Ideas/sources for button clusters?

[Map63Vette]

So I've been thinking about building my own center console to go in my 5.7 Hemi swap 67 Dart recently, and one of the things I'm interested in adding is a button cluster to make controlling my Raspberry Pi display easier. I have found a 4 way rotary encoder knob/switch thing that is very similar to what is found in a lot of modern cars today. It basically act like a typical knob you can turn, but also push up/down/left/right. I'd like to add some buttons as well to make navigating around my programs and controlling my audio easier. Basically picture something like this:

My current thought is something like a knob in the middle with a row of buttons in front of it and another row behind it. That little strip of 5 buttons behind the knob in the picture is what I have in mind, but I'm having a hard time finding generic ones anywhere. Most places are trying to sell single individual buttons or race style chunky rocker switches, but I'd like something a little more discrete and space efficient. My plan is to wire everything up to an Arduino that would then talk over CAN bus to the Pi. I know some people have used the BMW iDrive controller in the past (which is more or less where I got the idea), I'm just looking to build my own so I can tailor it to my space a little better and have better control over the code.

 

[Map63Vette]

I found a couple other references as well to get some more ideas.

Here's an Audi MMI setup. They had a bunch through the years and models it seems, but this is really close to what I had in mind. Looks like there has been some reverse engineering done on these to use them independently, but not sure which models are compatible. This one looks really nice since the buttons are pretty generic.

Here's the BMW iDrive that first started the idea to make my own. I think I might want a couple more buttons than what this offers though:

The Mercedes setup is more of a touchpad, which would actually be pretty great for how I might need to use it, but I think would be a lot harder to reverse engineer to work with my Raspberry Pi. I think they had one more like a knob in the past, but I'm having a harder time finding pictures of it.

 

[DionR]

I can't be of any help, but I am excited to see what you come up with.

 

[Map63Vette]

If I was more of an industrial designer I might take a crack as designing my own button tops and just pick some generic switches from Digikey or something to put them on, but that's not really my forte by any means. I'm already pretty much accepting that the knob I'd be putting the on the switch I found isn't going to look all that nice. I bet I could find something out there that would go on it, but I need to get the switch in my hands first to get an idea of what the shaft looks like and what I'd need to be looking for to match with it. I can design and 3D print something easily enough, but it's going to be the bright blue that's currently in my printer, lol. I could maybe give it a coat of Plastidip to give it a little texture and color though.

 

[Map63Vette]

While cruising the internet I happened up something that got me thinking it might work for my button setup. My brother actually has one of these, so I might see if I could borrow it to play with and see how it works, but I'm considering something like an Elgato Stream Deck as a button box for me: Stream Deck Mini. I think it would give me nicer style buttons that generic pushbuttons, and it could potentially be easier to set up with the Pi as I think I can just directly plug it in via USB and use their software to configure button actions. The buttons are also little screens, so if I want to change the function of a button I can change the icon as well. My main concern is that I'm guessing it's probably not exactly intended to be a "harsh environment" kind of device. It might have some limited IP rating as I could see it getting splashed with liquids while sitting on a desk and it would be good if that doesn't ruin it, but I'm not sure how it would put up with temperatures. I'd have to see what the software could do, but it would be really neat if I could change the buttons based on what is currently on my screen. So if I'm on my media player it would show track functions (play/pause, next/last, etc.), if I'm on my nav program maybe I could set up shortcuts to predefined routes or something, etc. Not sure I need that much functionality, but if it means I could get a cheaper small one instead of one with more buttons that would be nice.

 

[Map63Vette]

Started putting something together for an idea. I bought a Raspberry Pi Pico and got it programmed to emulate a keyboard and mouse via button presses, so I'm hoping to make an attempt at a center console before too long. I'm still missing some of the functionality I'd ideally like such as context sensitive buttons and better shortcuts, but this should at least get me somewhere. I did finally get a Stream Deck to connect to the Pi, but the software for it is tougher to work with as there is no official Linux software support for it. Some people have effectively ported the software over in some form, but the functionality is a bit limited and I don't feel like getting that deep into the weeds of learning yet another programming language just enough to kludge something together. The keyboard/mouse emulation is a bit more straightforward and easier to test and I might be able to expand on it in the future. I modeled up a panel with some buttons and a control knob that I may try to build today:

Pretty simple, but should get the job done. Buttons and the encoder are supposed to be delivering today, so will hopefully get a chance to wire it up for some bench testing. I did some really basic testing yesterday by just crossing wires to close contacts to make sure the code was working. Debating if I want to mount it with the rotary knob above or below the buttons. I think I might need to build the console first to get a better idea. Also trying to decide if I want to move any of my other switches to this panel like my traction control toggle and my exhaust cutouts or whether to leave them where they are on the dash.

