Vehicle positioning control

• US 5,866,862 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation), United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Joseph M., Riffil, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/833,442
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 R, 200/18, 200/293-295, 307/10.1, 318/568.1, 361/728, 361/760, 701/49
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle positioning switch such as a power seat switch is disclosed that combines two separate switch packages (seat switch and memory seat switch) into one switch package without significantly changing the seat switch package size. This simplifies wiring complexity, packaging and reduce costs to the customer and manufacturer. The switch is the integration of a memory seat switch into an eight way seat switch package. By mounting three tact switches to a memory PC board and attaching the PC board assembly to the front cover, separate memory functions are integrated into the seat switch package. The front cover now also serves as the guidance system for the memory buttons. The PC board is connected to the electrical distribution system by a wire harness that is routed around the actuator plate and circuit plate of the manual switch and connected directly to a motor control module.

Claims

1. A vehicle component positioning control comprising:

at least one motor control module for positioning a vehicle component;

a manual control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from the manual control board to the motor control module;

a one-piece front cover having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a memory control board having a memory switch and connections to communicate signals from the memory control board to the motor control module;

the one-piece front cover housing the manual switch and the memory switch;

the memory control board being located adjacent the inner surface of the front cover; and

the connections from the memory control board to the motor control module by-passing the manual control board.

2. A control according to claim 1, wherein the memory control board is attached to the inner surface of the front cover.

3. A control according to claim 1, wherein the memory switch is a plurality of memory buttons and a portion of the front cover defines cavities which house and serve as a guidance system for the memory buttons.

4. A control according to claim 3, wherein the memory control board includes tact switches located adjacent and beneath the memory buttons.

5. A control according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the manual control board defines a channel for by-passing the connections between the memory control board and the motor control module.

6. A control according to claim 1, wherein the control includes an actuator plate between the manual control board and the front cover.

7. A control according to claim 6, wherein the manual control board and the actuator plate define a channel housing the connection between the memory control board and the motor control module.

8. A control according to claim 7, including a back cover which sandwiches the manual control board between the actuator plate and the back cover.

9. A control according to claim 8 wherein the back cover includes a tab which is adjacent the channel thereby protecting the connections therein.

10. A control according to claim 1 wherein the manual control board and the memory control board connect to a single motor control module.

11. A vehicle component positioning control comprising:

at least one motor control module for positioning a vehicle component;

a manual control board having a manual switch, and connections to communicate signals from the manual control board to a motor control module, wherein the manual control board defines a channel;

a one-piece front cover having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a memory control board having a memory switch and connections to communicate signals from the memory control board to the motor control module;

the one-piece front cover housing the manual switch and the memory switch;

the memory control board being located adjacent the inner surface of the front cover; and

the connections from the memory control board to the motor control module routing around the manual control board through the channel defined therein.

12. A control according to claim 11, wherein the control includes an actuator plate between the manual control board and the front cover, wherein the actuator plate also defines a channel for routing the connections between the memory control board and the motor control module around the actuator plate.