Abstract:
A switch apparatus for adjusting a power seat in a vehicle, may include a body, a plurality of switches installed on the body including a first switch manipulated in a horizontal direction, and a second switch spaced apart from the first switch and manipulated in a vertical direction, and a guide bracket, a first end portion of which is integrally coupled to the first switch and a second end portion of which is placed around the second switch and selectively coupled to the second switch according to a horizontal movement of the first switch, wherein the second switch is movable in the vertical direction while the first switch is in a neutral position, while the first switch is out of the neutral position, and wherein the second end portion of the guide bracket is interfered with the second switch while the second switch is out of a neutral position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2008-0120703 filed Dec. 1, 2008, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purpose by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a switch apparatus for adjusting a power seat in a vehicle, which limits the simultaneous operation of three modes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A power seat is a seat that adjusts the fore and aft movements of the seat or the reclining operation of a seatback using the drive force of a motor. Generally, three or four motors are installed to the power seat. Each motor is electrically connected to a switch apparatus for the adjustment of the power seat. 
     Meanwhile, the number of the motors corresponds to that of convenient functions which may be provided to the power seat. When several convenient functions, especially three functions are simultaneously executed, a problem arises. That is, the simultaneous execution of the three functions means that three motors are simultaneously operated. In this case, because of overload (maximum 45 A), a fuse (capacity of 30 A) of the interior of the vehicle may be blown. 
     In order to prevent the above problem, the capacity or number of fuses must be increased or the simultaneous execution of three or more functions must be limited. Conventionally, the simultaneous execution of three functions is limited using a limit switch. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch apparatus for adjusting a power seat in a vehicle, which is constructed to mechanically limit the simultaneous execution of three functions without using an additional fuse or a limit switch. 
     In an aspect of the present invention, the switch apparatus for adjusting a power seat in a vehicle, may include a body; a plurality of switches installed on the body and configured to be independently manipulated, and including a first switch which is manipulated in a horizontal direction, and a second switch which is spaced apart from the first switch and is manipulated in a vertical direction; and a guide bracket, a first end portion of which is integrally coupled to the first switch and a second end portion of which is placed around the second switch and selectively coupled to the second switch according to a horizontal movement of the first switch, wherein the second switch is movable in the vertical direction while the first switch is in a neutral position, and is interfered with the second end portion of the guide bracket and thus not movable while the first switch is out of the neutral position, and wherein the second end portion of the guide bracket is interfered with the second switch while the second switch is out of a neutral position, thus limiting movement of the first switch. 
     The second end portion of the guide bracket may include a frame which loosely surrounds the second switch, and comprises a plurality of stoppers which are provided along an inner circumference of the frame in such a way as to protrude toward the second switch, thus limiting a vertical movement of the second switch while the guide bracket moves leftwards or rightwards according to the horizontal movement of the first switch. 
     The second end portion of the guide bracket may be constructed so that the stoppers interfere with the second switch when the second switch deviates in a vertical direction from the neutral position, thus limiting the horizontal movement of the second switch. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the switch apparatus may further include a third switch provided adjacent to the second switch and manipulated in a horizontal direction; and a fourth switch provided adjacent to the third switch and manipulated in a vertical direction. 
     The first switch may be manipulated by a first knob, and the second to fourth switches may be manipulated by a second knob constructed to manipulate the second to fourth switches simultaneously, wherein the first knob is rotatable leftwards or rightwards around a predetermined rotary point. 
     The second knob may be constructed so that the second knob does not interfere with the second and fourth switches when the second knob is manipulated leftwards or rightwards, and does not interfere with the third switch when the second knob is manipulated upwards or downwards. 
     Supports may be provided on the body in such a way as to protrude from opposite sides of the third switch in a horizontal direction thereof, and a partition wall is provided on a back of the second knob on which the supports are placed, the partition wall interfering with the supports so as to prevent the second knob from being simultaneously manipulated in both horizontal and vertical directions. 
     In further another aspect of the present invention, the first switch may be manipulated by a first knob, and the other switches other than the first switch are manipulated by a second knob constructed to manipulate the other switches other than the first switch simultaneously, wherein the first knob is rotatable leftwards or rightwards around a predetermined rotary point. 
