EP2141718B1 - Control device with a semi-rotary thumbwheel - Google Patents

Control device with a semi-rotary thumbwheel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2141718B1
EP2141718B1 EP20080159550 EP08159550A EP2141718B1 EP 2141718 B1 EP2141718 B1 EP 2141718B1 EP 20080159550 EP20080159550 EP 20080159550 EP 08159550 A EP08159550 A EP 08159550A EP 2141718 B1 EP2141718 B1 EP 2141718B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
control device
fact
flop
flip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP20080159550
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2141718A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Guidi
Stéphane Auberger
Sebastien Trappler
Maxime Poyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Delphi Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Delphi Technologies Inc filed Critical Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority to EP20080159550 priority Critical patent/EP2141718B1/en
Publication of EP2141718A1 publication Critical patent/EP2141718A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2141718B1 publication Critical patent/EP2141718B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/28—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button with three operating positions
    • H01H23/30—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button with three operating positions with stable centre positions and one or both end positions unstable
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
    • H01H23/168—Driving mechanisms using cams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
    • H01H23/20—Driving mechanisms having snap action
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/28—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button with three operating positions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/026—Car
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
    • H01H3/50—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts with indexing or locating means, e.g. indexing by ball and spring
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/60—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a semi-rotary wheel control device for generating different electrical signals according to the angular position of the wheel.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a semi-rotary wheel control device intended to be arranged in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to control various functions, in addition to several push buttons.
  • This control device is for example integrated in the steering wheel of a vehicle or in the housing at the top of the steering column which includes several switches controlling different functions.
  • the document EP1760742 describes for example a control device comprising a housing which is arranged on the hub of a steering wheel, this housing comprising two push buttons and a control wheel.
  • the control device comprises a printed circuit board which is mounted on a support in the housing and which is provided with electrical switches on its upper face.
  • a ply of flexible material is arranged on the printed circuit board and is provided with deformable domes that constitute electrical switches.
  • the control wheel is pivotally mounted on the support between two extreme angular switching positions and cooperates with an adjacent latch.
  • the rocker is adjacent an axial end of the wheel and is pivotally mounted on the support. By means of an eccentric, the wheel controls the pivoting of the rocker from an intermediate state of rest to two switched states, which correspond to the switching positions, in which the rocker respectively causes the switching of a first and a second electrical switches.
  • This type of device is not completely satisfactory because it requires a specific support provided to receive the wheel and rocker, which does not facilitate the reconfiguration of the housing and which does not allow to arrange the wheel in another type of case.
  • it is necessary to realize a cutout in the printed circuit board and in the sheet of flexible material to allow the passage of the structural elements that support the wheel and the rocker.
  • the surface occupied by the wheel / rocker assembly on the support is relatively large which is disadvantageous from the point of view of space.
  • the invention proposes a control device of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the wheel and the rocker are mounted on a common base which is attached to the support, and in that the wheel , the rocker, and the base form an independent control module.
  • the wheel and the rocker can be previously assembled on their base before mounting in the housing of the control device which facilitates the assembly of the control device.
  • the base and the wheel are equipped with an indexing finger which is resiliently biased against a sensing cam having three notches so as to index the wheel in its two switching positions and in its neutral position corresponding to the state resting state of the flip-flop, the flipped states being stable states.
  • the electrical switches are of the pressure type, the switching requiring to exert on each switch a bearing force directed downwards against an elastic restoring force. The invention thus makes it possible to maintain the switched state of the switches while using a control module and very simple design switches.
  • the electrical switches are partially compressed, which allows a better maintenance of the rocker in its state of rest to avoid the occurrence of noise due for example to vibration phenomena.
  • the electrical switches are formed in a sheet of flexible material such as silicone which is arranged on the upper face of the printed circuit board.
  • the printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical switches associated with pushbuttons arranged in the vicinity of the wheel, the switches associated with the push buttons being identical to the switches associated with the wheel.
  • the associated support portion of the rocker comes to bear on at least two switches, which makes it possible to guarantee the reliability of the switching, including in the case of a faulty switch or assembly tolerance problems.
  • the axis of the rocker and the axis of the wheel are superimposed in a plane perpendicular to the printed circuit board, which makes it possible to minimize the area occupied by the control module on the the printed circuit board.
  • the invention also proposes a control module intended to be mounted in a control device according to one of the preceding characteristics , characterized in that it comprises a wheel and a rocker which are pivotally mounted on a base, the pivoting of the thumbwheel controlling the tilting of the rocker.
  • control device 10 with a semi-rotary wheel 12 according to the teachings of the invention.
  • the control device 10 here comprises a housing 14 formed of a bottom 16 and a cover 18 assembled one on the other, and it is intended to be mounted preferably on the hub of a vehicle steering wheel (not shown).
  • this control device 10 could also be mounted directly on the dashboard of the vehicle or at any other location in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
  • the control device 10 comprises a printed circuit board 20 which is mounted on a support constituted here by the housing 14.
  • the lower face 22 and / or the upper face 24 of the plate 20 are provided with tracks. conductors 26, electrical contact elements 28, and electronic components (not shown).
  • the upper face 24 of the plate 20 is covered with a sheet 30 of flexible material, of the silicone type, comprising domes 32 forming, with the electrical contact elements 28 arranged on the upper face 24 of the plate 20, electrical switches 34.
  • Each dome 32 is elastically deformable by applying at its top a downwardly pressing force, against the elastic restoring force which tends to keep the dome 32 in its undistorted state.
  • the switches 34 could be constituted by other types of pressure switches 34, by V-blade switches called “V-blade”, by switches of the blister contact type.
  • the control device 10 comprises, in addition to the wheel 12, two push buttons 36 which are arranged on either side of the wheel 12 and which cooperate with switches 34 associated.
  • Each push button 36 comprises a control pallet 38 which is mounted on the outer face 40 of the cover 18 and an actuator 42 which is mounted on the inner face 44 of the cover 18, so as to transmit the pressing force exerted by a user. on the pallet 38 to the associated switches 34.
  • the actuators 42 are here schematized by blocks, the person skilled in the art being able to achieve them in different ways by applying his general knowledge in the field of pushbuttons.
  • the wheel 12 and an actuating lever 46 are pivotally mounted on a base 48 which is attached to the housing 14.
  • the base 48, the wheel 12, and the rocker 46 thus form a independent control module 50, shown in detail on the figure 2 which can be attached to the housing 14 of the control device 10.
  • the base 48 here has the shape of a generally parallelepipedal housing having an upper opening 52 in which is arranged the wheel 12 and a lower opening 54 in which the rocker 46 is arranged.
  • the base 48 is mounted by resilient interlocking in a complementary receptacle 51 arranged on the inner face 44 of the cover 18.
  • the receptacle 51 is here produced integrally by molding with the cover 18.
  • the wheel 12 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 48 about a primary axis A1, which here is slightly inclined relative to the plate 20, and the rocker 46 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 48 about a secondary axis A2 , which is here substantially parallel to the plate 20.
  • the primary axis A1 and the secondary axis A2 extend generally in the same vertical plane V1 so that the wheel 12 and the latch 46 are superposed vertically.
  • the wheel 12 has a generally cylinder-shaped handling surface 56 coaxial with the primary axis A1 which extends through the upper opening 52 of the base 48 and which is provided to extend also through a window 58 arranged in the cover 18 to allow the user to manipulate it manually.
  • the handling surface 58 of the wheel 12 is slightly convex in its middle part.
  • each housing 62 has an opening 66 in the form of axial slot for mounting the wheel 12 and the latch 46 by resilient interlocking pivots 60 on the base 48.
  • the wheel 12, the latch 46, and the base 48 are made by molding plastic material.
  • the wheel 12 pivots between two extreme angular switching positions, which are represented on the figures 3a , 4a , 3c , 4c and which are located on either side of a neutral intermediate position, shown on the figures 3b and 4b . It is noted that, due to the opposite orientation of the sectional planes 3-3 and 4-4, the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 3a corresponds to the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 4c , and the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 3c corresponds to the position of the wheel on the figure 4a .
  • the vertical plane V1 passing through the primary axis A1 and the secondary axis A2 here constitutes a plane of symmetry V1 for the wheel 12 and for the latch 46 when they occupy their neutral positions ( figures 3b and 4b ).
  • the wheel 12 controls the pivoting of the rocker 46 from an intermediate state of rest, which is represented on the figures 3b and 4b , towards two tilted states, which are represented on the figures 3a , 4a , 3c , 4c , which correspond to the switching positions, in which respectively a first 68 and a second 70 support portions of the flip-flop 46 respectively cause the switching of at least a first and at least a second electrical switch 34.
  • the bearing portions 68, 70 of the rocker 46 each extend above two switches 34 so that in the tilted state they simultaneously compress these two switches 34.
  • the switches 34 associated with the push buttons 36 and the switches 34 associated with the wheel 12 are identical.
  • the wheel 12 is provided with an indexing finger 72 which is biased resiliently against a feeler cam 74 arranged in the base 40.
  • the indexing finger 72 comprises a pin 76 which is slidably mounted. axially in a tubular housing 78 and which is biased towards the feeler cam 74 by a helical compression spring 80.
  • the tubular housing 78 is integrally formed with the body of the knob 12 and extends in the vertical direction X1 when the wheel 12 occupies its neutral position.
  • the sensation cam 74 has three notches 82, 84, 86 so as to index the wheel 12 in its two switching positions and in its neutral position.
  • the profile of the sensation cam 74 is chosen so as to obtain a curve of profile force determined as a function of the travel of the wheel 12.
  • the indexing finger 72 could be arranged on the base 48 and the sensation cam 74 could be arranged on the wheel 12.
  • Flip-flop 46 comprises an upper part forming an actuating lever 88 which extends, from secondary axis A2, vertically upwards, when flip-flop 46 is in its rest state, as shown in FIG. figure 3b .
  • the actuating lever 88 ends at its free end by a spherical portion 90 which is provided to come into substantially point contact with two control surfaces 92, 94 associated with the wheel 12 when the wheel 12 pivots to tilt the rocker 46 via the actuating lever 88, as illustrated by the Figures 3a and 3c .
  • control surfaces 92, 94 are not in contact with the spherical portion 90.
  • the two bearing portions 68, 70 of the rocker 46 are arranged on the opposite side to the actuating lever 88, with respect to the secondary axis A2. They form here a plateau which extends symmetrically on both sides of the plane of symmetry V1.
  • the lower faces of the two support portions 68, 70 here constitute two inclined faces 98, 100 which meet to form an edge 102 substantially parallel to the secondary axis A2.
  • Each inclined section 98, 100 constitutes a bearing surface designed to compress the domes 32 of the two switches 34 located below.
  • each support portion 68, 70 could be made in a different form.
  • each support portion 68, 70 could comprise two separate support arms provided for each compressing the dome 32 of the associated switch 34.
  • the two support portions 68, 70 are substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry V1.
  • the two support portions 68, 70 are provided to partially compress the domes 32 of the associated switches 34.
  • the elastic return forces of the domes 32, on either side of the plane of symmetry V1 balance and hold the latch 46 in the idle state, damping the possible inadvertent movements of the latch 46 due for example the vibrations to which the control device 10 is subjected.
  • the user rotates the wheel 12, for example clockwise, considering the figure 4a , to the switching position which is represented on the Figures 3c and 4a .
  • the control surface 92 bears against the spherical portion 90 of the actuating lever 88, which causes toggle 46 to its left-handed state, considering the figure 4a .
  • the left support portion 68 compresses the two associated domes 32 which causes the switching of the two switches 34 associated.
  • the indexing finger 72 leaves the notch 86 corresponding to the neutral position of the knob 12 by compressing the spring 80 and then engages in the notch 82 corresponding to the indexing cam 74.
  • the switching occurs before the indexing finger 72 has reached its final position engaged in the associated notch 82, which makes it possible to guarantee the commutation taking into account the assembly tolerances of the control device 10.
  • the left support portion 68 extends parallel to the plate 20 and compresses the associated domes 32 by keeping them in their switching state, while the right support portion 70 is tilted upward which eliminates the residual support on the domes 32 associated with the right support portion 70.
  • the profile of the feeler cam 74 that is to say the depth and shape of the notches 82, 84, 86, and the resting force of the spring 80 are chosen so that the support the indexing finger 72 against the cam 74 is sufficient to hold the wheel 12 in the switching position, despite the elastic return force of the domes 32 in the switching state, so that the tilted states are stable states.
  • the operation of the wheel 12 is here symmetrical in both directions of pivoting to the tilted positions.

