Electric switch module

• US 7,633,028 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Recticel Automobilesysteme GmbH
• Original Assignee: Recticel Automobilesysteme GmbH
• Inventors: De Vis, Sven, Sabelus, Martin, Esders, Berthold, Bobel, Ralf, De Winter, Hugo, Broeckaert, Bart, Willems, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer; Michael A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/570,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20070131527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,924 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.R, 200/6.A, 200/339, 200 31-317, 200/517, 200/302.3
• US Class Current: 200/302.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2021/225 with push-pull operation, e.g. which can be pivoted in both directions by pushing or pulling on the same extremity of the operating member
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/08 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/22 Operating parts, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/01 Application power window
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/024 Avoid unwanted operation

Abstract

An electric switch module has one or more electric switches arranged on a substrate (7) of which at least one is designed as a push-pull rocker switch (2, 3) having an actuator (4) formed by a projection (5) that is asymmetrical to its tilting axis (6). The module is characterized in that the top side of the substrate (7), together with the actuators (4) of its switches (2, 3), is covered by a flexible outer skin (10a) that also covers the projection (5) that forms the actuator (4) of the at least one rocker switch (2, 3).

Claims

1. An electric switch module comprising:

at least one electric switch disposed on a carrier, said carrier having a top side;

of which at least one electric switch is a push-pull rocker switch with an actuation member formed by an actuation projection asymmetrical with respect to an axis of said actuation member;

a recessed grip under the actuation projection functioning to allow the user to perform the pull motion with a finger tip; and

wherein the top side of the carrier with the at least one actuation member of the at least one switch is covered by a flexible outer skin which conformingly encloses a top and at least a portion of an underside of the actuation projection of the actuation member and conforms to the recessed grip of the at least one rocker switch.

2. The electric switch module as claimed in claim 1, wherein an underside of the outer skin rests intimately on the top side of the carrier.

3. The electric switch module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a margin of the outer skin is connected with the carrier through an adhesion foam.

4. The electric switch module as claimed claim 3, wherein the outer skin further comprises downwardly projecting positioning knobs which engage grooves of the carrier.

5. The electric switch module as claimed claim 3, wherein associated with the at least one rocker switch is an actuation protection located beneath the outer skin which functions to prevent an unintentional push actuation on the actuation member to move it into a pull position.

6. The electric switch module as claimed claim 3, wherein the outer skin further comprises downwardly projecting positioning knobs which engage gaps between the carrier and the switches disposed therein.

7. The electric switch module as claimed in one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer skin further comprises downwardly projecting positioning knobs which engage grooves of the carrier.

8. The electric switch module as claimed claim 7, wherein associated with the at least one rocker switch is an actuation protection located beneath the outer skin which functions to prevent an unintentional push actuation on the actuation member to move it into a pull position.

9. The electric switch module as claimed in one of claim 1 or 2, wherein associated with the at least one rocker switch is an actuation protection located beneath the outer skin which functions to prevent an unintentional push actuation on the actuation member to move it into a pull position.

10. The electric switch module as claimed in one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer skin is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane and silicone.

11. Switch module as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the outside surface of the outer skin is embossed to create a surface pattern.

12. The electric switch module as claimed in one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer skin further comprises downwardly projecting positioning knobs which engage gaps between the carrier and the switches disposed therein.

13. An electric switch module comprising:

at least one electric switch disposed on a carrier, said carrier having a top side;

wherein at least one electric switch is a push-pull rocker switch with an actuation member formed by an actuation projection asymmetrical with respect to an axis of said actuation member;

a recessed grip formed by the underside of the actuation member; and

wherein the top side of the carrier with the at least one actuation member of the at least one switch is covered by a flexible outer skin which conformingly encloses a to and at least a portion of an underside of the actuation projection of the actuation member and conforms to the recessed grip of the at least one rocker switch such that the recessed grip is accessible to a user.

15. The electric switch module as claimed in one of claim 13 or 14, wherein associated with the at least one rocker switch is an actuation protection located beneath the outer skin which functions to prevent an unintentional push actuation on the actuation member to move it into a pull position.

14. An electric switch module comprising:

at least one push pull switch means disposed on a carrier, said carrier having a top side;

said push pull switch means functioning to allow a user to depress a projection of the push pull switch means to activate one function and to pull on the projection of the push pull switch means to activate another function;

said push pull switch means having a recessed grip means under the projection functioning to allow the user to perform the pull motion with a finger tip; and

a flexible cover means conformingly covering the top side of the carrier, top and at least a portion of an underside of the push pull switch means and the projection and conforming to the recessed grip such that the recessed grip means is accessible and enclosed by the flexible cover means.