Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-20
2001-01-09
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172314
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an automotive combination switch incorporating switching mechanisms such as light control switch unit, wiper control switch unit, etc. to be installed on an automotive steering column.
BACKGROUND ART
A prior art combination switch is described in the following with reference to FIG.
14
and FIG.
15
.
FIG. 14
shows the structure of a conventional automotive combination switch as viewed from the bottom,
FIG. 15
is a side view of the automotive combination switch.
Referring to FIG.
14
and
FIG. 15
, a light control switch unit
1
houses in it a light switch, a dimming/passing switch, a turning switch and various other switches of the category. A wiper control switch unit
2
houses in it various function switches such as a front windshield wiper switch, a rear windshield wiper switch, a front windshield washer switch, and other switches related to the wiper. Electric signals from the respective light control switch unit
1
and the wiper control switch unit
2
are delivered outside through output connectors
3
a
,
3
b
attached to the switch units
1
,
2
, to be supplied severally to a circuit outside the combination switch (a circuit in an automobile). Numeral
5
represents a main body.
Recently, more and more switching functions are being incorporated in an automotive combination switch, and the relevant signals are processed digitally. In line with such trend, various combination switches of a new type have been developed. These switches deliver the electric signals outside after digitally processing them inside the switch; viz. these are the combination switches for multiplex communication use. In such multiplex communication switches, signals from the light control switch unit
1
and the wiper switch unit
2
are processed altogether in a digital circuit (incorporated in either one of the switch units), and then delivered to an automobile side. Therefore, the number of connectors and the pin counts needed may be decreased as compared with those in a system of FIG.
14
and FIG.
15
. However, the combination switches for multiplex communication require a new structure for the electrical coupling among the two units. And, because each of the switch units is assembled in an independent block configuration for easy mounting/detaching from the main body, reliable means for interconnection among the switch units is needed, which accomplishes a reliable coupling during mounting operation absorbing dimensional dispersion of constituent parts or that caused by practical handling in the mounting operation.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to offer an automotive combination switch, with which the mounting operation may be accomplished easily and reliably. The combination switch comprises an relay connector, and is made of a reduced number of components in a simplified structure.
An invented automotive combination switch comprises a light control switch unit containing a plurality of function switches such as a turning switch, a dimming switch and a light switch housed in a case having a rib to be fitting to a groove of main body, an elastic mounting knob, and a stopper peg mounted thereon, the case being provided at the lower part with a fixed connector for delivering signals from the switches outside; a wiper control switch unit containing a plurality of function switches such as a wiper switch, a washer switch housed in a case likewise having a rib, an elastic mounting knob, a stopper peg provided thereon and a fixed connector; and an interconnection lead wire attached to the main body with a mobility, the lead wire having at both ends a movable connector which is to be engaged with respective fixed connectors of the switch units when mounted to the main body.
With the above structured combination switch, even if the positioning the respective fixed connectors of light control switch unit and the wiper control switch unit when mounted to the main body is dispersed due to dispersion in the mounting dimensions, etc. the movable connector of the relay connector which has been attached to the main body with a certain mobility can adapt its location to the fixed connector of switch unit for coupling. Therefore, such troubles as twisted coupling or uninsertability among the connectors may be avoided. Furthermore, as the relay connector has been made readily available with commercial lead wires, it may be presented at low cost with a high reliability, without requiring any special moulds or components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5182422 (1993-01-01), Botz et al.
patent: 5895899 (1999-04-01), Sano
patent: 5936215 (1999-08-01), Masuda et al.
patent: 5977494 (1999-11-01), Sano et al.
patent: 5977495 (1999-11-01), Akimoto
patent: 6025565 (2000-02-01), Miyase et al.
patent: 62-26842 (1987-02-01), None
patent: 9-120754 (1997-05-01), None
Japanese language search report for Int'l Appln No. PCT/JP98/02190 dated Aug. 18, 1998.
English language translation of Japanese language search report Dated Aug. 18, 1998.
Kawasaki Shusaku
Uehira Kiyotaka
Friedhofer Michael
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Ratner & Prestia
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