Steering Wheel Mounted Control Using Touch Switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combined mechanical and touch switch apparatus for a vehicle having a selectively controllable system, comprising:
- an activation stalk positioned proximate a steering wheel of the vehicle and having a touch sensor;
a mechanical switch system that senses motion of the activation stalk to provide a first control of the system; and
a touch switch system that senses touching of the touch sensor to provide a second control of the system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined mechanical and switch activation stalk provides a vehicle driver independent control of a vehicle system that heretofore has not been separately controllable, such as the turn signal system and the wiper and washer system. The lever may be moved to make a first input to the vehicle system and a touch pad incorporated into the body of the lever may be touched to signal a second input that either overrides an input made with movement of the activation stalk or to activate/deactivate the vehicle system in a manner not available with movement of the activation stalk.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A combined mechanical and touch switch apparatus for a vehicle having a selectively controllable system, comprising:
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an activation stalk positioned proximate a steering wheel of the vehicle and having a touch sensor; a mechanical switch system that senses motion of the activation stalk to provide a first control of the system; and a touch switch system that senses touching of the touch sensor to provide a second control of the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A switching device for controlling operation of a turn signal system of a vehicle, comprising:
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a turn signal activation stalk attached proximate a steering column of the vehicle; a first switch system sensing motion of the turn signal activation stalk to provide a first control of the turn signal system; and a second touch switch system sensing a touching of the turn signal activation stalk to provide a second control of the turn signal system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A switch apparatus for a vehicular windshield washing system, which includes a motor that moves wiper blades across an exterior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and pump that causes washer fluid to be sprayed onto the windshield, the switch apparatus comprising:
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an activation stalk mounted proximate a steering wheel of the vehicle; a first touch switch system that senses contact with the stalk to initiate a spray of washing fluid onto the windshield; and a second switch system that senses motion of the stalk to activate motion of the wiper blades independently of any sensed contact with the stalk. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification