DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a switching device, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an integrated switching device with active haptic feedback.

BACKGROUND

The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.
Automotive vehicles typically use conventional mechanical switches in control panels to perform various functions. These switches can create gaps in the operating interface. They often require significant effort to operate and over time, this continuous exertion can lead to increased wear on the switches and a higher risk of failure. Furthermore, minimizing the operating effort required for mechanical switches can result in a reduced operating force. While this may initially seem beneficial, it often leads to functionality issues, as the switches may not engage properly under light pressure. Accumulation of dust particles infiltrated through the gaps between panels, may potentially affecting the performance of the switches. Additionally, it is essential to maintain consistent tolerances in the panel gaps to ensure that the switches have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Any irregularities can detract from the overall design and user experience. Another significant drawback of mechanical switches is the lack of precise feedback for users. When a user engages a switch, they may not receive the intended tactile response, leading to uncertainty about whether their input has been registered.

In light of these challenges, research works have been focussed towards touch interfaces, which offer a smooth, continuous surface. These interfaces not only provide a modern aesthetic but also eliminate some of the mechanical issues associated with traditional switches, allowing for more intuitive and responsive user interactions. However, these touch interfaces are susceptible to accidental and unintended activations leading to false triggers. Users may inadvertently trigger functions simply by brushing against the surface, leading to frustration and inefficiency. Moreover, the feedback provided by many existing touch interfaces is often passive, meaning that users do not receive clear, tactile confirmation of their inputs. Instead of the tactile haptic feedback, existing touch interfaces tend to provide audio and illumination as feedback. This lack of precise feedback can hinder the user's ability to confirm whether their command has been successfully registered. As a result, users may feel compelled to provide multiple inputs, unsure if their initial touch was effective. This can become cumbersome, significantly detracting from the overall user experience.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a switching device that can overcome the above-mentioned problems associated with the existing interfaces and switches.

The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purposes and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a switching device. The switching device includes a body and a touch interface disposed on the body. The touch interface is adapted to receive a touch input and generate a first signal in response to the touch input. Further, a holder assembly disposed in the body and positioned below the touch interface. The holder assembly is deflected in a downward direction by the touch input on the touch interface. The holder assembly includes a vibrating assembly adapted to generate vibration inside the holder assembly. Furthermore, the switching device includes an optical sensor configured to detect the deflection of the holder assembly as a second signal. Moreover, a microcontroller in provided in communication with the touch interface and the optical sensor. The microcontroller is configured to receive the first signal from the touch interface and the second signal from the optical sensor and activate the vibration assembly upon detecting both the first signal and the second signal to generate vibrations in the holder assembly. The generated vibrations are transmitted to the touch interface as a haptic feedback.

The disclosed switching device provides for seamless integration with panel without panel gaps. Further, switching device is provided with the functionality of detecting both the touch sensing over the touch interface by way of estimating capacitance and optical sensing by way of deflections in the panel. The combination of detecting both the capacitive signal and the optical signal provides a foolproof method for determining input precisely avoiding any false or unintended activation. Also, the switching device provides for low operating force resulting in a higher life of a switch function.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a switching device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1B illustrates an exploded view of the switching device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a holder assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2B illustrates a sectional view of the holder assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2C illustrates a partial sectional view of the holder assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 3B and 3C illustrate an isometric view and a sectional view of a body assembly respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the switching device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an integrated switching device with active haptic feedback is disclosed in accordance with the present invention. The switching device includes a body part and a touch interface and a holder assembly disposed on the body. In an embodiment, the touch interface may be one of but not limited to a capacitive foil. The touch interface is configured to receive a touch input and generate a first signal in response to the touch input. The switching device further includes an optical sensor configured to detect the deflection in the holder assembly as a second signal. The holder assembly includes a vibrating assembly adapted to generate vibrations towards the touch interface. The touch interface and the optical sensor are in communication with a controller configured to receive the first signal from the touch interface and the second signal from the optical sensor and activate the vibration assembly upon detecting both the first signal and the second signal to generate vibrations in the holder assembly.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the holder assembly is positioned closer to the touch interface and is configured to detect deflections therein due to the touch interface.

In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the generated vibrations are transmitted to the touch interface as a haptic feedback.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the deflection happens in a downward direction to the touch input on the touch interface.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a switching device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1B illustrates an exploded view of the switching device 100 (hereinafter “device 100”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the switching device 100 may be employed in a vehicle to perform various functions associated with the vehicle. The switching device 100 may be provided with an integrated haptic/vibration feedback mechanism. Further, the switching device 100 may be integrated flush in a panel without any panel gaps providing an aesthetic appeal. Also, the switching device 100 may be activated only on the detection of two inputs that is a capacitive signal and an optical signal to avoid false activations.
In one embodiment, the switching device 100 may be a Start Stop Button (SSB). In another embodiment, the switching device 100 may be a Vehicle Engine Sound System (VESS). In yet another embodiment, the switching device 100 may be one of, but not limited to, a hazard switch, a SOS emergency switch, and a multipurpose configurable switch. In the case of the SSB, the switching device 100 may be configured to activate a starter of an engine by supplying power from a battery. Similarly, in the case of the VESS, the switching device 100 may be configured to activate a sound system in the vehicle. Further, an output of the switching device 100 may be configured according to its application in the vehicle.
Constructional and operational details of the switching device 100 are detailed in subsequent paragraphs.
Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of a holder assembly 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2B illustrates a sectional view of the holder assembly 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2C illustrates a partial sectional view of the switching device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to figures 1B and 2A, the switching device 100 in accordance with one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a body 102, and a touch interface 104 disposed on the body 102. The touch interface 104 may be adapted to receive a touch input and generate a first signal in response to the touch input. The switching device may further include a holder assembly 200 disposed in the body 102 and positioned below the touch interface 104. The holder assembly 200 may include a vibrating assembly adapted to generate vibration inside the holder assembly 200. The vibrating assembly may include a movable plate 110, a solenoid 112, and a plurality of rubber bushes 116. The solenoid 112 may be positioned below the movable plate 110 and configured to generate a magnetic field inside the holder assembly 200. The movable plate 110 may be configured to move in a vertical direction based on the generated magnetic field and generate vibration inside the holder assembly 200. The plurality of rubber bushes 116 is configured to support the movable plate 110 above the solenoid 112 in the holder assembly 200.

In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the vibrating assembly may be housed inside a holder 108 in the holder assembly 200 and mounted on a back cover 120 in the switching device 100 via a rubber cover 114 and a plurality of rubber bushes 116. The holder assembly 200 may be positioned below a top bezel of a display panel. In an embodiment, the display panel may be an In-Mold Labelling (IML) panel provided with a capacitive signal sensing sheet as a top layer. The capacitive signal sensing sheet may be configured to detect a change in the capacitance in the display panel.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the switching device 100 may include an optical sensor 204 configured to detect the deflection of the holder assembly 200 and produce a second signal.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the switching device 100 includes a microcontroller in communication with the touch interface 104 and the optical sensor 204. The microcontroller may be configured to receive the first signal from the touch interface 104 and the second signal from the optical sensor 204 and produce signals to activate the vibration assembly. The activation of the vibration assembly may generate vibrations in the holder assembly 200. The generated vibrations are further transmitted to the touch interface 104 as haptic feedback.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the solenoid (112) is configured to generate magnetic field therein upon actuation, that eventually attracts the movable plate (110) in a downward direction inside the holder assembly (200), that further resisted by the plurality of rubber bushes (116). Thus, the attraction and the resistance to the movement of the movable plate (110) allow for the holder assembly (200) to vibrate and the vibration is transmitted to the touch interface (104) as the haptic feedback.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the switching device may be provided with a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) cable, a diffuser 106, a main Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 118, and an illumination Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 122. The components of the switching device 100 may be enclosed between the body 102 and the back cover 120.
Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of the main PCB 118, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3B illustrates an isometric view of a body assembly 300, and Figure 3C illustrates a sectional view of the body assembly 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity figures 3A-3C are described together in the subsequent paragraphs.
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the holder assembly 200 and the main PCB 118 may be coupled together to form the body assembly 300. Further, the solenoid 112 is positioned below the movable plate 110 in the holder assembly 200 defining a gap. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gap between the solenoid 112 and the movable plate 110 is 0.8 mm. The movable plate 110 may be supported by a plurality of rubber bushes 116 above the solenoid 112. Furthermore, an optical sensor 204 may be positioned adjacent to the solenoid 112 and configured to emit light in a vertical direction upon a reflective surface 202 provided in a bottom portion of the holder assembly 200. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between the reflective surface 202 of the holder assembly 200 and optical sensor 204 may be in a range from 3.5 mm to 8 mm. At the reflective surface 202, the optical sensor 204 may emit the light, and the reflected light is collected again to detect the deflection in the holder assembly 200.

In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the top bezel in the IML panel receives a touch input from the user by way of a pressure experienced thereon. This results in generation of a capacitive signal by the capacitive signal sensing sheet upon the physical touch on the top bezel. The generated signal may be transferred to the microcontroller via the PET cable as the first signal.

