Function-control device comprising at least one selector

• US 6,479,769 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
• Original Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
• Inventors: Barat, Didier, Nash, Andy
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): FISHMAN, MARINA
• Application Number:
  US09/837,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20020043451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.R, 200/18, 200/336, 200/312-314, 200/6, 200/13, 200/4
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/01 also rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/05 Mode selector switch, e.g. shift, or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/16 Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"

Abstract

The invention relates to a function-control device employing at least one selector which can be shifted between at least two selection positions. The function control device includes a plurality of actuators which can be controlled by a user and at least some of which drive different functions for at least two different positions of a selector symbols, the displaying of which relates to the movement of at least one such selector so as visually to display the function of at least some of the actuators driving different functions.

Claims

1. Function-control device employing at least one selector which can be shifted between at least two selection positions, including:

a plurality of actuators for an electronic device which can be controlled by a user wherein at least some of said actuators drive different functions for at least two different positions of said at least one selector; and

at least one symbol representing said different function, a repositioning of said symbol is controlled by a rotary movement of said at least one selector so as to display the function of at least some of said actuators driving said different functions.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said movement of said at least one said selector is rotary.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one selector comprises at least one tilting device controlling several actuators.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one tilting device and said at least one selector are coaxial.

5. The device according to claims 3, wherein the tilting device is a joystick.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one selector comprises at least one knurled wheel coaxial with at least one tilting device.

7. The device according to claim 2, further comprising at least one rotary and tilting control element, the rotation of said control element moves said at least one selector and the tilting of said control element controls at least one of said actuators.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuator is arranged directly in line with an actuating element which can be controlled by at least one of a user'"'"'s fingers.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said actuating element is an actuating key.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one symbol is arranged directly in line with one of said actuators.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one selector comprises a facade pierced with slots, the movement of the selector driving said at least one symbol so as to position said at least one symbol selectively opposite at least one of the slots.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one selector features a non-opaque surface exhibiting said at least one symbol, said surface being driven by the movement of the selector and being back-lit in regions where appearance of said symbol is desired.