US 4,760,218 A · Inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system, particularly for automotive instrumentation with button cluster switching

Abstract

An inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system for automotive instrumentation with button cluster switching, in which the switches form a 2.times.2 matrix switch circuit free of diode feedback protection in its input lines, the button structures being rocker mounted preventing the concurrent actuation of their associated switches. One button structure integrally includes two, closely spaced button elements having the look and feel of two independent buttons, with the other button structure having a relatively wide, single, continuous button actuation surface, the three "buttons" being located in line forming a button cluster for the automobile's information center. The first two, integrally formed button elements are used to set the basic parameters of the information system (English or metric, and zeroing of odometer), while the third, wider button is used in a rocking motion to sequence back and forth to present various information and displays (time of day, odometer reading, fuel consumption rates, trip miles to go, etc.). The button cluster can be located on the instrument panel, the console, the steering wheel or the driver's interior door panel, and the display can be visual and/or audio.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A matrix switching system, having at least four switches in at least a 2.times.2 matrix, comprising:

a first switch,
a second switch,
a third switch, and
at least, a fourth switch, combined in a matrix switch circuit having
a first strobe line going to said first and second switches, and
a separate, second strobe line going to said third and fourth switches, and
a first input line going to said first and third switches, and
a separate second input line going to said second and fourth switches, the input lines to said four switches being free of any unidirectional current limiting devices, including diodes, in their connections to said switches;
at least two button structures associated with said four switches for actuating them, a first button structure being associated with at least two of said switches, said first button structure having a mechanical interlock preventing it from concurrently actuating its associated two switches, making them lock-out switches with respect to one another, said first button structure and its said mechanical interlock preventing any false readings from being detected by said strobe lines, which otherwise possibly might occur should three of said four switches be concurrently actuated, avoiding the need for any unidirectional current limiting devices, including diodes, in said input lines to said switches.

6 more elements

A button actuated switching system for an automotive instrumentation display system for presenting informational or control aspects of the vehicle selected by the user, comprising:

at least four switches each having electrical switching contacts;
at least two button structures, each associated with two different ones of said four switches for actuating them;
and
a housing for said button structures;
said first button structure having two, closely spaced, button actuation surfaces interconnected together below said surfaces, said housing opaquely covering over the interconnecting structure between said two button surfaces, the switches associated with said first button structure requiring relatively small travel of said first button structure for its electrical contacts to be switched by the depression of the selected one of said button surfaces;
the overall look and feel of said button surfaces in association with said housing forming the appearance to a casual observer of two, separate, independent buttons, when either button actuation surface is actuated by depressing a selected one of said button surfaces;
said second button structure having associated with it a single button actuation surface located above its two associated switches to actuate either one of its associated switches, as either selected side edge of said button surface is depressed;
said three button surfaces being positioned closely spaced together forming an associated button cluster.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system, particularly for automotive instrumentation with button cluster switching

Life of this patent

Inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system, particularly for automotive instrumentation with button cluster switching

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22