WO2008153483A1

WO2008153483A1 - Horn device and horn activation method

Info

Publication number: WO2008153483A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per Wallentin
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab (Publ)
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: CN101678789B; DE112008001584B4; DE112008001584T5; SE532605C2; CN101678789A; SE0701475L

Abstract

The invention relates to a horn device for a vehicle comprising at least one first kind (110) and one second kind (112) of horn, a switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) for switching between different horn configurations and an activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) for signalling, said switching being adapted to being effected by action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420).

Description

HORN DEVICE AND HORN ACTIVATION METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a horn device according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles in general are equipped with horns for attracting attention. Such horns are normally activated by pressing the signal cover on the steering wheel of the vehicle. Heavy vehicles such as trucks are often equipped not only with a conventional horn but also with a so-called compressed-air horn, which is usually situated on the roof. Activation of the conventional horn produces a relatively small acoustic signal as compared with the compressed-air horn, which emits a powerful acoustic signal. Switching between the conventional horn and the compressed-air horn is by means of a switch situated on the instrument panel, which has to be operated for the compressed-air horn to be activated.

In cases where the driver wishes to draw "precautionary" attention it is therefore desirable that the conventional horn be activated, to avoid, for example, unnecessarily frightening anyone. If on the contrary the driver wishes to draw "serious" attention, it is desirable that the compressed-air horn be activated instead, e.g. to prevent a collision or the like.

A problem with such horn devices according to the state of the art is that the driver has to switch between the conventional horn and the compressed-air horn depending on whether the situation requires a strong drawing of attention or a precautionary drawing of attention. In situations where a horn needs activating, there is not always time to think, but only for reflex action. The risk of using the wrong horn in a situation is therefore obvious.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a horn device which produces acoustic signals of varying strengths and is safe and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects indicated by the description set out below are achieved by a horn device as above which further has the features indicated in the characterising part of the attached independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the horn device according to the invention are defined in the attached dependent claims 2-15.

These objects are achieved by a horn device for a vehicle comprising at least one first kind and one second kind of horn, a switching means for switching between different horn configurations and an activating means for signalling, said switching being effected by action upon the activating means.

An advantage of such a device is that a driver can use the same activating means in one situation to draw precautionary attention by activating a horn which emits a relatively weak acoustic signal, and in another situation to draw serious attention by activating another horn. This enhances safety and reduces accordingly the risk of incidents and serious accidents, since the user/driver can easily and instinctively select the horn appropriate to a situation. There are preferably a first configuration comprising at least one horn of said first kind and a second configuration comprising at least one horn of said second kind.

There are preferably a first configuration comprising at least one horn of said first kind and a second configuration comprising at least one horn of said first kind and at least one horn of said second kind.

Switching to said first configuration is preferably effected by a first action upon the activating means, and switching to said second configuration by a second action upon the activating means.

The activating means is preferably configured in such a way that: when no action upon the activating means takes place, the switching means is in a neutral position in which the first and second kinds of horn are inactive; when the first action upon the activating means takes place, the switching means is adapted to activating the first configuration for signalling; and when a second action upon the activating means takes place, the switching means is adapted to activating the second configuration for signalling.

The activating means preferably comprises a resilient medium which, when said first action or said second action is removed and there is therefore no action upon the activating means, is configured to cause said switching means to revert to the neutral position.

The switching means preferably comprises a first contact medium configured to respond to said first action by activating the first configuration, and a second contact medium configured to respond to said second action by activating the second configuration. The first contact medium preferably comprises a first contact element and a second contact element, whereby upon said first action the first and second contact elements are brought into contact corresponding to said first configuration, and the second contact medium comprises a third contact element and a fourth contact element which upon said second action are brought into contact corresponding to the second configuration.

At least the first contact element and the third contact element are preferably arranged relative to the resilient medium, making possible a simple and cost- effective structure.

The first action preferably comprises a first pressure, and the second action a second pressure which is different from said first pressure. Acting upon the activating means by pressure makes it possible to activate the horns in a way familiar to a user, viz. by pressure, preferably by hand, thereby enhancing safety in that this is an instinctive movement for attracting attention by sounding a horn.

The switching means preferably comprises a microswitch comprising a contact device adapted to moving between a neutral position, a first position when said first pressure is applied to the activating means, whereby the contact device is adapted to bringing the first contact element into contact with the second contact element, and a second position when said second pressure is applied to the activating means, whereby the contact device is adapted to bringing the first contact element into contact with the fourth contact element. Using a microswitch means that the circuit-breaker, i.e. the first and second contact media, is enclosed, resulting in a robust and durable structure. The resilient medium preferably comprises a spring means in the form of a mat comprising a resilient material such as rubber with a first elevation relative to which the first contact element is arranged and a second elevation relative to which the third contact element is arranged, the mat being so arranged that when a first pressure is applied to the activating means the first elevation is squeezed so that the first contact element is brought into contact with the second contact element and when a second pressure is applied the second elevation is likewise squeezed so that the third contact element is brought into contact with the fourth contact element. Using a rubber mat as the resilient medium with contact elements arranged on it results in a simple and cost-effective structure.

The first, second and fourth contact elements are preferably so arranged mutually that when said first pressure is applied to the activating means the first contact element is brought into contact with the second contact element and when said second pressure is applied to the activating means the second contact element is also brought into contact with the fourth contact element. Such an arrangement needs no circuit cards or the like but merely simple constituent articles, making it easy to repair and easy to identify faults in it.

The activating means and the switching means are preferably arranged in a steering wheel of the vehicle, thereby further enhancing safety, since the activating means for sounding a horn is normally situated in the steering wheel of vehicles.

According to an embodiment, there are at least three configurations, making it possible to produce more than two different acoustic signals, which may be advantageous if several different types of attention are desired.

Further advantages and embodiments are indicated by the detailed description. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which similar notations refer to similar items throughout the various views, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts schematically a schematic diagram of a horn device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a depicts schematically a horn device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2b depicts schematically an enlarged detail of the horn device in Fig. 2a;

Fig.3 depicts schematically a horn device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 depicts schematically a horn device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 depicts schematically a basic diagram of a horn device 100 according to the present invention. The horn device 100 comprises at least one first kind of horn 110 and at least one second kind of horn 112, an activating means 120 for activating said first and second horns, and a switching means 130 for switching between said first and second horns. Said first and second horns are adapted to being activated by action upon said activating means 120. Switching between said first and second horns is governed by said action upon the activating means 120. The switching means 130 comprises a first contact medium 132, 134 comprising a first contact element 132 and a second contact element 134, and a second contact medium 132, 136 comprising a third contact element 132, here corresponding to the first contact element 132 and a fourth contact element 136. The second contact element 134 is connected to the first horn 110, and the fourth contact element is connected to the second horn 112.

The activating means 120 is so configured that when there is no action upon the activating means 120 the switching means 130 is in a neutral position when the first contact element 132 is not in contact with the second or fourth contact element, whereby the first and second horns are inactive. In response to a first action upon the activating means 120, the switching means 130 is adapted to activating the first horn 110 by the first contact element 132 being brought into contact with the second contact element 134. In response to a second action upon the activating means, the switching means is adapted to activating the second horn 112 by the first contact element 132 being brought into contact with the fourth contact element 136.

For the horn device according to the present invention, the first horn is preferably activated by an electrical signal with the intention of drawing precautionary attention, and the second horn is activated by compressed air with the intention of attracting serious attention. The opposite may of course be the case, i.e. the first horn being activated by compressed air and the second horn by electrical signal.

Fig 2a depicts schematically parts of a horn device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprising an activating means 220 and a switching means 230. The activating means comprises a pressure means in the form of a console 222, and a resilient medium 224 in the form of a spring 224. The console 222 has a first side 222a to which a first and a second pressure are intended to be applied in the direction of the arrow A for activation of the first and second horns respectively, and an opposite second side 222b. The switching means 230 is arranged on the second side of the console 222 in such a way that when said first pressure is applied to the console the switching means 230 is switched to a first active position so that at least one first horn is activated, and when said second pressure is applied to the console 222 the switching means 230 is switched to a second active position so that at least one second horn is activated. The resilient medium 224 is arranged on the second side 222b of the console in such a way that when said first pressure or said second pressure is removed and therefore no pressure is applied on the first side of the console 222, the console 222 and hence said switching means 230 are brought back to the neutral position. The switching means 230 comprises in this embodiment a so-called microswitch.

Fig. 2b depicts schematically an enlarged detail of the horn device 1 in Fig. 2a, including the horns 110, 112 of the horn device. The switching means 230 comprises a first contact medium 232, 234 comprising a first contact element 232 and a second contact element 234, and a second contact medium 232, 234 comprising a third contact element 232 which here corresponds to the first contact element 232 and a fourth contact element 238. The second contact element is connected to the first horn 110, and the fourth contact element 238 is connected to the second horn 112. The first contact element 232 is connected to an earth contact 250. The contact elements are comprised in a microswitch in which they are enclosed and thus protected. Upon application of said first pressure, the console is adapted to moving from a neutral position N to a first position I. Upon application of said second pressure, the console is adapted to moving to a second position II. The switching means 230 further comprises a contact device 240 connected to the second side 222b of the console 222. The contact device 240 is adapted to moving with the console 222 between the neutral position N and the first position I when said first pressure is applied to the console, whereby the contact device 240 is adapted to bringing the first contact element 232 into contact with the second contact element 234. The contact device 240 is further adapted to moving to the second position II when said second pressure is applied to the console 222, whereby the contact device 240 is adapted to bringing the first contact element 232 into contact with the fourth contact element 238. The activating means 220 and the switching means 230 are preferably arranged in a steering wheel of a vehicle such as a truck or bus. The first side 222a of the console 222 constitutes in this case a side facing the driver to which, when attention needs to be attracted, the driver can apply a first pressure to activate the first horn 110 or a second pressure, different from said first pressure, to activate the second horn 112. The microswitch is according to one aspect situated along the periphery of the console 222 where the contact device 240 is adjacent to the second side 222b of the console 222. Using a microswitch means that the circuit-breaker, i.e. the first and second contact media 232, 234 and 232, 238, is enclosed, resulting in a robust and durable structure.

Fig. 3 depicts schematically a horn device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprising an activating means 320 and a switching means 330. The activating means comprises a console 222 and a resilient medium 324. The console 222 has a first side 222a to which a first and a second pressure are intended to be applied in the direction of the arrow A to activate first and second horns 110, 112 respectively, and an opposite second side 222b. The switching means 330 is arranged on the second side 222b of the console 222 in such a way that when said first pressure is applied to the console 222 the switching means 330 switches to a first active position so that at least one first horn 110 is activated, and when said second pressure is applied to the console 222 the switching means 330 switches to a second active position so that at least one second horn 112 is activated. The resilient medium 324 is arranged on the second side 222b of the console 222 in such a way that when said first pressure or said second pressure is removed and therefore no pressure is applied on the first side 222a of the console 222, said switching means 330 is brought back to the neutral position.

The switching means 330 comprises a first contact medium 332, 334 comprising a first contact element 332 and a second contact element 334, and a second contact medium 336, 338 comprising a third contact element 336 and a fourth contact element 338. The switching means 330 comprises a contact means such as a circuit card 340 on which the second contact element 334 and the fourth contact element 338 are arranged. The second contact element 334 is connected to the first horn 110, and the fourth contact element 338 is connected to the second horn 112. Upon application of said first pressure, the console 222 is adapted to moving from a neutral position N to a first position I. Upon application of said second pressure, the console 222 is adapted to moving to a second position II. The activating means 320 and the switching means 330 are preferably arranged in a steering wheel of a vehicle such as a truck or bus. The first side 222a of the console 222 thus constitutes a side facing the driver to which, when attention needs to be attracted, the driver can apply a first pressure to activate the first horn 110 or a second pressure, different from said first pressure, to activate the second horn 112.

The resilient medium 324 comprises a resilient means 324 in the form of a mat 324 with a first side 324a and a second side 324b. The mat 324 is arranged between the console 222 and the circuit card 340 so that the first side 324a of the mat faces towards the second side 222b of the console 222 and the second side 324b of the mat 324 faces towards the circuit card 340. The mat 324 comprises preferably a rubber material with resilient characteristics. In the neutral position N of the console 222, the mat substantially abuts against the circuit card 340 except for a first portion of the circuit card 340 where the mat has a first elevation 326 and a second portion of the circuit card where the mat has a second elevation 328. The mat thus preferably has a cross-section which comprises a first elevation 326 to a first level, and a second elevation 328 to a second level different from said first level. In said neutral position N of the console 222, the first elevation 326 abuts substantially against the second side 222b of the console 222 via the portion 326a of the first side 324a of the mat 324 which constitutes the uppermost portion of the first elevation 326. In the neutral position N, the second elevation 328 is situated at a first level at a distance from the second side 222b of the console 222. On the first elevation the first contact element 332 is arranged on at least a section 326b of the second side of the first elevation 326, and on the second elevation 328 the third contact element 336 is arranged on at least a section 328b of the second side of the second elevation. The first and the third contact elements according to one aspect are made of gold to provide good conducting characteristics, and take the form of gold surfaces on said sections of the second side of the mat.

The mat 324 is arranged in such a way that when a first pressure is applied to the console 222 in the direction of the arrow A, the first elevation 326 is squeezed and collapses so that the first contact element 332 is brought into contact with the second contact element 334, thereby activating the first horn 110, where the first horn 110 constitutes a first horn configuration. Upon application of the second pressure, the second elevation 328 is also squeezed so that the third contact element 336 is brought into contact with the fourth contact element 338, thereby activating the second horn 112. According to one aspect, the switching means is so configured that when both the first contact element 332 is in contact with the second contact element and the third contact element 336 is in contact with the fourth contact element 338, only the second horn 112 is activated and hence the first horn 110 is deactivated. According to that aspect, the second horn or, more generally, the at least one second kind of horn 112, constitutes accordingly a second configuration 112. According to an alternative aspect, the switching means is so configured that when both the first contact element 332 is in contact with the second contact element and the third contact element 336 is in contact with the fourth contact element 338, the first and second horns are both activated. According to that alternative aspect, the first and second horns or, more generally, the at least one first and at least one second kind of horn 110, 112, constitute accordingly a second configuration 110, 112. The mat 324 is configured in such a way and formed of such material that the first and second elevations 326, 328 spring back to their original positions when the first and second pressures are removed, whereupon the console 222 reverts to the neutral position N.

The invention according to the second embodiment 2 with a rubber mat 324 as the resilient medium as above results in a simple and cost-effective structure.

Fig. 4 depicts schematically a horn device 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention comprising an activating means 420 and a switching means 430. The activating means 420 comprises a pressure means 222 in the form of a console 222, and a resilient medium 424. The console 222 has a first side 222a to which a first and a second pressure are intended to be applied in the direction of the arrow A to activate first and second horns 110, 112 respectively, and an opposite second side 222b. The switching means 430 is arranged on the second side 222b of the console 222 in such a way that when said first pressure is applied to the console 222 the switching means 430 is switched to a first active position so that at least one first horn 110 is activated, and when said second pressure is applied to the console 222 the switching means 430 is switched to a second active position so that at least one second horn 112 is activated. The resilient medium 424 is arranged on the second side 222b of the console 222 in such a way that when said first pressure or said second pressure is removed and therefore no pressure is applied on the first side 222a of the console 222, said switching means 430 is brought back to the neutral position N.

