Vehicular multifunction control system
First Claim
1. A control system for a vehicle having first and second variable characteristics, the control system comprising:
- a plate defining a surface having at least one hole therein;
a mode selector switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface;
a characteristic adjustment switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface;
a controller operatively connected to the mode selector switch and the characteristic adjustment switch;
wherein the mode selector switch is selectively manipulable to cause the controller to alternate between first and second modes of operation; and
a display operatively connected to the controller;
wherein the controller is configured to cause the display to depict a first icon in the first mode, and a second icon in the second mode;
wherein the controller is configured to alter the first variable characteristic in response to manipulation of the characteristic adjustment switch in the first mode; and
wherein the controller is configured to alter the second variable characteristic in response to manipulation of the characteristic adjustment switch in the second mode.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for a vehicle with a plurality of selectively variable characteristics includes a mode selector switch and a characteristic adjustment switch. Rotation of the mode selector switches causes the control system to alternate between first and second modes of operation. In the first mode of operation, rotation of the characteristic adjustment switch causes a first variable characteristic to change. In the second mode of operation, rotation of the characteristic adjustment switch causes a second variable characteristic to change. The control system thus enables a single switch to control multiple characteristics or multiple vehicle systems, which enables a corresponding reduction in the quantity of switches in a vehicle passenger compartment.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A control system for a vehicle having first and second variable characteristics, the control system comprising:
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a plate defining a surface having at least one hole therein; a mode selector switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface; a characteristic adjustment switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface; a controller operatively connected to the mode selector switch and the characteristic adjustment switch; wherein the mode selector switch is selectively manipulable to cause the controller to alternate between first and second modes of operation; and a display operatively connected to the controller;
wherein the controller is configured to cause the display to depict a first icon in the first mode, and a second icon in the second mode;wherein the controller is configured to alter the first variable characteristic in response to manipulation of the characteristic adjustment switch in the first mode; and
wherein the controller is configured to alter the second variable characteristic in response to manipulation of the characteristic adjustment switch in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle comprising:
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at least one vehicle system having first and second variable characteristics; a plate defining a surface having at least one hole therein; a control system including a first barrel switch and a second barrel switch; said first barrel switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface; said second barrel switch extending through said at least one hole and being selectively rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the surface; wherein the control system is sufficiently configured such that rotation of the first barrel switch causes the control system to alternate between a first and second mode of operation; wherein the control system is configured such that rotation of the second switch enables variation of the first variable characteristic in the first mode, and rotation of the second switch enables variation of the second characteristic in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle comprising:
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at least one vehicle system having first, second, third, and fourth variable characteristics; a mode selector switch;
a first characteristic adjustment switch and a second characteristic adjustment switch;
the mode selector switch and the first and second characteristic adjustment switches being selectively rotatable about a common axis;wherein the control system is sufficiently configured such that rotation of the mode selector switch causes the control system to alternate between a first and second mode of operation; wherein the control system is configured such that, in the first mode, rotation of the first characteristic adjustment switch causes variation of the first variable characteristic and rotation of the second characteristic adjustment switch causes variation of the second variable characteristic; and
wherein, in the second mode, rotation of the first characteristic adjustment switch causes variation of the third variable characteristic and rotation of the second characteristic adjustment switch causes variation of the fourth variable characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification