Audi Ag

Volkswagen Ag

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Michael Derse

Arne Stoschek

Sven Strohband

Philippe Alessandrini

Brian Ng

Steffen Ross

Venkat Srinivasan

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.

Shape-changing control panel button based on activation/deactivation

A seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat includes a touch sensor having a touch-sensitive fabric. The touch-sensitive fabric is disposed on a support layer which may be formed by a vehicle interior component such as the vehicle seat, an interior door panel or an armrest. The touch sensor generates signals in response to a force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric. A control circuit is connected the touch sensor and receives the signals generated by the touch sensor. The control circuit determines a position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric and generates control signals for controlling the vehicle seat in dependence on the position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric.

Seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat and vehicle seat configuration

Growing community of inventors

New Haven, CT, United States of America

Michael Derse