 

[Map63Vette]

Got the first prototype built over the weekend and have done a couple of test drives to work with it. So far I'm pretty happy with the setup. It's much nicer having the controls within arms reach without having to lean forward and being able to use them without looking at them compared to the touchscreen. The buttons aren't the best tactile experience I've ever had as they feel a tad spongy, but they were cheap enough and they get the job done. The directional switches on the encoder also have some weird stuff going on as I'm not really sure how you are intended to operate them. It's more like a joystick tilt than a linear movement, but they still have a click at the end and it's near impossible to just get the directional click without also getting the press down button click. Not the end of the world as that functionality was intended to be more of a backup to move a mouse anyway, but would be nice if it worked better.

I've been thinking about it some more and I think I might still have a way to have context sensitive buttons to some degree, though with a fairly big caveat. Since my Pi is basically just treating this as a keyboard, I don't have any kind of feedback coming back to it. I could still set up an internal counter on the button controller to track what page it should be on based on how many times I've pressed the buttons, but if I ever press a button and the screen doesn't actually change it would get me in a weird situation where the two don't line up. I might still give it a shot just for the fun of it though. I should probably get a console built first so I have somewhere to mount it before I get too far ahead of myself.

 

[Map63Vette]

Finally got the chance to put together a center console. It's not much to look at, but the goal was more utility than anything. Still have some stuff I want to add to it, but this was more aimed at getting the basic shape and dimensions to see how everything would fit. It's just made of poster board with some bent steel straps at either end to hold the shape with rivets to hold it all together. Will probably add another 2-3 straps in the middle to give it some more structure, but overall I'm pretty happy with the fit. The end goal is going to be moving my Raspberry Pi from the bottom of the dash onto the front of the console. I'll probably put it on a swiveling mount so I can angle it toward me a little better. Also planning to add some cup holders at the back because I have done enough coffee runs for me and the wife and the drink carrier I keep behind the passenger seat has fallen over and spilled stuff more than once. For anyone interested, it's 8" wide at the front and 6" wide at the back. Overall length is 35" and the side skirts are 5" tall. Not sure what the angle is between the top and sides, I just kind of bent something up that looked about right. It will get covered in carpet once I get the rest of the stuff figured out for it. Debating whether I want to add A/C vents to the sides or foot well lights like a factory console. May see about making up a leather boot to mount to the shifter as well, but that's a ways down the road.

 

[DionR]

Finally got the chance to put together a center console. It's not much to look at, but the goal was more utility than anything. Still have some stuff I want to add to it, but this was more aimed at getting the basic shape and dimensions to see how everything would fit. It's just made of poster board with some bent steel straps at either end to hold the shape with rivets to hold it all together. Will probably add another 2-3 straps in the middle to give it some more structure, but overall I'm pretty happy with the fit. The end goal is going to be moving my Raspberry Pi from the bottom of the dash onto the front of the console. I'll probably put it on a swiveling mount so I can angle it toward me a little better. Also planning to add some cup holders at the back because I have done enough coffee runs for me and the wife and the drink carrier I keep behind the passenger seat has fallen over and spilled stuff more than once. For anyone interested, it's 8" wide at the front and 6" wide at the back. Overall length is 35" and the side skirts are 5" tall. Not sure what the angle is between the top and sides, I just kind of bent something up that looked about right. It will get covered in carpet once I get the rest of the stuff figured out for it. Debating whether I want to add A/C vents to the sides or foot well lights like a factory console. May see about making up a leather boot to mount to the shifter as well, but that's a ways down the road.

View attachment 1716394924

I like it!

The one thing I want is an arm rest that is about the same height as the ones on the doors. But that's just me.

 

[Deltatech]

I'm thinking of hacking a 45$ Samsung smartphone from walmart to use as a touch input and display for my arduino/Pi guages.

 

[nutz]

i have a couple of old audi mmi i can send you if you want ....have no idea how you would make it work
ill take some pics if you want

 

[Map63Vette]

I like it!

The one thing I want is an arm rest that is about the same height as the ones on the doors. But that's just me.

I was waffling on that one myself. Kind of had to pick between the cupholders and arm rest, though I could maybe do an arm rest that opens to hold drinks. Need to see what's out there for cupholder inserts. I know I could probably print something, but it would be stretching the limits of my printer and I'm not sure I'd like the way it looks. Making an arm rest with some cutouts inside is tempting now that I think about it, though I'd need to secure it to the tunnel more than the "not at all" that I have now, lol. I don't have a ton of structure to support weight, not that my arm weighs that much, but I'd likely find myself leaning on it or lifting myself out of my seat by pressing on it, so I'd need to think about that some more.

 

[Map63Vette]

i have a couple of old audi mmi i can send you if you want ....have no idea how you would make it work
ill take some pics if you want

I might still be tempted by that. I've got my current setup working okay, but wouldn't mind some more automotive grade buttons potentially.

I did a little more messing with it today. It doesn't look much different, but I added some more hoops to give it some more rigidity and moved my display from the bottom of the dash to the console. I'll have clean up my harness from the dash to the display now that all my sins are laid bare for all to see, lol. I did so much messing with it before as I was adding and testing and trying different things that it got pretty messy behind the display. I'm still trying to get a replacement power supply, which would clean things up a little bit as I wouldn't have to run the cigarette lighter adapter that I have now. Although I do have the advantage of being able to hide it under my console now, haha. Once I figure out the cupholders I'll work on getting it covered so it doesn't look quite so bad. Will try to get some pictures of it out of the car when I get to that point.

 

[nutz]

Ill see what I have
Problem is under the trim it's a odd thing
Il see if i can take some pics tomorrow

 

[Map63Vette]

So might have to make a bit of a change on the design, though nothing crazy. I finally got my new A/C box installed over the weekend, but it means relocating my engine computer. Since I made a harness that goes to some bulkhead connectors, it kind of limits where I can move it to without having to completely remake the harness (which at 40+ wires I'm not exactly in the mood to do). It looks like the computer would actually sit on top of the transmission tunnel pretty nicely, so I'm thinking I might extend the front half forward nearly to the firewall to cover it up better. I also need to mount the A/C controller, so guessing it would go under the console as well. Though I am debating whether I want to actually extend the console or if I just want to have a carpet flap that extends forward to cover things since I already have stuff made up. I can reuse the hoops I already made easily enough, I'd just need to get some more fiber board or whatever material I feel like using for the actual tunnel.

 

[Map63Vette]

I took the opportunity last weekend to pull the whole interior harness out and rework it now that my computer has changed locations and I got the A/C installed. They are both going to sit on the tunnel up front, so I wanted to extend the console to cover them up and clean things up. It looks a lot better (to me at least), so with those finally settled I got around to rebuilding my console yesterday to extend it forward to cover them. Bought a piece of 1/8"x2'x4' tempered hardboard (basically poster backing, which is what I made the first one out of). I thought about using 1/8" plywood or the like, but kept with this stuff as I liked that is was a little flexible and it reminded me of a stock type material. I built the new one ~42-44" long (I can't remember even though it's only been a day...) and made it a hair taller on the sides (5.5" instead of 5"). I also added some tabs on the back strap to be able to mount an end cap, as I needed one to support the back end so I could make it sit a little higher to give room for my cupholder inserts. I covered the whole thing in some "BWM" carpet that I got way back when I first bought the car. It was a roll of plain black felt style carpeting and matches what is in the car well enough. I managed to grab some pictures along the way as well this time.

Here's the new piece riveted up and ready to get covered. I didn't put a strap at the far front edge as I didn't feel like bending up any new metal (if I even had any left, I never looked), and I thought it might actually be better to have a little more flex up there to cover the A/C module and engine computer.

Here's the underside, showing all the straps that give it the structure. The black angles at the bottom are for the end cap:

Here's a closer view of the that sits on the tunnel at the back:

And here's the mostly final product all covered.

I used 3M super 77 adhesive and cut the carpet ~1" and change long to wrap over the edges on the inside. The cupholders are inserts I bought off of Amazon. They are marketed as being for poker tables and media chairs mostly, but they are a nice satin aluminum style finish (and actually made of metal, though you can get plastic ones too). I will eventually remake my button plate in metal as well, probably something like a brushed stainless finish to match. I've been dragging my feet on that one in case I can come up with some other stuff to send to SendCutSend to get free shipping on a big enough order, though I might cave and order it earlier. It's a really basic setup and doesn't hug the tunnel super tight or anything, but it does finish it off more nicely than the ragged cut hole around my rubber shift boot with baggy carpet, plus it hides all my computer stuff and wiring up front, so it really does make the portion under the dash look nicer as well.