EP1752853A1 - Back lighting of a control button with an illuminated guide - Google Patents

Back lighting of a control button with an illuminated guide Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1752853A1
EP1752853A1 EP20060116735 EP06116735A EP1752853A1 EP 1752853 A1 EP1752853 A1 EP 1752853A1 EP 20060116735 EP20060116735 EP 20060116735 EP 06116735 A EP06116735 A EP 06116735A EP 1752853 A1 EP1752853 A1 EP 1752853A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light guide
control button
light
control
control device
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP20060116735
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1752853B1 (en
Inventor
Djamel Lekmine
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Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
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Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
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Application filed by Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS filed Critical Valeo Systemes Thermiques SAS
Publication of EP1752853A1 publication Critical patent/EP1752853A1/en
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Publication of EP1752853B1 publication Critical patent/EP1752853B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • G05G1/10—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles
    • G05G1/105—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles comprising arrangements for illumination

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the control buttons, and more particularly to the control buttons with backlighting, in particular to the control buttons for setting a parameter in the field of the automotive industry.
  • the dashboard of the vehicle generally comprises movable control buttons for setting a defined parameter, for example relating to a temperature setpoint and / or air flow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioner.
  • a defined parameter for example relating to a temperature setpoint and / or air flow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioner.
  • the control button is preferably illuminated to allow the user to know the position of the control button.
  • the automotive industry uses control devices with a movable control knob and a light guide surrounding the backlit control button, to illuminate the position of the control knob and its possible parameter level indicators. .
  • the patent US 6,685,327 discloses a rotary control knob with a backlit light guide ring which surrounds the control button, the light being provided by a plurality of light sources, preferably three for uniform illumination, the light being guided from the sources to the light sources. output by light guide channels.
  • buttons used to date generally include a movable control button, embedded in a housing facade that may be generally a dashboard, a light guide that surrounds the control button and which serves as a guide for the movement of said button.
  • the backlight of the set is always provided by several light sources, and the position of the light sources corresponds to the periphery of the device, the light sources are therefore facing the light guide surrounding the control button, to illuminate the light guide.
  • the light guide has both the function of guiding the movement of the control knob and that of lighting, which raises several problems.
  • the guiding movement of the control button by the light guide is made difficult by the mechanical incompatibility of material between the light guide made of transparent plastic material and the movable control knob made of plastic material, friction and friction not facilitating the sliding between these two materials in contact.
  • the homogeneity of the illumination is difficult to obtain, by the number and the arrangement of the light sources in the device, which imposes successive adjustment and optimization phases during the assembly of the device, and which is therefore not optimal for cost and production time requirements.
  • the object of the present invention is to improve the guidance of the movement of the movable control button on the one hand, and to optimize and homogenize the backlight on the other hand.
  • the invention proposes for this purpose a control device comprising a movable control button having a part to be inserted into an opening of a housing facade, a light source and light guide means conveying the light of the light source. at a visible part of the light guide means. At least part of the part to be inserted is at least partially the light guide means.
  • the control device thus comprises a movable control button, which comprises an outer portion to the housing facade, for example a portion of a dashboard of a motor vehicle, and an inner portion to be inserted into the opening of said facade of housing.
  • the outer portion is accessible to the driver and / or the passenger to allow the adjustment by the driver or the passenger of a parameter relating to a setpoint, and may have gripping means to allow the user a good grip.
  • the light guide means which convey the light emitted by the light source, comprise a portion visible to the driver / passenger, to locate the control button and the adjustment level of the selected parameter.
  • the visible portion of the backlit light guide means surrounds the control knob.
  • the light guide means may be of standard transparent or translucent plastic material of the desired color.
  • the portion to be inserted into the opening of the movable control knob constitutes at least partially said light guide means
  • light emitted by the light source can be transmitted from the insert portion of the movable button to the visible part of the backlit light guide means.
  • the light source can be positioned inside the insert part of the control button, and not at the periphery as is the case in the devices of the prior art, in which several Light sources are positioned at the periphery of the device, i.e. facing the light guide surrounding the control button, to illuminate the light guide.
  • the backlight of the assembly can be provided by a single light source, the control button then having a function of "light reservoir", and the light is conveyed to the visible part of the light guide means. This may further facilitate the adjustment and homogeneity of the backlight, since only one source is to be considered.
  • the part to be inserted into the opening of the control button may also comprise at least in the constitutive zone of the light guide means a portion of transparent or translucent plastic material standard, of the desired color.
  • a translucent material, PC type white or colored, may be preferred, because this type of material makes it possible to better homogenize the transmitted light.
  • control button may also include visual symbols or pictograms, on the portion of the control button accessible by the driver / passenger.
  • the light emitted inside the control button by the light source can thus backlight the visual symbols.
  • the housing facade may be a part of a dashboard wall of a motor vehicle, which may include different openings, some of which are provided to accommodate different control buttons or other devices.
  • a standard plastic material such as ABS or ABS / PC for example, may be preferred for the facade.
  • said light source is in a substantially central position with respect to said movable control knob.
  • said general symmetry of the control device can be increased, which can facilitate the adjustment of the light source and the backlight, and further improve the homogeneity of the backlight.
  • it is envisaged to use only one light source.
  • the development of the backlight relative to the visible part of the light guide means can be achieved in a single phase, which offers significant time, cost and productivity gains.
  • the light source may be an LED, but any other light source such as a conventional light bulb is also conceivable.
  • the light source is integrated on an electronic card, its substantially central position also has the additional advantage that said light source does not constitute a barrier for the routing of the card.
  • control device further comprises an inner part forming at least one bearing to guide the movement of said control knob relative to the facade.
  • the movement of the control button is guided by the light guide means surrounding the insert portion of the control button.
  • these two components respectively of transparent plastic material and a plastic material, are not mechanically compatible.
  • the inner part can be chosen inter alia for its mechanical properties, so that the guide can be made between two parts having mechanically compatible materials, and to limit as much as possible the friction and the play of the parts with respect to other.
  • the inner part can form at least one bearing to guide the movement of the movable control knob relative to the facade; when the command button is very long or if necessary, it is also possible to provide a recovery for guiding, that is to say that the inner part can form one or more additional guide bearings.
  • said inner part may itself be movable relative to said facade, and its movement may itself be guided by the facade.
  • the inner part can be injected in thermoplastic material, chosen for its friction properties, and in particular to be compatible with the constituent material of the housing facade, and thus ensure better sliding during the movement of the inner part with respect to the facade .
  • the outer surface of the inner part can be provided with an encoder device, for example by means of small notches or ribs, and which can actuate a switch on an electronic card. It is thus possible in particular to locate the position of the control button and change the setpoint of the chosen parameter.
  • the outer surface may comprise notches for actuating a mechanical sensor, or any other position sensing device, potentiometer or sensor, in particular in order to set a setpoint of a given parameter, and for example a temperature setpoint and / or airflow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioning.
  • said control knob is integral with said inner part.
  • the inner part and the control button are fixed and integral with each other, the inner part being itself movable relative to said facade.
  • the insert portion of the control button at least partially comprises light guide means, and is at least partially made of a translucent or transparent material. Solidarization and thus fixing the control knob relative to the inner part makes it possible to overcome the mechanical conditions between these two components.
  • the control button consists of a single transparent material.
