Adding tactile "bumps" to find controls

[GDI Guy]

Here is a simple, easy little idea that I tried and found helpful on my Maverick, and maybe someone else could use as well. This of course is not my idea, but an adaptation of something done years ago.

When I finally got my Maverick, it took time getting used to all the information on the screens and dash vying for attention, and many controls and their locations.

My daily driver has been a Focus, and has control buttons in the steering wheel for cruise, etc, that are not lighted, so Ford molded tactile "braille" like bumps on the central buttons on the wheel so they can be found without being able to see them. My wife and I often drive distances in the dark, and I frequently use the up and down volume controls on my Maverick wheel as we go and talk. They are lit, but you pretty much have to look down from the road every time to find them - at least I did. So I got the idea to try adding some small bumps on the commonly used switches so I could find them just by touch and keep eyes on the road, day or night.

I had a partial tube of JB Weld plastic bonder epoxy on hand, so I mixed some and used a toothpick to add a couple of small bumps about the size of a pin head on the volume controls (see photo below). I didn't even take the switches off the wheel to do it - I just dabbed some on the wheel switches right in the truck until it looked about the right size and let it sit overnight. It didn't sag, and formed a perfect bead. Keep a piece of paper towel handy in case you don't like how they are going on, and just wipe them off and try again.

I put one dot on the volume down, and two dots on the volume up. I worked perfectly for me to find the buttons with my thumb and keep watching the road. I found that keeping around 1/4" spacing on the beads let me easily feel the difference and find the one I want. I didn't find the size of the bumps to be critical, just so they are large enough to feel easily. I also tried to avoid the lit volume icons on the switches.

It worked well, so when I upgraded the left wheel switch assembly, I took the idea farther and added some new patterns to mark more controls. I didn't have any of the JB Weld product left, so I went to the hardware store (they didn't carry the JB Weld) and bought some Permatex equivalent product, and it didn't have the same viscosity or surface tension to form beads. I went back and got the Loctite equivalent, and it didn't make decent beads either. So stick to the JB Weld product and you will have good results. There is nothing wrong with either alternate product to bond plastic, just not for beads!

I'm a bit surprised that Ford engineers that just do controls for a living don't think about little things like this. The control button faces should be simple open-and-shut molds that can pull these bumps without any additional cost to the molded button faces. Hmmm.

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[Wilbur]

You did a nice job of adding those dots neatly.

All vehicles from Ford should some with Braille for the convenience of those drivers who are blind. It could be a real market niche for the company.

 

[OrCoaster]

When the OP mentioned why the people who make those buttons didn't think of something like this I immediately thought, because blind people can't drive.

 

[surfstar]

When the OP mentioned why the people who make those buttons didn't think of something like this I immediately thought, because blind people can't drive.

Sure they can!
Just not legally or safely.

 

[OrCoaster]

In the recent months around here I think some of those that are legally driving are going blind. Lots of waiting at intersections as cars fly through the red light on their side. Not sure if they are seeing it or just don't care to follow the rules of the road.

 

[Tailender]

Wait, you talk to your wife as you're driving? That's distracted driving! The radio has a big knob that I find easier to turn to change the volume.

 

[Montana]

I can't say I've ever needed to look down to locate any of these buttons any more than I would looking at my Speedometer.

Now the light knob that is hidden behind the steering wheel and the dimmer... Yes. I often turn off my lights at drive throughs and such and dim the cluster from day to night driving. Sometimes the auto function goes s little haywire early mornings trying to figure out wether it needs to be daytime bright or night time dim... but that's just poor placement.

But the volume control and cruise? No. They are right in front of you and illuminated. It's not like you are totally averting your gaze from the road, they can be seen through the peripherals or a quick glance. It's the same as looking at your instrument cluster. Maybe you are just not familiar with the layout and need help remembering button does what? Either way, it's your truck, do you.

 

[fossil]

I put one small drop of clear super glue on my 4WD lock down on the console last week.

 

[Oscarcat]

Here is a simple, easy little idea that I tried and found helpful on my Maverick, and maybe someone else could use as well. This of course is not my idea, but an adaptation of something done years ago.

When I finally got my Maverick, it took time getting used to all the information on the screens and dash vying for attention, and many controls and their locations.

