The present invention relates to an automotive control unit, an automotive interior functional component, a method of controlling an automotive interior functional component, and a vehicle.

Automotive control units, automotive interior functional components, methods of controlling an automotive interior functional component, and vehicles are known in the art.

Modern vehicles comprise a lot of different functions to enhance safety, comfort, and entertainment of passengers of the vehicle. Such vehicle can be, for example, a car, a truck, a bus, or the like. Many such functions require control input means which, in many instances, have to be used during driving of the respective vehicle. Therefore, they have to be non-distracting and intuitive to use, otherwise they create a safety risk.

Because of the vast number of different adjustable functions, vehicle interior designers are always challenged with finding user-friendly, intuitive methods of controlling the respective functions. On the other side, interior design plays an important role and is very important to attack customers. Besides being functional, vehicle interiors have to be aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Cluttered interiors are not appreciated, so interior designers of vehicles strive for simplicity and reduction. The reduction of the number of control input means like knobs or buttons increases the need for multifunctional control input means and the use of layered control schemes like menus and submenus.

Another challenge is that there are certain functions of a vehicle that can benefit from local control, such as temperature, lighting, and entertainment. Centralized controls gathered in a central control unit are more challenging and less intuitive to use and to adjust properly, e.g., if a certain passenger requires a different air condition than another.

EP 3241 674 B1 discloses a touch sensing device comprising a plastic laminate structure comprising a plurality of, or a plurality of kinds of, plastic layers laminated together in a first direction, all the plastic layers being comprised exclusively of extruded plastic layers; and an adhesive layer to affix together two of the plastic layers that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, characterized in that the plastic layers are equal in flow direction and transverse direction, and the transverse direction is orthogonal to the flow direction; and the plastic layers have a linear expansion coefficient or coefficients that fall within a range of 4x10-5 cm/cm °C to 15x10-5 cm/cm °C, and an electrode layer on one of the plastic layers (and between said adjacent plastic layers. The touch sensing device can be an instrument panel.

It is there for an object to provide automotive control units, automotive interior functional components, methods of controlling an automotive interior functional component, and vehicles that are more aesthetically pleasing and more intuitive to use than technologies commonly known in the art.

The object is solved by an automotive control unit according to claim 1, an automotive interior functional component according to independent claim 9, a method of controlling an automotive interior functional component according to independent claim 12, and a vehicle according to independent claim 13. Further embodiments are described in dependent claims.

Hereinafter, an automotive control unit for controlling at least one function of a vehicle is described, wherein the automotive control unit being arranged in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the automotive control unit comprising at least one light-conducive decorative metallic layer, at least one touch registration unit, wherein the at least one touch registration unit is configured to register a touch interaction of a user with a surface of the at least one decorative metallic layer, at least one lighting unit, wherein the at least one lighting unit comprises at least one switchable lighting element arranged such that light emitted from the at least one switchable lighting element is visible through at least one of the decorative metallic layers, and a controller connected to the at least one touch registration unit and the at least one lighting unit, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one touch registration unit upon a touch interaction of the user with the surface of the at least one decorative metallic layer, wherein the controller is configured to change the activation status of the at least one switchable lighting element of the at least one lighting unit upon processing of said signal.

The metallic layer can be made using various technologies. The decorative metallic layer can be formed by PVD methods, where a metallic film is deposited on a surface of another material. It can also be made out of sheet-metal. Also, various other metal forming methods can be used. The decorative metallic layer can be made out of different metals, such as stainless steel, aluminum, gold, chrome, copper, and respective alloys thereof.

The at least one touch registration unit can be a position resolving unit such that the position of the touch interaction on the touch registration unit can be determined and not just the touch interaction.

They at least one switchable lighting element can be an LED element or another light emitting technology. Ideally, the respective switchable lighting element is long lasting, small and energy efficient such that it one the one hand does not consume a lot of energy and on the other hand does not lead to significant heat generation and dissipation throughout the automotive control unit. The switching can be an on-off-switching or a switch between different modes, e.g., different brightness levels.

Through the connection of the automotive control unit with the at least one touch registration unit and the at least one lighting unit it is possible to control a function within the vehicle using touch interactions. A feedback can be provided to a user, e.g., a driver or operator of the vehicle or a passenger thereof, by a change of lighting of the automotive control unit. For example, the at least one lighting element can be switched on or off in full or in parts if a touch interaction is recognized by the automotive control unit via the touch registration unit. This way, the user can get immediate feedback over his user input, which is intuitive and easy to understand.

