Abstract:
In a control module for a motor vehicle with an electric switch in a housing, the housing has at least one locking element that can be resiliently deflected, in the locking position of which the housing is secured in the correct position in a seat provided therefore. Each locking element has an associated push button accessible by the user, which cooperates with the locking element in such a way that when it is operated the locking element assumes a release position against its resilient deflection.

Description:
CROSS-REERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National-Stage entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 based on International Application No. PCT/EP2005/006964, filed Jun. 29, 2005, which was published under PCT Article 21(2); this application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Application No. DE 10 2004 033 503.6, filed Jul. 10, 2004. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a control module for a motor vehicle with an electric switch in a housing, which has at least one locking element that can be resiliently deflected, in the locking position of which the housing is secured in the correct position in a seat provided therefore. 
     Such control modules cannot usually be assembled or disassembled without additional auxiliary tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,663 discloses an electric switch, in which locking elements can be brought into a release position by actuating a function setting that does not occur in normal operation. This function setting is reached by simultaneously pressing or pulling and rotating the switch. While such a switch can be assembled or disassembled without any additional auxiliary tools, its design structure is complicated, and this makes the switch expensive. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a control module of the aforementioned type that is easy to assemble or disassemble, can be securely fixed and is, moreover, of simple structure as well as inexpensive. 
     The object is achieved according to the invention in that each locking element has an associated push button accessible by the user, which cooperates with the locking element in such a way that when it is operated the locking element assumes a release position against its resilient deflection. 
     A substantial advantage of this solution is that the switch does not undergo any modification, while the push button alone is used to unlock the housing from the seat. In the simplest case, a movable and a rigid locking element are sufficient to secure the housing, wherein the housing tilted on an angle, for example, is inserted into the seat provided for it and locked. The sharing of function between electrical switching and locking results in a simple and inexpensive design of the control module. In an advantageous embodiment, the switch blocks the movement of the at least one locking element out of its locking position and has a defined switching position, in which a movement of the locking element is enabled. This can occur, for example, in the form of a release, which is provided on the switch and in the defined switching position enables a mechanical path of the locking elements. Thus, a combination of push button operation and switching position that is not performed by the user under normal conditions is necessary for assembly or disassembly of the control module. If both hands are necessary for combined control because of the number of push buttons, incorrect operation can be virtually excluded, and therefore a secure attachment of the control module is achieved. 
     To increase the secure attachment of the control module, the defined switching position of the switch for release of the at least one locking element includes a position, into which the switch is not moved during normal operation of the motor vehicle. In the case of a light switch of a motor vehicle, for example, this can be a switching position differing from the positions of the switch for dip lights, lights off, parking lights or fog lamp etc. 
     Each push button and each associated locking element preferably form a slide/push connection, which transfers a movement of the push button to the locking element. Since the push button and locking element are usually arranged substantially perpendicular to one another, the specified type of connection represents a particularly simple configuration of a coupling of movement. In this case, the push button and locking element have two associated slide faces for the transfer of movement. The resilient deflection of the locking element can be generated, for example, by a spring mechanism or on the basis of elastic deformation. The push button does not have to be configured in this manner, but can be. 
     Alternatively, the object is achieved in that each locking element has an associated push button accessible by the user, during operation of which the locking element is released, and the switch cooperates with the locking element in such a way that in a defined switching position the locking element assumes a release position against its resilient deflection. 
     A substantial advantage of this solution is that while the locking means is movable into a release position by means of the switch, the respective push button is used to unlock the associated locking element. The sharing of function between unlocking of the locking elements and their operation by the switch here also results in a simple and inexpensive design of the control module. 
     In an advantageous configuration, each push button and each associated locking element form a groove and tongue connection, which is opened upon operation of the push button. Since an elongated rod-shaped element, to which the push button is arranged substantially perpendicular, is normally used as locking element, the specified connection represents a simply designed and easily operated lock for the locking means. The respectively depressed push button therefore enables a mechanical path in the release axis of the locking elements. 
     In addition, the object is alternatively achieved in that the switch has an associated push button accessible by the user, during operation of which a defined switching position of the switch is enabled, and the switch cooperates with the locking element in such a way that in a defined switching position the locking element assumes a release position against its resilient deflection. 
     A substantial advantage of this solution is that while the locking means is movable into a release position via the switch, the push button is used to unlock the switch. The sharing of function between unlocking of the switch and operation of the locking elements by the switch in this case also results in a simple and inexpensive design of the control module. 
     Advantageously, the switch forms a stop with the push button that is opened during operation of the push button. After opening the stop, the switch can be moved into a switching position, in which the locking element assumes a release position and the housing can be removed from the seat. In this case, the stop represents a simply designed and easily operated lock for the switch. 
     Preferably, an increased force expenditure is necessary to move the electric switch into the defined switching position to release the locking element. This provides further protection from incorrect operation even in the case of two-handed operation of the push buttons and switch, and as a result a secure attachment of the control module is achieved. 
     The switch is expediently configured as a rotary switch. The torque acting on the rotary knob in this case causes the locking elements to move into the release position of the housing. Projections, which cooperate with the locking elements, can be provided for this on the rotary switch, for example. However, operation of the locking elements by means of a toggle switch is also readily conceivable, in particular using the slide/push connection already mentioned above. 
     The object is additionally achieved by a corresponding method which firstly relates to the step sequence during unlocking of the locking elements and secondly to the step sequence during unlocking of the electric switch. 
     It should be understood that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below are not only usable in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations. The framework of the invention is only defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention shall be explained in more detail below on the basis of an embodiment with reference to the associated drawing. Identical parts or similarly acting parts have been given the same reference numerals: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view onto a first embodiment of a control module according to the invention; 
         FIG. 1   a  shows a slide/push connection between a push button and a locking element of the control module according to  FIG. 1  in direction A-A; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view onto a second embodiment of a control module according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  shows a slide/push connection between a push button and a locking element of the control module according to  FIG. 2  in direction A-A; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view onto a third embodiment of a control module according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  shows a groove and tongue connection between a push button and a locking element of the control module according to  FIG. 3  in direction A-A; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view onto a fourth embodiment of a control module according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 4   a  shows a stop of a switch and a push button of the control module according to  FIG. 3  in direction A-A. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is not intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. 
     The control module according to  FIG. 1  comprises an electric switch  10  in a housing  20 . The switch  10  configured as a rotary switch can be rotated into different switching positions (A, 0, PL, FL), which are displayed accordingly at the switch  10  by means of a marking  14 . The housing  20  is secured in the correct position in a seat (not shown) via locking elements  30 ,  31 . By pressing push buttons  40 ,  41  the associated locking element  30 ,  31  can be moved into a release position, in which this no longer projects beyond the housing. For this, a slide/push connection  50  is provided between the respective push button  40 ,  41  and the associated locking element  30 ,  31 . 
     In the release position of the locking elements  30 ,  31 , the housing  20  can be removed from the seat. To remove the housing  20 , the push buttons  40 ,  41  only need to be pressed simultaneously, as a result of which no modification of the electric switch  10  is necessary and incorrect operation is substantially excluded. 
       FIG. 1   a  shows the slide/push connection  50  between the push button  40  and the locking element  30  by way of example also for the push button  41  and the locking element  31 . When the push button  40  is depressed perpendicularly, the locking element  30  moves against its resilient deflection to the right (release position), otherwise to the left (locking position). For the resilient deflection of the locking element  30 , a spring mechanism  60  is provided that presses the locking element  30  into its locking position and for reasons of clarity is always shown only on the left side of the housing  20  in the plan view of this and the following embodiment. 
     The control module according to  FIG. 2  comprises an electric switch  11  configured as rotary switch in a housing  21 , which allows it to rotate into different switching positions (A, 0, PL, FL). The housing  21  is secured in correct position in a seat (not shown) via locking elements  32 ,  33 . By pressing push buttons  40 ,  41  the associated locking element  32 ,  33  can be moved into a release position, in which this no longer projects beyond the housing  21 . For this, a slide/push connection  50  is provided between the respective push button  40 ,  41  and the associated locking element  32 ,  33 . However, this release position can only be reached in the switching position of the switch  11 , in which a release  15  on the switch  11  enables a mechanical path for the locking elements  32 ,  33 . Otherwise, the movement of the locking elements  32 ,  33  and therefore the operation of the push buttons  40 ,  41  is blocked. For this, the locking elements  32 ,  33  in this embodiment are longer than in that according to  FIGS. 1 ,  1   a.    
     In the release position of the locking elements  32 ,  33 , the housing  21  can be removed from the seat. To remove the housing  21 , the switch  11  must be rotated into a defined switching position and then the push buttons  40 ,  41  must be pressed simultaneously, so that one modification of the electric switch  11  is sufficient with a corresponding release  15 . As a result, a simple configuration of the electric switch  11  is possible and incorrect operation is substantially excluded. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows the slide/push connection  50  between the push button  40  and the locking element  32  by way of example for the push button  41  and the locking element  33 . The principle of operation is fundamentally the same as the principle of operation of the representation according to  FIG. 1   a.    
     The control module according to  FIG. 3  comprises an electric switch  12  configured as rotary switch in a housing  22 . The switch  12  can be rotated into different switching positions (A, 0, PL, FL). The housing  22  is secured in correct position in a seat (not shown) by means of locking elements  34 ,  35 . By pressing push buttons  42 ,  43  the associated locking element  34 ,  35  can be unlocked, for which a groove and tongue connection  51  is provided between the respective push button  42 ,  43  and the associated locking element  34 ,  35 . If both push buttons  42 ,  43  are operated and the locking elements  34 ,  35  are unlocked, the switch  12  can be rotated counter-clockwise beyond the switching position A, wherein projections  16 ,  16 ′ act on angled ends of the locking elements  34 ,  35  and press these into a release position. 
     In the release position of the locking elements  34 ,  35  the housing  22  can be removed from the seat. To remove the housing  22 , the push buttons  42 ,  43  must be pressed simultaneously and then the switch  12  must be rotated, which provides the projections  16 ,  16 ′ as the only modification. As a result, a simple configuration of the electric switch  12  is possible and incorrect operation is substantially excluded. The resilient deflection of the locking elements  34 ,  35  by the spring mechanism  60  can be selected so that an increased expenditure of force is additionally necessary for rotating the switch  12 . 
       FIG. 3   a  shows the groove and tongue connection  51  between the push button  42  and the locking element  34  by way of example for the push button  43  and the locking element  35 . When the push button  42  is depressed perpendicularly, the groove and tongue connection  51  is released and the locking element  34  unlocked. As a result, the locking elements  34 ,  35  can be moved into a release position by rotating the electric switch  12 . 
     The control module according to  FIG. 4  comprises an electric switch  13  configured as rotary switch in a housing  23 . The switch  13  can be rotated into different switching positions (A, 0, PL, FL). The housing  23  is secured in correct position in a seat (not shown) by means of locking elements  34 ,  35 . By pressing a push button  44  the switch  13  can be unlocked, for which a lock  17  is provided between the push button  44  and the switch  13 . If the push button  44  is operated, the switch  13  can be rotated counter-clockwise beyond the switching position A, wherein the projections  16 ,  16 ′ act on angled ends of the locking elements  34 ,  35  and press these into the release position. 
     In the release position of the locking elements  34 ,  35  the housing  23  can be removed from the seat. To remove the housing  23 , the push button  44  must be pressed and then the switch  13  must be rotated, which the projections  16 ,  16 ′ and the lock  17  provide as the only modification. As a result, a simple configuration of the electric switch  13  is possible and incorrect operation is substantially excluded. The spring mechanism  60  can also be designed here so that an increased force expenditure is necessary for rotation of the switch  13 . 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a stop  52  of push button  44  and switch  13 . When the push button  44  is depressed perpendicularly, the lock  17  is released from the stop  52  and the switch  13  is unlocked. As a result, the locking elements  34 ,  35  can be moved into a release position by rotating the switch  12 . 
     The above-described embodiments permit a simple and secure attachment of the control module and in this case are simple in design and also inexpensive. Incorrect operations are practically excluded from the viewpoint of normal operation. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.