Vehicular sensing and control system for overhead console

The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/952,777, filed Dec. 23, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to an accessory system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to an accessory system that utilizes one or more user actuatable inputs for controlling one or more functions of the accessory system.

Use of switches or touch sensors are known to provide a user actuatable human machine interface in a vehicle, such as for controlling one or more devices or systems of the vehicle.

The present invention provides a vehicular sensing and control system for a vehicle including at least one sensor module for controlling at least one function of the vehicle. The sensor module is disposed in a cabin of a vehicle and accessible by a driver of the vehicle and includes (i) a switch face at an outer portion of the sensor module and accessible by the driver of the vehicle, (ii) a force sensing sensor disposed behind the switch face so as to sense force applied at the switch face, (iii) a haptic feedback device operable to provide haptic feedback at the switch face, and (iv) a printed circuit board comprising circuitry including a microcontroller. Responsive to the driver applying a first finger force to the switch face, a first signal generated by the force sensing sensor based on the first finger force applied to the switch face is provided to the microcontroller. Responsive to the microcontroller receiving the first signal, the microcontroller causes the haptic feedback device to generate a first haptic feedback associated with a first function of the vehicle, and the first haptic feedback includes a first predetermined feedback waveform. Responsive to the microcontroller receiving the first signal, the microcontroller also controls the first function of the vehicle (such as via generating an output that actuators or adjusts or controls the first function). Responsive to the driver applying a second finger force to the switch face that is different than the first finger force, a second signal generated by the force sensing sensor based on the second finger force applied to the switch face is provided to the microcontroller. Responsive to the microcontroller receiving the second signal, the microcontroller causes the haptic feedback device to generate a second haptic feedback signal associated with a second function of the vehicle that is different than the first function of the vehicle, and the second haptic feedback signal includes a second predetermined feedback waveform that is different than the first predetermined feedback waveform. Responsive to the microcontroller receiving the second signal, the microcontroller also controls the second function of the vehicle (such as via generating an output that actuators or adjusts or controls the first function).

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle with a vehicular sensing and control system that includes one or more vehicular sensors in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a vehicular sensor of the vehicular sensing and control system;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the vehicular sensor;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vehicular sensor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicular sensor;

FIG. 6 is another sectional view of the vehicular sensor;

FIG. 7 is another plan view of the vehicular sensor;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a vehicular sensor with three buttons;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a printed circuit board assembly with three sensor electrodes; and

FIG. 10 is a graph of signal levels of the three sensor electrodes 40 of FIG. 9 .

A vehicular proximity sensor or sensing and control system operates to control one or more features of a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicular sensing and control system 12 that includes at least one vehicular switch or sensor. Many automotive overhead consoles incorporate switches for controlling features such as interior lighting and/or the opening and closing of a sunroof or moonroof. These switches typically have a button face that the operator presses or slides to control the desired feature. These operating surfaces often actuate tactile switches or incorporate a capacitive sensor (usually for lighting).

Although capacitive touch switches are acceptable for some applications (e.g., lighting), with an overhead console application the user often is not looking at the console when they are using it, but rather locating an intended button by touch while directing their vision to the road while driving. This may result in inadvertent actuation of capacitive sensing switches if the driver touches one or more unintended switches while reaching without looking for the correct switch. It is therefore desirable to allow actuation by pressure in addition to touch.

Aspects of the present invention incorporate both capacitive sensing and force sensing in one package, along with a means of providing haptic feedback to the operator. This allows several functions to be incorporated into a single button or group of buttons.

Referring to FIGS. 2 - 7 , a vehicular sensing and control system 12 of a vehicle 10 may determine which user input (e.g., a button) in a group of user inputs ( FIG. 8 ) is being touched by a driver or passenger of the vehicle instead of signaling a touch event directly. A slight pressure on the button may activate the desired function (such as operating a light, operating a sunroof/moonroof, or opening a garage door, etc.), and the haptic feedback provides a tactile way for the user to know the desired function has been activated. This allows one force-sensing element and one haptic feedback element to be used for several switches (to provide control or adjustment of multiple accessories or systems, or multiple functions of an accessory or system), reducing cost and complexity.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a vehicular switch 20 of the vehicular sensing and control system 12 includes a piezoelectric actuator 24 (“Piezo Actuator”) that provides both pressure sensing and haptic feedback. For example, the actuator 24 may be a TDK POWERHAP™ actuator. The piezoelectric actuator 24 may be controlled with a specialized IC such as a Boreas BOS1901. Pressure on a switch face 22 , for example from a user pressing against the switch face 22 , causes a force to be applied to a piezoelectric disk of the piezoelectric actuator 24 and generates a voltage that is detected using an integrated circuit (IC), such as a printed circuit board assembly 28 (“PCBA”). The printed circuit board assembly 28 may contain a microcontroller, a piezoelectric control IC, and/or capacitive sensor electrodes. The microcontroller may be a part of or in communication with an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle and/or may include a microprocessor with circuitry and associated software, a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. The microcontroller processes the voltage generated by the piezoelectric disk (or other pressure sensor). The switch face 22 is an outer surface of the switch 20 that is touched by the user. The switch face 22 may be transparent or translucent to accommodate backlit icons or other indicia. The sensor 20 may include a light guide 30 for applications with a backlit switch face 22 to provide uniform illumination of icons. The light guide 30 may be edge-lit via, for example, by one or more light emitting diodes (LED) mounted at the printed circuit board assembly 28 .

