WO2003021781A1

WO2003021781A1 - Switch

Info

Publication number: WO2003021781A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/027848
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason M. Denbow; Dian H. Reese; Brant J. Potter; Scott R. Meyers; Inger Loing Ruhoff; Jammie J. Klinge
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date: 2001-08-31
Filing date: 2002-08-30
Publication date: 2003-03-13

Abstract

A switch is disclosed for activating a device in a vehicle. The switch includes a detector portion for operable engagement by a user, a circuit portion in communication with the detector portion and the device. The detector portion and the circuit portion are configured to activate the device between a first state and a second state in a manner that is substantially free of a moving mechanical component. A system for activating a device in a vehicle is also disclosed. The system includes at least one sensor to detect a change in a signal, a circuit to receive an input from the sensor when the change is detected and to activate the device in a first state and a second state. The sensor and the circuit are operably engaged to activate the device substantially free of movement of a mechanical component when the change is provided by a user.

Description

SWITCH

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application incorporates by reference and claims priority to the following patent application: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/316,630 titled "Vehicle Interior Lighting System" filed August 31 , 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a switch. The present invention more particularly relates to a switch for use ^!in a vehicle interior. The present invention relates more particularly to a switch having no moving mechanical parts. The present invention relates more particularly to a switch that may be used to activate a device based on a touch or approach of a user.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is well known to provide switches for use in vehicle interiors that may control operation of devices such as lights, ventilation, etc. Such known switches are typically in the form of a mechanical device that requires physical movement of internal components that results in wear and other undesirable effects, such as creating an audible noise during switch operation or creating noises during vehicle operation that may be a nuisance or distraction (e.g. buzz, squeak or rattle, etc.) or otherwise detract from a consumer's perception of craftsmanship of the vehicle. Further, such known mechanical switches with internal moving parts typically have tight tolerances and require separate assembly and may provide less reliable operation over time due to the tendency of the internal moving parts to bind, stick or otherwise fail due to age, fatigue, contaminants, environmental factors, etc. Such known switches may be slide-type or toggle-type switches where a conductor is moved between one or more positions to contact one or more sets of contacts for conducting electricity. Such known switches may also be a push-push type switch that is pushed a first time to activate a device (e.g. light, etc.) and is pushed a second time to deactivate the device. Such push-push type switches typically include a rotational internal component that moves to alternate a conductive path between one or more sets of contacts when the switch is pushed.

[0004] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a switch that is adapted I for use with a wide variety of devices in a vehicle. It would also be advantageous to provide a switch that is adapted for use at any suitable location within a vehicle such as a door panel, a console surface, an instrument panel, an overhead application or a cargo storage application. It would be further advantageous to provide a switch that is capable of substantially noise-free operation. It would be further advantageous to provide a switch that has no moving mechanical parts.

[0005] It would be advantageous to provide a switch having any one or more of these or other advantageous features.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention relates to a switch for activating a device in a vehicle, and includes a detector portion configured for operable engagement by a user, a circuit portion in communication with the detector portion and the device, where the detector portion and the circuit portion are configured to activate the device between a first state and a second state in a manner that is substantially free of a moving mechanical component.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a method of activating a device in a vehicle and includes the steps of providing at least one sensor configured to detect a change in a signal, providing a circuit configured to receive an input from the sensor when the change is detected and configured to activate the device in at least one of a first state and a second state, and operably coupling the sensor and the circuit to activate the device without movement of a mechanical component when the change is provided by a user.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a system for activating a device in a vehicle and includes at least one sensor configured to detect a change in a signal, a circuit configured to receive an input from the sensor when the change is detected and configured to activate the device in at least one of a first state and a second state, where the sensor and the circuit are operably engaged to activate the device substantially free of movement of a mechanical component when the change is provided by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a switch for a vehicle interior according to a preferred embodiment.

[0010] _^FIGURE 2A is a schematic diagram of a switch for a vehicle interior according to a preferred embodiment.

[0011] FIGURE 2B is a schematic diagram of a switch for a vehicle interior according to an alternative embodiment.

[0012] FIGURE 2C is a schematic diagram of a switch for a vehicle interior according to another alternative embodiment.

[0013] FIGURE 2D is a schematic diagram of a switch for a vehicle interior according to another alternative embodiment.

[0014] FIGURES 3A through 3D are schematic diagrams of a switch for a vehicle interior according to a preferred embodiment.

[0015] FIGURE 4A is an exploded perspective view of a switch for a vehicle interior according to a preferred embodiment.