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the switching device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the touch input in the touch interface 104 may be a force to deflect the holder assembly 200 in a downward direction and change the position of the reflective surface 202. When the user presses the top bezel 402 with a predetermined force, the panel may get deflected and in turn deflect the holder assembly 200 in a downward direction. The movement of the holder assembly 200 changes the position of the reflective part. This change in movement of the holder assembly 200 is sensed by the optical sensor 204 as the position of the reflective surface 202 changes. The optical sensor 204 detects the deflection of the holder assembly 200 by sensing reflected rays from the reflective surface of the holder assembly and communicates as the second signal to the microcontroller.

In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the optical sensor 204 is configured to detect at least 10 micron movement of the reflective surface 202 in the holder assembly 200
In one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the force required to deflect the panel may be in a range from 1 Newton (N) to 5 N.
Further, the microcontroller may be configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and actuate the solenoid 112 in the vibrating assembly to generate the magnetic field inside the holder assembly 200. The generation of the magnetic field attracts the movable plate 110 in a downward direction inside the holder assembly 200. The movement of the movable plate 110 is resisted by the plurality of rubber bushes 116 generating the vibration. The attraction and the resistance to the movement of the movable plate 110 allow for the holder assembly 200 to vibrate and the vibration is transmitted to the touch interface 104. The vibration may be transmitted to the top bezel 402 providing the active haptic feedback. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the activation of the solenoid 112 may generate vibration up to 15G and be transmitted to the top bezel 402. Further, the intensity of vibration generated by the solenoid 112 may be customizable as per the user's needs. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the solenoid 112 may be mounted with brackets on the back cover 120 with a nut and bolt arrangement. It is to be understood that the switching device 100 may be activated only upon detection of both the first signal and the second signal. If any one of the signals is not detected by the microcontroller, the switching device 100 may not be activated thereby providing no output and haptic feedback.
The advantages of the switching device 100 are now explained. The integrated switching device 100 provides a seamless, flush touch interface devoid of any panel gaps improving aesthetics in automotive interiors. Further, the integration of capacitive sensing with optical sensing provides for a fool proof method of operation of the switching device 100. The device 100 will only get activated if both the signals are detected thereby avoiding any accidental or unintended operation. Additionally, a tactile, sharp active haptic feedback is provided for the user improving the user experience in operating the switching device 100.
While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A switching device (100) comprising:
a body (102);
a touch interface (104) disposed on the body (102) adapted to receive a touch input and generate a first signal in response to the touch input;
a holder assembly (200) positioned closer to the touch interface (104), and deflects in response to the touch input on the touch interface (104), the holder assembly (200) includes:
a vibrating assembly adapted to generate vibrations inside the holder assembly (200);
an optical sensor (204) configured to detect deflections of the holder assembly (200) and produce a second signal in response; and
a controller in communication with the touch interface (104) and the optical sensor (204), wherein the controller is configured to:
receive the first signal from the touch interface (104) and the second signal from the optical sensor (204), and
activate the vibration assembly upon detecting both the first signal and the second signal to generate vibrations that are transmitted to the touch interface (104) as a haptic feedback.

2. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch interface (104) is provided with a capacitive signal sensing sheet to detect changes in the capacitance thereon.

3. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the touch interface (104) is configured to generate capacitive signal in response to changes in the capacitance therein and communicate the capacitive signal to the controller as the first signal.

4. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrating assembly comprising:
a movable plate (110) configured to move in a vertical direction and generate vibration inside the holder assembly (200);
a solenoid (112) positioned below the movable plate (110) and configured to generate a magnetic field inside the holder assembly (200); and
a plurality of rubber bushes (116) to support the movable plate (110) above the solenoid (112) in the holder assembly (200).

5. The switching device (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein the optical sensor (204) is positioned adjacent to the solenoid (112) and configured to emit light towards a reflective surface (202) provided in a bottom portion of the holder assembly (200).

6. The switching device (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein the holder assembly (200) is configured to deflect in a downward direction in response to force applied by a touch input on the touch interface (104) that results in changes in a position of the reflective surface (202).

7. The switching device (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the optical sensor (204) is configured to detect deflections of the holder assembly (200) by sensing reflected rays from the reflective surface (202) of the holder assembly (200) and communicates as the second signal to the microcontroller.

8. The switching device (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and actuate, the solenoid (112) in the vibrating assembly based on the signals received.

9. The switching device (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the solenoid (112) is configured to generate magnetic field therein upon actuation, that eventually attracts the movable plate (110) in a downward direction inside the holder assembly (200), that further resisted by the plurality of rubber bushes (116).

10. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the movement of the movable plate (110) allow the holder assembly (200) to vibrate and the vibration is transmitted to the touch interface (104) as the haptic feedback.