Patent Application
20100238677
The invention is based on a priority patent application EP 09155760.3 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to an illumination module as map reading light, ambient light and dome light combining LEDs and touch sensitive switches to one device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The invention is in a further aspect an overhead compartment using the illumination module and combines different further functions. The overhead compartment is designed in a modular manner so that one functional part can be replaced by others. Modules are defined according their function and can be replaced by other functional modules. Especially the door for the sun glass compartment is replaced by a module cover part including touch sensitive switches and controls for a sun roof.
Illumination Modules for use in overhead compartments are known in prior art. US 2008/0158900 discloses a module for a map reading light. The light source can be a white LED. The light is directed via reflector means. The control of the module is done by buttons arranged in the module. The document shows a solution in which lamps are located apart from the control buttons. Users must remember the right button to control the right lamp.
A touch sensitive switch for automotive use is disclosed in EP 1133405. The structure of the switch itself is an elongate depression 9 in the instrument panel created in the form of a wide groove which is elongate and substantially linear. The groove has a width and a depth to allow a finger to be slid along the groove and is deep enough to give the user a positive feel that his finger is correctly located without having to study the instrument panel carefully.
Overhead consoles with a drop down door for sun glasses or other small articles are known in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,925 describes a solution with an overhead console for a vehicle including a housing defining a transmitter storage compartment for a garage door opener and an opening for permitting access to the storage compartment. A door is pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a closed position for covering the opening and an open position for exposing the interior of the compartment through the lower opening. A manually operable actuating member is mounted to the door for movement with respect thereto, and includes a plurality of sockets formed therein.
The overhead console comprises courtesy lights or installation area for other functions. The design is limited to an overhead compartment with a standard reading lamp and a conventional switch together with a storage means.
The invention of a lamp structure using a touch sensitive switch is known in prior art. PCT/GB2008/050274 describes a lamp which uses the lamp cover as the switch trigger. The design described is not intuitive to use, as the switch function is not clear to the user, especially during night-time operation, which is when the lighting operation is generally required.
GB 2425590 describes an interior lamp with a housing covers by a lens and a touch switch. The touch switch is illuminated by a LED that is mounted adjacent to an indicator sign on the lens.
The inventional illumination module uses a touch sensitive control system incorporated in the lamp structure with an indirect illumination via a light directing mean. Therefore the user need not remember the button to control a lamp, or decode a symbol on a button, but can use the touch sensitive switch which is incorporated into the lamp design. According to another aspect the invention provides illumination of the desired switch touch area to highlight the switch contact point when in darkness.
It is a further intention of the invention to avoid globes taking up a lot of space in the assembly, as do the button sub-assemblies required for tactile switches. Consequently bulbs are replaced by LEDs with a long lifetime. The whole assembly process is eased, for the assembly needs fewer parts than commonly known illumination modules. This reduces in consequence the workload for the assembly process and the final weight of the module and the overhead console.
The inventional overhead solution uses a modular system wherein modules can easily replaced by others with different functions. Several modules can be replaced by others according the functions customer wants to realize.
A basic module is provided according the size of the overhead console recess of the vehicle. The basic module also includes several recesses for functional modules as ambient light module, card reading module, sunglass module, and sunroof control module.
The invention, an overhead module, includes a multi-functional overhead compartment using only a touch sensitive switch avoiding individual buttons per function and an intelligent touch sensitive switch control for the sunroof modular solution. As this solution avoids moving parts the risk that the overhead console rattles in use is reduced. All electrical functions are installed an implemented on printed circuit boards and can be pre assembled.
The invention is shown in the figures and shortly described there after.
One example of the invention is shown in
An overhead console M consists of a housing 4, hosting different modules. In
The housing forms together with a back cover a framework for the modules. In the embodiment of
The mechanical module MC is a compartment in which to store items such as sunglasses. A pivotable door 1 covers the mechanical module MC. Each of the modules as described below in details are produced separately and can be replaced by other functional modules or a simple cover plates, if the module recess is not used.
Illumination module MA includes lamp covers 3 implemented in the module, covering a printed circuit board (PCB) with a light source including LEDs 6, and capacitive sensors to act as switching devices for LED control. The touch sensitive areas are shown as ring shaped structures 5 on the lamp cover 3. The module forms cavities for a dome lamp and map reading lamps both realized with LED lamps.
Module MB has a switch sensing area 7, which is realized in a depression on z-axis into the figure plane. In The embodiment of
The location of the switch is indicated to the user by a trough 21 in the surface of the module MB, and also by an illuminated symbol on translucent material 26 pressed into the top of the trough 21. An electrode 24 is printed onto a switch PCB 23 directly above the trough 21 which acts as the sensing element for the switch. A LED 22 is also directly installed onto the switch PCB 23. The light of this LED illuminating the button itself is guided by a light directing section of the lamp cover or a lens 25 to the texture structure of the translucent material 26 at the bottom of the trough 21. The switch is activated/deactivated by placing a finger into the trough 21 closing the electrical circuit by changing capacitance of the switch. The light from the button illumination LED 22 is piped by reflection through part of the lamp cover or lens 25. In another embodiment this light pipe is a separate part instead of being integral to the lamp cover or lens 25. Also any other touch sensitive structure can be used to realize the door switch in module MB.