[0016] FIGURE 4B is a side view of the switch for a vehicle interior of FIGURE 4A according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND OTHER EXEMPLARY

EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIGURE 1 , a switch for a vehicle interior is shown according to a preferred embodiment. Vehicle 10 may be any vehicle such as an automobile, sport utility vehicle, minivan, truck, etc. Switch 20 is adapted for installation in any suitable component 12 within the vehicle 10 (e.g. door panel, headliner, instrument panel, cargo storage area, overhead console, center console, trim member, etc.). In a particularly preferred embodiment, switch 20 is a touch-activated switch that includes a detector 30 (e.g. sensor, transducer, receiver, emitter, etc.) that detects the touch of an occupant of the vehicle and activates a device 80 (such as a lamp, entertainment device, comfort control device, vehicle operation or control device, etc.) without the use of movable or inter-engaging mechanical parts. The detector may detect the touch of the occupant by one or more suitable technologies (e.g. electrical resistance, temperature sensing, radio wave reception, capacitance, infrared, surface acoustic waves, etc.). The detector 30 interfaces with suitable circuitry devices (shown schematically as a sensing circuit 40, a latching circuit 50, a driving circuit 60, and a device circuit 70) to provide the actuation of the device 80 (e.g. turn on, turn off, adjustment of volume, position or intensity levels, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, the detector may sense the approach of a user without the user making contact with the detector (e.g. light reflection, etc.).

[0018] Referring to FIGURE 2A, a detector for a switch that may be touch activated is shown according to a preferred embodiment. Detector 30 includes a first sensor (shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B as a ring 32, but may be any suitable shape), and a second sensor (shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B as a ring 34, but may be any suitable shape) coupled to a bezel, trim piece or housing on component 12. The sensors are made of an electrically conductive material separated by an insulating material (e.g. plastic, rubber, air, etc.) to prevent inadvertent electrical conduction between the sensors. The sensors are configured to provide contact surfaces that are adjacent (but separated by an insulator or other device to prevent inadvertent activation) and that may be readily contacted simultaneously by a user (such as by contact with finger, etc.). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the detector is a resistive type sensor and the contact surfaces are connected to an electrical circuit. The human body conducts electricity due to water content within the body. When a user simultaneously touches the contact surfaces (e.g. with a finger, hand, etc.), the finger will close a circuit (as shown in FIGURE 2B) to activate the device.

[0019] Referring to FIGURE 3A, sensing circuit 40 for the switch is shown according to a particularly preferred embodiment. The sensing circuit is described for an application in which the device to be activated is a light emitting diode. However, the sensing circuit is readily adaptable for use with a variety of other types of devices. The contact surfaces of rings 32, 34 from the detector are connected to circuit portions 41 and 42 that each have a resistor 43 with a value of approximately 100 kilo ohm and provide input to a first and second CMOS type nand gate #4011. Circuit portion 41 includes a branch line 44 having a resistor 45 with a value of approximately 10 meg ohm connected to a 12 volt DC power supply. The output of second CMOS nand gate is directed to the input of first CMOS nand gate. Circuit portion 42, includes a branch line 46 with a capacitor 47 having a value of approximately 10 micro farad connected to the output of first CMOS nand gate. The output of first CMOS nand gate is directed to the latching circuit 50.

[0020] Referring to FIGURE 3B, latching circuit 50 for the switch is shown according to a particularly preferred embodiment. The latching circuit is described for an application in which the device to be activated is a light emitting diode. However, the latching circuit is readily adaptable for use with a variety of other types of devices. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, latching circuit 50 receives an input from the output of sensing circuit 40 in connection with a pulldown resistor 52 having a value of approximately 10 kilo ohms. Latching circuit 50 includes a flip-flop device 54 that acts to set/reset each time the switch is activated to alternately turn the device on and then off. The flip-flop device provides an output that toggles between 0 and 1 (e.g. digital "low" and digital "high") each time an input pulse is detected. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the flip-flop device is an R-S type flip-flop device such as part number MC14044B that is wired in a T (i.e. toggle) configuration and is commercially available from Motorola, Inc. The flip-flop device provides an output to the driving circuit 60. [0021] Referring to FIGURE 3C, driving circuit 60 for driving the device to be activated by the switch is shown according to a preferred embodiment. The driving circuit is described for an application in which the device to be activated is a light emitting diode. However, the driving circuit is readily adaptable for use with a variety of other types of devices. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the driving circuit 60 includes a transistor 62 (shown schematically as a field effect transistor (FET)) that receives an input from the latching circuit 50 through a resistor 63 having a resistance of approximately 200 ohms. One leg of the transistor 62 is grounded and another leg of the transistor is connected to a 12 volt DC power supply through a resistor 64 having a resistance of approximately 10 kilo ohms. The output of the driving circuit supplies the device circuit 70.

[0022] Referring to FIGURE 3D, device circuit 70 for powering the device to be activated by the switch is shown according to a preferred embodiment. The device circuit is described for an application in which the device 80 is a light emitting diode. However, the device circuit is readily adaptable for use with a variety of other types of devices. Device circuit 70 receives an input from the driving circuit 60 through a resistor 72 having a value of 2 kilo ohm and has an output 74 connected to ground.

[0023] Referring to FIGURES 4A and 4B, an assembly of switch 20 and a device 80 is shown according to a preferred embodiment. The embodiment is described for a device that is a lighting device, but may be readily adapted for use with other types of devices. The assembly includes detector 30 that has an outer contact surface (shown schematically as an outer ring 32), an inner contact surface (shown schematically as an inner ring 34), a separator (shown schematically as a separator ring 36), a light source and a circuit portion (shown schematically according to a particularly preferred embodiment as a light plate 82 such as a printed circuit board with an LED, etc.), a focusing device (shown schematically as a reflector 84 having a parabolic shape, and a cover (shown schematically as a lens 86). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer ring 32 and the inner ring 34 are made from an electrically conductive material (e.g. a metallic material such as aluminum, etc.) and the separator ring is made from a non-conductive material (e.g. a non- metallic or other insulating material, such as polycarbonate, etc.). The reflector 84 is made from a material (e.g. aluminum, etc.) having a surface finish suitable for reflecting light. The light plate 82 includes the necessary circuitry for operation of the switch to actuate the device (e.g. a sensing circuit, a latching circuit, a driving circuit and a device circuit, etc.).

[0024] Referring further to FIGURES 4A and 4B, outer ring 32 and inner ring 34 provide contact surfaces of an electrical resistance type for an occupant of the vehicle to actuate the switch by simultaneously touching outer ring 32 and inner ring 34 according to a particularly preferred embodiment. The separator ring 36 provides an insulating barrier between outer ring 32 and inner ring 34 to prevent inadvertent activation of the device. Outer ring 32 and inner ring 34 are in electrical contact with the circuitry provided on light plate 82. According to any exemplary embodiment, the assembly is provided as an assembled unit for installation in any convenient location within a vehicle (e.g. cargo areas, overhead locations, door panels, instrument panels, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, the detector portion may include suitable sensors and the circuit portion may include suitable circuitry for activation of the device by temperature sensing, radio wave sensing, infrared sensing, or other suitable sensing technology that avoids the use of moving mechanical components. According to another alternative embodiment, the device may be any suitable device such as an instrument, a control device, an entertainment device, a comfort device, etc. According to a further alternative embodiment, the switch and the device may be provided in separate locations of a vehicle and may be interconnected by suitable devices such as conductive wires, strips or surfaces, or may be interconnected in a wireless manner such as by radio frequency communication or infrared communication: According to other alternative embodiments, the components of the assembly may be made of any suitable material and made in any suitable shape and configured in any suitable configuration to provide a device at a desired location that may be activated locally or remotely by touching or approaching a detector portion of the switch.

[0025] Referring to FIGURE 2C, a detector 130 for a switch is shown according to an alternative embodiment. Detector 130 is a temperature type sensor that typically has a temperature substantially similar to the ambient temperature of the vehicle or surrounding air space within the vehicle. An occupant of the vehicle typically has a temperature that is different from the temperature of the detector 130. When the occupant touches the detector, the detector senses a temperature change and activates the switch. According to another alternative embodiment the detector may be a radio-wave type sensor. The human body acts as an antenna for receiving radio waves. When the occupant touches the detector, the detector senses a change in radio-wave reception and activates the switch. According to a further alternative embodiment, the detector may be a capacitance type sensor. The device and the circuitry that interfaces between the detector and the device has a certain electrical capacitance. When the occupant touches the detector, the body of the occupant changes the capacitance that is detected by the detector and the detector activates the switch.

[0026] Referring to FIGURE 2D, an infrared type detector 230 for a switch is shown according to another alternative embodiment. The detector includes a light source 232 that emits light within the infrared spectrum. A receiver 234 is provided adjacent to the light source 232. When an occupant desires to actuate the device, the occupant extends a finger or the like near the light source. The emitted light is reflected by the finger and detected by the receiver to activate the device. Since the detector operates on the reflection of the infrared light, the occupant need not make physical contact with the detector.

[0027] According to any preferred embodiment, a switch is provided for actuation of a device in a vehicle between a first state (e.g. on, increased setting, etc.) and a second state (e.g. off, decreased setting, etc.). The switch operates without the movement of mechanical parts in order to reduce the noise and tactile feel of the conventional types of switches having moving mechanical parts. The reduction in noise and movement associated with such conventional switches may have the tendency to improve an occupant's perception of the fit, finish, quality and overall craftsmanship of the vehicle. The switch has a detection portion including sensors that detect the approach or touch of a user such an occupant of the vehicle. The sensors may have any suitable technology for detecting the approach or touch of the occupant such as electrical resistance change, temperature change, radio wave change, infrared light reflection, or other suitable technology that is now known or developed in the future. The switches may be provided with the device as an integral unit or may be provided at separate locations and interconnected by suitable conductors or wireless devices.

