Hidden switch for motor vehicle

• US 7,015,407 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Hein, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/745,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 200310-314, 200/512, 200/517, 200/5.R, 200/5.A, 701/1, 701/200, 701/211, 701/29, 701/30
• US Class Current: 200/310
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/424 against unintended use
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/02 Piezo element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/022 Part of keyboard not operable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/038 Prompting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/024 with inductive switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960785 with illumination

Abstract

A non-movable switch is located behind an interior trim component of a motor vehicle. The location of the switch is hidden until a status condition of the motor vehicle occurs. When the status condition occurs, the location of the switch becomes visibly apparent and the switch becomes active and operable.

Claims

1. A switch assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a motor vehicle interior trim component; and

a non-movable dedicated switch located behind the interior trim component, wherein the location of the switch remains hidden and the switch remains inactive until a status condition occurs and the location of the switch becomes visibly apparent through the interior trim component by illumination provided and the switch becomes active when the status condition occurs.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior trim component is made of a material that is crafted to produce a substantially rigid structure.

3. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior trim component comprises a relatively dark transparent or translucent material fascia.

4. The switch assembly of claim 1, further comprising an applique disposed behind the interior trim component, the applique including at least one layer having at least one etched portion;

and

a light source behind the applique, the light source being adapted to illuminate through the applique to make the switch visibly apparent when the status condition occurs.

5. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is one of either a resistive, inductive, piezoelectric or capacitive switch.

6. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is a capacitive switch.

7. The switch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit, the switch being adapted to generate an electric field, the control circuit being adapted to detect a disturbance in the electric field and generate a control signal in response to the disturbance, the control signal being adapted to cause a function to be carried out.

8. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode spaced from and surrounding the first electrode, the first and second electrodes being oriented in the same plane, the switch being adapted to generate an electric field, a disturbance of which is detected by a control circuit to generate a control signal that causes a function to be carried out.

9. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is supported by a flexible printed circuit board that is adapted to conform to the shape of the interior trim component.

10. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is a resetable switch that is operable to hide the location of the switch and render the switch inactive until the status condition once again occurs.

11. The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the switch is an oil change switch, the location of which becomes visibly apparent and which becomes active only when a motor vehicle oil change is due.

12. The switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the switch is a tire pressure switch, the location of which becomes visibly apparent and which becomes active only when a motor vehicle tire pressure is below a reference pressure.

13. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is a trip odometer reset switch, the location of which becomes visibly apparent and which becomes active only when a motor vehicle trip odometer function is selected.

14. The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is a clock set switch, the location of which becomes visibly apparent and which becomes active only when a motor vehicle clock set function is selected.

15. The switch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the apparent visible location of the switch and the activation of the switch.

16. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the controller is coupled to inputs which establish the status conditions.

17. The switch assembly of claim 16, wherein the inputs include one or more switches, sensors, meters, or clocks.

18. The switch assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensory feedback component is an audio indicator.

19. The switch assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensory feedback component is a tactile indicator.

20. The switch assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensory feedback component for indicating the activation or de-activation of the switch.