  • the inner part is injected with one and the same plastic material, compatible with that of the facade. Polyoxymethylene would be a good example, the front being ABS or ABS / PC.
  • the fastening of said control button to said inner part can be effected by means of clips between the insert part of the control button and the inner part.
  • This fixing means is simple to implement and inexpensive.
  • said control button is a rotary button, said light guide means comprising at least one piece of substantially annular shape.
  • the control device can therefore have a substantially annular shape, which allows it to easily integrate with many dashboards.
  • the rounded / annular shape considerably increases the symmetry of the system, and consequently improves the settings and tunings of the backlight, while eliminating the problems of centering.
  • the diameters of the insert part of the control button, the visible light guide means and the inner part could then be changed.
  • Said light guide means comprise at least two parts having faces to juxtapose and / or at least one optically treated end surface (s).
  • the light guide means comprise at least one visible part, which may form part of the backlit light guide surrounding the control button for the illumination of the control device, and the part to be inserted into the opening of the control button which at least partially constitutes said light guide means.
  • the faces to be juxtaposed can therefore be the faces in correspondence of the part surrounding the control button of the light guide means and the insert part of the control button.
  • an optical treatment of the surfaces is provided at least at said two faces.
  • the optical treatment of some end surfaces of the visible part of the light guide means allows an exit passage of the light, visible to the driver and the passengers.
  • the treatment may be a roughening in the desired exit areas of the light.
  • said portion to insert said control button is hollow.
  • the cylindrical portion of the control knob is preferably hollow, with a wall of a defined thickness such that the light is effectively transmitted homogeneously to the annular portion of the light guide means, and according to the desired luminance.
  • the maximum thickness can be defined according to the properties of transmission and attenuation of light through the constituent material chosen for the insert part of the control button.
  • the thickness can therefore be of a thickness generally in a range between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, depending on the translucent material used, PC type, for example.
  • Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a control device mounted in a housing facade opening 20, according to the present invention.
  • the housing facade 20 is, in the embodiment shown, a portion of a control panel wall of a motor vehicle.
  • an opening 10 receives the control device according to the present invention.
  • the control knob is rotatable and the opening 10 is circular.
  • the front is made of standard plastic material, such as ABS or ABS / PC.
  • the control device comprises a control button 60, a light guide ring 40, an inner part 80, and a light source 100 on an electronic board 102.
  • the light source 100 is an LED in the illustrated embodiment, but any other light source is conceivable.
  • the control knob 60 includes an insert portion 70 in the opening 10 of the housing face 20, and an accessible portion 65 by a driver or a passenger to allow the adjustment of a given parameter by a passenger.
  • the insert portion 70 in the opening 10 of the housing face 20 is cylindrical in shape. It comprises a system of clips 72 for securing to the inner part 80.
  • the portion 65 of the control button is intended to protrude from the facade to be accessible by a driver or a passenger to allow the adjustment of a given parameter, for example a temperature setpoint and / or air flow of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.
  • the portion 65 of the control button has gripping means 67 to allow the user a good grip.
  • it includes visual symbols 69 indicating the nature of the setpoint parameter adjustable by the control button, which can thus be backlit by the light source 100.
  • the light guide ring 40 comprises an annular portion 43 with a visible portion 45.
  • a fastening system 42 in this case clips, makes it possible to secure it to the housing facade 20.
  • the light guide ring 40 is injected in transparent or translucent plastic material standard, of the desired color.
  • the inner part 80 is an axis according to a preferred embodiment, when the control knob is a rotary knob.
  • the inner part 80 may have a substantially parallelepiped shape. It comprises an internal part with shoulders 82 on which the insert part 70 of the control knob can be fixed by means of the clips 72.
  • the inner part 80 is injected in thermoplastic material, for example polyoxymethylene, chosen for its friction properties, and in particular to be compatible with the material constituting the housing front 20, supporting the rotary movement, and thus ensure better sliding during some movement.
  • thermoplastic material for example polyoxymethylene
  • the outer surface 85 of the inner part 80 includes notches 84, which allow to switch a switch, to ensure the setting of the setpoint of the defined parameter. Otherwise, the notches 84 of the outer surface 85 can actuate a mechanical sensor, or any other position detection device, potentiometer or sensor, in particular to adjust a setpoint of a given parameter, and for example a setpoint of temperature and / or air flow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioning.
  • FIG. 2 represents the assembled control device, inserted into the opening 10 of the housing facade 20.
  • the light guide ring 40 is embedded in the opening 10 of the housing front 20, and the inner part 80 is wedged in the facade 20 by a notch system 88 of the facade.
  • the insert portion 70 of the control knob is inserted in the opening 10 of the frontage 20, and secured to the inner part 80 by the clips 72.
  • the rotary control knob 60 is thus integral in rotation with the inner part 80, itself rotatable and guided on the housing front 20.
  • the light source 100 centrally located relative to the axis of the control button 60 on the electronic board 102, emits light into the hollow insert portion 70 of the control button 60, which light is then transmitted to through the wall of the insert portion 70 to the light guide ring 40 and the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring.
  • the light guide means thus comprise the light guide ring 40, the visible portion 45, and at least partially the insert portion 70 of the control button, at least at the zone 44 of cooperation between said insert portion 70 and the light guide ring 40.
  • the faces in correspondence of said insert portion 70 of the control button and said light guide ring 40 at said zone 44 of cooperation can be optically treated.
  • the surface of the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring is optically treated, and here frosted, for better transmission of light.
  • the control button 60 can be injected in plastic material preferably translucent of the desired color chosen for its optical properties.
  • plastic material preferably translucent of the desired color chosen for its optical properties.
  • the use of a translucent material makes it possible to diffuse the light emitted by the light source 100 through the wall towards the light guide ring 40.
  • a transparent material is also conceivable, but the translucency properties allow a better homogeneity of light.
  • the insert portion 70 of the control knob is hollow, with a wall of a defined thickness such that the light is effectively transmitted homogeneously to the light guide ring 40 of the light guide means.
  • the thickness of the portion to be inserted 70 is between 0.8 and 1.2 mm.
  • the various constituent elements of the control device are dimensioned so that the different parts of the control device have optimized mechanical and optical operation.
  • the outer diameter of the portion 65 of the control knob can be adapted to the inside diameter of the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring 40.
  • the outer diameter of the light guide ring 40 is adapted to the size and shape of the housing face 20 of the control device, while the inner diameter of said light guide ring 40 can be adapted to receive the insert part. 70 of the control button.
  • the light guide ring 40 is embedded in the opening 10 of the housing front 20 and the rotary control knob 60 is integral in rotation with the inner portion 80, itself guided on the housing facade 20.
  • light source 100 centrally on the electronic board 102, emits light into the hollow insert portion 70 of the control knob 60, which light is then transmitted through the wall of the insert portion 70 to the ring light guide 40 and the visible portion 45 of the light guide means.
  • the light source 100 thus makes it possible to backlight the light ring 40 surrounding the control button 60 as well as the visual symbols 69 inscribed on the accessible portion 65 of the control button 60.
  • a driver / passenger decides to modify a setpoint parameter, such as the temperature setpoint of a ventilation system, it actuates the control knob 60 mobile in rotation.
  • the inner part 80 and the control knob 60 being secured in rotation, the rotation of the knob 60 is guided by the inner part 80, comprising at least one rotational bearing.
  • the ribs 84 on the outer surface 85 actuate a switch and may allow effective adjustment of the setpoint.
  • the invention provides a control device for mounting in an opening of a housing facade comprising a light source, light guide means conveying light from the light source to a visible portion of the light guide means. and a movable control button having a portion to be inserted into said opening, at least a portion of said insert portion at least partially constituting said light guide means.
  • This device has the advantage that only one light source can be used, positioned inside the insert part of the control button, and not on the periphery, and the focus of the backlight uniformly on the visible part of the light guide means can be performed in a single phase, which offers significant savings in time, cost and productivity.
  • an additional inner part which can form at least one bearing for guiding movement, to guide the movement of the control button, regardless of the length of the guide envisaged.
  • control device has been shown as a rotary type button for automotive applications, other embodiments and applications, such as a sliding control button, are also contemplated.

