Adjusting device having a multi-functional operating switch

• US 5,640,056 A
• Filed: 02/07/1996
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Setzer, Juergen, Nagel, Gerhard, Wilhelmi, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/598,267
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/112, 307/114, 180/271, 180/281, 180/286, 364/424.01, 364/424.05, 219/202, 62/3.61
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor

Abstract

An adjusting device having a multi-function operating switch is provided. The function elements which can be controlled by the operating switch can be selected in a variable manner on the user side from a totality of function elements. In a motor vehicle, the operating switch may, for example, have the configuration of a tunnel driving switch by which function elements that can be selected by the user, such as window lifting mechanisms, low-beam and interior-light units, etc. can be controlled into function positions which can also be predetermined by the user for driving through tunnels. This implements a high operating comfort for the individual and situation-adapted adjustment of a condition which can be influenced by a totality of function elements.

Claims

1. An adjusting device for function elements used in a vehicle, comprising:

an operating switch for simultaneously controlling several of said function elements into a respective function position that is predetermined in a variable manner by a user, said several function elements each being controllable into different function positions;

wherein said several function elements which can be controlled by said operating switch are selected by the user in a variable manner from a totality of said function elements.

2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein via said operating switch, a storage function is activated in which momentary function positions of said several function elements being simultaneously controllable through the use of said operating switch are stored in a memory as function positions which are simultaneously adjusted by said operating switch.

3. The adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein possible combinations of said several function elements selected for the operating switch and of function positions of said selected function elements that are adjusted via said operating switch, are divided into acceptable and unacceptable combinations, said adjusting device blocking the activation of said unacceptable combinations.

4. The adjusting device according to claim 3, wherein said adjusting device blocks a control of certain function elements after an activation of said operating switch if one of a momentary value and momentary values of one or more detected vehicle condition quantities falls outside of a predetermined permissible range.

5. The adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein possible combinations of function positions of said selected function elements that are adjusted via said operating switch are divided into acceptable and unacceptable combinations, said adjusting device blocking the activation of said unacceptable combinations.

6. The adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein possible combinations of said several function elements selected for the operating switch are divided into acceptable and unacceptable combinations, said adjusting device blocking an activation of said unacceptable combinations.

7. A method for operating an adjusting device in a vehicle for several function elements which are each controlled into different function positions, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting with an operating switch a variable set of said several function elements by a user from a totality of said several function elements; and

simultaneously controlling said set of said several function elements into a respective function position that is predetermined in a variable manner by the user.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

activating a storage function via said operating switch in which momentary function positions of said set of function elements selected as being simultaneously controllable via said operating switch are stored as function positions that are simultaneously adjusted via said operating switch.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of:

dividing possible combinations of said function elements selected for said operating switch into acceptable and unacceptable combinations; and

blocking any activation of said unacceptable combinations of said function elements or function positions.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:

after an activation of said operating switch, blocking a control of certain function elements if a momentary value or values of one or more detected vehicle condition quantities falls outside a predetermined permissible range.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of:

dividing possible combinations of function positions of the selected function elements adjusted via said operating switch into acceptable and unacceptable combinations; and

blocking any activation of said unacceptable combinations of said function elements or function positions.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

after an activation of said operating switch, blocking a control of certain function elements if a momentary value or values of one or more detected vehicle condition quantities falls outside a predetermined permissible range.