These controls for the lighting, such as the dome lamp activation coinciding with the opening and closing of the vehicle doors have sensing areas directly behind the housing surface of the module MB. These areas are depressed in comparison to the surrounding surface and in the middle of this depression consist of a translucent material similar to a lens with a textured marking indicating the function of the switch. This translucent material is clipped or pressed into the housing of the module MB. The textured symbol is illuminated by a LED on the main board and the light disperses within the textured area during night driving. The touch sensitive areas are formed by conductive material printed on the PCB directly behind the switch area. The light from the LEDs is manipulated by way of optics in the lamp cover or additional lenses so that areas for map reading are illuminated.
A dome lamp LED 51 is directly installed on a dome lamp PCB 52.
The sensing area for the dome lamp switches is circular in shape and concentric to the location of each of the LED clusters for dome lamp. The ring forming touch sensor electrodes 53 is surrounding LED 51 which can be a single LED or a LED cluster. The location of these touch sensitive switches is indicated by textured rings 57 on a lamp cover or lens 58 around each lamp. To illuminate the textured rings 57 on the cover 58 an additional LED 54 is installed on the PCB 52. During night driving this LED 54 illuminates the switch. These LEDs shine through the lamp cover from side on and use the dispersion effect of the rough texture to illuminate the sensing area around the lamps. In the embodiment of invention according
To activate or deactivate the dome light, the user puts a finger on the textures and illuminated area 57.
Also for this embodiment the illumination of the touch sensitive switch marked by the textured ring is possible by using light guiding structures. Therefore, the position of the button illumination LED can be optimized on the PCB. The light guiding structure can be a separate device or implemented into the lamp cover.
The elements shown in this embodiment are similar to the dome lamp of
In this embodiment the optical piece directing light in a defined direction is replaced by a LED 51 on an angled part 74 of the printed circuit board 52.
This embodiment involves routing a channel 75 around the map lamp LED 51 on three sides and perforating around the fourth and outermost side. On the innermost side of the board 52 two thin flexible pressed metal terminals 72 join the isolated LED section of board 74 with. Post assembly of the PCB components, perforations are broken through to allow the LED section of board 74 to be manipulated to the desired incident angle alpha. In the overhead console assembly the flexible section of the board will be located to the desired angle by features on adjacent parts and fastened by the surrounding parts also.
This module is a lamp only module which is located towards the rear of the vehicle and will have the touch sensors for the map lamps, but not the dome lamp. The front overhead console dome lamp switch acts as the master switch for both dome lamps. Lighting modules for the rear of the car will have the same lighting and switch set up with a smaller housing and no auxiliary switches aside from those that directly control the individual lamps. For aesthetics and also to act as a light shield between each section of the lamp i.e. map and dome there will be a layer of opaque material between the outer lamp cover and the PCB.
The sunroof controller is a touch sensitive switch arranged in such a fashion as to appear like a sliding touch control. The control switch fascia 101 has a trough 102 corresponding to the sensor locations 109.
The fascia also comprises an individual closed position depression 103 and indicator LEDs for current user selection. For the purpose of user feedback indicator LEDs may be used for all of the switches or even just one for the closed position. The light from these LEDs may shine directly into the fascia aperture in the case of having a painted and etched fascia or else as with the main console switches the light may be piped through an additional part made from translucent material allowing for an unpainted fascia.
b shows the touch sensitive sun roof switch 9 with a PCB for the switch 107 covered by the translucent material.
The translucent material comprises clips 106 to assemble the sunroof switch into the overhead console bezel structure.
The orientation of the switches—which means the electrodes—is only limited by what can be printed on the PCB. Each switch location represents a location for the sunroof.
Light from individual LEDs 108 will need to be shielded to discreetly illuminate each position. This is done by a feature integral to the fascia 101 or an additional part located between the PCB 107 and fascia 101. A simple logic circuit would be used to convert the output into the required format for the sunroof control unit.
The sunroof control comprises a separate PCB with connector to interface with the vehicle harness 105 and also a fascia for the controller. The PCB is clipped or screwed to the fascia 101 and this sub-assembly is clipped or screwed into a panel on the face of the overhead console to form module ME. The sunroof control is a linear array of touch sensitive areas on the PCB and indicated on the switch surface by a depressed trough in the fascia. The orientation of the array has an irregular, linear or curved shape. The closed position of the sunroof may also have extra emphasis such as a raised area 103 in a ring shape inside the trough around the sensing area for this switch. The position of the sunroof that is the current selection of the user may be indicated by backlighting with LEDs either directly or indirectly by illuminating a textured symbol on the surface of a translucent material.
The users will touch their finger on the surface of the overhead console to activate or deactivate a function. In the case of the sunroof switch they are able to slide their finger along the trough to the desired opening position or simply touch in one position.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09155760.3 | Mar 2009 | EP | regional |