Abstract

The device has a movable control knob (60) with a hollow part (70) to be inserted in an opening (10) of a housing frontage (20). A sliding light guide ring (40), with a visible part (45), transmits the light from a light source (100) e.g. LED, to the part (45). Light guiding units are constituted of the ring, the part (45) and partially the part (70) to be inserted. An inner part (80) forms bearings for guiding the movement of the knob with respect to the frontage.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte généralement aux boutons de commande, et plus particulièrement aux boutons de commande avec rétro éclairage, notamment aux boutons de commande permettant le réglage d'un paramètre dans le domaine de l'industrie automobile.The present invention generally relates to the control buttons, and more particularly to the control buttons with backlighting, in particular to the control buttons for setting a parameter in the field of the automotive industry.

Dans un véhicule automobile, la planche de bord du véhicule comprend généralement des boutons de commande mobile pour régler un paramètre défini, par exemple relatif à une consigne de température et/ou flux d'air propulsé par un appareil de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation. Pour les phases de conduite nocturne notamment, le bouton de commande est de préférence éclairé afin de permettre à l'utilisateur de connaître la position du bouton de commande. A ce jour, l'industrie automobile utilise des dispositifs de commande avec un bouton de commande mobile et un guide de lumière entourant le bouton de commande rétro éclairé, pour éclairer la position du bouton de commande et ses éventuels indicateurs de niveau de réglage du paramètre.In a motor vehicle, the dashboard of the vehicle generally comprises movable control buttons for setting a defined parameter, for example relating to a temperature setpoint and / or air flow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioner. For night driving phases in particular, the control button is preferably illuminated to allow the user to know the position of the control button. To date, the automotive industry uses control devices with a movable control knob and a light guide surrounding the backlit control button, to illuminate the position of the control knob and its possible parameter level indicators. .

Le brevet US 6 685 327 divulgue un bouton de commande rotatif avec un anneau guide de lumière rétro éclairé qui entoure le bouton de commande, la lumière étant fournie par plusieurs sources de lumière, de préférence trois pour un éclairage homogène, la lumière étant guidée depuis les sources vers les zones de sortie par des canaux guide de lumière.The patent US 6,685,327 discloses a rotary control knob with a backlit light guide ring which surrounds the control button, the light being provided by a plurality of light sources, preferably three for uniform illumination, the light being guided from the sources to the light sources. output by light guide channels.

Par ailleurs, d'autres types de boutons rétro éclairés utilisés à ce jour comprennent généralement un bouton de commande mobile, encastré dans une façade de logement qui peut être généralement une planche de bord, un guide de lumière qui entoure le bouton de commande et qui sert de guidage pour le mouvement dudit bouton. Le rétro éclairage de l'ensemble est toujours assuré par plusieurs sources de lumière, et la position des sources de lumière correspond à la périphérie du dispositif, les sources de lumière se trouvent donc face au guide de lumière entourant le bouton de commande, pour éclairer le guide de lumière.Furthermore, other types of backlit buttons used to date generally include a movable control button, embedded in a housing facade that may be generally a dashboard, a light guide that surrounds the control button and which serves as a guide for the movement of said button. The backlight of the set is always provided by several light sources, and the position of the light sources corresponds to the periphery of the device, the light sources are therefore facing the light guide surrounding the control button, to illuminate the light guide.

Ainsi, dans cette configuration, le guide lumière présente à la fois la fonction de guidage du mouvement du bouton de commande ainsi que celle d'éclairage, ce qui soulève plusieurs problèmes.Thus, in this configuration, the light guide has both the function of guiding the movement of the control knob and that of lighting, which raises several problems.

D'une part, le guidage du mouvement du bouton de commande par le guide lumière est rendu délicat par l'incompatibilité mécanique de matière entre le guide lumière en matériau plastique transparent et le bouton de commande mobile en matériau plastique, la friction et les frottements ne facilitant pas le glissement entre ces deux matériaux en contact.On the one hand, the guiding movement of the control button by the light guide is made difficult by the mechanical incompatibility of material between the light guide made of transparent plastic material and the movable control knob made of plastic material, friction and friction not facilitating the sliding between these two materials in contact.

En outre, l'homogénéité de l'éclairage est difficile à obtenir, par le nombre et la disposition des sources de lumière dans le dispositif, ce qui impose des phases de réglage et d'optimisation successives lors de l'assemblage du dispositif, et qui n'est donc pas optimal pour les exigences de coût et de délai de production.In addition, the homogeneity of the illumination is difficult to obtain, by the number and the arrangement of the light sources in the device, which imposes successive adjustment and optimization phases during the assembly of the device, and which is therefore not optimal for cost and production time requirements.

L'objectif de la présente invention est d'améliorer le guidage du mouvement du bouton de commande mobile d'une part, et d'optimiser et homogénéiser le rétro éclairage d'autre part.The object of the present invention is to improve the guidance of the movement of the movable control button on the one hand, and to optimize and homogenize the backlight on the other hand.

L'invention propose à cet effet un dispositif de commande comprenant un bouton de commande mobile présentant une partie à insérer dans une ouverture d'une façade de logement, une source de lumière et des moyens guide de lumière acheminant la lumière de la source de lumière à une partie visible des moyens guide de lumière. Une partie au moins de la partie à insérer constitue au moins partiellement les moyens guide de lumière.The invention proposes for this purpose a control device comprising a movable control button having a part to be inserted into an opening of a housing facade, a light source and light guide means conveying the light of the light source. at a visible part of the light guide means. At least part of the part to be inserted is at least partially the light guide means.

Le dispositif de commande comprend ainsi un bouton de commande mobile, qui comporte une partie extérieure à la façade de logement, par exemple une partie d'une planche de bord de véhicule automobile, et une partie intérieure à insérer dans l'ouverture de ladite façade de logement. La partie extérieure est accessible au conducteur et/ou au passager pour permettre le réglage par le conducteur ou le passager d'un paramètre relatif à une consigne, et peut présenter des moyens de préhension pour permettre à l'utilisateur une bonne prise en main.The control device thus comprises a movable control button, which comprises an outer portion to the housing facade, for example a portion of a dashboard of a motor vehicle, and an inner portion to be inserted into the opening of said facade of housing. The outer portion is accessible to the driver and / or the passenger to allow the adjustment by the driver or the passenger of a parameter relating to a setpoint, and may have gripping means to allow the user a good grip.

Les moyens guide lumière, qui permettent d'acheminer la lumière émise par la source de lumière, comprennent une partie visible par le conducteur/passager, pour permettre de repérer le bouton de commande et le niveau de réglage du paramètre sélectionné. Généralement, la partie visible des moyens guide lumière rétro éclairés entoure le bouton de commande. Les moyens guide de lumière peuvent être en matériau plastique transparent ou translucide standard, de la couleur désirée.The light guide means, which convey the light emitted by the light source, comprise a portion visible to the driver / passenger, to locate the control button and the adjustment level of the selected parameter. Generally, the visible portion of the backlit light guide means surrounds the control knob. The light guide means may be of standard transparent or translucent plastic material of the desired color.

En prévoyant que la partie à insérer dans l'ouverture du bouton de commande mobile constitue au moins partiellement lesdits moyens guide de lumière, on permet que la lumière émise par la source de lumière puisse être transmise de la partie à insérer du bouton mobile à la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière rétro éclairée. Ceci présente le premier avantage que la source de lumière peut être positionnée à l'intérieur de la partie à insérer du bouton de commande, et non pas en périphérie comme c'est le cas dans les dispositifs de l'art antérieur, dans lesquels plusieurs sources de lumière sont positionnées à la périphérie du dispositif, c'est-à-dire face au guide de lumière entourant le bouton de commande, pour éclairer le guide de lumière. Ainsi, le rétro éclairage de l'ensemble peut être assuré par une seule source de lumière, le bouton de commande ayant alors une fonction de « réservoir de lumière », et la lumière est acheminée à la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière. Ceci peut de manière additionnelle faciliter le réglage et l'homogénéité du rétro éclairage, puisqu'une seule source est à considérer.By providing that the portion to be inserted into the opening of the movable control knob constitutes at least partially said light guide means, light emitted by the light source can be transmitted from the insert portion of the movable button to the visible part of the backlit light guide means. This has the first advantage that the light source can be positioned inside the insert part of the control button, and not at the periphery as is the case in the devices of the prior art, in which several Light sources are positioned at the periphery of the device, i.e. facing the light guide surrounding the control button, to illuminate the light guide. Thus, the backlight of the assembly can be provided by a single light source, the control button then having a function of "light reservoir", and the light is conveyed to the visible part of the light guide means. This may further facilitate the adjustment and homogeneity of the backlight, since only one source is to be considered.

La partie à insérer dans l'ouverture du bouton de commande peut également comprendre au moins dans la zone constitutive des moyens guide de lumière une partie en matériau plastique transparent ou translucide standard, de la couleur désirée. Un matériau translucide, de type PC blanc ou coloré, peut être préféré, parce que ce type de matériau permet de mieux homogénéiser la lumière transmise.The part to be inserted into the opening of the control button may also comprise at least in the constitutive zone of the light guide means a portion of transparent or translucent plastic material standard, of the desired color. A translucent material, PC type white or colored, may be preferred, because this type of material makes it possible to better homogenize the transmitted light.

Enfin, le bouton de commande peut également comprendre des symboles visuels ou des pictogrammes, sur la partie du bouton de commande accessible par le conducteur/passager. La lumière émise à l'intérieur du bouton de commande par la source de lumière peut ainsi rétro éclairer les symboles visuels.Finally, the control button may also include visual symbols or pictograms, on the portion of the control button accessible by the driver / passenger. The light emitted inside the control button by the light source can thus backlight the visual symbols.

La façade de logement peut être une partie d'une paroi de planche de bord d'un véhicule automobile, qui peut comprendre différentes ouvertures, dont certaines sont prévues pour loger différents boutons de commande ou autres dispositifs. Un matériau plastique standard, du type ABS ou ABS/PC par exemple, peut être préféré pour la façade.The housing facade may be a part of a dashboard wall of a motor vehicle, which may include different openings, some of which are provided to accommodate different control buttons or other devices. A standard plastic material, such as ABS or ABS / PC for example, may be preferred for the facade.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite source de lumière se trouve en position sensiblement centrale par rapport audit bouton de commande mobile. En plaçant en position sensiblement centrale ladite source de lumière, on peut augmenter la symétrie générale du dispositif de commande, ce qui peut faciliter le réglage de la source de lumière et du rétro éclairage, et encore améliorer l'homogénéité du rétro éclairage. De plus, contrairement aux dispositifs de l'art antérieur, on envisage de n'utiliser qu'une seule source de lumière. Ainsi, la mise au point du rétro éclairage par rapport à la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière peut être réalisée en une seule phase, ce qui présente des gains de temps, de coût et de productivité non négligeables.In a preferred embodiment, said light source is in a substantially central position with respect to said movable control knob. By placing said light source in a substantially central position, the general symmetry of the control device can be increased, which can facilitate the adjustment of the light source and the backlight, and further improve the homogeneity of the backlight. In addition, unlike the devices of the prior art, it is envisaged to use only one light source. Thus, the development of the backlight relative to the visible part of the light guide means can be achieved in a single phase, which offers significant time, cost and productivity gains.

La source de lumière peut être une LED, mais toute autre source de lumière comme une ampoule classique est également envisageable. Lorsque la source de lumière est intégrée sur une carte électronique, sa position sensiblement centrale présente en outre l'avantage supplémentaire que la dite source de lumière ne constitue pas une barrière pour le routage de la carte.The light source may be an LED, but any other light source such as a conventional light bulb is also conceivable. When the light source is integrated on an electronic card, its substantially central position also has the additional advantage that said light source does not constitute a barrier for the routing of the card.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le dispositif de commande comprend en plus une pièce intérieure formant au moins un palier pour guider le mouvement dudit bouton de commande par rapport à la façade.In a preferred embodiment, the control device further comprises an inner part forming at least one bearing to guide the movement of said control knob relative to the facade.

Dans les dispositifs actuellement utilisés, le mouvement du bouton de commande est guidé par les moyens guide de lumière entourant la partie à insérer du bouton de commande. Or ces deux composants, respectivement en matériau plastique transparent et un matériau plastique, ne sont pas compatibles mécaniquement. En prévoyant une pièce supplémentaire dans le dispositif de commande, on peut reporter la fonction de guidage du mouvement du bouton de commande sur cette pièce intérieure, et dédier les moyens guide de lumière au rétro éclairage uniquement.In currently used devices, the movement of the control button is guided by the light guide means surrounding the insert portion of the control button. However, these two components, respectively of transparent plastic material and a plastic material, are not mechanically compatible. By providing an additional piece in the control device, it is possible to transfer the function of guiding the movement of the control button to this inner part, and to dedicate the light guide means to the backlight only.

D'une part, la pièce intérieure peut être choisie entre autres pour ses propriétés mécaniques, afin que le guidage puisse être réalisé entre deux parties ayant des matériaux compatibles mécaniquement, et limiter au maximum les frottements et le jeu des pièces les unes par rapport aux autres.On the one hand, the inner part can be chosen inter alia for its mechanical properties, so that the guide can be made between two parts having mechanically compatible materials, and to limit as much as possible the friction and the play of the parts with respect to other.

D'autre part, la pièce intérieure peut former au moins un palier pour guider le mouvement du bouton de commande mobile par rapport à la façade ; lorsque le bouton de commande est très long ou en cas de nécessité, il est également envisageable de prévoir une reprise pour le guidage, c'est-à-dire que la pièce intérieure peut former un ou plusieurs paliers de guidage supplémentaires.On the other hand, the inner part can form at least one bearing to guide the movement of the movable control knob relative to the facade; when the command button is very long or if necessary, it is also possible to provide a recovery for guiding, that is to say that the inner part can form one or more additional guide bearings.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite pièce intérieure peut être elle-même mobile par rapport à ladite façade, et son mouvement peut lui-même être guidé par la façade. La pièce intérieure peut être injectée en matériau thermoplastique, choisi pour ses propriétés de frottement, et notamment pour être compatible avec le matériau constitutif de la façade de logement, et assurer ainsi un meilleur glissement lors du mouvement de la pièce intérieure par rapport à la façade. La surface extérieure de la pièce intérieure peut être munie d'un dispositif encodeur, par exemple au moyen de petites encoches ou nervures, et qui peuvent actionner un commutateur sur une carte électronique. Il est ainsi possible notamment de repérer la position du bouton de commande et de modifier la consigne du paramètre choisi. Autrement, la surface extérieure peut comprendre des encoches pour actionner un capteur mécanique, ou tout autre dispositif de détection de position, de potentiomètre ou de capteur, en particulier afin de régler une consigne d'un paramètre donné, et par exemple une consigne de température et/ou flux d'air propulsé par un appareil de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation.In a preferred embodiment, said inner part may itself be movable relative to said facade, and its movement may itself be guided by the facade. The inner part can be injected in thermoplastic material, chosen for its friction properties, and in particular to be compatible with the constituent material of the housing facade, and thus ensure better sliding during the movement of the inner part with respect to the facade . The outer surface of the inner part can be provided with an encoder device, for example by means of small notches or ribs, and which can actuate a switch on an electronic card. It is thus possible in particular to locate the position of the control button and change the setpoint of the chosen parameter. Otherwise, the outer surface may comprise notches for actuating a mechanical sensor, or any other position sensing device, potentiometer or sensor, in particular in order to set a setpoint of a given parameter, and for example a temperature setpoint and / or airflow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioning.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ledit bouton de commande est solidaire de ladite pièce intérieure. Ainsi, la pièce intérieure et le bouton de commande sont fixés et solidaires l'un avec l'autre, la pièce intérieure étant elle-même mobile par rapport à ladite façade. En d'autres termes, on prévoit de reporter la fonction mécanique de guidage du mouvement du bouton de commande sur la pièce intérieure et la façade. Comme mentionné précédemment, la partie à insérer du bouton de commande comprend au moins partiellement des moyens guide de lumière, et est au moins partiellement constituée d'un matériau translucide ou transparent. Le fait de solidariser et fixer ainsi le bouton de commande par rapport à la pièce intérieure permet de s'affranchir des conditions mécaniques entre ces deux composants. On peut ainsi prévoir que le bouton de commande soit constitué d'un seul et même matériau transparent. De même, on peut prévoir que la pièce intérieure soit injectée d'un seul et même matériau plastique, compatible avec celui de la façade. Le polyoxyméthylène serait un bon exemple, la façade étant en ABS ou ABS/PC.In a preferred embodiment, said control knob is integral with said inner part. Thus, the inner part and the control button are fixed and integral with each other, the inner part being itself movable relative to said facade. In other words, it is expected to postpone the mechanical function of guiding the movement of the control button on the inner part and the front. As mentioned above, the insert portion of the control button at least partially comprises light guide means, and is at least partially made of a translucent or transparent material. Solidarization and thus fixing the control knob relative to the inner part makes it possible to overcome the mechanical conditions between these two components. It can thus be provided that the control button consists of a single transparent material. Similarly, it can be provided that the inner part is injected with one and the same plastic material, compatible with that of the facade. Polyoxymethylene would be a good example, the front being ABS or ABS / PC.

La solidarisation dudit bouton de commande à ladite pièce intérieure peut être effectuée au moyen de clips entre la partie à insérer du bouton de commande et la pièce intérieure. Ce moyen de fixation est simple à mettre en oeuvre et peu coûteux.The fastening of said control button to said inner part can be effected by means of clips between the insert part of the control button and the inner part. This fixing means is simple to implement and inexpensive.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulièrement préféré, ledit bouton de commande est un bouton rotatif, lesdits moyens guide lumière comprenant au moins une pièce de forme sensiblement annulaire. Le dispositif de commande peut donc avoir une forme sensiblement annulaire, ce qui lui permet de s'intégrer facilement à de nombreuses planches de bord.In a particularly preferred embodiment, said control button is a rotary button, said light guide means comprising at least one piece of substantially annular shape. The control device can therefore have a substantially annular shape, which allows it to easily integrate with many dashboards.

D'autre part, la forme arrondie/annulaire augmente considérablement la symétrie du système, et en conséquence améliore les réglages et mises au point du rétro éclairage, tout en supprimant les problèmes de centrage. On pourrait ensuite modifier les diamètres de la partie à insérer du bouton de commande, des moyens guide lumière visible et de la pièce intérieure.On the other hand, the rounded / annular shape considerably increases the symmetry of the system, and consequently improves the settings and tunings of the backlight, while eliminating the problems of centering. The diameters of the insert part of the control button, the visible light guide means and the inner part could then be changed.

Lesdits moyens guide de lumière comprennent au moins deux pièces présentant des faces à juxtaposer et/ou au moins une surface d'extrémité optiquement traitée(s). Les moyens guide de lumière comprennent au moins une partie visible, qui peut former partie du guide lumière rétro éclairé entourant le bouton de commande pour l'éclairage du dispositif de commande, et la partie à insérer dans l'ouverture du bouton de commande qui constitue au moins partiellement lesdits moyens guide de lumière. Les faces à juxtaposer peuvent donc être les faces en correspondance de la partie entourant le bouton de commande des moyens guide de lumière et de la partie à insérer du bouton de commande. Afin que la lumière émise par la source de lumière puisse être transmise de la partie à insérer du bouton mobile à la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière rétro éclairée, on prévoit un traitement optique des surfaces au moins au niveau desdites deux faces.Said light guide means comprise at least two parts having faces to juxtapose and / or at least one optically treated end surface (s). The light guide means comprise at least one visible part, which may form part of the backlit light guide surrounding the control button for the illumination of the control device, and the part to be inserted into the opening of the control button which at least partially constitutes said light guide means. The faces to be juxtaposed can therefore be the faces in correspondence of the part surrounding the control button of the light guide means and the insert part of the control button. In order that the light emitted by the light source can be transmitted from the insert portion of the moving button to the visible portion of the backlit light guide means, an optical treatment of the surfaces is provided at least at said two faces.

D'autre part, le traitement optique de certaines surfaces d'extrémité de la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière permet un passage de sortie de la lumière, visible par le conducteur et les passagers. Le traitement peut être un dépolissage dans les zones de sortie souhaitées de la lumière.On the other hand, the optical treatment of some end surfaces of the visible part of the light guide means allows an exit passage of the light, visible to the driver and the passengers. The treatment may be a roughening in the desired exit areas of the light.

Dans un mode de réalisation privilégié, ladite partie à insérer dudit bouton de commande est creuse. En prévoyant une forme creuse, on peut assurer la lumière émise par la source de lumière au centre du dispositif de commande « stockée » à l'intérieur de ladite partie à insérer du bouton de commande, soit transmise vers les moyens guide lumière visible en évitant de trop grandes pertes de lumière.In a preferred embodiment, said portion to insert said control button is hollow. By providing a hollow shape, it is possible to ensure the light emitted by the light source at the center of the "stored" control device inside said part to insert the control button, or transmitted towards the visible light guide means avoiding too much light loss.

