GB2023938A - Multiple-switch means mounted on the steering column of a vehicle - Google Patents

Multiple-switch means mounted on the steering column of a vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2023938A
GB2023938A GB7921794A GB7921794A GB2023938A GB 2023938 A GB2023938 A GB 2023938A GB 7921794 A GB7921794 A GB 7921794A GB 7921794 A GB7921794 A GB 7921794A GB 2023938 A GB2023938 A GB 2023938A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
control means
steering wheel
steering column
switches
steering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB7921794A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MAN AG
Original Assignee
MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg AG filed Critical MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg AG
Publication of GB2023938A publication Critical patent/GB2023938A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1446—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means controlled by mechanically actuated switches
    • B60Q1/1453—Hand actuated switches
    • B60Q1/1461—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)

Abstract

A substantially plate-shaped member (11) carried by a cantilever arm (10) attached to the steering column of the vehicle below the plane of the steering wheel (2), has a plurality of push-button switches (12 to 16) arranged at the surface of the plate- shaped member (11) facing the steering wheel (2) so that they may be operated without the driver removing a hand from the steering wheel (2). Additional switches (17,18,19) may also be provided and another unit (21) may be carried on a second arm (20). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multiple-switch instrument control means This invention relates to a multiple-switch instrument control means, which is arranged below the steering wheel plane of a vehicle and which is carried on a cantilever arm attached to the steering column.
Steering column switches where the operating movement is a pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the steering wheel plane have long been used for directional indication. It has now become apparent that many control operations performed in the automobile are improved if the driver can perform them with his hands remaining on the steering wheel. The simple steering column switch has therefore been developed by adding further control movements, such as rotary one about the centre line of the cantilever arm, or as a linear one in the direction of the cantilever arm to endow the steering column switch with further control functions. It has nevertheless been shown that the number of possible movements of such a steering column switch is not sufficient to accommodate all control functions required en route, particularly by a commercial vehicle.On conventional vehicles, therefore, the drivers en route still have to operate switches that are arranged on the instrument panel so that the driver must take his hand off the wheel to operate them, with all the disadvantages involved.
The invention provides a multiple-switch instrument control means of a vehicle comprising a substantially plate-shaped member carried by a cantilever arm attached to the steering column of the vehicle below the plane of the steering wheel, a plurality of push-button switches being arranged at the surface of the plate-shaped member facing the steering wheel, so that instruments may be operated without a driver removing a hand from the steering wheel.
Thus, it can be made possible for the driver to perform all control operations necessary en route with his hand remaining on the steering wheel.
Preferably, additional push-button switches are arranged in one or more side faces of the plateshaped member In this way the number of possible control functions of the control means is increased.
The push-button switches preferably are the diaphragm type which in a particularly easy manner are operated by the lighttouch of a finger, and which afford particular protection from maloperation. Use can also be made, however, of rocker type switches.
Preferably, the cantilever arm is arranged for pivotal adjustment about the steering column centre line for selective positioning of the control means.
This makes it possible to adjust the control means to suit the driver's own steering style such that it is exactly below where he holds the steering wheel, or as close to his hand as possible.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described more with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa top view illustrating an arrangement of two multiple-switch instrument control means arranged on the steering column of a vehicle, and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 1.
In Figure 1, the centre line 1 of a steering column extends in a direction normal to the plane of the paper. The upper end of the steering column carries a steering wheel 2 partially shown in dash-dotted line. Two cantilever arms 10, 20 extend in opposite directions from the steering column belowthe plane of the steering wheel and each carry at the outer end thereof control means 11, 21 in the form of a multiple switch. The control means 11,21 of the embodiment illustrated are of the same design, and therefore only the control device 11 will be described. Howeverthe control means may alternatively be dissimilar. The control means 11 is a fixedly-located plate-shaped member having approximately the same size as the palm of the hand.A plurality of pushbutton switches 12 to 16 are arranged in the surface of the control means 11 facing the plane of the steering wheel.
These push-button switches are of the diaphragm type and arranged a little below the surface of the plate-like control member.
The various control functions may be selected freely. Preferably, the switches operate the high and the low beam headlights, direction indicators, horn, winds screen wipers, window openers or winds screen washer. For optimum access of the hand on the steering wheel to the push-buttons, the plate-like control means 11 is not a flat plate but has an upward bend 9 (Figure 2). The same effect can be achieved also by arching the control means 11 with the concave side pointing upwardly towards the steering wheel 2. In addition to the diaphragm switches 12 to 16 in the surface of the control means 11, further diaphragm switches 1 7,1 8 and 19 are provided in the side faces.
As can be seen from Figure 1, the cantilever arm 10 and the plate-shaped control means 11 form a single integral structural unit, although this is not essential. The cantilever arms 10 and 20 are attached to the steering column such that the cantilever arms 10,20 may be pivotally adjusted about the steering column centreline 1 for selective positioning of the control means 11, 21. A clamping device 3 shown in Figure 2 in broken outline serves to fix the cantilever arms 10,20 carrying the control means 11,21 in position on the steering column. This fixed position is selected to suit the driver such that the control members 11, 21 are readily accessible to his touch.
The dash-dotted outlines 11, 21 in Figure 1 shows the upper extreme position of the control members 11,21.
If desired, the cantilever arm 10, 20 may be adjustable also in the direction of the steering column centreline 1.
The illustrated arrangement of two control means provides a total of 16 switches near the steering wheel, a numberfully sufficient even for special vehicles for performing all en-route control functions from the steering wheel.
1. A multiple-switch instrument control means of
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Multiple-switch instrument control means This invention relates to a multiple-switch instrument control means, which is arranged below the steering wheel plane of a vehicle and which is carried on a cantilever arm attached to the steering column. Steering column switches where the operating movement is a pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the steering wheel plane have long been used for directional indication. It has now become apparent that many control operations performed in the automobile are improved if the driver can perform them with his hands remaining on the steering wheel. The simple steering column switch has therefore been developed by adding further control movements, such as rotary one about the centre line of the cantilever arm, or as a linear one in the direction of the cantilever arm to endow the steering column switch with further control functions. It has nevertheless been shown that the number of possible movements of such a steering column switch is not sufficient to accommodate all control functions required en route, particularly by a commercial vehicle.On conventional vehicles, therefore, the drivers en route still have to operate switches that are arranged on the instrument panel so that the driver must take his hand off the wheel to operate them, with all the disadvantages involved. The invention provides a multiple-switch instrument control means of a vehicle comprising a substantially plate-shaped member carried by a cantilever arm attached to the steering column of the vehicle below the plane of the steering wheel, a plurality of push-button switches being arranged at the surface of the plate-shaped member facing the steering wheel, so that instruments may be operated without a driver removing a hand from the steering wheel. Thus, it can be made possible for the driver to perform all control operations necessary en route with his hand remaining on the steering wheel. Preferably, additional push-button switches are arranged in one or more side faces of the plateshaped member In this way the number of possible control functions of the control means is increased. The push-button switches preferably are the diaphragm type which in a particularly easy manner are operated by the lighttouch of a finger, and which afford particular protection from maloperation. Use can also be made, however, of rocker type switches. Preferably, the cantilever arm is arranged for pivotal adjustment about the steering column centre line for selective positioning of the control means. This makes it possible to adjust the control means to suit the driver's own steering style such that it is exactly below where he holds the steering wheel, or as close to his hand as possible. An embodiment of the invention will now be described more with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa top view illustrating an arrangement of two multiple-switch instrument control means arranged on the steering column of a vehicle, and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line ll-ll of Figure 1. In Figure 1, the centre line 1 of a steering column extends in a direction normal to the plane of the paper. The upper end of the steering column carries a steering wheel 2 partially shown in dash-dotted line. Two cantilever arms 10, 20 extend in opposite directions from the steering column belowthe plane of the steering wheel and each carry at the outer end thereof control means 11, 21 in the form of a multiple switch. The control means 11,21 of the embodiment illustrated are of the same design, and therefore only the control device 11 will be described. Howeverthe control means may alternatively be dissimilar. The control means 11 is a fixedly-located plate-shaped member having approximately the same size as the palm of the hand.A plurality of pushbutton switches 12 to 16 are arranged in the surface of the control means 11 facing the plane of the steering wheel. These push-button switches are of the diaphragm type and arranged a little below the surface of the plate-like control member. The various control functions may be selected freely. Preferably, the switches operate the high and the low beam headlights, direction indicators, horn, winds screen wipers, window openers or winds screen washer. For optimum access of the hand on the steering wheel to the push-buttons, the plate-like control means 11 is not a flat plate but has an upward bend 9 (Figure 2). The same effect can be achieved also by arching the control means 11 with the concave side pointing upwardly towards the steering wheel 2. In addition to the diaphragm switches 12 to 16 in the surface of the control means 11, further diaphragm switches 1 7,1 8 and 19 are provided in the side faces. As can be seen from Figure 1, the cantilever arm 10 and the plate-shaped control means 11 form a single integral structural unit, although this is not essential. The cantilever arms 10 and 20 are attached to the steering column such that the cantilever arms 10,20 may be pivotally adjusted about the steering column centreline 1 for selective positioning of the control means 11, 21. A clamping device 3 shown in Figure 2 in broken outline serves to fix the cantilever arms 10,20 carrying the control means 11,21 in position on the steering column. This fixed position is selected to suit the driver such that the control members 11, 21 are readily accessible to his touch. The dash-dotted outlines 11, 21 in Figure 1 shows the upper extreme position of the control members 11,21. If desired, the cantilever arm 10, 20 may be adjustable also in the direction of the steering column centreline 1. The illustrated arrangement of two control means provides a total of 16 switches near the steering wheel, a numberfully sufficient even for special vehicles for performing all en-route control functions from the steering wheel. CLAIMS
1. A multiple-switch instrument control means of a vehicle comprising a substantially plate-shaped member carried by a cantilever arm attached to the steering column of the vehicle below the plane of the steering wheel, a plurality of push-button switches being arranged at the surface of the plate-shaped member facing the steering wheel so that instruments may be operated without a driver removing a hand from the steering wheel.
2. Control means as claimed in Claim 1, wherein additional push-button switches are arranged in one or more side faces of the plate-shaped member.
3. Control means as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the push-button switches are of the diaphragm type.
4. Control means as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the ptate-shaped member and the cantilever arm form an integral structural unit.
5. Control means as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the cantilever arm is arranged for pivotal adjustment about the steering column centreline for selective positioning of the control means.
6. Control means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising two said cantilever arms each carrying a said plate-shaped member.
7. Control means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB7921794A 1978-06-22 1979-06-22 Multiple-switch means mounted on the steering column of a vehicle Withdrawn GB2023938A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19782827338 DE2827338C2 (en) 1978-06-22 1978-06-22 Switching arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular a special vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2023938A true GB2023938A (en) 1980-01-03

Family

ID=6042415

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7921794A Withdrawn GB2023938A (en) 1978-06-22 1979-06-22 Multiple-switch means mounted on the steering column of a vehicle

Country Status (3)

Country Link
DE (1) DE2827338C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2429121A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2023938A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4518836A (en) * 1984-04-17 1985-05-21 United Technologies Automotive, Inc. Control pod and switch assembly
US4697092A (en) * 1983-02-23 1987-09-29 Petri Ag Control system for electrically operated components of an automotive vehicle
US4701629A (en) * 1985-04-10 1987-10-20 Citroen Maxime H Switch control unit for motor vehicle
EP0399895A2 (en) * 1989-05-23 1990-11-28 Valeo Electronique Help panel at vehicle instrument board
FR2660605A1 (en) * 1990-04-06 1991-10-11 Neiman Sa Auxiliaries panel associated with the dashboard of a vehicle
EP0893303A2 (en) * 1997-07-26 1999-01-27 Eaton Corporation Steering column switch
FR2829071A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-03-07 Renault STEERING WHEEL CONTROL MODULE
EP1772345A3 (en) * 2005-10-10 2009-03-04 Meyra Wilhelm Meyer Gmbh & Co. Kg Multi-functional operation device for operating a vehicle

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3421602A1 (en) * 1984-06-09 1985-12-12 Iveco Magirus AG, 7900 Ulm SHIFT-STEERING WHEEL ARRANGEMENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
US4690432A (en) * 1984-10-24 1987-09-01 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile instrument cluster tiltable with a steering column
DE19625966B4 (en) * 1996-06-28 2008-04-10 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh In the area of the steering wheel arranged switch assembly
DE102020123918A1 (en) 2020-09-15 2022-03-17 Audi Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle with controls attached to the steering column