A respective automotive control unit can be arranged more flexibly than traditional control units which provides for better and more intuitive placement of respective control unit. Also, because of the decorative metallic layer, it is possible to create a particularly aesthetically pleasing interior design, in particular passenger cabin design, of the respective vehicle.

According to a first further embodiment, the at least one decorative metallic layer comprises an array of holes, the holes having a size of equal to or smaller than 0,5 mm, wherein the holes act as light conduit for the at least one lighting unit, or wherein the decorative metallic layer is semitransparent.

If the at least one decorative metallic layer comprises an array of holes of the given hole size, viewed from a typical user distance in vehicles, those holes are nearly invisible. Such way, the respective surface appears as an aesthetic surface and not as a functional surface. The use of metallic layers with arrays of holes allows for a high variety of different surface qualities such as brushed surfaces or polished surfaces.

If the at least one decorative metallic layer is semi-transparent, a relatively high resolution of to be displayed content can be achieved.

In both instances, as long as none of the at least one lighting units is switched on, the respective decorative metallic surface does not seem to comprise any control input means which reduces clutter in the interior of the respective vehicle.

According to another further embodiment, the surface of the at least one decorative metallic layer is a capacitive surface of the touch registration unit.

This way, the surface can be an actual metallic surface which is not necessarily covered by a capacitive layer, which is usually embedded in some form of transparent sheet material like glass.

In this embodiment, the metallic surface must be flexible enough to be sufficiently deformed by normal user input forces, which are usually in a range of below 10 NM. The metallic layer can have a layer thickness of 0.01 pm to 1 pm , particularly 0.05 pm to 5 pm, particularly 0.1 pm to 0.2 pm, whereas very thin layers might require a carrier layer, on which the metallic layer is deposited.

In a further embodiment, on top of the metallic layer, a topcoat can be applied, e.g., a UV lacquer, to protect the metallic layer. The topcoat can have a layer thickness of 10 pm to 60 pm, particularly 25 pm to 40 pm.

Also, the use of capacitive touch registration units has demonstrated to be very reliable. Capacitive touch registration systems allow for a precise detection of the location of the respective touch interaction. On top, in some embodiments, respective touch registration units can be configured to register the location of more than one touch interactions simultaneously and thereby allow for the use of multi-touch gestures, e.g., gestures performed by two or more fingers at the same time. This broadens the spectrum of possible applications of the automotive control unit significantly, as the users can not only perform touch or swipe gestures with one finger, but also zoom or rotation gestures with two or more fingers.

According to another further embodiment, the at least one touch registration unit is light transmitting.

When the at least one touch registration unit is light transmitting, the at least one lighting unit can be arranged more flexibly, in particular behind the respective touch registration unit. The touch registration unit does not need to be completely light transmitting, it is sufficient if it is light transmitting enough to not block significant amounts of the light emitted from the at least one lighting unit and allow for a proper illumination of the visible surface of the metallic decorative layer.

According to another further embodiment, the at least one lighting unit comprises at least one lighting array of lighting elements.

With a lighting array of lighting elements, it is possible to create graphical lighting patterns such as bars, triangles, letters, and the like, which are intuitive to interpret for a user.

According to another further embodiment, the lighting elements are configured to emit light of different wavelength profiles.

Different wavelength profiles are perceived as different colors. Therefore, the element of color can be included in the interior design and control concept. As an example, if the respective control unit is supposed to indicate a certain temperature, colors between blue (cold) and red (warm) are commonly used, such that the color or colors used can transfer certain information to the user of the respective vehicle which is easily understood. The lighting array can be set up such that light emitted by adjacent lighting elements with different colors can be additively mixed to provide for a broad spectrum of different colors. This also allows for a fine adjustment of the appearance of the respective automotive control unit.

According to another further embodiment, the controller comprises at least one external signal connection to receive and/or send signals from or to at least one component external to the Automotive control unit. With the respective external signal connection, it is possible to increase the respective use cases for the automotive control unit. For example, the status of the respective vehicle or components thereof can influence which control inputs are currently most relevant or which light pattern is to be emitted. Also, the respective control unit can feed back respective control inputs provided by the user which might need to be processed outside of the respective control unit.

According to another further embodiment, the at least one component is a sensor and/or a central control unit of the vehicle.

A sensor can be used to measure certain properties like temperature. The respective sensor input can be utilized to determine which of the lighting elements are supposed to be activated or which color is supposed to be displayed.

The connection to a central control unit allows for a simpler and more modular configuration of a respective vehicle.

