Select positioning power window switch

• US 5,760,554 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bustamante, James M.
• Original Assignee: Bustamante, James M.
• Inventors: Bustamante, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David S.
• Application Number:
  US08/667,143
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 318/280-300, 49/139-140, 49/502, 49/280, 49/349
• US Class Current: 318/280
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/689 specially adapted for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/35 related to specific positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/01 Application power window
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a system for opening or closing windows and other apertures having a plurality of conditions ranging from fully open to fully closed. The system includes a panel which is moved over an aperture by a movement mechanism, and an electrical switch having a plurality of touch positions, with the switch in electrical communication with the movement mechanism. Each touch position corresponds to an aperture condition from fully opened to fully closed. Upon actuation of one of the touch positions, the panel is moved to a particular position corresponding to the touch position actuated.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting the position of a power window having a plurality of positions between fully opened and fully closed, comprising:

an electrical power source;

a window movement mechanism which moves the window between window positions;

an elongated, continuous input pad in electrical communication with the power source and window movement mechanism, the pad having a continuum of touch positions, each touch position along the continuum being associated with a window position, whereby upon actuation of one of the touch positions, the window is moved to the associated window position.

2. The system of claim 1 having at least three touch positions.

3. The system of claim 1 having discrete touch positions.

4. A system for opening or closing an aperture having a plurality of conditions ranging from fully open to fully closed, the system comprising:

a frame;

a panel slidably received in the frame;

an electrical power source;

a panel movement mechanism;

attachment means mechanically connected to the panel and panel movement mechanism so that, upon actuation of the panel movement mechanism, the panel is moved within the frame;

an elongated continuous input pad having a continuum of touch positions in electrical communication with the power source and panel movement mechanism so that, upon actuation of a first touch position at one end of the pad, the input pad sends a signal to the panel movement mechanism, causing the panel movement mechanism to adjust the panel within the frame so that the aperture is in its fully open condition a upon actuation of a touch position at an opposite end of the pad, the input pad sends a signal to the panel movement mechanism, causing the panel movement mechanism to position the panel within the frame so that the aperture is in its fully closed condition and actuation of each position on the pad between its ends causes the panel movement mechanism to position the pad within the frame to create an aperture condition analogous to the relative position of the touch position

wherein actuation of the touch position is accomplished by a momentary along the input pad.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the aperture is a sunroof.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the aperture is a window.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the panel is transparent.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the panel movement mechanism is a window lift motor.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the attachment means is a channel.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the window is an automobile window.