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Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de commande à molette semi-rotative permettant la génération de signaux électriques différents selon la position angulaire de la molette.The present invention relates to a semi-rotary wheel control device for generating different electrical signals according to the angular position of the wheel.

ARRIERE-PLAN TECHNOLOGIQUE DE L'INVENTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un dispositif de commande à molette semi-rotative destiné à être agencé dans un habitacle de véhicule automobile pour commander différentes fonctions, en plus de plusieurs boutons poussoirs. Ce dispositif de commande est par exemple intégré dans le volant d'un véhicule ou dans le boîtier en haut de la colonne de direction qui regroupe plusieurs commutateurs commandant différentes fonctions.The present invention relates more particularly to a semi-rotary wheel control device intended to be arranged in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to control various functions, in addition to several push buttons. This control device is for example integrated in the steering wheel of a vehicle or in the housing at the top of the steering column which includes several switches controlling different functions.

Le document EP1760742 décrit par exemple un dispositif de commande comportant un boîtier qui est agencé sur le moyeu d'un volant, ce boîtier comportant deux boutons poussoirs et une molette de commande. Le dispositif de commande comporte une plaque à circuits imprimés qui est montée sur un support, dans le boîtier, et qui est munie de commutateurs électriques sur sa face supérieure. Une nappe en matériau souple est agencée sur la plaque à circuits imprimés et elle est munie de dômes déformables qui constituent des commutateurs électriques. La molette de commande est montée pivotante sur le support entre deux positions angulaires extrêmes de commutation et elle coopère avec une bascule adjacente. La bascule est adjacente à une extrémité axiale de la molette et elle est montée pivotante sur le support. Au moyen d'un excentrique, la molette commande le pivotement de la bascule depuis un état intermédiaire de repos vers deux états basculés, qui correspondent aux positions de commutation, dans lesquels la bascule provoque respectivement la commutation d'un premier et d'un second commutateurs électriques.The document EP1760742 describes for example a control device comprising a housing which is arranged on the hub of a steering wheel, this housing comprising two push buttons and a control wheel. The control device comprises a printed circuit board which is mounted on a support in the housing and which is provided with electrical switches on its upper face. A ply of flexible material is arranged on the printed circuit board and is provided with deformable domes that constitute electrical switches. The control wheel is pivotally mounted on the support between two extreme angular switching positions and cooperates with an adjacent latch. The rocker is adjacent an axial end of the wheel and is pivotally mounted on the support. By means of an eccentric, the wheel controls the pivoting of the rocker from an intermediate state of rest to two switched states, which correspond to the switching positions, in which the rocker respectively causes the switching of a first and a second electrical switches.

Ce type de dispositif n'est pas complètement satisfaisant car il nécessite de réaliser un support spécifique prévu pour recevoir la molette et la bascule, ce qui ne facilite pas la reconfiguration du boîtier et ce qui ne permet pas d'agencer la molette dans un autre type de boîtier. En particulier, il est nécessaire de réaliser une découpe dans la plaque à circuits imprimés et dans la nappe en matériau souple pour permettre le passage des éléments de structure qui supportent la molette et la bascule. De plus, la surface occupée par l'ensemble molette/bascule sur le support est relativement importante ce qui est pénalisant du point de vue de l'encombrement.This type of device is not completely satisfactory because it requires a specific support provided to receive the wheel and rocker, which does not facilitate the reconfiguration of the housing and which does not allow to arrange the wheel in another type of case. In particular, it is necessary to realize a cutout in the printed circuit board and in the sheet of flexible material to allow the passage of the structural elements that support the wheel and the rocker. In addition, the surface occupied by the wheel / rocker assembly on the support is relatively large which is disadvantageous from the point of view of space.

RESUME DE L'INVENTIONSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Dans le but de remédier à ces inconvénients, l'invention propose un dispositif de commande du type mentionné précédemment, caractérisé en ce que la molette et la bascule sont montés sur un socle commun qui est rapporté sur le support, et en ce que la molette, la bascule, et le socle forment un module de commande indépendant.In order to overcome these drawbacks, the invention proposes a control device of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the wheel and the rocker are mounted on a common base which is attached to the support, and in that the wheel , the rocker, and the base form an independent control module.

Ainsi, la molette et la bascule peuvent être préalablement assemblées sur leur socle avant le montage dans le boîtier du dispositif de commande ce qui facilite l'assemblage du dispositif de commande.Thus, the wheel and the rocker can be previously assembled on their base before mounting in the housing of the control device which facilitates the assembly of the control device.

Avantageusement, le socle et la molette sont équipés d'un doigt d'indexation qui est sollicité élastiquement contre une came de sensation comportant trois crans de manière à indexer la molette dans ses deux positions de commutation et dans sa position neutre correspondant à l'état de repos de la bascule, les états basculés étant des états stables. Les commutateurs électriques sont du type à pression, la commutation nécessitant d'exercer sur chaque commutateur une force d'appui dirigé vers le bas à l'encontre d'une force de rappel élastique. L'invention permet ainsi de maintenir l'état commuté des commutateurs tout en utilisant un module de commande et des commutateurs très simples de conception.Advantageously, the base and the wheel are equipped with an indexing finger which is resiliently biased against a sensing cam having three notches so as to index the wheel in its two switching positions and in its neutral position corresponding to the state resting state of the flip-flop, the flipped states being stable states. The electrical switches are of the pressure type, the switching requiring to exert on each switch a bearing force directed downwards against an elastic restoring force. The invention thus makes it possible to maintain the switched state of the switches while using a control module and very simple design switches.

De préférence, dans l'état non commuté de la bascule, les commutateurs électriques sont partiellement comprimés, ce qui permet un meilleur maintien de la bascule dans son état de repos pour éviter l'apparition de bruits dus par exemple à des phénomènes vibratoires.Preferably, in the non-switched state of the rocker, the electrical switches are partially compressed, which allows a better maintenance of the rocker in its state of rest to avoid the occurrence of noise due for example to vibration phenomena.

Les commutateurs électriques sont formés dans une nappe en matériau souple tel que de la silicone qui est agencée sur la face supérieure de la plaque à circuits imprimés. La plaque à circuits imprimés comporte plusieurs commutateurs électriques associés à des boutons poussoirs agencés au voisinage de la molette, les commutateurs associés aux boutons poussoirs étant identiques aux commutateurs associés à la molette. L'invention permet ainsi de réaliser un dispositif de commande simple et bon marché, sans qu'il soit nécessaire de prévoir des commutateurs spécifiques pour la molette. On obtient aussi un dispositif de commande plus étanche à la poussière car il n'est pas nécessaire de prévoir une découpe dans la nappe pour agencer la molette.The electrical switches are formed in a sheet of flexible material such as silicone which is arranged on the upper face of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical switches associated with pushbuttons arranged in the vicinity of the wheel, the switches associated with the push buttons being identical to the switches associated with the wheel. The invention thus makes it possible to produce a simple and inexpensive control device, without it being necessary to provide specific switches for the wheel. A more dust-tight control device is also obtained because it is not necessary to provide a cut-out in the sheet to arrange the wheel.

Selon une caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, dans chaque état basculé, la portion d'appui associée de la bascule vient en appui sur au moins deux commutateurs, ce qui permet de garantir la fiabilité de la commutation, y compris dans le cas d'un commutateur défectueux ou de problèmes de tolérance à l'assemblage.According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, in each tilted state, the associated support portion of the rocker comes to bear on at least two switches, which makes it possible to guarantee the reliability of the switching, including in the case of a faulty switch or assembly tolerance problems.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, l'axe de la bascule et l'axe de la molette sont superposées dans un plan perpendiculaire à la plaque à circuits imprimés, ce qui permet de minimiser la surface occupée par le module de commande sur la plaque à circuits imprimés.According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the axis of the rocker and the axis of the wheel are superimposed in a plane perpendicular to the printed circuit board, which makes it possible to minimize the area occupied by the control module on the the printed circuit board.

Selon d'autre caractéristiques avantageuses de l'invention :

  • la bascule comporte une partie supérieure formant un levier d'actionnement qui est pourvu à son extrémité libre d'une portion sphérique prévue pour venir en contact sensiblement ponctuel avec des surfaces de commande associées de la molette de manière que la molette commande le pivotement de la bascule par l'intermédiaire du levier d'actionnement ;
  • la molette comporte une surface de manipulation en forme de portion de cylindre parallèle à l'axe primaire qui s'étend à travers une ouverture supérieure du socle ;
According to other advantageous features of the invention:
  • the rocker comprises an upper part forming an actuating lever which is provided at its free end with a spherical portion intended to come into substantially point contact with associated control surfaces of the wheel so that the wheel controls the pivoting of the tilts through the actuating lever;
  • the wheel has a cylindrical portion-like manipulation surface parallel to the primary axis which extends through an upper opening of the pedestal;

L'invention propose aussi un module de commande destiné à être monté dans un dispositif de commande selon l'une des caractéristiques précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une molette et une bascule qui sont montées pivotantes sur un socle, le pivotement de la molette commandant le basculement de la bascule.The invention also proposes a control module intended to be mounted in a control device according to one of the preceding characteristics , characterized in that it comprises a wheel and a rocker which are pivotally mounted on a base, the pivoting of the thumbwheel controlling the tilting of the rocker.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINSBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

D'autres caractéristiques, buts et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui va suivre, et en regard des dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemple non limitatif et sur lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée qui représente schématiquement un dispositif de commande comportant un module de commande à molette semi-rotative conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée qui représente schématiquement le module de commande de la figure 1 ;
  • les figures 3a à 3c sont des vues selon le plan de coupe 3-3 qui représentent schématiquement les états basculés et l'état de repos de la bascule en fonction de la position angulaire de la molette ;
  • les figures 4a à 4c sont des vues selon le plan de coupe 4-4 qui représentent schématiquement les positions du doigt d'indexation équipant la molette en fonction de la position angulaire de la molette et en fonction de l'état de la bascule.
Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example and in which:
  • the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view which schematically shows a control device comprising a semi-rotary control module according to the teachings of the invention;
  • the figure 2 is an exploded perspective view which schematically represents the control module of the figure 1 ;
  • the Figures 3a to 3c are views according to the sectional plane 3-3 which schematically represent the rocked states and the state of rest of the rocker according to the angular position of the wheel;
  • the Figures 4a to 4c are views according to the sectional plane 4-4 which schematically represent the positions of the indexing finger equipping the wheel according to the angular position of the wheel and depending on the state of the rocker.

DESCRIPTION DES MODES DE REALISATION PREFERESDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Dans la suite de la description, des éléments identiques ou similaires seront désignés par les mêmes références.In the remainder of the description, identical or similar elements will be designated by the same references.

Sur la figure 1, on a représenté un dispositif de commande électrique 10 à molette 12 semi-rotative conforme aux enseignements de l'invention. Le dispositif de commande 10 comprend ici un boîtier 14 formé d'un fond 16 et d'un couvercle 18 assemblés l'un sur l'autre, et il est destiné à être monté de préférence sur le moyeu d'un volant de véhicule (non représenté). Bien entendu ce dispositif de commande 10 pourrait aussi être monté directement sur le tableau de bord du véhicule ou en tout autre emplacement dans l'habitacle du véhicule.On the figure 1 , there is shown an electric control device 10 with a semi-rotary wheel 12 according to the teachings of the invention. The control device 10 here comprises a housing 14 formed of a bottom 16 and a cover 18 assembled one on the other, and it is intended to be mounted preferably on the hub of a vehicle steering wheel ( not shown). Of course, this control device 10 could also be mounted directly on the dashboard of the vehicle or at any other location in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Dans la suite de la description, on utilisera à titre non limitatif une orientation verticale X1 suivant une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan général du boîtier 14, orientée de bas en haut en considérant la figure 1.In the rest of the description, use will be made without limitation of a vertical orientation X1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the housing 14, oriented from bottom to top considering the figure 1 .

Le dispositif de commande 10 comporte une plaque 20 à circuits imprimés qui est montée sur un support constitué ici par le boîtier 14. La face inférieure 22 et/ou la face supérieure 24 de la plaque 20 sont munies de pistes conductrices 26, d'éléments de contact électrique 28, et de composants électroniques (non représentés). La face supérieure 24 de la plaque 20 est recouverte d'une nappe 30 en matériau souple, du type silicone, comportant des dômes 32 formant, avec les éléments de contact électrique 28 agencés sur la face supérieure 24 de la plaque 20, des commutateurs électriques 34. Chaque dôme 32 est déformable élastiquement en appliquant à son sommet une force d'appui dirigée vers le bas, à l'encontre de la force de rappel élastique qui tend à maintenir le dôme 32 dans son état non déformé.The control device 10 comprises a printed circuit board 20 which is mounted on a support constituted here by the housing 14. The lower face 22 and / or the upper face 24 of the plate 20 are provided with tracks. conductors 26, electrical contact elements 28, and electronic components (not shown). The upper face 24 of the plate 20 is covered with a sheet 30 of flexible material, of the silicone type, comprising domes 32 forming, with the electrical contact elements 28 arranged on the upper face 24 of the plate 20, electrical switches 34. Each dome 32 is elastically deformable by applying at its top a downwardly pressing force, against the elastic restoring force which tends to keep the dome 32 in its undistorted state.

Ce type de commutateur électrique 34 est bien connu de l'homme du métier qui pourra se reporter notamment à la description d'un tel commutateur dans le document EP1760742 (figure 5).This type of electric switch 34 is well known to those skilled in the art which may be referred to in particular in the description of such a switch in the document EP1760742 (Figure 5).

Selon des variantes de réalisation (non représentées), les commutateurs 34 pourraient être constitués par d'autres types de commutateurs 34 à pression, par des commutateurs à lame en V dits « V-blade », par des commutateurs du type à contact cloquant.According to alternative embodiments (not shown), the switches 34 could be constituted by other types of pressure switches 34, by V-blade switches called "V-blade", by switches of the blister contact type.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 1, le dispositif de commande 10 comporte, en plus de la molette 12, deux boutons poussoirs 36 qui sont agencés de part et d'autre de la molette 12 et qui coopèrent avec des commutateurs 34 associés. Chaque bouton poussoir 36 comporte une palette 38 de commande qui est montée sur la face extérieure 40 du couvercle 18 et un actionneur 42 qui est monté sur la face intérieure 44 du couvercle 18, de manière à transmettre la force d'appui exercée par un utilisateur sur la palette 38 aux commutateurs 34 associés.According to the embodiment shown on the figure 1 , the control device 10 comprises, in addition to the wheel 12, two push buttons 36 which are arranged on either side of the wheel 12 and which cooperate with switches 34 associated. Each push button 36 comprises a control pallet 38 which is mounted on the outer face 40 of the cover 18 and an actuator 42 which is mounted on the inner face 44 of the cover 18, so as to transmit the pressing force exerted by a user. on the pallet 38 to the associated switches 34.

Les actionneurs 42 sont ici schématisés par des blocs, l'homme du métier étant en mesure de les réaliser de différentes manières en appliquant ses connaissances générales dans le domaine des boutons-poussoirs.The actuators 42 are here schematized by blocks, the person skilled in the art being able to achieve them in different ways by applying his general knowledge in the field of pushbuttons.

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, la molette 12 ainsi qu'une bascule 46 d'actionnement sont montées pivotantes sur un socle 48 qui est rapporté dans le boîtier 14. Le socle 48, la molette 12, et la bascule 46 forment ainsi un module de commande 50 indépendant, représenté en détail sur la figure 2, qui peut être rapporté dans le boîtier 14 du dispositif de commande 10.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the wheel 12 and an actuating lever 46 are pivotally mounted on a base 48 which is attached to the housing 14. The base 48, the wheel 12, and the rocker 46 thus form a independent control module 50, shown in detail on the figure 2 which can be attached to the housing 14 of the control device 10.

Le socle 48 a ici la forme d'un boîtier globalement parallélépipédique comportant une ouverture supérieure 52 dans laquelle est agencée la molette 12 et une ouverture inférieure 54 dans laquelle est agencée la bascule 46.The base 48 here has the shape of a generally parallelepipedal housing having an upper opening 52 in which is arranged the wheel 12 and a lower opening 54 in which the rocker 46 is arranged.

Avantageusement, le socle 48 est monté par emboîtement élastique dans un réceptacle 51 complémentaire aménagé sur la face intérieure 44 du couvercle 18. Le réceptacle 51 est réalisé ici venu de matière par moulage avec le couvercle 18.Advantageously, the base 48 is mounted by resilient interlocking in a complementary receptacle 51 arranged on the inner face 44 of the cover 18. The receptacle 51 is here produced integrally by molding with the cover 18.

La molette 12 est montée pivotante par rapport au socle 48 autour d'un axe primaire A1, qui est ici légèrement incliné par rapport à la plaque 20, et la bascule 46 est montée pivotante par rapport au socle 48 autour d'un axe secondaire A2, qui est ici sensiblement parallèle à la plaque 20. Avantageusement, l'axe primaire A1 et l'axe secondaire A2 s'étendent globalement dans un même plan vertical V1 de sorte que la molette 12 et la bascule 46 sont superposées verticalement.The wheel 12 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 48 about a primary axis A1, which here is slightly inclined relative to the plate 20, and the rocker 46 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 48 about a secondary axis A2 , which is here substantially parallel to the plate 20. Advantageously, the primary axis A1 and the secondary axis A2 extend generally in the same vertical plane V1 so that the wheel 12 and the latch 46 are superposed vertically.

La molette 12 comporte une surface de manipulation 56 globalement en forme de portion de cylindre coaxiale à l'axe primaire A1 qui s'étend à travers l'ouverture supérieure 52 du socle 48 et qui est prévue pour s'étendre aussi à travers une fenêtre 58 aménagée dans le couvercle 18 pour permettre à l'utilisateur de la manipuler manuellement. Selon l'exemple de réalisation représenté sur les figures, la surface de manipulation 58 de la molette 12 est légèrement bombée dans sa partie médiane.The wheel 12 has a generally cylinder-shaped handling surface 56 coaxial with the primary axis A1 which extends through the upper opening 52 of the base 48 and which is provided to extend also through a window 58 arranged in the cover 18 to allow the user to manipulate it manually. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the handling surface 58 of the wheel 12 is slightly convex in its middle part.

La molette 12 et la bascule 46 se prolongent à chacune de leurs extrémités axiales par un pivot 60 qui est reçu dans un logement 62 complémentaire formé dans une paroi latérale 64 du socle 48. De préférence, chaque logement 62 comporte une ouverture 66 en forme de fente axiale permettant le montage de la molette 12 et de la bascule 46 par emboîtement élastique des pivots 60 sur le socle 48.The wheel 12 and the latch 46 are extended at each of their axial ends by a pivot 60 which is received in a complementary housing 62 formed in a side wall 64 of the base 48. Preferably, each housing 62 has an opening 66 in the form of axial slot for mounting the wheel 12 and the latch 46 by resilient interlocking pivots 60 on the base 48.

De préférence, la molette 12, la bascule 46, et le socle 48 sont réalisées par moulage en matériau plastique.Preferably, the wheel 12, the latch 46, and the base 48 are made by molding plastic material.

La molette 12 pivote entre deux positions angulaires extrêmes de commutation, qui sont représentées sur les figures 3a, 4a, 3c, 4c et qui sont situées de part et d'autre d'une position intermédiaire neutre, représentée sur les figures 3b et 4b. On note que, du fait de l'orientation opposée des plans de coupe 3-3 et 4-4, la position de la molette 12 sur la figure 3a correspond à la position de la molette 12 sur la figure 4c, et la position de la molette 12 sur la figure 3c correspond à la position de la molette sur la figure 4a.The wheel 12 pivots between two extreme angular switching positions, which are represented on the figures 3a , 4a , 3c , 4c and which are located on either side of a neutral intermediate position, shown on the figures 3b and 4b . It is noted that, due to the opposite orientation of the sectional planes 3-3 and 4-4, the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 3a corresponds to the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 4c , and the position of the wheel 12 on the figure 3c corresponds to the position of the wheel on the figure 4a .

On note que le plan vertical V1 passant par l'axe primaire A1 et par l'axe secondaire A2 constitue ici un plan de symétrie V1 pour la molette 12 et pour la bascule 46 lorsqu'elles occupent leurs positions neutres (figures 3b et 4b).Note that the vertical plane V1 passing through the primary axis A1 and the secondary axis A2 here constitutes a plane of symmetry V1 for the wheel 12 and for the latch 46 when they occupy their neutral positions ( figures 3b and 4b ).

La molette 12 commande le pivotement de la bascule 46 depuis un état intermédiaire de repos, qui est représenté sur les figures 3b et 4b, vers deux états basculés, qui sont représentés sur les figures 3a, 4a, 3c, 4c, qui correspondent aux positions de commutation, dans lesquelles respectivement une première 68 et une seconde 70 portions d'appui de la bascule 46 provoquent respectivement la commutation d'au moins un premier et d'au moins un second commutateurs électriques 34. De préférence, les portions d'appui 68, 70 de la bascule 46 s'étendent chacune au-dessus de deux commutateurs 34 de sorte qu'à l'état basculé elles compriment simultanément ces deux commutateurs 34.The wheel 12 controls the pivoting of the rocker 46 from an intermediate state of rest, which is represented on the figures 3b and 4b , towards two tilted states, which are represented on the figures 3a , 4a , 3c , 4c , which correspond to the switching positions, in which respectively a first 68 and a second 70 support portions of the flip-flop 46 respectively cause the switching of at least a first and at least a second electrical switch 34. Preferably, the bearing portions 68, 70 of the rocker 46 each extend above two switches 34 so that in the tilted state they simultaneously compress these two switches 34.

De préférence, les commutateurs 34 associés aux boutons poussoirs 36 et les commutateurs 34 associés à la molette 12 sont identiques.Preferably, the switches 34 associated with the push buttons 36 and the switches 34 associated with the wheel 12 are identical.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté, la molette 12 est pourvue d'un doigt d'indexation 72 qui est sollicité élastiquement contre une came de sensation 74 aménagée dans le socle 40. Le doigt d'indexation 72 comporte un téton 76 qui est monté coulissant axialement dans un logement tubulaire 78 et qui est sollicité vers la came de sensation 74 par un ressort de compression hélicoïdal 80. Le logement tubulaire 78 est réalisé venu de matière avec le corps de la molette 12 et il s'étend suivant la direction verticale X1 lorsque la molette 12 occupe sa position neutre. La came de sensation 74 comporte trois crans 82, 84, 86 de manière à indexer la molette 12 dans ses deux positions de commutation et dans sa position neutre.According to the embodiment shown, the wheel 12 is provided with an indexing finger 72 which is biased resiliently against a feeler cam 74 arranged in the base 40. The indexing finger 72 comprises a pin 76 which is slidably mounted. axially in a tubular housing 78 and which is biased towards the feeler cam 74 by a helical compression spring 80. The tubular housing 78 is integrally formed with the body of the knob 12 and extends in the vertical direction X1 when the wheel 12 occupies its neutral position. The sensation cam 74 has three notches 82, 84, 86 so as to index the wheel 12 in its two switching positions and in its neutral position.

De préférence, le profil de la came de sensation 74 est choisi de manière à obtenir une courbe d'effort de profil déterminé en fonction de la course de la molette 12.Preferably, the profile of the sensation cam 74 is chosen so as to obtain a curve of profile force determined as a function of the travel of the wheel 12.

Bien entendu, selon une variante de réalisation, le doigt d'indexation 72 pourrait être agencé sur le socle 48 et la came de sensation 74 pourrait être agencée sur la molette 12.Of course, according to an alternative embodiment, the indexing finger 72 could be arranged on the base 48 and the sensation cam 74 could be arranged on the wheel 12.