Dans un mode de réalisation privilégié, la partie cylindrique du bouton de commande est de préférence creuse, avec une paroi d'une épaisseur définie de telle sorte que la lumière soit effectivement transmise de manière homogène à la partie annulaire des moyens guide de lumière, et selon la luminance souhaitée. L'épaisseur maximale peut être définie en fonction des propriétés de transmission et d'atténuation de la lumière à travers le matériau constitutif choisi pour la partie à insérer du bouton de commande. L'épaisseur peut donc être d'une épaisseur comprise généralement dans une gamme entre 0.8 et 1.2 mm, en fonction du matériau translucide utilisé, du type PC par exemple.In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical portion of the control knob is preferably hollow, with a wall of a defined thickness such that the light is effectively transmitted homogeneously to the annular portion of the light guide means, and according to the desired luminance. The maximum thickness can be defined according to the properties of transmission and attenuation of light through the constituent material chosen for the insert part of the control button. The thickness can therefore be of a thickness generally in a range between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, depending on the translucent material used, PC type, for example.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention sortiront par ailleurs de la description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation actuellement préféré. Ladite description n'est faite qu'à titre d'exemple non limitatif et fait référence à des dessins joints parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'un dispositif de commande selon la présente invention,
  • la figure 2 représente un dispositif de commande selon la présente invention.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be further eluded from the detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment. Said description is made only by way of non-limiting example and refers to attached drawings among which:
  • FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of a control device according to the present invention,
  • Figure 2 shows a control device according to the present invention.

Dans les figures, des éléments identiques sont identifiés par des références numériques identiques.In the figures, identical elements are identified by identical reference numerals.

La figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'un dispositif de commande monté dans une ouverture 10 de façade de logement 20, selon la présente invention.Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a control device mounted in a housing facade opening 20, according to the present invention.

La façade de logement 20 est, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, une partie d'une paroi de tableau de commande d'un véhicule automobile. Parmi différentes ouvertures, prévues pour loger différents boutons de commande ou autres dispositifs, une ouverture 10 reçoit le dispositif de commande selon la présente invention. Dans l'exemple illustré, le bouton de commande est rotatif et l'ouverture 10 est circulaire. La façade est en matériau plastique standard, du type ABS ou ABS/PC par exemple.The housing facade 20 is, in the embodiment shown, a portion of a control panel wall of a motor vehicle. Among various openings, intended to accommodate various control buttons or other devices, an opening 10 receives the control device according to the present invention. In the illustrated example, the control knob is rotatable and the opening 10 is circular. The front is made of standard plastic material, such as ABS or ABS / PC.

Le dispositif de commande comprend un bouton de commande 60, un anneau guide lumière 40, une pièce intérieure 80, et une source de lumière 100 sur une carte électronique 102.The control device comprises a control button 60, a light guide ring 40, an inner part 80, and a light source 100 on an electronic board 102.

La source de lumière 100 est une LED dans le mode de réalisation représenté, mais toute autre source de lumière est envisageable.The light source 100 is an LED in the illustrated embodiment, but any other light source is conceivable.

Le bouton de commande 60 comprend une partie à insérer 70 dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade de logement 20, et une partie accessible 65 par un conducteur ou un passager afin de permettre le réglage d'un paramètre donné par un passager.The control knob 60 includes an insert portion 70 in the opening 10 of the housing face 20, and an accessible portion 65 by a driver or a passenger to allow the adjustment of a given parameter by a passenger.

La partie à insérer 70 dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade de logement 20 est de forme cylindrique. Elle comprend un système de clips 72 pour solidarisation à la pièce intérieure 80.
La partie 65 du bouton de commande est destiné à dépasser de la façade afin d'être accessible par un conducteur ou un passager pour permettre le réglage d'un paramètre donné, par exemple une consigne de température et/ou flux d'air d'un système de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation. Enfin, la partie 65 du bouton de commande présente des moyens de préhension 67 pour permettre à l'utilisateur une bonne prise en main. En outre, elle comprend des symboles visuels 69 indiquant la nature du paramètre de consigne réglable par le bouton de commande, qui peuvent ainsi être rétro éclairés par la source de lumière 100.The insert portion 70 in the opening 10 of the housing face 20 is cylindrical in shape. It comprises a system of clips 72 for securing to the inner part 80.
The portion 65 of the control button is intended to protrude from the facade to be accessible by a driver or a passenger to allow the adjustment of a given parameter, for example a temperature setpoint and / or air flow of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system. Finally, the portion 65 of the control button has gripping means 67 to allow the user a good grip. In addition, it includes visual symbols 69 indicating the nature of the setpoint parameter adjustable by the control button, which can thus be backlit by the light source 100.

L'anneau guide lumière 40 comprend une partie annulaire 43 avec une partie visible 45. Un système de fixation 42, en l'occurrence des clips, permet de le solidariser à la façade de logement 20. L'anneau guide lumière 40 est injecté en matériau plastique transparent ou translucide standard, de la couleur désirée.The light guide ring 40 comprises an annular portion 43 with a visible portion 45. A fastening system 42, in this case clips, makes it possible to secure it to the housing facade 20. The light guide ring 40 is injected in transparent or translucent plastic material standard, of the desired color.

Toujours en référence à la figure 1, la pièce intérieure 80 est un axe selon un mode de réalisation préféré, lorsque le bouton de commande est un bouton rotatif. Dans le cas des boutons de commande du type coulissant, la pièce intérieure 80 peut avoir une forme sensiblement parallélépipédique. Elle comprend une partie interne avec des épaulements 82 sur lesquels la partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande peut venir se fixer au moyen des clips 72.Still with reference to FIG. 1, the inner part 80 is an axis according to a preferred embodiment, when the control knob is a rotary knob. In the case of sliding type control knobs, the inner part 80 may have a substantially parallelepiped shape. It comprises an internal part with shoulders 82 on which the insert part 70 of the control knob can be fixed by means of the clips 72.

La pièce intérieure 80 est injectée en matériau thermoplastique, par exemple le polyoxyméthylène, choisi pour ses propriétés de frottement, et notamment pour être compatible avec le matériau constitutif de la façade de logement 20, support du mouvement rotatif, et assurer ainsi un meilleur glissement lors du mouvement.The inner part 80 is injected in thermoplastic material, for example polyoxymethylene, chosen for its friction properties, and in particular to be compatible with the material constituting the housing front 20, supporting the rotary movement, and thus ensure better sliding during some movement.

La surface externe 85 de la pièce intérieure 80 comprend des encoches 84, qui permettent de faire basculer un commutateur, pour assurer le réglage de la consigne du paramètre défini. Autrement, les encoches 84 de la surface extérieure 85 peuvent actionner un capteur mécanique, ou tout autre dispositif de détection de position, de potentiomètre ou de capteur, en particulier afin de régler une consigne d'un paramètre donné, et par exemple une consigne de température et/ou flux d'air propulsé par un appareil de chauffage, ventilation et/ou climatisation.The outer surface 85 of the inner part 80 includes notches 84, which allow to switch a switch, to ensure the setting of the setpoint of the defined parameter. Otherwise, the notches 84 of the outer surface 85 can actuate a mechanical sensor, or any other position detection device, potentiometer or sensor, in particular to adjust a setpoint of a given parameter, and for example a setpoint of temperature and / or air flow powered by a heater, ventilation and / or air conditioning.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif de commande sera mieux compris à la lecture de ce qui suit en référence à la figure 2, qui représente le dispositif de commande assemblé, inséré dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade de logement 20.The operation of the control device will be better understood on reading the following with reference to FIG. 2, which represents the assembled control device, inserted into the opening 10 of the housing facade 20.

L'anneau guide lumière 40 est encastré dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade de logement 20, et la pièce intérieure 80 est calée dans la façade 20 par un système d'encoches 88 de la façade.
La partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande, de forme cylindrique, est insérée dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade 20, et solidarisée à la pièce intérieure 80 par les clips 72. Le bouton de commande 60 rotatif est ainsi solidaire en rotation de la partie intérieure 80, elle-même mobile en rotation et guidée sur la façade de logement 20.The light guide ring 40 is embedded in the opening 10 of the housing front 20, and the inner part 80 is wedged in the facade 20 by a notch system 88 of the facade.
The insert portion 70 of the control knob, of cylindrical shape, is inserted in the opening 10 of the frontage 20, and secured to the inner part 80 by the clips 72. The rotary control knob 60 is thus integral in rotation with the inner part 80, itself rotatable and guided on the housing front 20.

La source de lumière 100, en position centrale par rapport à l'axe du bouton de commande 60 sur la carte électronique 102, émet de la lumière dans la partie à insérer 70 creuse du bouton de commande 60, lumière qui est ensuite transmise à travers la paroi de la partie à insérer 70 vers l'anneau guide lumière 40 et la partie visible 45 de l'anneau guide lumière.The light source 100, centrally located relative to the axis of the control button 60 on the electronic board 102, emits light into the hollow insert portion 70 of the control button 60, which light is then transmitted to through the wall of the insert portion 70 to the light guide ring 40 and the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring.

Les moyens guide lumière comprennent ainsi l'anneau guide lumière 40, la partie visible 45, et au moins partiellement la partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande, au moins au niveau de la zone 44 de coopération entre ladite partie à insérer 70 et l'anneau guide lumière 40. Afin d'améliorer les performances optiques pour la transmission de la lumière, les faces en correspondance de ladite partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande et dudit anneau guide lumière 40 au niveau de ladite zone 44 de coopération peuvent être optiquement traitées. De même, la surface de la partie visible 45 de l'anneau guide lumière est optiquement traitée, et ici dépolie, pour une meilleure transmission de la lumière.The light guide means thus comprise the light guide ring 40, the visible portion 45, and at least partially the insert portion 70 of the control button, at least at the zone 44 of cooperation between said insert portion 70 and the light guide ring 40. In order to improve the optical performance for light transmission, the faces in correspondence of said insert portion 70 of the control button and said light guide ring 40 at said zone 44 of cooperation can be optically treated. Similarly, the surface of the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring is optically treated, and here frosted, for better transmission of light.

Le bouton de commande 60 peut être injecté en matériau plastique préférablement translucide de la couleur désirée, choisi pour ses propriétés optiques. L'utilisation d'un matériau translucide permet de diffuser la lumière émise par la source de lumière 100 à travers la paroi vers l'anneau guide de lumière 40. Un matériau transparent est également envisageable, mais les propriétés de translucidité permettent une meilleure homogénéité de la lumière dans l'anneau guide lumière 40 rétro éclairé. La partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande est creuse, avec une paroi d'une épaisseur définie de telle sorte que la lumière est effectivement transmise de manière homogène à l'anneau guide lumière 40 des moyens guide de lumière. Typiquement, l'épaisseur de la partie à insérer 70 est comprise entre 0.8 et 1.2 mm.The control button 60 can be injected in plastic material preferably translucent of the desired color chosen for its optical properties. The use of a translucent material makes it possible to diffuse the light emitted by the light source 100 through the wall towards the light guide ring 40. A transparent material is also conceivable, but the translucency properties allow a better homogeneity of light. the light in the light guide ring 40 backlit. The insert portion 70 of the control knob is hollow, with a wall of a defined thickness such that the light is effectively transmitted homogeneously to the light guide ring 40 of the light guide means. Typically, the thickness of the portion to be inserted 70 is between 0.8 and 1.2 mm.

Enfin, les différents éléments constitutifs du dispositif de commande sont dimensionnés de sorte que les différentes parties du dispositif de commande aient un fonctionnement mécanique et optique optimisés. Le diamètre externe de la partie 65 du bouton de commande peut être adapté au diamètre interne de la partie visible 45 de l'anneau guide de lumière 40. Le diamètre externe de l'anneau guide lumière 40 est adapté à la taille et la forme de la façade de logement 20 du dispositif de commande, alors que le diamètre interne dudit anneau guide lumière 40 peut être adapté pour recevoir la partie à insérer 70 du bouton de commande.Finally, the various constituent elements of the control device are dimensioned so that the different parts of the control device have optimized mechanical and optical operation. The outer diameter of the portion 65 of the control knob can be adapted to the inside diameter of the visible portion 45 of the light guide ring 40. The outer diameter of the light guide ring 40 is adapted to the size and shape of the housing face 20 of the control device, while the inner diameter of said light guide ring 40 can be adapted to receive the insert part. 70 of the control button.

Ainsi, l'anneau guide lumière 40 est encastré dans l'ouverture 10 de la façade de logement 20 et le bouton de commande 60 rotatif est solidaire en rotation de la partie intérieure 80, elle-même guidée sur la façade de logement 20. La source de lumière 100, en position centrale sur la carte électronique 102, émet de la lumière dans la partie à insérer 70 creuse du bouton de commande 60, lumière qui est ensuite transmise à travers la paroi de la partie à insérer 70 vers l'anneau guide lumière 40 et la partie visible 45 des moyens guide lumière. La source de lumière 100 permet donc de rétro éclairer l'anneau de lumière 40 entourant le bouton de commande 60 ainsi que les symboles visuels 69 inscrits sur la partie accessible 65 du bouton de commande 60. Lorsqu'un conducteur/passager décide de modifier un paramètre de consigne, tel que la consigne de température d'un système de ventilation, il actionne le bouton de commande 60 mobile en rotation. La pièce intérieure 80 et le bouton de commande 60 étant solidarisés en rotation, la rotation du bouton 60 est guidée par la pièce intérieure 80, comprenant au moins un palier de rotation. Les nervures 84 sur la surface extérieure 85 actionnent un commutateur et peuvent permettre le réglage effectif de la consigne.Thus, the light guide ring 40 is embedded in the opening 10 of the housing front 20 and the rotary control knob 60 is integral in rotation with the inner portion 80, itself guided on the housing facade 20. light source 100, centrally on the electronic board 102, emits light into the hollow insert portion 70 of the control knob 60, which light is then transmitted through the wall of the insert portion 70 to the ring light guide 40 and the visible portion 45 of the light guide means. The light source 100 thus makes it possible to backlight the light ring 40 surrounding the control button 60 as well as the visual symbols 69 inscribed on the accessible portion 65 of the control button 60. When a driver / passenger decides to modify a setpoint parameter, such as the temperature setpoint of a ventilation system, it actuates the control knob 60 mobile in rotation. The inner part 80 and the control knob 60 being secured in rotation, the rotation of the knob 60 is guided by the inner part 80, comprising at least one rotational bearing. The ribs 84 on the outer surface 85 actuate a switch and may allow effective adjustment of the setpoint.