My daily driver has been a Focus, and has control buttons in the steering wheel for cruise, etc, that are not lighted, so Ford molded tactile "braille" like bumps on the central buttons on the wheel so they can be found without being able to see them. My wife and I often drive distances in the dark, and I frequently use the up and down volume controls on my Maverick wheel as we go and talk. They are lit, but you pretty much have to look down from the road every time to find them - at least I did. So I got the idea to try adding some small bumps on the commonly used switches so I could find them just by touch and keep eyes on the road, day or night.

I had a partial tube of JB Weld plastic bonder epoxy on hand, so I mixed some and used a toothpick to add a couple of small bumps about the size of a pin head on the volume controls (see photo below). I didn't even take the switches off the wheel to do it - I just dabbed some on the wheel switches right in the truck until it looked about the right size and let it sit overnight. It didn't sag, and formed a perfect bead. Keep a piece of paper towel handy in case you don't like how they are going on, and just wipe them off and try again.

I put one dot on the volume down, and two dots on the volume up. I worked perfectly for me to find the buttons with my thumb and keep watching the road. I found that keeping around 1/4" spacing on the beads let me easily feel the difference and find the one I want. I didn't find the size of the bumps to be critical, just so they are large enough to feel easily. I also tried to avoid the lit volume icons on the switches.

It worked well, so when I upgraded the left wheel switch assembly, I took the idea farther and added some new patterns to mark more controls. I didn't have any of the JB Weld product left, so I went to the hardware store (they didn't carry the JB Weld) and bought some Permatex equivalent product, and it didn't have the same viscosity or surface tension to form beads. I went back and got the Loctite equivalent, and it didn't make decent beads either. So stick to the JB Weld product and you will have good results. There is nothing wrong with either alternate product to bond plastic, just not for beads!

I'm a bit surprised that Ford engineers that just do controls for a living don't think about little things like this. The control button faces should be simple open-and-shut molds that can pull these bumps without any additional cost to the molded button faces. Hmmm.

Right on! I have often wondered why Ford didn't do this. It is a well-known feature to have bumps for the reason you stated. I don't like looking down either when I use the buttons to adjust or mute. Another idea worth mentioning is a rocker style switch rather than two separte switches.

 

[Big C]

Here is a simple, easy little idea that I tried and found helpful on my Maverick, and maybe someone else could use as well. This of course is not my idea, but an adaptation of something done years ago.

When I finally got my Maverick, it took time getting used to all the information on the screens and dash vying for attention, and many controls and their locations.

My daily driver has been a Focus, and has control buttons in the steering wheel for cruise, etc, that are not lighted, so Ford molded tactile "braille" like bumps on the central buttons on the wheel so they can be found without being able to see them. My wife and I often drive distances in the dark, and I frequently use the up and down volume controls on my Maverick wheel as we go and talk. They are lit, but you pretty much have to look down from the road every time to find them - at least I did. So I got the idea to try adding some small bumps on the commonly used switches so I could find them just by touch and keep eyes on the road, day or night.

I had a partial tube of JB Weld plastic bonder epoxy on hand, so I mixed some and used a toothpick to add a couple of small bumps about the size of a pin head on the volume controls (see photo below). I didn't even take the switches off the wheel to do it - I just dabbed some on the wheel switches right in the truck until it looked about the right size and let it sit overnight. It didn't sag, and formed a perfect bead. Keep a piece of paper towel handy in case you don't like how they are going on, and just wipe them off and try again.

I put one dot on the volume down, and two dots on the volume up. I worked perfectly for me to find the buttons with my thumb and keep watching the road. I found that keeping around 1/4" spacing on the beads let me easily feel the difference and find the one I want. I didn't find the size of the bumps to be critical, just so they are large enough to feel easily. I also tried to avoid the lit volume icons on the switches.

It worked well, so when I upgraded the left wheel switch assembly, I took the idea farther and added some new patterns to mark more controls. I didn't have any of the JB Weld product left, so I went to the hardware store (they didn't carry the JB Weld) and bought some Permatex equivalent product, and it didn't have the same viscosity or surface tension to form beads. I went back and got the Loctite equivalent, and it didn't make decent beads either. So stick to the JB Weld product and you will have good results. There is nothing wrong with either alternate product to bond plastic, just not for beads!

