Patent US4290122A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4131772A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4131772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchbox and control unit assembly for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1977-02-28
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Granted: 1978-12-26
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Expires: 1997-02-28
Abstract
Abstract To mount control switches for convenient operation by the operator of motor vehicles, a cantilevered, free standing multi-faceted elongated hollow box like structure is secured to the steering post housing so that it is located between the steering wheel and the dashboard, spaced from the dashboard. A plurality of touch-sensitive switches are located on the surfaces of the structure defined by the facets thereof. The structure includes printed, or integrated circuits to which the switches are connected which, in turn, are attached to a cable which is separably connected to the cabling of the vehicle. Preferably, discrete switch functions, such as headlight energization, windshield wiper controls, and the like are mounted on discrete, different surfaces of the box like structures, whereas similar functions with different control effects, such as windshield wiper speed can be mounted on the same surface, so that erroneous operation of a switch will not initiate an erroneous function, but at best only an erroneous mode of operation of the selected function.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Weckenmann
- 👤 Rolf Brauticam
- 👤 Lothar Haas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0803; B60S1/0807; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1446; B60Q1/1453; B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/1469
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
Switchbox and control unit assembly for positioning operating switches of a motor vehicle comprising an elongated, multi-faceted cantilevered hollow body structure (1) of essentially polygonal cross section adapted for freely projecting, cantilevered mounting in the motor vehicle; attachment means (7) secured at the end of said free standing, cantilevered body for attachment of said body to the motor vehicle and to locate said body spaced from the dashboard of the motor vehicle; a plurality of switches adapted for tactile operation (2, 2.12) located in the surfaces defined by the facets of the body and formed with touching surfaces (10); surface supported circuits (13) located in the space defined interiorly of the hollow body (1) connected to at least some of said switches; and a connection cable (15) passing out of the hollow body in the region of the attachment means, the connection cable being connected interiorly of the body to at least some of the surface supported circuits; a printed circuit board (22) within the interior space defined by the hollow body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to said connecting cable (15) and providing for electrical interconnection of the surface supported circuits (13) and of the switches (2) to said connecting cable; and a separable multi-terminal connector (16) electrically and mechanically secured to the connecting cable (15) and forming the electrical output terminal for the switches and the surface supported circuits in the hollow body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
Switchbox and control unit assembly for positioning operating switches of a motor vehicle comprising an elongated, multi-faceted cantilevered hollow body structure (1) of essentially polygonal cross section adapted for freely projecting, cantilevered mounting in the motor vehicle; attachment means (7) secured at the end of said free standing, cantilevered body for attachment of said body to the motor vehicle and to locate said body spaced from the dashboard of the motor vehicle; a plurality of switches adapted for tactile operation (2, 2.12) located in the surfaces defined by the facets of the body and formed with touching surfaces (10); surface supported circuits (13) located in the space defined interiorly of the hollow body (1) connected to at least some of said switches; and a connection cable (15) passing out of the hollow body in the region of the attachment means, the connection cable being connected interiorly of the body to at least some of the surface supported circuits; a printed circuit board (22) within the interior space defined by the hollow body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to said connecting cable (15) and providing for electrical interconnection of the surface supported circuits (13) and of the switches (2) to said connecting cable; and a separable multi-terminal connector (16) electrically and mechanically secured to the connecting cable (15) and forming the electrical output terminal for the switches and the surface supported circuits in the hollow body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the free end (8) of the body (7) and opposite the attachment means is formed with inclined angled facet surfaces (3.8).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the body is formed with elongated essentially plain surfaces (3), and at least one of said surfaces has a plurality of switches (2) located thereon, extending longitudinally along the length of the body (1).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Assembly according to claim 3 wherein the switches placed longitudinally along the length of the body on one surface control different operating modes of the same operating function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Assembly according to claim 3, wherein the touching surfaces (10) of the switches are located below the edges thereof defining the circumferential limits of the touching surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Assembly according to claim 5, further including a frame-like bead (11) surrounding the touching surface (10) of the switch, the bead extending slightly above the plane of the surface of the body on which the switch is located.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the touching surfaces (10) of the switches are located below the edges thereof defining the circumferential limits of the touching surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Assembly according to claim 7 further including a frame-like bead (11) surrounding the touching surface (10) of the switch (2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Assembly according to claim 8 wherein the frame-like bead (11) extends slightly above the plane of the surface (3, 12) on which the switch is located.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