La bascule 46 comporte une partie supérieure formant un levier d'actionnement 88 qui s'étend, depuis l'axe secondaire A2, verticalement vers le haut, lorsque la bascule 46 est dans son état de repos, comme représenté sur la figure 3b. Le levier d'actionnement 88 se termine à son extrémité libre par une portion sphérique 90 qui est prévue pour venir en contact sensiblement ponctuel avec deux surfaces de commande 92, 94 associées de la molette 12 lorsque la molette 12 pivote pour faire basculer la bascule 46 via le levier d'actionnement 88, comme illustré par les figures 3a et 3c.Flip-flop 46 comprises an upper part forming an actuating lever 88 which extends, from secondary axis A2, vertically upwards, when flip-flop 46 is in its rest state, as shown in FIG. figure 3b . The actuating lever 88 ends at its free end by a spherical portion 90 which is provided to come into substantially point contact with two control surfaces 92, 94 associated with the wheel 12 when the wheel 12 pivots to tilt the rocker 46 via the actuating lever 88, as illustrated by the Figures 3a and 3c .

De préférence, à l'état de repos de la bascule 46, les surfaces de commande 92, 94 ne sont pas en contact avec la portion sphérique 90.Preferably, in the rest state of the latch 46, the control surfaces 92, 94 are not in contact with the spherical portion 90.

Les deux portions d'appui 68, 70 de la bascule 46 sont agencées du côté opposé au levier d'actionnement 88, par rapport à l'axe secondaire A2. Elles forment ici un plateau qui s'étend de manière symétrique de part et d'autre du plan de symétrie V1. Les faces inférieures des deux portions d'appui 68, 70 constituent ici deux pans inclinés 98, 100 qui se rejoignent pour former une arête 102 sensiblement parallèle à l'axe secondaire A2. Chaque pan incliné 98, 100 constitue une surface d'appui prévue pour comprimer les dômes 32 des deux commutateurs 34 situés en-dessous.The two bearing portions 68, 70 of the rocker 46 are arranged on the opposite side to the actuating lever 88, with respect to the secondary axis A2. They form here a plateau which extends symmetrically on both sides of the plane of symmetry V1. The lower faces of the two support portions 68, 70 here constitute two inclined faces 98, 100 which meet to form an edge 102 substantially parallel to the secondary axis A2. Each inclined section 98, 100 constitutes a bearing surface designed to compress the domes 32 of the two switches 34 located below.

Bien entendu, selon une variante de réalisation (non représentée), les portions d'appui 68, 70 pourraient être réalisées sous une forme différente. Par exemple, chaque portion d'appui 68, 70 pourrait comporter deux bras d'appui distincts prévus pour comprimer chacun le dôme 32 du commutateur associé 34.Of course, according to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the support portions 68, 70 could be made in a different form. For example, each support portion 68, 70 could comprise two separate support arms provided for each compressing the dome 32 of the associated switch 34.

A l'état de repos, représenté sur les figures 3b et 4b, les deux portions d'appui 68, 70 sont sensiblement symétriques par rapport au plan de symétrie V1. Dans cet état, les deux portions d'appui 68, 70 sont prévues pour comprimer partiellement les dômes 32 des commutateurs 34 associés. Ainsi, les forces de rappel élastique des dômes 32, de part et d'autre du plan de symétrie V1, s'équilibrent et retiennent la bascule 46 dans on état de repos, en amortissant les possibles mouvements intempestifs de la bascule 46 dus par exemple aux vibrations auxquelles est soumis le dispositif de commande 10.In the state of rest, represented on figures 3b and 4b , the two support portions 68, 70 are substantially symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry V1. In this state, the two support portions 68, 70 are provided to partially compress the domes 32 of the associated switches 34. Thus, the elastic return forces of the domes 32, on either side of the plane of symmetry V1, balance and hold the latch 46 in the idle state, damping the possible inadvertent movements of the latch 46 due for example the vibrations to which the control device 10 is subjected.

Lors de la manipulation de la molette 12 par l'utilisateur, le fonctionnement de l'invention est le suivant.During the manipulation of the wheel 12 by the user, the operation of the invention is as follows.

A partir de la position neutre qui est illustrée par les figures 3b et 4b, l'utilisateur fait pivoter la molette 12, par exemple dans le sens horaire en considérant la figure 4a, jusqu'à la position de commutation qui est représentée sur les figures 3c et 4a. Au cours de ce pivotement, la surface de commande 92 vient en appui contre la portion sphérique 90 du levier d'actionnement 88 ce qui provoque le basculement de la bascule 46 vers son état basculé à gauche, en considérant la figure 4a. Au cours de ce basculement, la portion d'appui gauche 68 vient comprimer les deux dômes 32 associés ce qui provoque la commutation des deux commutateurs 34 associés. Parallèlement, le doigt d'indexation 72 sort du cran 86 correspondant à la position neutre de la molette 12 en comprimant le ressort 80 puis s'engage dans le cran 82 correspondant de la came d'indexation 74.From the neutral position which is illustrated by the figures 3b and 4b , the user rotates the wheel 12, for example clockwise, considering the figure 4a , to the switching position which is represented on the Figures 3c and 4a . During this pivoting, the control surface 92 bears against the spherical portion 90 of the actuating lever 88, which causes toggle 46 to its left-handed state, considering the figure 4a . During this switchover, the left support portion 68 compresses the two associated domes 32 which causes the switching of the two switches 34 associated. At the same time, the indexing finger 72 leaves the notch 86 corresponding to the neutral position of the knob 12 by compressing the spring 80 and then engages in the notch 82 corresponding to the indexing cam 74.

Avantageusement, au cours du pivotement de la molette 12, la commutation intervient avant que le doigt d'indexation 72 ait atteint sa position finale engagée dans le cran 82 associé, ce qui permet de garantir la commutation en tenant compte des tolérances d'assemblage du dispositif de commande 10.Advantageously, during the pivoting of the wheel 12, the switching occurs before the indexing finger 72 has reached its final position engaged in the associated notch 82, which makes it possible to guarantee the commutation taking into account the assembly tolerances of the control device 10.

