Opening switch for a vehicle

US11541901B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Julien Rea · Sunnyvale, US
• John P. Marsh · San Jose, US
• Gaurav Agarwal · Bengaluru, IN
• Cedric Ketels · Mountain View, US
• Michael Twork · White Lake, US
• Christophe Brunard · Bois-Colombes, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 25, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E05B2047/0054
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An opening switch for a vehicle having a decorative cover assembly, a sensor housing region, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor mounted in the sensor housing region. The decorative cover assembly has an inner surface, an outer surface, an anchor portion, and a deflection portion. When contact from a vehicle user occurs at the deflection portion in the decorative cover assembly, a microdeflection occurs. The microdeflection has a microdeflection apex, and the microdeflection apex is spaced from other surfaces in the sensor housing region when the contact from the user occurs at the deflection portion in the decorative cover assembly. The MEMS sensor is configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of a force of the contact from the user. The force integrated switch can include haptic feedback and/or backlighting.