Once the microcontroller/IC 28 determines that a threshold force is satisfied, for example by the user pressing hard enough on the switch face 22 causing the pressure sensor to generate a sufficient amount of voltage, the IC 28 drives the piezoelectric disk with a predetermined feedback waveform (e.g., haptic feedback) that the user can feel at the switch face 22 . Several feedback profiles may be provided to indicate to the user a state of the switch 20 . For example, a first pressure applied on the switch 20 may initiate a first function with a corresponding feedback signal, while additional or second pressure applied on the switch 20 may initiate a second function that is different than the first function with a different corresponding feedback signal. For example, the first pressure or force applied at the switch may cause the microcontroller to generate a first output for controlling a first function, such as tilting open a sunroof, while the second pressure or force applied at the switch may cause the microcontroller to generate a second output for controlling a second function, such as sliding open the sunroof.

In another example, pressure on the switch 20 may activate one function initially and then invoke an additional function with a corresponding haptic feedback signal after pressure has been applied to the switch 20 for a predetermined time interval such as, for example, more than two seconds or more than three seconds. In other words, a first function may be actuated in response to an initial pressure applied on the switch 20 by a user and a second function may be actuated in response to continued pressure applied on the switch 20 by a user. In yet another example, pressure for less than a threshold period (e.g., one second) may activate a first function while pressure for greater than the threshold period may activate a second function. For example, the pressure or force applied at the switch for the first period of time may cause the microcontroller to generate a first output for controlling a first function, such as tilting open a sunroof, while the pressure or force applied at the switch for the longer second period of time may cause the microcontroller to generate a second output for controlling a second function, such as sliding open the sunroof.

Optionally, the system may include capacitive sensors to determine finger position on the switch face 22 . Several force sensing technologies may be used, such as force-sensing resistors (FSR) or load cells. As an alternative to a piezoelectric actuator 24 and corresponding high voltage drive circuit, other means of haptic feedback may be used such as an eccentric rotating mass actuator (ERM) or a linear resonant actuator (LRA). The capacitive sensors may work in conjunction with the pressure sensor(s). For example, the system may control different vehicle functions based on different amounts of pressure applied and/or for pressure applied for different threshold periods of time at a first location on the switch face 22 while the system may control different vehicle functions based on different amounts of pressure applied and/or pressure applied for different threshold periods of time at a second location on the switch face 22 . The system may include any number of regions or respective areas to detect finger position. For example, the system may include three different regions that the system may detect a finger, and each region may be dedicated to controlling at least one different vehicle function. Each function may be associated with a different feedback profile (i.e., predetermined feedback waveform). For example, one location may provide control of the sunroof (tilt open, slide open, close etc.), while another location may provide interior light control or the like.

Optionally, the switch 20 may include a spacer 26 that transmits force from the user pressing the switch face 22 to the piezoelectric actuator 24 . The spacer may also transmit haptic feedback vibrations from the actuator 24 to the switch face 22 . The actuator 24 is spaced a distance from the switch face 22 to avoid interference with capacitive sensors.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , the switch 20 may include a front housing 32 and a rear housing 34 to enclose the components of the switch 20 . The front housing 32 may be secured to the rear housing via, for example, screws 36 and/or adhesive or the like. The switch 20 may include a light mask 38 to mask light emitted by the light guide 30 .

Referring now to FIGS. 8 - 10 , the switch 20 may determine finger position using a capacitive and/or proximity sensing mode. For example, the switch 20 may include three separate buttons ( FIG. 8 ). When pressure on the switch face 22 is registered, finger position may be determined by the strongest capacitive signal, which may be measured by sensor electrodes 40 disposed at printed circuit board assembly 28 ( FIG. 9 ). FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary capacitive signals measured at three different sensor electrodes 40 . In this example, the switch 20 may determine the finger position is over the sensor electrode ‘1’ because the sensor electrode 40 corresponding to position ‘1’ registered the strongest capacitive signal among the three sensor electrodes 40 .

The switch may utilize aspects of touch sensitive elements or touch sensors or proximity sensors, such as touch sensitive elements of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,222; 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; 6,627,918; 7,224,324; 7,253,723; 9,346,403 and/or 9,598,016, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or such as proximity sensors of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,224,324; 7,249,860 and/or 7,446,924, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or such as membrane type switches, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, or such as detectors and the like of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,541; 6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258 and/or 6,369,804, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.