Switch array utilizing touch screen technology and haptics feedback

A reconfigurable switch array assembly, comprising:

• a rocker button;
• a bezel frame with an opening, said rocker button operably coupled within said opening and rotatable with respect to said bezel frame when actuated between a static position, downward position and upward position;
• a touch screen portion having an interchangeable user interface including a plurality of functional nodes correlating with a plurality of graphics;
• a capacitive sense film operably responsive to capacitive touch of said plurality of functional nodes by a user, where actuation of said rocker button caused by said user's touch rotates said rocker button from said static position to said downward or upward position providing haptic feedback to said user;
• a printed circuit board operably coupled at least to said rocker button;
• and
• a plurality of tactile switches operably connected to at least said printed circuit board, where rotation of said rocker button to said downward or upward position actuates at least one of said plurality of tactile switches sending a signal to execute said desired function(s) selected by said user;
• wherein said plurality of graphics and plurality of desired function configurations are reconfigurable, said reconfiguration of said touch screen portion includes utilizing module software compatible for providing several different graphical and/or functional configurations in a single mechanical module.

A reconfigurable switch array assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

• a rocker button incorporating a capacitive touch system;
• a bezel frame with an opening, said rocker button operably coupled within said opening and rotatable with respect to said bezel frame when actuated between a static position, downward position and upward position;
• a touch screen portion having a plurality of functional nodes and an interchangeable user interface including a plurality of graphics correlating to a plurality of desired functions;
• a capacitive sense film operably responsive to capacitive touch of said plurality of functional nodes by said user, where actuation of said rocker button caused by said user's touch rotates said rocker button from said static position to said downward or upward position providing haptic feedback to said user;
• a printed circuit board including a plurality of tabs, said printed circuit board operably coupled to at least said rocker button;
• and
• a plurality of tactile switches including a plurality of tappets operably coupled to said rocker button,
• wherein when said user touches at least one of said a plurality of functional nodes a capacitive field created by said capacitive sense film identifies said desired function(s) selected by said user;
• and
• wherein when said rocker button rotates to said upward position at least one of said tappets in contact with a respective at least one of said tactile switches actuates at least one of said plurality of tactile switches sending a signal to execute said desired function(s), and wherein when said rocker button rotates to said downward position at least one of said plurality of tappets in contact with a respective at least one of said plurality of tactile switches actuates at least one of said tactile switches, sending a signal to execute said desired function(s).