     The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary power seat according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating an exemplary switch apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the switch apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view illustrating a first knob of  FIG. 3   
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are rear views illustrating a second knob of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the state in which an upper cover is removed from the switch apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a guide bracket of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the switch apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIGS. 9 to 13  are views illustrating the structure for preventing three convenient functions from being simultaneously executed, in the switch apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a table illustrating the operation of an exemplary switch apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the power seat adjusting switch apparatus installed to a seat  1  is provided with two knobs  10  and  20  which are mounted to a side surface of a base  3  under a cushion  2  and are spaced apart from each other. The first knob  10  is used for reclining a seatback, and the second knob  20  is used for sliding the seat  1  forwards and backwards and adjusting the inclination/height of the cushion  2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first knob  10  is constructed so that its upper end pivots leftwards and rightwards around a rotary point which is provided on the lower end portion of the first knob  10 . The second knob  20  is constructed to move upwards {circle around (1)} and {circle around (5)}, downwards {circle around (2)} and {circle around (6)}, leftwards {circle around (3)} and rightwards {circle around (4)}. As one example, when the second knob  20  moves leftwards, the seat slides forwards. When the second knob  20  moves in the direction of {circle around (1)}, the front end of the cushion  2  moves upwards. Further, when the second knob  20  moves in the direction of {circle around (6)}, the rear end of the cushion moves downwards. As another example, when the second knob  20  is turned strongly around its center counterclockwise in the direction of {circle around (2)} and {circle around (5)}, the front end of the cushion  2  moves downwards, and the rear end moves upwards. Further, when the second knob  20  is pushed upwards strongly, both the front and rear ends of the cushion  2  move upwards simultaneously. 
       FIG. 3  shows the state in which the body and the knobs  10  and  20  of the switch apparatus are separated from each other. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first switch  41  which is manipulated by the first knob  10  and second to fourth switches  42 ,  43  and  44  which are manipulated by the second knob  20  are provided on the body. The switches  41 ,  42 ,  43  and  44  may be manipulated independently The first switch  41  may move leftwards and rightwards so as to recline the seatback, the second switch  42  may move up and down so as to move the rear end of the cushion  2  vertically, the third switch  43  may move leftwards and rightwards so as to slide the seat  1  forwards and backwards, and the fourth switch  44  may move up and down so as to move the front end of the cushion  2  vertically. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , three supports  31 ,  32  and  33  are provided on the upper cover  30  of the body Among the supports  31 ,  32  and  33 , the first support  31  which is provided adjacent to the first switch  41  serves as the rotating shaft for manipulating the first knob  10 . Vertical partition walls  11  are provided on the back of the first knob  10  and transmit the rotating force of the first knob  10  to the first switch  41  when the first knob  10  rotates leftwards and rightwards around the first support  31 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , first partition walls  21 , fifth partition walls  25  and third partition walls  23  are provided on the back of the second knob  20 . When the second knob  20  moves up and down, the first and fifth partition walls  21  and  25  function to transmit the moving force to the second and fourth switches  42  and  44 . When the second knob  20  moves leftwards and rightwards, the third partition wall  23  functions to transmit the moving force to the third switch  43 . When the second knob  20  is manipulated leftwards and rightwards, the first and fifth partition walls  21  and  25  do not interfere with the second and fourth switches  42  and  44 . Further, when the second knob  20  is manipulated up and down, the third partition wall  23  does not interfere with the third switch  43 . Meanwhile, the second and third supports  32  and  33  which are provided on the opposite sides of the third switch  43  and the second and fourth partition walls  22  and  24  provided on the back of the second knob  20  prevent the second knob  20  from moving in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction simultaneously For example, in the case where the second knob  20  moves leftwards, the vertical movement of the second knob  20  is prevented by the interference of the second and third supports  32  and  33  with the second and fourth partition walls  22  and  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the switches  41 ,  42 ,  43  and  44  are mounted on a platform  50  in such a way that they slide in respective manipulating directions. A guide bracket  60  is mounted on the platform  50  so as to prevent any three