I'm a bit surprised that Ford engineers that just do controls for a living don't think about little things like this. The control button faces should be simple open-and-shut molds that can pull these bumps without any additional cost to the molded button faces. Hmmm.

Great idea. I am going to try it

 

[Lonnie gee]

When the OP mentioned why the people who make those buttons didn't think of something like this I immediately thought, because blind people can't drive.

There on the road around here, pun no desrespect here ,way people drive

 

[Automan21]

Nice job. Maybe get a blind or vision impaired friend to feel them to tell you what they mean. lol
That’s a very clean job though. Whenever I use that stuff it’s a mess.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I can't say I've ever needed to look down to locate any of these buttons...

Exactly. The two vol. buttons are easily found by feel, w/o the need to look at the wheel. And the radio vol/power knob on the dash is just as easily found, as it couldn't be in a better location, ergonomically - at least for me. Reach out with my right hand and the knob is exactly where it should be.

Now, that damned driving "mode" button way down on the console - that's another story. It could use this type of find-by-feel bump. But I just don't trust myself to start applying JBWeld to the console, without making a royal mess! Perhaps I'll dig out my antique DYMO label gun and put a [ • ] on it with that.

Thanks for the idea, GDI Guy

 

[lga0213]

Here is a simple, easy little idea that I tried and found helpful on my Maverick, and maybe someone else could use as well. This of course is not my idea, but an adaptation of something done years ago.

When I finally got my Maverick, it took time getting used to all the information on the screens and dash vying for attention, and many controls and their locations.

My daily driver has been a Focus, and has control buttons in the steering wheel for cruise, etc, that are not lighted, so Ford molded tactile "braille" like bumps on the central buttons on the wheel so they can be found without being able to see them. My wife and I often drive distances in the dark, and I frequently use the up and down volume controls on my Maverick wheel as we go and talk. They are lit, but you pretty much have to look down from the road every time to find them - at least I did. So I got the idea to try adding some small bumps on the commonly used switches so I could find them just by touch and keep eyes on the road, day or night.

I had a partial tube of JB Weld plastic bonder epoxy on hand, so I mixed some and used a toothpick to add a couple of small bumps about the size of a pin head on the volume controls (see photo below). I didn't even take the switches off the wheel to do it - I just dabbed some on the wheel switches right in the truck until it looked about the right size and let it sit overnight. It didn't sag, and formed a perfect bead. Keep a piece of paper towel handy in case you don't like how they are going on, and just wipe them off and try again.

I put one dot on the volume down, and two dots on the volume up. I worked perfectly for me to find the buttons with my thumb and keep watching the road. I found that keeping around 1/4" spacing on the beads let me easily feel the difference and find the one I want. I didn't find the size of the bumps to be critical, just so they are large enough to feel easily. I also tried to avoid the lit volume icons on the switches.

It worked well, so when I upgraded the left wheel switch assembly, I took the idea farther and added some new patterns to mark more controls. I didn't have any of the JB Weld product left, so I went to the hardware store (they didn't carry the JB Weld) and bought some Permatex equivalent product, and it didn't have the same viscosity or surface tension to form beads. I went back and got the Loctite equivalent, and it didn't make decent beads either. So stick to the JB Weld product and you will have good results. There is nothing wrong with either alternate product to bond plastic, just not for beads!

I'm a bit surprised that Ford engineers that just do controls for a living don't think about little things like this. The control button faces should be simple open-and-shut molds that can pull these bumps without any additional cost to the molded button faces. Hmmm.

As someone who is old enough to have had two years of typing in high school so that I know the value of those raised lines on the F and J keys on a keyboard, I think this is a fantastic idea. Well done!!

 

[OrCoaster]

As someone who is old enough to have had two years of typing in high school so that I know the value of those raised lines on the F and J keys on a keyboard, I think this is a fantastic idea. Well done!!

I would love to be able to feel those two lines on the keyboard again. After years of working with tools and having close calls with tablesaws and hammers the tips of my index fingers don't pick up on those raised bumps anymore. So I have to look once in a while while typing to be sure I am starting at the right spot then all seems to go well after that.

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