WO2001042044A2 - Improved column key - Google Patents

Improved column key Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001042044A2
WO2001042044A2 PCT/BR2000/000130 BR0000130W WO0142044A2 WO 2001042044 A2 WO2001042044 A2 WO 2001042044A2 BR 0000130 W BR0000130 W BR 0000130W WO 0142044 A2 WO0142044 A2 WO 0142044A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microkeys
cables
angle
functions
column key
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR2000/000130
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ulrich Johann Treichl
Original Assignee
Ulrich Johann Treichl
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 Ulrich Johann Treichl filed Critical Ulrich Johann Treichl
Priority to AU19778/01A priority Critical patent/AU1977801A/en
Publication of WO2001042044A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001042044A2/en

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
    • B60Q1/1469—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches
    • B60Q1/1476—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches comprising switch controlling means located near the free end of the lever, e.g. press buttons, rotatable rings

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to improvements related to a column key, particularly, the invention refers to a novel features of a switching and operation control key, the conlumn key, which is responsible to light and sound signals in vehicles.
  • the improved column key of the invention is fitted to reduce the misfunction index of this piece.
  • column keys are responsible for high/low light control, blinking light signal, sound driving device, front glass cleaning device operation, temperature adjustment operation and the left right light signal means.
  • the related art reveals that the above mentioned keys are composed by a dense amount of conductive wires and cables which are connected to electronic microkeys, in order to permit to the column key perform multiple drive/control functions.
  • This system is provided to make possible to the driver select a function by driving a command key in the vehicle panel which will transfer the command signal to the system; the system will select and perform the requested function.
  • the column key must be a handling resistant device, but having an eletronic inner structure for be able to perform a quick selection of function in view of the desired command.
  • Conduction cables are connected to the microkeys by welding. This process can cause cold welding, contact failures between the cable and microkey, circuit electric failures in contact parts of the plate and the support housing in view of the housing is zamak formed. Also, a complex circuit can make the process time broad and make the final cost of components and personnel work high.
  • the housing which receives all components of the key, is zamak formed, i.e., the housing has no reinforced parts which would resist to the real operation conditions. Thus, several repair inspections are made necessary.
  • the protection of the column key tail i.e, the set of cables and wires conneted to the microkeys, is made of a plastic adhesive tape or fabric covering which is not effective against crushing and damage of the tail.
  • the adhesive layer of the insulating plastic tape has a short effectiveness and the tail protection is easily removed during the operation conditions. This causes damage to the welding points and corresponds to a increasing of mounting time for provide a less effective protection.
  • the non modular microkey systems which are normally employed, comprise a single piece which is divided into multiple functions parts. This may cause problems when the key is in real conditions of work if the piece is not well placed.
  • the mounting process of the single piece key comprises a first insertion step of a circuit plate in the housing, but if the insertion is misexecuted, this will cause a more spending of time for repairs at mounting operation. Also, the size of the single piece key may not match to the housing cam which will cause general failure of the command.
  • the contact blade system of the common devices of the art are employed to light command.
  • the present system causes blade damage and the material initially mounted is lost; it is seen when the vehicle is on work because the signal lights are often "on” and other functions are not avaible.
  • the present invention is to provide a novel column key having improved features which avoid the above cited problems of the prior art and reducing mounting steps and components, enhancing the resistance and the time of work.
  • the conductive cables are connected to the microkeys by a plug head, in other words, it is welding free; this corresponds to an easy mounting process and a cost reduction.
  • the column key is more confident in use because problems related to the cable/microkey connection are easily detected at the mounting step.
  • the conductive cables have been inserted into a flexible tube (spaghetti) and the cables have been set by a plastic holding piece for not permit desplacement of the cables at the plugging point.
  • the microkey command system at the inner part of the housing, has been composed by independent microkeys having exclusive functions and free of welding points.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the novel column key and its respective command mechanism
  • Fig. 2 is a view of the column key, without the housing for show details in zoom and the introduced improvements;
  • Figures 3 and 4 are front and side elevational view of the command mechanism of the funcitons performed by the column key.
  • the goal of the present invention is related to a IMPROVED COLUMN KEY (1) which is employed for command functions as high/low light control, blinking, sound signal and front glass cleaning devices operation, the temperature regulation and automatic direction light indication devices operation and also other functions which can be added or removed.
  • the column key (1) comprises a body (2) being protected by a housing (C), the body (2) has a cylindrical part (2a) with a cut region (2b) and a short part (2d) extending in order to determine an angle part (2e); the angle part permits a reinforcement rod (4) which is placed in a complement angle.
  • the independent microkeys (5) are placed, the microkeys are made to be adjusted to the cut region (2b) and their contact heads (6) are perpendicularly placed in order to receive engagement means (7) of the wires (8), at the end of the conductive cables (9).
  • the referred cables (9), forming a tail (H) are set by a plastic holding means (10) and being covered by a plastic flexible tube (11) for passing through the part (2d).
  • the tube (11) protect the cables against any crushing movement.
  • the command mechanism (12) is engaged and fixed at the part (2e) of the body (2), comprising a quadrangular piece where the microkeys (13) are placed; the microkeys receive terminals (14) which are connected to driving mechanisms related to the functions to be selected and requested. Therefore, the above described is only a preferred embodiment of the invention and it can be modified in order to achieve particular features related to the art but conserving the scope and the value of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

Improved column key (1) comprises a body (2) being protected by a housing (c), the body (2) has a cylindrical part (2a) with a cut region (2b) and a short part (2d) extending in order to determine an angle part (2e); the angle part permits a reinforcement rod (4) which is placed in a complement angle. At the inner part of the region (2b), the independent microkeys (5) are placed, the microkeys are made to be adjusted to the cut region (2b) and their contact heads (6) are perpendicularly placed in order to receive engagement means (7) of the wires (8), at the end of the conductive cables (9). The referred cables (9), forming a tail (H) are set by a plastic holding means (10) and being covered by a plastic dflexible tube (11) for passing through the part (2d). The tube (11) protects the cables against any crushing movement. The command mechanism (12) is engaged and fixed at the part (2e) of the body (2), comprising a quadrangular piece where the microkeys (13) are placed; the microkeys receive terminals (14) which are connected to driving mechanisms related to the functions to be selected and requested.

Description

IMPROVED COLUMN KEY
The present invention refers to improvements related to a column key, particularly, the invention refers to a novel features of a switching and operation control key, the conlumn key, which is responsible to light and sound signals in vehicles. The improved column key of the invention is fitted to reduce the misfunction index of this piece. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known by tow, van, truck drivers that the column keys are responsible for high/low light control, blinking light signal, sound driving device, front glass cleaning device operation, temperature adjustment operation and the left right light signal means.
The related art reveals that the above mentioned keys are composed by a dense amount of conductive wires and cables which are connected to electronic microkeys, in order to permit to the column key perform multiple drive/control functions. This system is provided to make possible to the driver select a function by driving a command key in the vehicle panel which will transfer the command signal to the system; the system will select and perform the requested function.
One can thus conclude that the column key must be a handling resistant device, but having an eletronic inner structure for be able to perform a quick selection of function in view of the desired command.
Several kinds of coiumn keys in the art are satisfactorily employed, however, the applicant has found that these keys also maintain some problems related to the producing operation.
The above cited problems involve a frequent repair effort or ever the rejection of the piece, because the known column keys do not support their normal employment in real conditions of work. Common problems are described as follows:
Conduction cables are connected to the microkeys by welding. This process can cause cold welding, contact failures between the cable and microkey, circuit electric failures in contact parts of the plate and the support housing in view of the housing is zamak formed. Also, a complex circuit can make the process time broad and make the final cost of components and personnel work high.
Another problem related to the column key is the support housing. The housing, which receives all components of the key, is zamak formed, i.e., the housing has no reinforced parts which would resist to the real operation conditions. Thus, several repair inspections are made necessary.
The protection of the column key tail, i.e, the set of cables and wires conneted to the microkeys, is made of a plastic adhesive tape or fabric covering which is not effective against crushing and damage of the tail. The adhesive layer of the insulating plastic tape has a short effectiveness and the tail protection is easily removed during the operation conditions. This causes damage to the welding points and corresponds to a increasing of mounting time for provide a less effective protection. The non modular microkey systems, which are normally employed, comprise a single piece which is divided into multiple functions parts. This may cause problems when the key is in real conditions of work if the piece is not well placed. The mounting process of the single piece key comprises a first insertion step of a circuit plate in the housing, but if the insertion is misexecuted, this will cause a more spending of time for repairs at mounting operation. Also, the size of the single piece key may not match to the housing cam which will cause general failure of the command.
The contact blade system of the common devices of the art are employed to light command. The present system causes blade damage and the material initially mounted is lost; it is seen when the vehicle is on work because the signal lights are often "on" and other functions are not avaible. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is to provide a novel column key having improved features which avoid the above cited problems of the prior art and reducing mounting steps and components, enhancing the resistance and the time of work.
For achieve the aim of the invention, the applicant has improved the following features:
The conductive cables are connected to the microkeys by a plug head, in other words, it is welding free; this corresponds to an easy mounting process and a cost reduction.
Thus, the column key is more confident in use because problems related to the cable/microkey connection are easily detected at the mounting step.
Other improvement is seen in the housing which has its thickness enhanced, for avoid resistance problems in the frame and a rod has been placed at the folding point of the housing in order to provide a resistance effect in this part.
Referring to the tail, the conductive cables have been inserted into a flexible tube (spaghetti) and the cables have been set by a plastic holding piece for not permit desplacement of the cables at the plugging point.
The microkey command system, at the inner part of the housing, has been composed by independent microkeys having exclusive functions and free of welding points.
This permits a quick assembling time and any problem can be immediately detected.
Previous described contacting blades were substituted in view of the fact that the housing has, in the present invention, a specific microkey which permits a more confident piece and any problem can be easiliy solved because the amount of components is reduced.
The fix steel pins for the zamak base of the switch, which involves a 180° housing rotation for a complete closure, are substituted by engagement pins of the proper housing frame avoiding rotation. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is better seen in the figures described below: Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the novel column key and its respective command mechanism;
Fig. 2 is a view of the column key, without the housing for show details in zoom and the introduced improvements; and
Figures 3 and 4 are front and side elevational view of the command mechanism of the funcitons performed by the column key.
According to the above mentioned figures, the goal of the present invention, is related to a IMPROVED COLUMN KEY (1) which is employed for command functions as high/low light control, blinking, sound signal and front glass cleaning devices operation, the temperature regulation and automatic direction light indication devices operation and also other functions which can be added or removed.
According to the present invention, the column key (1) comprises a body (2) being protected by a housing (C), the body (2) has a cylindrical part (2a) with a cut region (2b) and a short part (2d) extending in order to determine an angle part (2e); the angle part permits a reinforcement rod (4) which is placed in a complement angle.
At the inner part of the region (2b), the independent microkeys (5) are placed, the microkeys are made to be adjusted to the cut region (2b) and their contact heads (6) are perpendicularly placed in order to receive engagement means (7) of the wires (8), at the end of the conductive cables (9). The referred cables (9), forming a tail (H) are set by a plastic holding means (10) and being covered by a plastic flexible tube (11) for passing through the part (2d). The tube (11) protect the cables against any crushing movement. The command mechanism (12) is engaged and fixed at the part (2e) of the body (2), comprising a quadrangular piece where the microkeys (13) are placed; the microkeys receive terminals (14) which are connected to driving mechanisms related to the functions to be selected and requested. Therefore, the above described is only a preferred embodiment of the invention and it can be modified in order to achieve particular features related to the art but conserving the scope and the value of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIM 1) IMPROVED COLUMN KEY (1), employed for command functions as high/low light control, blinking, sound signal and front glass cleaning devices operation, the temperature regulation and automatic direction light indication devices operation and also other functions which can be added or removed if necessary, wherein the column key (1) comprises a body (2) being protected by a housing (C), the body (2) has a cylindrical part (2a), having a cut region (2b) and a short part (2d) extending in order to determine an angle part (2e); the angle part permits a reinforcement rod (4) which is placed in a complement angle; at the inner part of the region (2b), the independent microkeys (5) are placed, the microkeys are made to be adjusted to the cut region (2b) and their contact heads (6) are perpendicularly placed in order to receive engagement means (7) of the wires (8), at the end of the conductive cables (9); the referred cables (9), forming a tail (H) which is set by a plastic holding means (10) and being covered by a plastic flexible tube (11) for passing through the part (2d); the command mechanism (12) is engaged and fixed at the part (2e) of the body (2) and comprises a quadrangular piece where the microkeys (13) are placed; the microkeys have terminals (14) which are connected to driving mechanisms related to the functions to be selected and requested.
PCT/BR2000/000130 1999-12-10 2000-12-01 Improved column key WO2001042044A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU19778/01A AU1977801A (en) 1999-12-10 2000-12-01 Improved column key

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR7903210U BR7903210U (en) 1999-12-10 1999-12-10 Improvements introduced in column key
BRMU7903210-9 1999-12-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001042044A2 true WO2001042044A2 (en) 2001-06-14

Family

ID=4017224

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/BR2000/000130 WO2001042044A2 (en) 1999-12-10 2000-12-01 Improved column key

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1977801A (en)
BR (1) BR7903210U (en)
WO (1) WO2001042044A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1312503A3 (en) * 2001-11-20 2009-08-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho Lever switch for vehicle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1312503A3 (en) * 2001-11-20 2009-08-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho Lever switch for vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR7903210U (en) 2001-07-17
AU1977801A (en) 2001-06-18

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