Shape-changing control panel button based on activation/deactivation
AssigneeVolkswagen Group of America, Inc.
InventorsSven Strohband, Arne Stoschek, Michael Derse, Philippe Alessandrini, Venkat Srinivasan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A button configuration includes a shape-changing button that has a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region encircles the central region and defines a surface plane. The shape-changing button has an active state and an inactive state. The central region of the button protrudes from the surface plane and provides a push button function when the button is in the active state. The central region of the button extends substantially in the surface plane and provides no push button function when the button is in the inactive state. A control panel having shape-changing buttons is also provided.
Claims18
A button configuration comprising:
- a vehicle console having a console surface;
- a user-operable push button having a central region and a peripheral region, said peripheral region encircling said central region and defining a surface plane;
- said central region of said user-operable push button and said peripheral region of said user-operable push button forming said console surface;
- said user-operable push button having an active state and an inactive state;
- said central region of said user-operable push button protruding from the surface plane such that said console surface forms a protrusion on said vehicle console when said user-operable push button is in the active state and said protrusion on said vehicle console provides a push button function;
- and
- said central region of said user-operable push button extending substantially in said surface plane and providing no push button function when said user-operable push button is in the inactive state such that said console surface forms a substantially flat surface when said user-operable push button is in the inactive state.
A vehicle control panel configuration, comprising:
- a control panel including a user-operable push button, said control panel having a control panel surface;
- said user-operable push button having a central region and a peripheral region, said peripheral region encircling said central region and defining a surface plane;
- said central region of said user-operable push button and said peripheral region of said user-operable push button forming said control panel surface;
- said user-operable push button having an active state and an inactive state;
- said central region of said user-operable push button protruding from the surface plane such that said control panel surface forms a protrusion on said control panel when said user-operable push button is in the active state and said protrusion on said control panel provides a push button function;
- and
- said central region of said user-operable push button extending substantially in said surface plane and providing no push button function when said user-operable push button is in the inactive state such that said control panel surface forms a substantially flat surface when said user-operable push button is in the inactive state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.