In this embodiment, the resilient medium 424 is arranged relative to the switching means 430. The switching means 430 comprises a first contact medium 432, 434 comprising a first contact element 432 and a second contact element 434, and a second contact medium 432, 438 comprising a third contact element 432 which here corresponds to the first and the second contact elements 432, 434 and a fourth contact element 438. The second contact element 434 is connected to the first horn 110, and the fourth contact element 438 is connected to the second horn 112. The first contact element 432 is connected to an earth contact 250. The switching means 430 is arranged between the console 222 and an insulating element 440. Upon application of said first pressure, the console 222 is adapted to moving from a neutral position N to a first position I. Upon application of said second pressure, the console is adapted to moving to a second position II. The activating means 420 and the switching means 430 are preferably arranged in a steering wheel of a vehicle such as a truck or bus. The first side 222a of the console 222 thus constitutes a side facing the driver to which, when attention needs to be attracted, the driver can apply a first pressure to activate the first horn 110 or a second pressure, different from said first pressure, to activate the second horn 112.

The first contact element 432 is arranged relative to the second side 222b of the console 222, the fourth contact element 438 is arranged adjacent to the insulating element 440, and the second contact element 434 is arranged between the first contact element 432 and the fourth contact element 438. The first, second and fourth contact elements 432, 434, 438 are mutually so arranged that when said first pressure is applied on the first side 222a of the console 222 in the direction of the arrow A the console 222 moves from the neutral position N to the first position I, whereby the first contact element 432 is brought into contact with the second contact element 434 so that the first horn 110 is activated, where the first horn 110 constitutes a first horn configuration. When said second pressure is applied to the first side 222a of the console in the direction of the arrow A, the console 222 is adapted to moving to the second position II, whereby the second contact element 434 is likewise brought into contact with the fourth contact element 438 so that the second horn 112 is activated. According to one aspect, the switching means is so configured that when the first, second and fourth contact elements 432, 434, 438 are in contact with one another as above, only the second horn 112 is activated and hence the first horn 110 is deactivated. According to that aspect, the second horn or, more generally, the at least one second kind of horn 112, constitutes accordingly a second configuration 112. According to an alternative aspect, the switching means is so configured that when the first, second and fourth contact elements 432, 434, 438 are in contact with one another as above, the first and second horns are both activated. According to that alternative aspect, the first and second horns or, more generally, the at least one first and at least one second kind of horn 110, 112 constitute accordingly a second configuration 110, 112. The resilient medium 424 is preferably a coil spring 424 adapted to surrounding the first, second and fourth contact elements 432, 434, 438.

The invention according to the third embodiment 3 requires no circuit cards or the like but comprises only simple constituent articles, making it easy to repair and easy to identify faults in it. Embodiments of the present invention are described above in which the switching and activation of said first and second horns are effected by pressure action upon the activating means, more specifically the application of first and second pressures on a console of the activating means. The invention is nevertheless not limited to pressure action, since other kinds of action such as pulling action or rotary action may also be used for achieving the technical effect according to the present invention.

According to an alternative variant, the activating means may comprise a pulling means, e.g. a handle arranged close to the driver for easy access, whereby the first horn is activated by a first pulling force applied to the pulling means, and the second horn is activated by a second pulling force different from said first pulling force.

According to a further alternative variant, the activating means may comprise a rotary means arranged close to the driver for easy access, the first horn being activated by a first turning force, and the second horn being activated by a second turning force. The turning movement of the rotary means by the first and second turning forces may according to one variant be in the same direction of rotation, the first turning force being different from the second turning force. According to a further alternative variant, the turning movement of the rotary means by the first turning force may be in the opposite direction to the turning movement of the rotary means by the second turning force, in which case the first turning force may be the same as, although in the opposite direction to, the second turning force, but the first and second turning forces may also be different from one another according to another aspect of that variant. According to a further aspect of the invention, the first horn 110 and the second horn 112 of the horn device constitute a common horn which comprises the first and second horns so that the common horn is configured in such a way that a first action upon the activating means causes the delivery of a first acoustic signal and a second action upon the activating means causes a second acoustic signal different from said first acoustic signal. This is applicable to all the abovementioned embodiments. An advantage with a common horn by which a first and a second acoustic signal can be delivered is that it saves space. It also saves costs in that fewer parts are required, i.e. only one horn.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the horn device comprises at least one third kind of horn adapted to being activated by a third action upon the activating means which is different from said first and second actions.

The horn device according to the present invention is intended to be arranged in a vehicle such as a truck or a bus, but may also be used with advantage in other types of vehicle such as a waterborne vehicle/craft, i.e. a boat, a ship or the like.