Ainsi, l'invention fournit un dispositif de commande pour le montage dans une ouverture d'une façade de logement comprenant une source de lumière, des moyens guide de lumière acheminant la lumière de la source de lumière à une partie visible des moyens guide de lumière et un bouton de commande mobile présentant une partie à insérer dans ladite ouverture, au moins une partie de ladite partie à insérer constituant au moins partiellement lesdits moyens guide de lumière. Ce dispositif présente l'avantage qu'une seule source de lumière peut être utilisée, positionnée à l'intérieur de la partie à insérer du bouton de commande, et non pas en périphérie, et la mise au point du rétro éclairage de manière homogène sur la partie visible des moyens guide de lumière peut être réalisée en une seule phase, ce qui présente des gains de temps, de coût et de productivité non négligeables.Thus, the invention provides a control device for mounting in an opening of a housing facade comprising a light source, light guide means conveying light from the light source to a visible portion of the light guide means. and a movable control button having a portion to be inserted into said opening, at least a portion of said insert portion at least partially constituting said light guide means. This This device has the advantage that only one light source can be used, positioned inside the insert part of the control button, and not on the periphery, and the focus of the backlight uniformly on the visible part of the light guide means can be performed in a single phase, which offers significant savings in time, cost and productivity.

De plus, la présence d'une pièce intérieure supplémentaire, qui peut former au moins un palier pour le guidage du mouvement, permet de guider le mouvement du bouton de commande, quelque soit la longueur du guidage envisagé.In addition, the presence of an additional inner part, which can form at least one bearing for guiding movement, to guide the movement of the control button, regardless of the length of the guide envisaged.

Enfin, bien que le dispositif de commande ait été représenté comme un bouton du type rotatif pour des applications automobiles, d'autres modes de réalisation et applications, comme par exemple un bouton de commande coulissant, sont également envisagés.Finally, although the control device has been shown as a rotary type button for automotive applications, other embodiments and applications, such as a sliding control button, are also contemplated.

Claims (10)

Dispositif de commande comprenant un bouton de commande (60) mobile présentant une partie à insérer (70) dans une ouverture (10) d'une façade de logement (20), une source de lumière (100) et des moyens guide de lumière acheminant la lumière de la source de lumière (100) à une partie visible (45) des moyens guide de lumière,
caractérisé en ce que au moins une partie de la partie à insérer (70) constitue au moins partiellement les moyens guide de lumière.A control device comprising a movable control button (60) having a portion to be inserted (70) into an opening (10) of a housing face (20), a light source (100) and light guide means carrying the light of the light source (100) at a visible portion (45) of the light guide means,
characterized in that at least a portion of the insert portion (70) is at least partially the light guide means. Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la source de lumière (100) se trouve en position sensiblement centrale par rapport au bouton de commande (60) mobile.Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source (100) is in a substantially central position with respect to the movable control button (60). Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre une pièce intérieure (80) formant au moins un palier pour guider le mouvement dudit bouton de commande (60) par rapport à la façade (20).Control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises an inner part (80) forming at least one bearing for guiding the movement of said control knob (60) relative to the facade (20). Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la pièce intérieure (80) est mobile par rapport à ladite façade (20).Control device according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner part (80) is movable relative to said facade (20). Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le bouton de commande (60) est solidaire de la pièce intérieure (80).Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control button (60) is integral with the inner part (80). Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le bouton de commande (60) et la pièce intérieure (80) sont solidarisés par un système de clips.Control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control button (60) and the inner part (80) are secured by a system of clips. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens guide lumière comprennent au moins une pièce de forme sensiblement annulaire (40).Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means light guide comprise at least one substantially annular piece (40). Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens guide de lumière comprennent au moins deux pièces présentant des faces à juxtaposer et/ou au moins une surface d'extrémité optiquement traitée(s).Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide means comprise at least two parts having faces to juxtapose and / or at least one optically treated end surface (s). Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la partie à insérer (70) du bouton de commande (60) est creuse.Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert portion (70) of the control knob (60) is hollow. Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la paroi de la partie à insérer (70) du bouton de commande (60) présente une épaisseur sensiblement comprise entre 0.8 et 1.2 mm, en fonction de la luminance souhaitée et de la translucidité du matériau dans lequel la partie à insérer (70) du bouton de commande (60) est constituée.Control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the wall of the insert part (70) of the control button (60) has a thickness of between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, depending on the desired luminance and the translucency material in which the insert portion (70) of the control knob (60) is formed.
EP06116735.9A 2005-08-11 2006-07-06 Back lighting of a control button with an illuminated guide Active EP1752853B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0508509A FR2889767B1 (en) 2005-08-11 2005-08-11 RETRO LIGHTING A CONTROL BUTTON WITH LIGHT GUIDE.

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EP1752853A1 true EP1752853A1 (en) 2007-02-14
EP1752853B1 EP1752853B1 (en) 2016-04-13

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EP06116735.9A Active EP1752853B1 (en) 2005-08-11 2006-07-06 Back lighting of a control button with an illuminated guide

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EP (1) EP1752853B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2582188T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2889767B1 (en)

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EP2151806A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-10 Alberici S.p.A. Backlighted push button
DE102008042472A1 (en) 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Illumination ring for e.g. push-button used for controlling lift, has light guiding unit designed to guide light along circumferential direction, where light enters through rear side light emitting surface
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CN106094974A (en) * 2016-08-10 2016-11-09 苏龙 A kind of multi-functional control knob
CN113613932A (en) * 2019-03-22 2021-11-05 标致雪铁龙汽车股份有限公司 Interior lighting device of a motor vehicle comprising a transparent wall equipped with positioning means for positioning itself on a device configured as a light guide

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DE102014222200B3 (en) * 2014-10-30 2016-01-28 Behr-Hella Thermocontrol Gmbh Operating device, in particular for a vehicle component

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2151806A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-10 Alberici S.p.A. Backlighted push button
DE102008042472A1 (en) 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Illumination ring for e.g. push-button used for controlling lift, has light guiding unit designed to guide light along circumferential direction, where light enters through rear side light emitting surface
EP2211249A2 (en) 2009-01-22 2010-07-28 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Operating device for an electric device and control panel
EP2211249A3 (en) * 2009-01-22 2010-08-18 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Operating device for an electric device and control panel
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FR2941543A1 (en) * 2009-01-29 2010-07-30 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Function e.g. fog light selection, control lever for steering column of motor vehicle, has annular element whose external surface contacts internal surface of collar so that collar is rotationally driven around body without friction on body
CN103034279A (en) * 2011-10-06 2013-04-10 现代摩比斯株式会社 Button structure of multimedia system
CN106094974A (en) * 2016-08-10 2016-11-09 苏龙 A kind of multi-functional control knob
CN113613932A (en) * 2019-03-22 2021-11-05 标致雪铁龙汽车股份有限公司 Interior lighting device of a motor vehicle comprising a transparent wall equipped with positioning means for positioning itself on a device configured as a light guide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2582188T3 (en) 2016-09-09
FR2889767A1 (en) 2007-02-16
FR2889767B1 (en) 2011-05-13
EP1752853B1 (en) 2016-04-13

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