Optical plug-in memory pack for positioning control

• US 5,475,592 A
• Filed: 10/21/1994
• Issued: 12/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Wargo, Lawrence T., Wnuk, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/327,055
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.01, 364/424.05, 318/568.1, 296/65.1, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 439/34, 439/43, 361/760, 361/728
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/12 using record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23344 Changeable memory, program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair

Abstract

A universal control board is disclosed that allows the easy connection of an optional memory function for a vehicle component positioning control. The universal control board includes a well that receives a plug-in memory pack to provide the memory function. In this way, the assembler need only have tools and assembly steps required for assembly of the universal control board. The assembler may easily plug in the memory option where appropriate.

Claims

1. A vehicle component positioning control comprising:

a. a motor control for positioning a vehicle component;

b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and

c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.

2. A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory pack comprises a plurality of pins which are interference fit into terminals in a circuit board associated with said control board.

3. A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 2, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.

4. A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory pack is received in a well adjacent to said manual switch, such that said control board requires a minimum of space.

5. A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 4, wherein an optional switch cover is utilized in combination with said control board when said memory option is not elected, and said optional switch cover covers said well.

6. A vehicle component positioning control as recited in claim 5, wherein said motor control is a control for a seat position, said manual switch being shaped like a seat, with a generally L-shape, and the majority of said memory pack well being received within an area is defined by lines extending perpendicular from the opposed ends of said L-shaped manual switch.

7. A universal control board for a vehicle component positioning control comprising:

a. a universal circuit board;

b. a manual switch, said manual switch associated with electrical connections on said universal circuit board to communicate with a positioning control;

c. a well including openings associated with terminals on said universal control board, said terminals associated with electrical connections on said universal control board to communicate with said positioning control; and

d. an optional memory pack, said memory pack comprising pin connections to be selectively inserted into said well and through said openings, and to mate with said terminals in said circuit board, said memory pack further comprising memory buttons to provide a memory function to said universal control board, and said memory switches communicating to said positioning control through said circuit board.

8. A universal control board as recited in claim 7, wherein said connections on said memory pack are interference fit into terminals in said circuit board.

9. A universal control board as recited in claim 8, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.

10. A universal control board as recited in claim 7, wherein said well is formed adjacent to said manual switch, such that said control board occupies a minimum of space.

11. A universal control board as recited in claim 10, wherein an optional switch cover is utilized in combination with said control board when a memory option is not elected, with said optional switch cover covering said well.

12. A universal control board as recited in claim 11, wherein said circuit board is part of a control for a vehicle seat position, said manual switch being shaped like a seat, with a generally L-shape, and said memory pack well being received within the opening of said L-shape.

13. A universal control board as recited in claim 12, wherein an area is defined by lines extending perpendicular from the opposed ends of said L-shaped manual switch, and the majority of said well being received within said area.

14. A method of providing positioning control to a vehicle component comprising the steps of:

a. providing a universal control board comprising a manual control for sending control signals to a positioning motor control for a vehicle component;

b. providing an optional memory pack which can be optionally plugged into said universal control board;

c. determining whether a particular vehicle is to include a memory option;

d. plugging said optional memory pack into a well on said control board when said memory option is to be utilized with a particular vehicle; and

e. covering said well which receives said memory pack when said memory option is not elected.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein distinct wiring harnesses are provided, depending upon whether said memory is elected or not, and connecting the appropriate wiring harness to said universal control board dependant upon whether said memory option is elected.

16. A component positioning control comprising:

a. a motor control for positioning a component;

b. a universal control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from said manual switch to said motor control; and

c. said universal control board selectively receiving a plug-in memory pack, said memory pack comprising electrical circuitry for communicating memory signals through connections on said control board and to said motor control, such that said memory pack may be selectively connected to said control board when a memory option is desired.

17. A component positioning control as recited in claim 16, wherein said memory pack comprises a plurality of pins which are interference fit into terminals in a circuit board associated with said control board.

18. A component positioning control as recited in claim 17, wherein said memory pack provides the option of preselecting at least two memory positions.

19. A component position control as recited in claim 16, wherein said component is a seat.

20. A component positioning control as recited in claim 16, wherein said component is mounted on a vehicle.