Dans l'état basculé à gauche de la figure 4a, la portion d'appui gauche 68 s'étend parallèlement à la plaque 20 et comprime les dômes 32 associés en les maintenant dans leur état de commutation, alors que la portion d'appui droite 70 est basculée vers le haut ce qui supprime l'appui résiduel sur les dômes 32 associés à la portion d'appui droite 70.In the state tilted to the left of the figure 4a , the left support portion 68 extends parallel to the plate 20 and compresses the associated domes 32 by keeping them in their switching state, while the right support portion 70 is tilted upward which eliminates the residual support on the domes 32 associated with the right support portion 70.

De préférence, le profil de la came de sensation 74, c'est-à-dire la profondeur et la forme des crans 82, 84, 86, ainsi que la force d'appui du ressort 80 sont choisis de manière que l'appui du doigt d'indexation 72 contre la came 74 soit suffisant pour retenir la molette 12 en position de commutation, malgré la force de rappel élastique des dômes 32 en état de commutation, de manière que les états basculés soient des états stables.Preferably, the profile of the feeler cam 74, that is to say the depth and shape of the notches 82, 84, 86, and the resting force of the spring 80 are chosen so that the support the indexing finger 72 against the cam 74 is sufficient to hold the wheel 12 in the switching position, despite the elastic return force of the domes 32 in the switching state, so that the tilted states are stable states.

Ainsi, pour ramener la molette 12 vers sa position neutre, l'utilisateur doit exercer un nouvel effort sur celle-ci pour la faire pivoter en sens inverse et vaincre la force d'indexation du doigt d'indexation 72.Thus, to return the wheel 12 to its neutral position, the user must exert a new force on it to rotate it in the opposite direction and overcome the indexing force of the indexing finger 72.

Le fonctionnement de la molette 12 est ici symétrique dans ses deux sens de pivotement vers les positions basculées.The operation of the wheel 12 is here symmetrical in both directions of pivoting to the tilted positions.

Claims (11)

  1. Electrical control device (10) including a printed circuit board (20) which is mounted on a support (14) and which is provided with electrical switches (34) on its upper face (24), including a control wheel (12) which is mounted pivoting relative to the support (14), about a primary axis (A1), between two extreme angular switching positions, the wheel (12) controlling the pivoting of a flip-flop (46) from an intermediate rest state towards two tipped states, which correspond to the switching positions, in which first and second bearing portions (68, 70) respectively of the flip-flop (46) respectively cause the switching of a first and a second electrical switch (34) of the printed circuit board (20),
    characterised by the fact that the wheel (12) and the flip-flop (46) are mounted on a common base (48) which is added to the support (14), and by the fact that the wheel (12), the flip-flop (46), and the base (48) form an independent control unit (50).
  2. Control device (10) as described in the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the base (48) and the wheel (12) are provided with an indexing finger (72) which is elastically biased against a sensation cam (74) including three notches (82, 84, 86) so as to index the wheel (12) in its two switching positions and in its neutral position corresponding to the state of rest of the flip-flop (46).
  3. Control device (10) as described in the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the tipped states are stable states.
  4. Control device (10) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that the electrical switches (34) are of the pressure type, the switching requiring the application to each switch (34) of a pressing force directed downwardly against an elastic return force.
  5. Control device (10) as described in the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that, in the non-switched state of the flip-flop (46), the electrical switches (34) are partially compressed.
  6. Control device (10) as described in claims 4 or 5, characterised by the fact that the electrical switches (34) are formed in a sheet (30) made of flexible material such as silicone which is arranged on the upper face (24) of the printed circuit board (20).
  7. Control device (10) as described in the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the printed circuit board (20) includes a plurality of electrical switches (34) associated with push-buttons (36) arranged in the vicinity of the wheel (12), the switches (34) associated with the push-buttons (36) being identical to the switches (34) associated with the wheel (12).
  8. Control device (10) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that, in each tipped state, the associated bearing portion (68, 70) of the flip-flop (46) bears against at least two switches (34).
  9. Control device (10) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that the axis (A2) of the flip-flop (46) and the axis (A1) of the wheel (12) are superimposed in a plane (V1) perpendicular to the printed circuit board (20).
  10. Control device (10) as described in the preceding claim, characterised by the fact that the flip-flop (46) includes an upper part forming an actuating lever (88) which is provided at its free end with a spherical portion (90) designed to come into point contact with associated control surfaces (92, 94) of the wheel (12) so that the wheel (12) controls the pivoting of the flip-flop (46) via the actuating lever (88).
  11. Control device (10) as described in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that the wheel (12) includes a manipulation surface (56) in the form of a portion of cylinder parallel with the primary axis (A1) which extends through an upper opening (52) of the base (48).
EP20080159550 2008-07-02 2008-07-02 Control device with a semi-rotary thumbwheel Expired - Fee Related EP2141718B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20080159550 EP2141718B1 (en) 2008-07-02 2008-07-02 Control device with a semi-rotary thumbwheel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20080159550 EP2141718B1 (en) 2008-07-02 2008-07-02 Control device with a semi-rotary thumbwheel

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EP2141718A1 EP2141718A1 (en) 2010-01-06
EP2141718B1 true EP2141718B1 (en) 2013-01-09

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US11594384B2 (en) 2020-03-27 2023-02-28 Aptiv Technologies Limited Switch assembly

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JP6751289B2 (en) * 2015-11-09 2020-09-02 株式会社オカムラ Top plate lifting type desk
US10602839B2 (en) 2016-09-29 2020-03-31 Linak A/S Height adjustable table/desk control mechanism
CA3056300A1 (en) 2017-05-15 2018-11-22 Linak A/S Height-adjustable table
EP3869530A1 (en) * 2017-05-15 2021-08-25 Linak A/S Electrical operating panel
CN112086308B (en) * 2019-06-13 2023-10-24 观致汽车有限公司 Multifunctional multiplexing switch device for vehicle

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JP3128443B2 (en) * 1994-10-07 2001-01-29 アルプス電気株式会社 Two-stage operation seesaw switch device
US7439459B2 (en) 2005-09-05 2008-10-21 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Switch device and steering switch apparatus equipped with the switch device
DE102006040304A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-03-13 Teetronic Gmbh Manual electric switch has two spaced switch contacts operated in same direction and operating axes of switch contacts define functional plane, where joint actuator is pressed against switching contact

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US11594384B2 (en) 2020-03-27 2023-02-28 Aptiv Technologies Limited Switch assembly

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