the first conductor and the second conductor when a portion of the user'"'"'s body completes the circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor.

11. An automotive component comprising:

a plurality of switch assemblies for controlling at least one vehicle parameter, each of the plurality of switch assemblies including;

a substrate having a contact area on a first face;

at least one first conductor located in the substrate extending onto the contact area;

at least one second conductor located in the substrate extending onto the contact area;

a sensor configured to detect when a user contacts the contact area; and

a microprocessor in communication with the sensor to determine when a user contacts the contact area.

12. The component of claim 11, further comprising an electrical power source connectable to one of the at least one second conductor or the at least one first conductor.

13. The component of claim 12, wherein the other of the at least one second conductor or the at least one first conductor is in electrical communication with a ground.

14. The component of claim 11, wherein the at least one first conductor extends from the first face of the substrate to a second face of the substrate and the second conductor extends from the first face of the substrate to the second face of the substrate and the sensor is a capacitive sensor.

15. The component of claim 11, further comprising an electrical power source, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to the microprocessor when the user contacts the contact area.

16. The component of claim 15, wherein the microprocessor is configured to direct a current from the electrical power source to a ground through the first conductor and the second conductor when a portion of the user'"'"'s body completes the circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor.

17. A method of operating a switch comprising

a) grounding a first conductor located on a contact surface of a button to a ground;

b) connecting an electrical power source to a second conductor located on the contact surface of the button;

c) determining when a user contacts the button with a sensor; and

d) sending an electrical current to the second conductor when the user contacts the button.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising completing a circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor when the user contacts the button.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to a microprocessor when the user contacts the contact surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the microprocessor directs the electrical current from the electrical power source to the ground through the first conductor and the second conductor when a portion of the user'"'"'s body completes the circuit between the first conductor and the second conductor.