First and second horns in the above embodiments means first and second kinds of horn.

The invention is described above in relation to embodiment examples. Further embodiments and also minor modifications and additions are of course conceivable without departing from the concept of the invention.

The invention is therefore not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments indicated above but may be varied within its scope indicated by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A horn device for a vehicle comprising at least one first kind (110) and a second kind (112) of horn, a switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) for switching between different horn configurations, and an activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) for signalling, said switching being effected by action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420), there being a first configuration (110) comprising at least one horn of said first kind (110) and a second configuration (112) comprising at least one horn of said second kind (112), characterised in that switching to said first configuration (110) is effected by a first action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) and switching to said second configuration (112; 110, 112) is effected by a second action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420).

2. A device according to claim 1, whereby there is a first configuration (110) comprising at least one horn of said first kind (110) and a second configuration (110, 112) comprising at least one horn of said first kind (110) and at least one horn of said second kind (112).

3. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) is configured in such a way that: when no action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) takes place, the switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) is in a neutral position in which said first and second kinds (110; 112) of horn are inactive; when the first action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) takes place, the switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) is adapted to activating the first configuration (110) for signalling; and when a second action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) takes place, the switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) is adapted to activating the second configuration (112; 110, 112) for signalling.

4. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420) comprises a resilient medium (224; 324; 424) configured to bring said switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) back to the neutral position when said first action or said second action is removed and there is therefore no action upon the activating means (120; 220; 320; 420).

5. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby the switching means (130; 230; 330; 430) comprises a first contact medium (132, 134; 232, 234; 332, 334; 432, 434) configured to activate the first configuration (110) upon said first action, and a second contact medium (132, 136; 232, 238; 336, 338; 432, 434, 438) configured to activate the second configuration (112; 110, 112) upon said second action.

6. A device according to claim 5, whereby the first contact medium comprises a first contact element (132; 232; 332; 432) and a second contact element (134; 234; 334; 434), whereby upon said first action the first and the second contact elements are adapted to being brought into contact corresponding to said first configuration (110), and the second contact medium comprises a third contact element (132; 232; 336; 432, 434, 436) and fourth contact element (136; 238; 338; 438), whereby upon said second action the third and the fourth contact elements are adapted to being brought into contact corresponding to said second configuration (112; 110, 112).

7. A device according to claim 6, whereby at least the first contact element (332; 432) and the third contact element (336; 432, 434, 436) are arranged relative to the resilient medium.

8. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby the first action comprises a first pressure and a second action comprises a second pressure which is different from said first pressure.

9. A device according to claim 8, whereby the switching means comprises a microswitch comprising a contact device (240) adapted to moving between a neutral position (N), a first position (I) when said first pressure is applied to the activating means, whereby the contact device (240) is adapted to bringing the first contact element (232) into contact with the second contact element (234), and a second position (II) when said second pressure is applied to the activating means, whereby the contact device (240) is adapted to bringing the first contact element (232) into contact with the fourth contact element (238).

10. A device according to claim 7, whereby the resilient medium (324) comprises a resilient means in the form of a mat (324) comprising a resilient material such as rubber with a first elevation (326) relative to which the first contact element (332) is arranged, and a second elevation (328) relative to which the third contact element (336) is arranged, the mat (324) being arranged in such a way that when a first pressure is applied on the activating means the first elevation (326) is squeezed so that the first contact element (332) is brought into contact with the second contact element (334) and when a second pressure is applied the second elevation (328) is also squeezed so that the third contact element (336) is brought into contact with the fourth contact element (338).

11. A device according to claims 6 and 8, whereby the first, second and fourth contact elements (432, 434, 438) are so arranged mutually that when said first pressure is applied to the activating means the first contact element (432) is brought into contact with the second contact element (434) and when said second pressure is applied to the activating means the second contact element (434) is also brought into contact with the fourth contact element (438).

12. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby the activating means and the switching means are arranged in a steering wheel of a vehicle.

13. A device according to any one of the foregoing claims, whereby there are at least three configurations.