Power seat switch to present simultaneous activation

• US 8,835,780 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Canada, Inc. (Omron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omron Dualtec Automotive Electronics, Inc. (Omron Corporation)
• Inventors: Salagean, Alexandru
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US13/760,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20140021023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/5.A, 200/5.R, 200/5.B, 200/6.A, 200/6.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/329, 200/50.32, 200/50.33, 200/50.35
• US Class Current: 200/5.A
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0229 characterised by the shape, e.g. switches having cushion or backrest shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/008 Application power seats
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323

Abstract

A switch actuating assembly for an automobile seat has a switch operating member moveable along a first path to operate a first switch associated with a first function and moveable along a second path to operate a second switch associated with a second function. To inhibit operation of both functions simultaneously a guide controls movement of the switch operating member. Guide members act between the switch operating member and the guide so that movement of the switch operating member along one of the paths upon movement of the switch operating member along the other of the paths from a rest position. An interlock is provided between the switch operating members of a pair of switch assemblies so that only one function of one of the switch assemblies can be operated at a time.

Claims

1. A switch actuating assembly having a switch operating member moveable along a first path to operate a first switch associated with a first function, moveabie along a second path to operate a second switch associated with a second function, and along a third path to operate a switch associated with a third function,

a guide to control movement of said switch operating member, guide members acting between said switch operating member and said guide to constrain said switch operating member for movement along said paths, said switch operating member having a rest position in which said guide members permit movement along any of said paths and said guide members being configured such that upon movement of said switch operating member along one of said paths from said rest position, movement of said switch operating member along the other two of said paths from said rest position is inhibited,

one of said guide and switch operating member including three tracks, each track defining a respective one of said paths, and the other of said switch operating members and said guide having followers engagable with respective ones of said tracks, a pair of said tracks being spaced from one another and intersecting a third of the tracks at spaced locations, said pair of said tracks being convergent to vary the spacing of said pair of tracks so that movement of one of said followers along one of said pair of tracks from said rest position inhibits movement of another of said followers along the other of said pair of tracks.

2. A switch operating assembly according to claim 1 wherein said switch operating member is supported on a pair of yieldable connections, each of which defines a centre of rotation of said switch operating member relative to said guide, and said tracks are each arcuate and centred on respective ones of said yieldable connections.

3. A switch actuating assembly according to claim 1 wherein said switch operating member is supported on a pair of yieldabie connections to permit movement along said paths.

4. A switch according to claim 3 wherein said switch operating member is rotatable relative to said guide to move said follower along one of said tracks and is translated relative to said guide to move said follower in to the other of said tracks.

5. A switch actuating assembly according to claim 4 wherein each of said yieldable connections provides a centre of rotation of said switch operating member relative to said guide.

6. A switch operating assembly according to claim 5 wherein said one of said tracks is arcuate and centred on one of said yieldable connections.

7. A switch assembly including a pair of switch actuating assemblies, each of said switch actuating assemblies having a switch operating member operable independently of the other to control operation of a respective switch to control respective functions, each of said switch operating members moveable from a rest position to operate a switch, said switch operating members overlying one another and having an interlock member selectively engageable with either of said switch operating members, movement of either of said switch operating member from said rest position causing said interlock member to engage the other of said switch operating members and inhibiting movement thereof from said rest position.

8. A switch assembly according to claim 7 wherein said interlock member is shuttle displaceable by movement of one of said switch operating members to engage the other.

9. A switch assembly according to claim 8 wherein said shuttle is engaged by a cam surface on said switch operating member upon movement from said rest position.

10. A switch assembly according to claim 9 wherein each of said switch operating members has an aperture to receive said shuttle, said apertures being aligned at said rest position.