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR896446A (en) * 1943-03-19 1945-02-21 E P I C Soc Improvements to control devices for vehicle electrical devices
US3019311A (en) * 1959-03-10 1962-01-30 Northeast Capital Corp Push button switch unit for turn signal indicators
FR1601399A (en) * 1968-12-31 1970-08-17
DE1936860C3 (en) * 1969-07-19 1973-06-28 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Switch arrangement, in particular on the dashboard of a motor vehicle
DE6929353U (en) * 1969-07-22 1969-11-06 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag FITTING CARRIER FOR THE CONTROLS, ESPECIALLY ON BUSES
DE2505875A1 (en) * 1975-02-12 1976-08-26 Rau Swf Autozubehoer STEERING COLUMN SWITCH
FR2315408A1 (en) * 1975-06-25 1977-01-21 Citroen Sa CONTROL UNIT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR
DE2613525A1 (en) * 1976-03-30 1977-10-06 Bosch Gmbh Robert CONSOLE FOR THE POWER SWITCH OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4697092A (en) * 1983-02-23 1987-09-29 Petri Ag Control system for electrically operated components of an automotive vehicle
US4518836A (en) * 1984-04-17 1985-05-21 United Technologies Automotive, Inc. Control pod and switch assembly
US4701629A (en) * 1985-04-10 1987-10-20 Citroen Maxime H Switch control unit for motor vehicle
EP0399895A2 (en) * 1989-05-23 1990-11-28 Valeo Electronique Help panel at vehicle instrument board
EP0399895A3 (en) * 1989-05-23 1991-03-27 Valeo Electronique Help panel at vehicle instrument board
FR2660605A1 (en) * 1990-04-06 1991-10-11 Neiman Sa Auxiliaries panel associated with the dashboard of a vehicle
EP0893303A2 (en) * 1997-07-26 1999-01-27 Eaton Corporation Steering column switch
EP0893303A3 (en) * 1997-07-26 2003-03-19 Delphi Technologies Inc. Steering column switch
FR2829071A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-03-07 Renault STEERING WHEEL CONTROL MODULE
WO2003020552A1 (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-03-13 Renault S.A.S. Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel
EP1772345A3 (en) * 2005-10-10 2009-03-04 Meyra Wilhelm Meyer Gmbh & Co. Kg Multi-functional operation device for operating a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2827338C2 (en) 1986-10-16
FR2429121A1 (en) 1980-01-18
DE2827338A1 (en) 1980-01-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2023938A (en) Multiple-switch means mounted on the steering column of a vehicle
US7278367B1 (en) Marine vessel steering wheel with integrated throttle control device
US20050217920A1 (en) Technique for controlling vehicle functions
JP2001106089A (en) Steering unit for vehicle
JP7063097B2 (en) Vehicle steering wheel device
JP2000056848A (en) Manipulating device
US4906089A (en) Automotive tilt mirror
EP2067659B1 (en) Lever switch device
US4655308A (en) Arrangement of steering wheel and control mechanisms
US4670988A (en) Compass mechanism used in combination with handle or like element on the interior of an automobile type vehicle
US20100326229A1 (en) Steering wheel switch module
US8096209B2 (en) Speed ratio shift control device for vehicle, proximate the steering wheel
US7038586B2 (en) Vehicle horn actuation mechanism and method
US5739491A (en) Lane changer apparatus
JP7098566B2 (en) Steering device
JP4792683B2 (en) Operation switch device for vehicle
ATE496382T1 (en) CONTROL ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM
JP6773597B2 (en) Vehicle steering system
JP2976711B2 (en) Arrangement structure of shift lever in industrial vehicles
GB2344410A (en) Device for controlling electrical circuits
RU2050291C1 (en) Gearbox control mechanism
US20050046279A1 (en) Steering wheel high beam switch
JPH0732241Y2 (en) Vehicle operation switch
JP2001334838A (en) Operation device for automatic transmission
JP2000276976A (en) Multifunction switch

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)