A first independent aspect relates to an automotive interior functional component comprising an automotive control unit according to the previous description.

A respective automotive interior functional component equipped with at least one automotive control unit can be controlled directly at the respective functional component. This way, it is possible for the respective user to control the functional component locally which is particularly intuitive if more than one similar functional components are distributed throughout the interior of the respective vehicle.

According to a first further embodiment, the surface of the at least one decorative metallic layer is located at a housing of the at least one automotive interior functional component, wherein the automotive interior functional component is an air vent, wherein the automotive control unit is adapted for adjusting an air flow and/or an air temperature, or wherein the automotive interior functional component is a loudspeaker, wherein the automotive control unit is adapted for adjusting a volume of the loudspeaker, or wherein the automotive interior functional component is an ambient lighting panel, wherein the automotive control unit is adapted for adjusting a light property of the lighting panel.

Air vents, loudspeakers and ambient lighting panels are usually located at multiple different locations in the passenger cabin of a respective vehicle. In combination with the respective automotive control units, a local control of those respective functional components is possible. For example, if the functional component is an air vent, the control unit can be used to adjust a temperature of the air coming through the air vent. In case of a loudspeaker, a volume of the loudspeaker might be adjusted. This is particularly useful if some passengers of the car want to listen to music louder than other passengers. Also, in the use case of ambient lighting panels, the color and/or brightness of the respective lighting panel might be adjusted to allow certain passengers to use the lighting panel as reading light or to create a certain mood or to not interfere with a desire to sleep.

According to another further embodiment, the automotive interior functional component comprises a sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one lighting unit in response to a signal of the sensor received by the controller.

The sensor can for example be a temperature sensor inside of an air vent and therefore register the respective temperature of air flowing through the air vent. Differences between user input and actual temperature can be made visible through the respective automotive control unit using different color schemes. Also, the respective automotive interior function component or automotive control unit can display that a user inputs at the respective touch sensitive surface has been received.

Another independent aspect relates to a method of controlling an automotive control unit according to the previous description or an automotive interior functional component according to the previous description, wherein the at least one lighting unit is in a first light emitting configuration, wherein a user input is registered via the touch registration unit, wherein the controller sets the at least one lighting unit to a second light emitting configuration different to the first light emitting configuration.

Another independent aspect relates to a vehicle, comprising at least one automotive control unit according to the previous description and/or at least one automotive interior functional component according to the previous description.

Further features and details will be shown in the following description in which - where applicable with reference to the drawings - at least one exemplary embodiment will be described in detail. Described and/or shown features constitute the subject in itself or in any possible and meaningful combination, eventually also independent from the claims. In particular, they can be subject of one or more separate applications. The figures show schematically:

Fig. 1 a top view of a car with multiple automotive interior functional components; Fig. 2 a schematic view of an automotive control unit of an automotive interior functional component of the car of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 an air vent of the car of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a loudspeaker of the car of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 an ambient lighting unit of the car of Fig. 1 , and

Fig. 6 a door panel with a seat control unit of the car of Fig. 1.

To improve readability and clarity, identical or similar features or features with identical or similar properties or functions in different embodiments may be numbered with the same reference numbers.

Fig. 1 shows a top view on a car 2.

The car2o comprises a passenger cabin 4, in which a user 6 sits on the driver side of the car 2. The car 2 is equipped with a number of interior functional components such as air vents 8, 10, 12, loudspeakers 14, 16, as well as ambient lighting panels 18, 20, 22.

Air vents 8, 10, and 12, loudspeakers 14, 16, and ambient lighting panels 18, 20, and 22 comprise control units (see Figs. 2 to 5 for more detailed descriptions thereof), which comprise touch sensitive surfaces. The respective functional components 8 to 22 are connected to a central control unit 24 of the car 2. The connection can both provide electric energy to power the electric functions of the respective control units as well as can be used to transmit signals unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the respective functional components 8 to 22 and the central control unit 24, respectively.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an automotive control unit 26.

The automotive control unit 26 comprises a decorative metallic layer 28 with a surface 30, which is directed towards the user 6, i.e., a visible surface for the user 6. The decorative metallic layer 28 is attached to a housing 32 of the control unit 26. The decorative metallic layer 28 is part of a touch registration unit 34 which uses capacitive technology. A touch to the surface 30 of the decorative metallic layer of 28 is registered via the touch registration unit 34 and fed to a controller 36 which is arranged inside of the housing 32 of the control unit 26. The touch registration unit 34 is mostly transparent so that light can pass through the touch registration unit 34.

