PUSHBUTTON VEHICLE SHIFTER INTERFACE USING PROXIMITY SENSING

• US 20170227118A1
• Filed: 02/10/2016
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Rankin, II, James Stewart, Buttolo, Pietro, McCarthy, Mark, Salter, Stuart C.
• Application Number:
  US15/040,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20170227118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/08 Dashboard means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/026 Details or special features of the selector casing or lever support for mechanical gear shifting F16H59/042
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2063/423 Range indicators for automatic transmissions, e.g. showing selected range or mode
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0217 with electric switches or sensors not for gear or range selection, e.g. for controlling auxiliary devices for gear selection F16H59/044; for range selection F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/12 comprising push button devices

Abstract

A pushbutton shifter interface is provided that includes a movable assembly supporting a plurality of pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface also includes a proximity sensor arrangement configured to sense a user proximate the pushbutton keys and interfacing with one of the keys and an actuator actuating the movable assembly to a use position in response to sensing the user proximate the pushbutton keys. The pushbutton shifter interface further includes a display showing a sensed position of the user relative to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

Claims

1. A pushbutton shifter interface comprising:

a movable assembly supporting a plurality of pushbutton keys actuatable to input a vehicle operating mode;

a proximity sensor arrangement configured to sense a user proximate the pushbutton keys;

an actuator actuating the movable assembly to a use position in response to the sensed user proximate to the pushbutton keys in a stowed position; and

a display for displaying a sensed location of the user proximate and relative to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

2. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1 further comprising a cover at least partially overlying the plurality of pushbutton keys.

3. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the actuator pivots the movable assembly to a use position.

4. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the actuator moves the movable assembly forward relative to a cover overlying at least a portion of the proximity sensor arrangement.

5. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the movable assembly moves forward toward the user to the use position.

6. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of proximity sensors comprising a plurality of capacitive sensors.

7. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of proximity sensors comprising a plurality of infrared sensors.

8. (canceled)

9. A pushbutton shifter interface comprising:

a plurality of pushbutton keys actuatable to input a vehicle operating mode;

a plurality of proximity sensors configured to sense a position of a user proximate the pushbutton keys; and

a display showing the sensed position of the user relative and proximate to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

10. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 9, wherein the display is located in an instrument cluster of the vehicle.

11. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 9 further comprising a movable assembly supporting the plurality of pushbutton keys.

12. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 11 further comprising an actuator for actuating the movable assembly containing a plurality of pushbutton keys to a use position in response to the sensed position of the user proximate the pushbutton keys.

13. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 12 further comprising a cover at least partially covering the plurality of pushbutton keys in a stowed position, wherein the actuator moves the plurality of pushbutton keys forward relative to the cover.

14. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 9, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors.

15. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 9, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors comprises a plurality of infrared sensors.

16. A pushbutton shifter interface comprising:

a movable assembly supporting a plurality of pushbutton keys;

a proximity sensor arrangement configured to sense a user proximate the pushbutton keys and interfacing with one of the keys;

an actuator actuating the movable assembly to a use position in response to the sensed user proximate the pushbutton keys; and

a display showing a sensed position of the user relative and proximate to the plurality of pushbutton keys.

17. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 16, wherein the movable assembly moves forward toward the user to the use position.

18. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 16, wherein the actuator pivots the movable assembly to a use position.

19. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of proximity sensors comprising a plurality of capacitive sensors.

20. The pushbutton shifter interface of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of proximity sensors comprising a plurality of infrared sensors.