Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-11
2001-08-14
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
C200S00100B, C200S00600C, C200S0050EA, C200S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06274826
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch unit to be used for operating various devices such a powerwindow unit mounted on a vehicle such as a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A powerwindow unit up/down-operates a window glass installed at a door trim of a vehicle. Based on an operation signal from a switch unit provided on the door trim, the powerwindow unit drives a motor and so on for up/down-operating the window glass, thereby opening and closing a window.
The above switch unit has a knob as a operative body which is swingingly operably provided, a printed circuit board, and a decorative members to outline the printed circuit board and to make the knob exposed. A pair of first switch portions being abuttable on respective end portions of the knob are provided on the printed circuit board. Each first switch portion has both of a first contact portion provided on the printed circuit board and a first contacting member being contactable and discontactable with the first contact portion.
Between one first contacting member and one end portion of the knob provided are a returning spring and a pressing pin, which pressing pin presses one first contacting member toward the printed circuit board when one end portion of the knob is pushed toward the printed circuit board. Also, between the other first contacting member and the other end portion of the knob provided are a returning spring and a pressing pin, which pressing pin presses the other first contacting member toward the printed circuit board when the other end portion of the knob is pushed toward the printed circuit board. On the other hand, each returning spring returns the knob in an initial state.
According to the above-described structure of the conventional switch unit, when one end portion of the knob is pushed toward the printed circuit board, one first contacting member is pressed through the pressing pin and comes into contact with one first contact portion. Then, one first contact portion outputs a signal, for example, to raise the window glass toward the powerwindow unit.
On the other hand, when the other end portion of the knob is pushed toward the printed circuit board, the other first contacting member is pressed through the pressing pin and comes into contact with the other first contact portion. Then, the other first contact portion outputs a signal, for example, to lower the window glass toward the powerwindow unit.
And, when the pushing operation of one end portion or the other end portion of the knob is removed, one end portion or the other end portion of the knob returns to each initial state by means of each returning spring, whereby the output signal from each contact portion stops.
With respect to the above conventional switch unit, rolling of the knob would arise during the pushing operation, which would cause an un-smooth up/down operation of the window glass.
Otherwise, a switch unit having a pair of second switch portions, which are arranged apart from a line connecting the first switch portions and nearer a swing center of the knob than the first switch portions, has been used. In this switch unit, the second switch portions are also provided on a printed circuit board. Each second switch portion has both of a second contact portion provided on the printed circuit board and a second contacting member being contactable and discontactable with the second contact portion.
In this switch unit having the first switch portions and the second switch portions, when one or the other second contacting member is put into contact with one or the other second contact point, respectively, while one or the other first contacting member is put into contact with one or the other first contact point, respectively, the window glass goes up or down to top or bottom dead point, respectively.
With respect to this conventional switch unit, rolling of the knob would still arise during the pushing operation, which would also cause an un-smooth up/down operation of the window glass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch unit enabling a window glass to go up and down smoothly.
In order to achieve the above-described object, as a first aspect of the present invention, a switch unit comprises: an operative body being swingingly operably provided; a pair of first switch portions being abuttable on respective end portions of the operative body when the operative body is swingingly operated so as to output signals to raise and lower, respectively, a window glass; a pair of second switch portions arranged apart from a line connecting the pair of first switch portions and nearer a longitudinal middle portion of the operative body than the first switch portions and being abuttable on the operative body when the operative body is swingingly operated so as to output signals to raise and lower, respectively, the window glass; and a pair of supporting portions arranged opposite to the pair of second switch portions with respect to the line, wherein the supporting portions abut on respective portions of the operative body when the first switch portions abut on the respective end portions of the operative body.
According to the above-described structure, since the operative body is supported by the second switch portion and the supporting portion when the first switch portion outputs a signal to up/down-operate the window glass, rolling of the operative body can be prevented, while attaining a clicking-feel of the switch. Therefore, the switch unit enables the window glass to smoothly go up and down.
As a second aspect of the present invention, in the structure with the above second aspect, the supporting portions are formed in a same shape as at least either of the first and second switch portions.
According to the above-described structure, since the supporting portions are formed in the same shape as at least either of the first and second switch portions, the supporting portions can be formed easily, thereby reducing trouble for manufacturing the switch unit and therefore reducing the costs. Further, in case that the supporting portions are formed in the same shape as the second switch portion, the supporting portions can support the operative body more securely, whereby rolling of the operative body can be prevented, thereby ensuring the window glass to smoothly go up and down.
As a third aspect of the present invention, in the structure with the above second aspect, the switch unit further comprises a base equipped with the pair of first switch portions, the pair of second switch portions, and the pair of supporting portions, the base including a plate member having: a pair of projections projecting toward the operative body and forming outlines of the respective first switch portions; a pair of second projections being in a same shape as the projections, projecting toward the operative body, and forming outlines of the respective second switch portions; and a pair of supporting projections being in a same shape as the projections, projecting toward the operative body, and forming outlines of the respective supporting portions.
According to the above-described structure, since all the projections are formed in the same shape and are formed integrally with the plate member of the base, the first switch portions, the second switch portions, and the supporting portions can be formed easily, thereby reducing trouble for manufacturing the switch unit and therefore reducing the costs.
As a forth aspect of the present invention, in the structure with any one of the above aspects, the pair of supporting portions are arranged symmetrically with the second switch portions with respect to the line.
According to the above-described structure, owing to the symmetrical arrangement, the supporting portions can support the operative body still more securely, whereby rolling of the operative body can be prevented, thereby ensuring the window glass to smoothly go up and down.
As a fifth aspect of the present
Kubota Minoru
Nishitani Keizo
Serizawa Yasuyoshi
Armstrong Westerman Hattori McLeland & Naughton LLP
Friedhofer Michael
Yazaki -Corporation
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