Behind the touch registration unit 34, a lighting unit 38 comprising a lighting array 40 of switchable lighting elements 42 is located. The lighting array 40 is a two-dimensional array of lighting elements 42.

The lighting elements 42 have different colors, i.e., emit different wavelength distributions. Light emitted by the lighting unit 38 is transmitted through the touch registration unit 34 and through a hole array 44 in the decorative metallic layer 28. Holes 46 of the hole array 44 have a diameter of 0.1 mm and are therefore barely noticeable from usual viewing distances as they are common in automotive interior environments. Typically, the distance between the user and the respective surface is between 0,3 m and 1 m.

The controller 36 is further connected to an external signal connector 48, which is used for both powering the control unit 26 and for exchanging signals indicating the status of the car 2 and/or touch inputs registered by the touch registration unit 34.

Touch registration unit 34 and lighting unit 38 do not need to be covering the whole surface of the decorative metallic layer 28.

Fig, 3 shows a front view of air vent 8.

The air vent 8 comprises a number of air vent structural components like an air conduit 50 and adjustable air directing blades 52 which can be adjusted using a control knob 54 located in the center of the air vent 8.

The air vent 8 comprises a housing 32 with a decorative metallic layer 28. Sections of the housing 32, or the decorative metallic layer 28 are equipped with a control unit 26 including touch registration unit, lighting units (not visible), and a hole array 44.

When the user 6 wants to adjust the temperature of air coming out of the air conduit 50, he can use the control unit 26 to regulate the desired temperature up and down by swiping his or her finger in the respective direction. The lighting unit of the respective control unit 26 can indicate changes made to the temperature. Air temperature is measured by a temperature sensor 56 arranged inside of the air conduit 50. The temperature sensor 56 can be connected to the controller 36 (not shown). The data can be used to determine lighting properties of lighting unit 38.

Figure 4 shows a front view of loudspeaker 14.

The loudspeaker 14 comprises a decorative metallic ring 58 in which a control unit 26 is located. Interaction with the surface 30 can be used to adjust the volume of the respective loudspeaker 14.

Figure 5 shows a front view of ambient lighting panel 18.

The ambient lighting panel 18 comprises a lighting section 60 which can be adjusted in color and brightness. The decorative metallic layer 28 comprises a control unit 26 which has a triangular shaped hole array 44. An illuminated section 40.1 of the respective lighting array 40 (not displayed) can indicate the brightness of the respective lighting section 60.

Changes can be made by swiping along the respective surface 30 or tapping at respective positions of the surface 30 that correlate with the desired brightness and/or color.

Fig. 5 shows a door panel 62 with a seat control unit 64.

The door panel 62 comprises a metallic surface layer 28 which has two layers, a first layer created by a PVD process in which copper is deposited on a carrier material and an outer second layer which comprises a top coat protecting the first metallic layer from scratches.

The metallic surface layer 28 is semi-transparent but due to a mostly dark background of the carrier material appears to be solid. A lighting unit 38 is arranged behind the metallic surface layer 28, which, when activated, shines through the metallic surface layer 28. The lighting unit 38 is configured to display a seat arrangement with symbols 70 - 76 referencing different adjustable components of a seat (not shown) of car 2.

When a user touches the door panel 62, the touch is recognized using capacitive sensors and the lighting unit 38 is switched on. The user can then interact with the symbols 70 - 76 to adjust the seat respectively, e.g. by activating a component of the seat and then swiping in various directions or making gestures that will lead to a movement of the seat. The lighting unit 38 can be variable so that symbols 70 - 76 appear dynamic, e.g. by changing color, size, shape and relative position.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description as well as the claims, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it be- ing understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Any feature disclosed in the claims, the description, and the drawings, including constructive de- tails, relative positioning or method steps can be relevant to the invention taken in isolation or in any meaningful combination with any other feature(s).

List of reference numbers

2 Car

4 Passenger cabin

6 User

8 Air vent

10 Air vent

12 Air vent

14 Loudspeaker

16 Loudspeaker

18 Ambient lighting panel

20 Ambient lighting panel

22 Ambient lighting panel

24 Central controller

26 Automotive control unit

28 Decorative metallic layer

30 Surface

32 Housing

34 Touch registration unit

36 Controller

38 Lighting unit

40 Lighting array

42 Switchable lighting element

44 Hole array

46 Hole

48 External signal connector

50 Air conduit

52 Air directing blades

54 Control knob

56 Sensor

58 Decorative ring

60 Lighting section

62 Door panel

64 Seat control unit

70 - 76 Symbol D Hole diameter