Low resistance switch using carbon contacts
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorsRobert R. Turnbull, G. Bruce Poe, Timothy A. Bonardi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch assembly includes a plurality of electrical devices and a plurality of user activated switches. The plurality of electrical devices each include a control terminal. Each of the electrical devices causes a different distinguishable output to be provided when a control signal is asserted on the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices. The plurality of user activated switches include carbon-coated contacts. Each of the user activated switches when asserted provides the control signal to the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices.
Claims23
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a first electrical device including a first control terminal, the first electrical device causing a distinguishable electrical output to be provided on a single output line when a first control signal is asserted on the first control terminal of the first electrical device;
- a second electrical device including a second control terminal, the second electrical device causing a different distinguishable electrical output to be provided on the single output line when a second control signal is asserted on the second control terminal of the second electrical device;
- a first user activated switch with carbon-coated contacts, the first user activated switch when asserted providing the first control signal to the first control terminal of the first electrical device;
- and
- a second user activated switch with carbon-coated contacts, the second user activated switch when asserted providing the second control signal to the second control terminal of the second electrical device.
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a housing having a mounting member for mounting said housing to the vehicle, said housing including a bezel;
- an electrochromic mirror disposed in said housing, said mirror having a front surface and a rear surface;
- and
- a switch assembly retained in said housing including:
- a plurality of electrical devices each further including a control terminal, each of the plurality of electrical devices causing a different distinguishable electrical output to be provided to a remote electrical device on a single output line when a control signal is asserted on the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices;
- and
- a plurality of user activated switches with carbon-coated contacts, each of the user activated switches when asserted providing the control signal to the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices.
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a housing having a mounting member for mounting said housing to the vehicle, said housing including a bezel;
- an electrochromic mirror disposed in said housing, said mirror having a front surface and a rear surface;
- and
- a switch assembly retained in said housing including:
- a plurality of electrical devices each further including a control terminal, each of the plurality of electrical devices causing a different distinguishable electrical output to be provided to a cellular telephone transceiver on a single output line when a control signal is asserted on the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices;
- and
- a plurality of user activated switches with carbon-coated contacts, each of the user activated switches when asserted providing the control signal to the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices.
A vehicle accessory for a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing having a mounting member for mounting said housing to the vehicle;
- and
- a switch assembly retained in said housing including:
- a plurality of electrical devices each further including a control terminal, each of the plurality of electrical devices causing a different distinguishable electrical output to be provided to a cellular telephone transceiver on a single output line when a control signal is asserted on the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices;
- and
- a plurality of user activated switches with carbon-coated contacts, each of the user activated switches when asserted providing the control signal to the control terminal of one of the plurality of electrical devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.