Assembly according to claim 9 wherein the multifaceted hollow body (1), in cross section, is essentially rectangular having upper and lower narrow sides, extending essentially horizontally, and forward and rear wider sides, extending essentially in vertical planes when the attachment means (7) is secured to a motor vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Assembly according to claim 10 wherein switches located at respectively opposite sides of the body are connected to control respectively similar functions of the motor vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cross section of the elongated faceted body is a polygon having an even number of corners, and symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal central plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Assembly according to claim 8 wherein at least one of the longitudinal surfaces forms the removable cover (12) for the hollow body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
Assembly according to claim 13 wherein at least one of the switches (2.12') is secured to the removable cover (12); and flexible connecting wires (21) connect said at least one switch with a respective surface supported circuit (13.12), the surface supported circuit being mechanically retained within the structure of the hollow body separate from the removable cover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the surface supported circuits are, respectively associated with a respective switch (2) and are mechanically connected thereto, the surface supported circuit including a support structure forming the rear support of the respectively associated switch within the elongated hollow body (1).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the surface supported circuits are, respectively, associated with a respective switch (2) and are mechanically connected thereto, the surface supported circuit including a support structure forming the rear support of the respectively associated switch within the elongated hollow body (1).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the switches (2) comprise capacitative proximity switch sensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the switches comprise push-button type operated switches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the switches comprise mechanically contact sensitive switches of the microswitch type.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
Assembly according to claim 19 further comprising recesses (17) formed within the attachment element (5), and contact-less switches (18) retained within said recesses, the contact-less switches being operated by a contact element (30) secured to the steering post of the motor vehicle, and operated upon rotation of the steering post.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means (7) comprise an angled element (5) unitary with the multi-faceted hollow body, and attachment bores secured to said unitary element, shaped to attach said multi-faceted body to the steering post assembly of the motor vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongated multi-faceted hollow body comprises a unitary element of thermosetting material, formed with openings therein, the switches (2) being secured in the openings of said unitary body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
Assembly according to claim 1 comprising frame elements (11) in the form of projecting beads surrounding the switches (2), the frame elements (11) being formed with grooves, and flanges (20) formed on the switches engaged in the grooves of the beads to retain the touch-sensitive switches therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
Assembly according to claim 23 wherein the surface supported circuits (13) are mechanically and electrically connected to associated respective switches at the rear side of said switches and interiorly of the hollow body to provide electrical and mechanical connection of said surface supported circuits to the inrespective switches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
Assembly according to claim 24 further comprising a flexible connecting line (21) connecting a respective surface supported circuit (13) to a respective switch (2), the surface supported circuits being secured interiorly to the hollow body (1).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
Assembly according to claim 23 wherein the beads comprise at least in part light-conductive material and have a translucent exterior surface; and signal light sources (27b) electrically connected to the respective switch, the signal light sources being in light transmissive relation with respect to the frame of the respective switch to thereby indicate the command operating mode of said switch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
Assembly according to claim 1 further comprising signal light openings formed in the hollow body, and signal light sources (27a) located in light transmissive relationship to said openings, the respective signal light sources being associated with respective switches to indicate switch operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
Assembly according to claim 1 further comprising power stages (25) secured to the printed circuit board (22), said printed circuit board being formed with connections (23) for the power stages and for said surface supported circuits (13).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
Assembly according to claim 28 wherein one elongated surface of the multi-faceted hollow body forms a removable cover; and wherein said printed circuit board extends essentially parallel to the removable cover (12); and the attachment means for the surface supported circuits, and for the power stages face away from said removable cover.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
Assembly according to claim 1 further comprising electrical test points (T) located on the printed circuit board (22) to provide for testing and connection of test elements at selected locations within the circuit formed by the printed circuit board.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
Assembly according to claim 1 further including logic contol circuits (32.1-32.3) located within the hollow body and secured to the printed circuit board and performing logic interconnection of individual conductors of the connecting cable (15), as commanded by operation of respective switches (2).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
101 words
Assembly according to claim 1 wherein the elongated hollow body comprises an essentially elongated box-like structure of essentially rectangular cross section, the end portion (8) remote from the attachment means (7) being formed with inclined facet surfaces (3.8) to provide, when the attachment means (7) are secured to the steering column of the motor vehicle, an essentially horizontal top surface (3), at least one inclined end surface (3.8) having an upwardly directing face, an end surface (8), having an essentially vertical face at least one inclined end surface (3.8) with a downwardly extending face, and an essentially horizontally extending bottom surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
Assembly according to claim 32 wherein the cross section of the elongated horizontal body becomes greater as the distance from the attachment means (7) toward the other end (8) increases, to provide, an upright plan view, a tapered aspect of an essentially rectangular surface, with removed corners, tapering from a wider free end towards the attachment surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |