The present disclosure relates to control panels and in particular, relates to an intelligent control panel with haptic feedback for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
With the advancement of technology in the realm of automobiles, a number of control panels, such touch-enabled control panels, are employed for controlling various functionalities of a vehicle. The touch-enabled control panels may include, but are not limited to, a capacitive touch LCD and a resistive touch LCD. Generally, a driver of the vehicle may operate a control panel for controlling systems, such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). The driver may provide a touch input to the touch-enabled control panel. In order to ensure that the touch input is received by the touch-enabled control panel and a corresponding function is being performed, the driver usually has to look towards the touch-enabled control panel. For example, the driver touches a capacitive touch switch displayed on the touch-enabled control panel for controlling a HVAC system. In such an example, the driver has to divert his attention from the surrounding of the vehicle to the touch-enabled control panel. Since the driver is not focused towards the surrounding, this distraction may lead to an accident and consequently, an injury to people in the surrounding as well as damage to the vehicle.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved control panel for performing various operations in the vehicle
SUMMARY
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an intelligent control panel for a vehicle is disclosed. The intelligent control panel includes a housing member and a touch panel having a plurality of control elements. Each of the plurality of control elements is adapted to receive a touch input from a user. The intelligent control panel includes a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly disposed below the touch panel and adapted to be coupled to the touch panel. Further, the intelligent control panel includes a second PCB assembly disposed within the housing member and in communication with the first PCB assembly. The intelligent control

panel includes at least one haptic actuator coupled to the second PCB assembly and adapted to be disposed within the housing member. The at least one haptic actuator is adapted to generate vibration in response to the touch input received by the touch panel. The at least one haptic actuator is positioned within a boss member formed in the housing member.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, 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 invention 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 1 illustrates a perspective view of an intelligent control panel for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the intelligent control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the intelligent control panel taken along an axis X-X' of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of a portion of the intelligent control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a haptic actuator of the intelligent control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate partial exploded views of the intelligent control panel depicting assembling process of the haptic actuator in the intelligent control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 7 illustrates a portion of the intelligent control panel depicting arrangement of the haptic actuator in the intelligent control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. 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 invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having 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.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an intelligent control panel 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the intelligent control panel 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the control panel 100. The control panel 100 may be employed for performing various applications of a vehicle. The applications may include, but are not limited to, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). The control panel 100 may be operated by a user for performing various applications.
In the present embodiment, the control panel 100 may be implemented for operating a HVAC system of the vehicle. Therefore, the control panel 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the HVAC control panel 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the control panel 100 is equally implementable for operating various systems of the vehicle, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the HVAC control panel 100 may be positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the HVAC control panel 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the HVAC control panel 100 taken along an axis X-X' of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, the HVAC control panel 100 may include, but is not limited to, an aesthetic member 202, a cover 204, a rubber sealing 206, a touch panel 208, a top Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly 210, a light diffuser sheet 212, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel 214, a light reflector member 216, a second PCB assembly 218, at least one haptic actuators 200, and a housing member 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC control panel 100 may include a pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 204 may be coupled to the housing member 220 for encapsulating various sub-components, i.e., the rubber sealing 206, the touch panel 208, the first PCB assembly 210, the light diffuser sheet 212, the LCD panel 214, the light reflector member 216, the second PCB assembly 218, and the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2. In an

embodiment, the aesthetic member 202 may be coupled to the cover 204. The aesthetic member 202 may be provided for enhancing aesthetics of the HVAC control panel 100. Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment, the rubber sealing 206 may be disposed between the cover 204 and the touch panel 208. The rubber sealing 206 may be adapted to restrict ingress of contaminants, such as dirt and moisture in the HVAC control panel 100.
Further, the touch panel 208 may be adapted to receive a touch input from a user to control various functions of the HVAC system. In an embodiment, the touch panel 208 may be made of a transparent thermoplastic material, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The touch panel 208 may include a plurality of control elements 102 (shown in Figure 1) adapted to be operated by the user to control various functions of the HVAC system of the vehicle. In particular, each of the plurality of control elements 102 may be adapted to receive the touch input from the user. The plurality of control elements 102 may interchangeably be referred to as the control elements 102. Further, the control elements 102 may individually be referred to as the control element 102.
In the illustrated embodiment, the control elements 102 may be provided for controlling functions including, but not limited to, switching ON/OFF fan, selecting fan speed, switching ON/OFF AC, selecting modes of AC, switching ON/OFF defogger, switching ON/OFF auto-climate control, and selecting air-circulation mode. In the illustrated embodiment, a laser etching process may be performed on the touch panel 208 for engraving different symbols corresponding to the control elements 102, and thereby eliminating requirement of painting process. This further leads to enhanced illumination of the touch panel 208 during operation of the HVAC control panel 100.
Further, the first PCB assembly 210 may be disposed below the touch panel 208 and adapted to be coupled to the touch panel 208. The first PCB assembly 210 may include a plurality of touch sensors corresponding to the control elements 102 of the touch panel 208. In an embodiment, each of the touch sensors may be embodied as a capacitive touch sensor, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the plurality of touch sensors may interchangeably be referred to as the touch sensors. Further, the touch sensors may individually be referred to as the touch sensor. The touch sensor may be adapted to detect a touch input received from the user via the touch panel 208. For instance, when the control

element 102 may be operated by the user, a corresponding touch sensor disposed on the first PCB assembly 210 may detect the touch input received from the user via the control element 102.
The second PCB assembly may be disposed within the housing member 220. In an embodiment, the first PCB assembly 210 may be in communication with the second PCB assembly 218. Further, the second PCB assembly 218 may be adapted to be in communication with the LCD panel 214 and the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2. In particular, the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be coupled to the second PCB assembly 218 and adapted to be disposed within the housing member 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the LCD panel 214 may be adapted to display information associated with various operational parameters associated with the HVAC system. In an example, the LCD panel 214 may display information indicative of the operational parameters, such as a fan speed, a temperature, and Air Conditioning (AC) modes. In the illustrated embodiment, the LCD panel 214 may be disposed below a display region 104 of the touch panel 208. In such an embodiment, the light diffuser sheet 212 may be disposed between the LCD panel 214 and the display region 104, for illuminating the display region 104 of the touch panel 208.
In an embodiment, the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be adapted to generate a haptic feedback on the HVAC control panel 100, based on the touch input received from the user through the touch panel 208. In an embodiment, each of the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be embodied as a vibration motor, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may individually be referred to as the haptic actuator 200-1 and the haptic actuator 200-2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The haptic actuator 200-1, 200-2 may be adapted to generate vibration, when the user provides the touch input to the touch panel 208 of the HVAC control panel 100.
In an example, if the user touches the touch panel 208 to perform operations, such as A/C ON, A/C OFF, AUTO mode, or FRESH/RECIRC mode, of the HVAC system (not shown) of the vehicle, the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may provide the haptic feedback, such as the vibration to the user. In such a case, if the user ceases to provide the touch input, the haptic actuator 200-1, 200-2 may stop generating the vibration. More specifically, the haptic actuator 200-1, 200-2 may be adapted to generate and transmit the vibration to the touch panel 208.

Constructional details and details pertaining to arrangement of the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 are explained in detail in the description of Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6a, Figure 6b, and Figure
7.
Figure 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of a portion A' of the HVAC control panel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4, the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be disposed in the housing member 220 of the HVAC control panel 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing member 220 may include a pair of boss members 222-1, 222-2 adapted to accommodate the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2. The pair of boss members 222-1, 222-2 may individually be referred to as the boss member 222-1 and the boss member 222-2. The boss member 222-1 and the boss member 222-2 may be adapted to accommodate the haptic actuator 200-1 and the haptic actuator 200-2, respectively.
For sake of brevity, construction details of the boss members and the haptic actuators are explained with respect to the boss member 222-1 and the haptic actuator 200-1, respectively. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the present disclosure is equally applicable to the boss member 222-2 and the haptic actuator 200-2 as well, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As explained earlier, the haptic actuator 200-1 and the haptic actuator 200-2 may be positioned within the boss member 222-1 and the boss member 222-2, respectively, formed in the housing member 220.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the haptic actuator 200-1 of the HVAC control panel 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the haptic actuator 200-1 may include a mating connector 502 and a vibrating portion 504 distal to the mating connector 502. The mating connector 502 may be adapted to be coupled to a mating connection 702 (shown in Figure 7) provided on the second PCB assembly 218. Further, the vibrating portion 504 may be adapted to generate vibration based on the touch input received via the touch panel 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibrating portion 504 may include a rubberized surface 504-1 adapted to be in contact with the touch panel 208.
Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the boss member 222-1 includes a circular resting portion 402 for supporting the haptic actuator 200-1. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibrating

portion 504 of the haptic actuator 200-1 may be disposed in the circular resting portion 402. Further, the boss member 222-1 may include a plurality of crushing ribs 704 (shown in Figure 7) to allow press fitting of the haptic actuator 200-1 in the circular resting portion 402. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of crushing ribs 704 may allow press fitting of the vibrating portion 504 of the haptic actuator 200-1 in the circular resting portion 402. The haptic actuator 200-1 may be disposed in the boss member 222-1 in such a manner that vibrating portion 504 of the haptic actuator 200-1 abuts a bottom surface S of the touch panel 208. Owing to such an arrangement of the haptic actuator 200-1, the haptic feedback may be transmitted from the vibrating portion 504 to the touch panel 208 of the HVAC control panel 100.
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate partial exploded views of the HVAC control panel 100 depicting assembling process of the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 in the HVAC control panel 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6a and 6b, in the assembling process, firstly, the second PCB assembly 218 may be inserted in the housing member 220 of the HVAC control panel 100. Subsequently, the haptic actuator 200-1 and the haptic actuator 200-2 may be inserted in the boss member 222-1 and the boss member 222-2, respectively.
Figure 7 illustrates a portion B' of the HVAC control panel 100 depicting arrangement of the haptic actuator 200-1 in the HVAC control panel 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6a, Figure 6b, and Figure 7, the haptic actuator 200-1 and the haptic actuator 200-2 may be press fitted in the circular resting portions 402 of the boss member 222-1 and the boss member 222-2, respectively. Subsequently, the mating connector 502 of each of the haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be connected to the mating connections 702 provided on the second PCB assembly 218.
As explained earlier, the intelligent control panel 100 may be embodied as the touch enabled control panel. The intelligent control panel 100 may be operated by the user for performing various application of the vehicle. The intelligent control panel 100 may include the touch panel 208 adapted to receive a user input to perform various applications. Therefore, the intelligent control panel 100 has a wide range of applications.

Further, the intelligent control panel may include the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 adapted to generate a haptic feedback. The pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be adapted to generate the haptic feedback in response to the touch input received from the user via the touch panel 208. The pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be in communication with the second PCB assembly 218 of the intelligent control panel 100. Further, the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be disposed in the housing member 220 of the intelligent control panel 100. The pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may be in contact with the bottom surface S of the touch panel 208 to transmit the haptic feedback to the touch panel 208, when the touch input is detected by the plurality of capacitive touch sensors. Owing to the arrangement of the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2, a uniform vibration feedback may be generated on the touch panel 208 of the intelligent control panel 100.
For instance, when the user operates the touch panel 208 to perform one of the various functions of the vehicle, the pair of haptic actuators 200-1, 200-2 may generate the haptic feedback on the touch panel 208 based on the touch input. Hence, the intelligent control panel 100 eliminates requirement of visual confirmation whether the touch input is received by the touch panel or a corresponding function is being performed. Further, owing to generation of the haptic feedback, the intelligent control panel 100 is useful during a day-time when illumination of the touch panel 208 is not effective due high intensity of ambient light. Furthermore, the present disclosure offers the intelligent control panel 100 that are efficient, economical, flexible, and effective for generating the haptic feedback based on the touch input.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, 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.

We Claim:

1.An intelligent control panel (100) for a vehicle, the intelligent control panel (100)
comprising:
a housing member (220);
a touch panel (208) having a plurality of control elements (102), wherein each of the plurality of control elements (102) is adapted to receive a touch input from a user;
a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly (210) disposed below the touch panel (208) and adapted to be coupled to the touch panel (208);
a second PCB assembly (218) disposed within the housing member (220) and in communication with the first PCB assembly (210); and
at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) coupled to the second PCB assembly (218) and adapted to be disposed within the housing member (220), the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) adapted to generate vibration in response to the touch input received by the touch panel (208), wherein the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) is positioned within a boss member (222-1, 222-2) formed in the housing member (220).
2. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) includes a mating connector (502) and a vibrating portion (504) distal to the mating connector (502).
3. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mating connector (502) may be adapted to be coupled to a mating connection (702) provided on the second PCB assembly (218).
4. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vibrating portion (504) is adapted to generate vibration based on the touch input received by the touch panel (208).
5. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrating portion (504) includes a rubberized surface (504-1) adapted to be in contact with the touch panel (208).

6. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the boss member (222-1, 222-2) includes a circular resting portion (402) adapted to support the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2).
7. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the circular resting portion (402) includes a plurality of crushing ribs (704) to allow press fitting of the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) in the circular resting portion (402).
8. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) is disposed in the boss member (222-1, 222-2) in such a manner that the vibrating portion (504) of the haptic actuator (200-1, 200-2) abuts a bottom surface (S) of the touch panel (208).
9. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch panel (208) is formed of a thermoplastic material.
10. The intelligent control panel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first PCB assembly (210) includes a plurality of touch sensors corresponding to the plurality of control elements (102) of the touch panel (208).