Patent ID: 6320147
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B60Q,H01H

Abstract:
A membrane horn switch assembly for operating a horn, comprising:a steering wheel cover having an outer portion with a bottom surface and an inner portion with a top surface, the bottom surface and the top surface being in a facing spaced relationship;a membrane horn switch disposed between the outer and inner portions of the steering wheel cover, the membrane horn switch including:a first conductive grid and a second conductive grid disposed in a first plane, the first and second conductive grids having a different polarity; anda conductive material disposed in a second plane facing the first and second conductive grids with a spacer disposed between the conductive material and the first and second conductive grids, the spacer defining a plurality of switch contact points where selective contact between the conductive material and the first and second conductive grids is permitted; anda plurality of first concentrators and a plurality of second concentrators depending away from said top surface, the plurality of first concentrators selectively communicating with the first conductive grid and the plurality of second concentrators selectively communicating with the second conductive grid when a force is applied to the outer portion of said steering wheel cover the plurality of first and second concentrators having different lengths so that a force driving the outer portion towards the inner portion causes the plurality of first concentrators to provide a first electrical connection between the conductive material and the first conductive grid prior to the plurality of second concentrators providing a second electrical connection between the conductive material and the second conductive grid which results in activation of the horn.