switches of the switches from being simultaneously manipulated. The guide bracket  60  is provided with a first frame part  61  which is tightly fitted over the first switch  41 , a third frame part  63  which is loosely fitted over the second switch  42  to be placed around the second switch  42 , and a second frame part  62  which couples the first frame part  61  with the third frame part  63 . If the first switch  41  moves leftwards or rightwards, the guide bracket  60  is also moved leftwards or rightwards, and the position of the third frame part  63  relative to the second switch  42  is changed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , two stoppers  64 A and  64 B are provided on the upper portion  63 A of the third frame part  63  in such a way as to protrude towards the second switch  42 , while two stoppers  65 A and  65 B are provided on the lower portion  63 B of the third frame part  63  in such a way as to protrude towards the second switch  42 . The second switch  42  may move up and down when the first switch  41  is in a neutral position. However, when the first switch  41  is out of the neutral position, that is, when the first switch  41  moves leftwards or rightwards, so that the guide bracket  60  move leftwards or rightwards and thus the second switch  42  is disposed between the stoppers (e.g., between the stoppers  64 A and  65 A, or between the stoppers  64 B and  65 B), the vertical movement of the second switch  42  is limited by the stoppers. Meanwhile, when the second switch  42  is in a neutral position  66 , the guide bracket  60  may move leftwards and rightwards. However, when the second switch  42  deviates from the neutral position  66  to be disposed between the stoppers, for example, between the stoppers  64 A and  64 B or the stoppers  65 A and  65 B, the guide bracket  60  does not move leftwards and rightwards because of the interference by the stoppers. Consequently, while the first switch  41  is being manipulated, the manipulation of the second switch  42  is limited. In contrast, while the second switch  42  is being manipulated, the manipulation of the first switch  41  is limited. 
     Respective components of the switch apparatus will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 8 . That is, the switches  41 ,  42 ,  43  and  44  are slidably mounted on the platform  50 , and the guide bracket  60  is installed between the first switch  41  and the second switch  42 . The upper cover  30  having the supports  31 ,  32  and  33  covers the platform  50 , and a printed circuit board  80  is provided on the bottom of the platform  50 , with a switch and a relay  70  mounted on the printed circuit board  80 . Meanwhile, the lower portion of the platform  50  is closed by a lower cover  90  which is joined with the upper cover  30 . A connector  100  passes through the lower cover  90  to be connected to the printed circuit board  80 . 
     The example of preventing the three switches from being simultaneously manipulated by the guide bracket  60  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 13 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the state in which both the first and second switches  41  and  42  are in the neutral positions. In this state, the first switch  41  may move leftwards or rightwards, and the second switch  42  may move up or down.  FIG. 10  illustrates the state in which the first switch  41  has moved rightwards. As the guide bracket  60  moves rightwards along the first switch  41 , the vertical movement of the second switch  42  is limited by the stoppers  64 A and  65 A.  FIG. 11  illustrates the state in which as the first switch  41  is manipulated leftwards, the vertical manipulation of the second switch  42  is limited.  FIG. 12  illustrates the state in which the second switch  42  has moved downwards. In this state, the horizontal movement of the first switch  41  is limited.  FIG. 13  illustrates the state in which as the second switch  42  is manipulated upwards, the horizontal movement of the first switch  41  is limited. 
       FIG. 14  is a view illustrating the operation of preventing the three switches from being simultaneously manipulated, in all cases including the cases shown in  FIGS. 9 to 13 . The operation table of  FIG. 14  will be described below in brief with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . That is, when the second knob  20  is manipulated in the direction of {circle around (1)} or {circle around (2)}, it may be manipulated in the direction of {circle around (5)} or {circle around (6)}. However, in this case, the second switch  42  is interfered with by the stoppers  64 A and  65 A or  64 B and  65 B, so that the manipulation of the first knob  10  is limited. Further, when the second knob  20  is manipulated in the direction of {circle around (3)} or {circle around (4)}, the vertical manipulation of the second knob  20  is limited by the interference of the second and third supports  32  and  33  with the second and fourth partition walls  22  and  24 . Further, when the first knob  10  is manipulated in the direction of {circle around (7)} or {circle around (8)}, the vertical manipulation of the second knob  20  is limited by the stoppers and only horizontal manipulation in the direction of {circle around (3)} or {circle around (4)} is permitted. 
     As described above, the present invention provides a switch apparatus for adjusting a power seat in a vehicle, which limits the simultaneous execution of three functions by the manipulation of a knob. 
     For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper” and “lower” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.