Audio and tactile switch feedback for motor vehicle

• US 7,719,142 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert M., Hein, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US10/744,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,339 Days
• Field of Search: 307/125, 307/119, 307/139, D13/158, D13/177
• US Class Current: 307/139
• 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 vehicular interior trim component comprising:

a fascia including a portion having a front surface and a rear surface, the portion of the fascia having no openings extending therethrough from the front surface to the rear surface;

an electrical switch supported on the rear surface of the fascia and responsive to a stimulus provided adjacent to the front surface of the fascia for operating the electrical switch, wherein operation of the electrical switch is adapted to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device; and

a sensory feedback mechanism supported on the rear surface of the fascia and responsive to the operation of the electrical switch for generating a sensory feedback when the electrical switch is operated.

2. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the fascia has a tactile identifier provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

3. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the fascia has a tactile guide provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

4. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the fascia has both a tactile identifier and a tactile guide provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

5. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the sensory feedback mechanism is an audio driver assembly.

6. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 5 wherein the audio driver assembly produces an audio sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

7. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the audio driver assembly produces a tactile sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

8. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 7 wherein the audio driver assembly produces both an audio sensation and a tactile sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

9. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 1 wherein the sensory feedback mechanism is a tactile transducer.

10. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 9 wherein the tactile transducer includes a solenoid having a displaceable plunger.

11. A vehicular interior trim component comprising:

a fascia including a portion having a front surface and a rear surface, the portion of the fascia having no openings extending therethrough from the front surface to the rear surface;

an electrically operated device;

an electrical switch supported on the rear surface of the fascia and responsive to a stimulus provided adjacent to the front surface of the fascia for operating the electrical switch, wherein operation of the electrical switch actuates and de-actuates the electrically operated device; and

a sensory feedback mechanism supported on the rear surface of the fascia and responsive to the operation of the electrical switch for generating a sensory feedback when the electrical switch is operated.

12. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the fascia has a tactile identifier provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

13. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the fascia has a tactile guide provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

14. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the fascia has both a tactile identifier and a tactile guide provided on the front surface thereof adjacent to the electrical switch.

15. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the sensory feedback mechanism is an audio driver assembly.

16. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 15 wherein the audio driver assembly produces an audio sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

17. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the audio driver assembly produces a tactile sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

18. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 17 wherein the audio driver assembly produces both an audio sensation and a tactile sensation when the electrical switch is operated.

19. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 11 wherein the sensory feedback mechanism is a tactile transducer.

20. The vehicular interior trim component defined in claim 19 wherein the tactile transducer includes a solenoid having a displaceable plunger.