Switch device

Details Switch device Switch device

1999-05-21

2001-05-01

Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Multiple circuit control

Multiple switch

C200S00600C, C200S061540

Reexamination Certificate

active

06225578

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suitable switch device used, for example, for a steering switch unit provided at a steering pad of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, various electronic controls, ranging from audio components to drive computers, air conditioner sets, and the like, have been placed in vehicles. Conventionally, electronic control operating switches have been provided so as to be concentrated at the instrument panel (to which various gauges are mounted), making the operation of the operating switches very complicated.
Therefore, although conventionally only a horn switch needed to be provided at the steering pad (formed at the center portion of the steering wheel), it is now necessary to provide a steering switch unit, having switches for operating an air conditioner and audio components, at the steering pad as well.
FIG. 8
illustrates a conventional steering switch unit.
In
FIG. 8
, reference numeral
101
denotes a steering wheel, reference numeral
102
denotes a steering pad mounted to the center portion of the steering wheel
101
, and reference numeral
103
denotes a steering switch unit having various operating switches
103
a
to
103
m.
The operating switches
103
a
,
103
b
,
103
c
, and
103
d
of the steering switch unit
103
are used to operate an air conditioner. More specifically, they are used as mode change-over switches to switch modes, such as an ON/OFF mode, DEF mode, VENT mode, BI-LEVEL mode, etc. The operating switches
103
e
to
103
m
are used to operate an audio component. More specifically, they are used, for example, for turning the audio component on and off; for switching among radio, compact disk (CD), and minidisk (MD) function modes; for switching between AM and FM radio modes; switching between reception frequency up and down modes; or changing disks.
However, the above-described conventional steering switch unit has the following two problems.
First, since the above-described conventional steering switch unit has many operating switches mounted to a steering pad, it is difficult for the user to remember the functions of the operating switches.
Second, since the driver, while driving his or her vehicle, needs to press one operating switch from among many operating switches, the driver needs to look at the operating switch he or she is about to press in order to make sure that the desired switch is about to be pressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch device which allows a large number of operating switch functions to be easily provided with a small number of operating switches.
To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch device comprising:
a first switch section operated to carry out a switching operation by movement of a movable member; and
a second switch section with a plurality of operating switches mounted on the movable member;
wherein when the first switch section is operated to carry out a switching operation, a function provided by the second switch section is changed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch device comprising:
a first switch section affixed to a steering pad, the first switch section including a stationary contact portion and a movable contact portion; and
a second switch section affixed to the movable member provided at the first switch section, the second switch section including a plurality of operating switches;
wherein the movable member and the second switch section move integrally; and
wherein when the first switch section is operated to carry out a switching operation, a function of the second switch section is changed.
In one form of the first aspect of the present invention, the second switch section may be provided at the upper side of the steering pad.
In one form of the second aspect of the present invention, the movable member and the second switch section may be operated in a direction parallel to the upper side of the steering pad.
In the switch device of the first aspect, in which the second switch section is provided at the upper side of the steering pad, the movable member and the second switch section may be operated in a direction parallel to the upper side of the steering pad.
In another form of the first aspect of the present invention, the movable member may have a self-returning structure.
In another form of the second aspect of the present invention, the movable member may have a self-returning structure.
In the switch device of the first aspect, in which the second switch section is provided at the upper side of the steering pad, the movable member may have a self-returning structure.
In the switching device of the second aspect of the present invention, in which the movable member and the second switch section are operated in a direction parallel to the upper side of the steering pad, the movable member may have a self-returning structure.
In the switching device of the first aspect of the present invention, in which the second switch section is provided at the upper side of the steering pad, and the movable member and the second switch section are operated in a direction parallel to the upper side of the steering pad, the movable member may have a self-returning structure.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4516939 (1985-05-01), Crimmins, Jr.
patent: 4638131 (1987-01-01), Kidd et al.
patent: 4849732 (1989-07-01), Dolenc
patent: 5585608 (1996-12-01), Kraemer
patent: 5721541 (1998-02-01), Repp et al.
patent: 5735693 (1998-04-01), Groiss
patent: 5855144 (1999-01-01), Parada
patent: 5945646 (1999-08-01), Miller et al.

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