[0028] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the switch including the touch activated switch provided herein are illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments (such as variations in features such as circuitry components, electrical parameters and characteristics such as values for resistance, capacitance, voltage, etc., variations in sizes, structures, shapes, dimensions and proportions of the components of the switch and device, use of materials, colors, combinations of shapes, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. For example, the devices may be any suitable device for use in or in connection with a vehicle and the switches for activation of the devices may be located at any convenient location on or within the vehicle for activation of the device by a user. In addition, the switch may be adapted for use in any type of vehicle, such as automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, ships, trains, airplanes, construction and farm equipment vehicles, etc. _t Further, any type of sensor may be used that is adapted for detecting a desired activation of the device and providing an input or change to a circuit to initiate the activation of the device. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the inventions.

[0029] The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means- plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the inventions as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

ι 1. A switch for activating a device in a vehicle, comprising:

2 a detector portion configured for operable engagement by a user;

3 a circuit portion in communication with the detector portion and the

4 device;

5 wherein the detector portion and the circuit portion are configured to

6 activate the device between a first state and a second state in a manner

7 substantially free of a moving mechanical component.

ι 2. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the detector portion further comprises

2 at least one sensor.

ι 3. The switch of Claim 2 wherein the sensor is configured to provide an

2 input to the circuit portion when the sensor detects an electrical resistance change.

ι 4. The switch of Claim 2 wherein the sensor is configured to provide an

2 input to the circuit portion when the sensor detects a temperature change.

ι 5. The switch of Claim 2 wherein the sensor is configured to provide an

2 input to the circuit portion when the sensor detects a radio wave change.

1 6. The switch of Claim 2 wherein the sensor is configured to provide an

2 input to the circuit portion when the sensor detects a signal representative of light.

ι 7. The switch of Claim 6 wherein the signal representative of light is a

2 reflected infrared light.

ι 8. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the device is at least one of a light, an

2 entertainment device, a comfort device, an instrument, and a vehicle control device.

ι 9. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the device is located in at least one of

2 a door panel, an instrument panel, a console, a headliner, and a cargo area of the

3 vehicle.

ι 10. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the circuit portion further comprises at 2 least one of a sensing circuit, a latching circuit, a driving circuit and a device circuit.

ι 11. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the detector portion further comprises

2 a pair of contact surfaces in the shape of a ring.

ι 12. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the switch is configured to operate

2 substantially free of noise.

ι 13. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the switch and the device are provided

2 as a unit.

ι 14. The switch of Claim 1 wherein the switch and the device are located

2 at separate locations within the vehicle.

ι 15. A method of activating a device in a vehicle, comprising:

2 providing at least one sensor configured to detect a change in a

3 signal;

4 providing a circuit configured to receive an input from the sensor

5 when the change is detected and configured to activate the device in at least one of

6 a first state and a second state; and

7 operably coupling the sensor and the circuit to activate the device

8 without movement of a mechanical component when the change is provided by a

9 user.

o , 16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the signal is a signal representative 1 of electrical resistance.

ι 17. The method of Claim 15, wherein the signal is a signal representative

2 of temperature.

ι 18. The method of Claim 15, wherein the signal is a signal representative

2 of radio waves.

1 19. The method of Claim 15 wherein the signal is a signal representative

2 of infrared light.

ι 20. The method of Claim 15 wherein the circuit is provided on a printed 2 circuit board.

ι 21. The method of Claim 20 wherein the device is a light emitting diode

2 coupled to the printed circuit board.

ι 22. The method of Claim 15 further comprising coupling the sensor to a

2 trim component within the vehicle.

1 23. A system for activating a device in a vehicle, comprising:

2 at least one sensor configured to detect a change in a signal;

3 a circuit configured to receive an input from the sensor when the

4 change is detected and configured to activate the device in at least one of a first

5 state and a second state; β wherein the sensor and the circuit are operably engaged to activate

7 the device substantially free of movement of a mechanical component when the

8 change is provided by a user.

ι 24. The system of Claim 23 wherein the change occurs when a user

2 approaches or touches the sensor.

ι 25. The system of Claim 23 wherein the circuit is configured to alternate

2 operation of the device between the first state and the second state upon

3 successive detections of the change.

ι 26. The system of Claim 23 wherein the sensor is a touch sensor.

ι 27. The system of Claim 23 wherein the device is a light.

ι 28. The system of Claim 23 wherein the sensor is provided at a first

2 location within the vehicle and the device is provided at a second location within the

3 vehicle.