Abstract:
A switch assembly comprises a housing, an actuating member mounted on the housing and a plurality of electrical switching members. The actuating member is able to translate frontward and backward and to pivot upward and downward, thus cooperating with the electrical switching members to control the roof displacements. 
     The switch assembly further comprises two sliders solely able to translate along the longitudinal axis. The sliders are driven by the actuating member and are cooperating with the switching members in order to generate a switching function controlling the roof displacements. The switching function is derived from the positions of the switching members actuated by both sliders.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an electrical switch assembly for sliding-rising-roofs of motor vehicles, the switch assembly being provided with a counter-force device generating a counter force when actuating the switch button. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Switch assemblies of the aforementioned type interrupt and complete electrical circuits by moving electrical switches disposed in the housing of the switch assembly to connect fixed electrical switching devices. It is thus possible for a user to apply an auxiliary force to an actuating element to switch on and off functions associated with different electrical circuits. Often such switch assemblies switch on and off the sliding and rising roof functions of a sliding-rising-roof of a motor vehicle. 
         [0003]    DE 39 31 722 C2 discloses a switch assembly having a housing which receives movable electrical switching contacts. The housing has a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. An actuating element is mounted on the housing. Each of two axle journals associated with the actuating element engage a longitudinally elongated hole provided in opposite walls of the housing in parallel with the longitudinal axis. The two axle journals are rotatable and longitudinally displaceable within the elongated holes such that the actuating element is pivotable about the transverse axis and longitudinally movable along the longitudinal axis to move between switching positions. 
         [0004]    The actuating element includes two guide cams each spaced apart from an axle journal in parallel with the longitudinal axis. The guide cams each engage a cross-shaped connecting member provided on the opposite walls of the housing to enable the actuating element to be pivotable and longitudinally movable. The actuating element can therefore be moved to switching positions by sliding and pivoting movements which correspond to the movements of a sliding-rising-roof of a motor vehicle. 
         [0005]    The actuating element includes switching pieces which transmit the actuating element movements to the movable switching contacts to complete electrical circuits and enable switching functions associated with the switching positions. Furthermore, the switch assembly includes a plurality of compression spring-loaded control devices which ensure that the actuating element remains in a starting position and automatically returns from a switching position to the starting position. 
         [0006]    DE 34 15 997 C2 discloses a switch assembly wherein movements of the actuating element correspond to the movements of a sliding-rising-roof of a motor vehicle. The actuating element also includes two axle journals which are rotatable and longitudinally movable within elongated holes provided in opposite walls of the housing. The actuating element further includes two guide cams which pivotable and longitudinally displaceable engage a respective cross-shaped connecting member of the housing. 
         [0007]    EP0778980 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,414 disclose other examples of this type of switch assembly. 
         [0008]    A problems associated with the existing solutions of the switch assembly are, primarily that the assemblies include a considerable number of individual parts complicated to assemble, secondly the packaging required for the assembly is large while the available space in modern cars diminishes and thirdly, because of the internal arrangement of the components, the return force provided to the user manipulating the actuating element varies according to the direction where the actuating element is moved. 
         [0009]    This complexity in design results is increased time to manufacture and assemble and increased overall cost. 
         [0010]    It is important to propose to the market a switch assembly solving the afore mentioned problems in term of simplification of the design while requiring a smaller volume and providing to the user an equivalent return feeling in all directions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch assembly for a sliding-rising-roof of a motor vehicle which maintains a high degree of functionality, which has a compact design, and which consists of exceptionally few individual parts which are convenient to assemble. 
         [0012]    In carrying out the above object and other objects, features, and advantages, the present invention provides a switch assembly according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
         [0013]    The switch assembly as per the invention comprises a housing, an actuating member mounted on the housing and a plurality of electrical switching members. The actuating member is able, with regards to the housing, to translate frontward and backward along a longitudinal axis and to pivot upward and downward about a transverse axis thus cooperating with the electrical switching members to control the roof displacements. 
         [0014]    The switch assembly further comprises two sliders solely able to translate along the longitudinal axis. The sliders are driven by the actuating member and are cooperating with the switching members in order to generate a switching function controlling the roof displacements. The switching function is derived from the positions of the switching members actuated by both sliders. 
         [0015]    Additional features of the switch assembly are in the dependant claims. 
         [0016]    More specifically, the translation of the actuating member drives both sliders along the same longitudinal direction so that there is no relative displacement between the sliders and, the pivoting of the actuating member drives the second slider in the longitudinal direction while the first slider standstill so there is a relative displacement between the sliders. The first slider is mounted inside the housing and is longitudinally guided by the housing and, the second slider is mounted into the first slider and is longitudinally guided by the first slider. 
         [0017]    The switch assembly further comprises at least one counterforce device providing a counter-force to the user moving the actuating member, the counter-force device comprising an elastically deformable portion providing a force feedback when deformed by the displacements of the slider. In absence of action from a user the actuating member standstill in a neutral position. The neutral position is determined by the counter-force device. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the switch assembly comprises four counter-force devices each one being associated with a distinct displacement of the actuating member. 
         [0019]    The housing has substantially the shape of a parallelepiped rectangle provided with a front transversal wall and a back transversal wall longitudinally apart from each other. The first slider is mounted inside the housing between the front and back walls of the housing and is itself provided with a front transversal wall and a back transversal wall longitudinally apart from each other. The second slider is mounted onto the first slider between the front and back walls of the first slider and is itself provided with a front transversal wall and a back transversal wall longitudinally apart from each other. The first counter force device is mounted between the front wall of the housing and the front wall of the first slider and provides counter force to the frontward translation of the actuating member. The second counter force device is mounted between the back wall of the housing and the back wall of the first slider and provides counter force to the backward translation of the actuating member. The third counter force device is mounted between the front wall of the first slider and the front wall of the second slider and provides counter force to the downward, respectively upward, pivoting of the actuating member. The fourth counter force device is mounted between the back wall of the first slider and the back wall of the second slider and provides counter force to the upward, respectively downward, pivoting of the actuating member. 
         [0020]    All four counter-force devices are identical and all four counter-force devices are substantially operating in a single plane that is parallel to the plane of the longitudinal and of the transverse axis. 
         [0021]    The switch assembly is further provided with a guiding device for the actuating member forbidding any combination of translation and pivoting of the actuating member. 
         [0022]    The switch assembly as per the present invention provides the advantages that the user receives identical force feedback whatever the directions he actuates the switch. 
         [0023]    Also, the use of identical counter force devices ensures a stable neutral position of the button which is easy to define thanks to a symmetrical architecture of the switch assembly. No additional elements such as plunger are needed. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, the guiding and actuating of the components is designed to be simple therefore requiring manufacturing tolerances easier to achieve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a general view of the interior of a vehicle identifying the position where is commonly placed a roof switch assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a cut of a 3D view of the switch assembly as per the present invention, the switch being in a neutral position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 2  in the plane X-Z, the actuating member being frontwardly translated. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 2  in the plane X-Z as in  FIG. 3 , the actuating member being downwardly pivoted. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the guiding device of the actuating member of  FIG. 3 , the actuating member being frontwardly translated. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the guiding device of the actuating member as shown in  FIG. 5 , the actuating member being upwardly pivoted. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    In the following description, similar elements could be designated with the same reference numbers. 
         [0033]    In a motor vehicle  10 ,  FIG. 1  sketches the environment and usual location of a switch  14  for operating a sliding-rising-roof  12 . The switch assembly  14  is placed above the driver. 
         [0034]    As presented in  FIG. 2 , the switch assembly  14  is fixed on a printed circuit board  18  substantially horizontally embedded in the fixed portion of the roof of the vehicle  10 . The switch assembly  14  is spotted in a tridimensional axial system comprising a longitudinal axis X substantially horizontal and defining a frontward direction and a backward direction, a transverse axis Y substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z defining an upward direction and a downward direction. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 2 to 6  detail a preferred embodiment of the switch assembly  14  which comprises a housing  20  shaped as a parallelepiped rectangle closed on five sides being four lateral planar vertical walls  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  and a horizontal bottom-cover  30 . The sixth side, which is open, is against the printed circuit board  18  that is substantially horizontal. The four walls are a front transversal wall  22  and a back transversal wall  24  distant from each other along the longitudinal axis X, a right longitudinal wall  26  and a left longitudinal wall  28  distant from each other along the transverse axis Y. The bottom-cover  30  is adjusted and attached to the housing  20 . Once on the printed circuit board  18 , the housing  20  is closed on all six sides and defines an inside volume  32 . 
         [0036]    The bottom-cover  30  is provided with a substantially rectangular opening  34  centrally placed in the bottom-cover  30 . Other shapes of the opening  34  are of course possible. 
         [0037]    The switch assembly  14  further comprises an actuating member  40  extending from an upper end  42  to a lower end  44 . In place in the switch assembly  14 , the actuating member  40  extends through the rectangular opening  34  of the bottom-cover  30 , the upper end  42  being inside the housing  20  close to the printed circuit board  18 , and the lower end  44  being outside the housing  20 , accessible to a user. 
         [0038]    A button-cap  46  is adjusted and fixed onto the lower end  44  providing to the user an ergonomic interface to move the actuating member  40 . 
         [0039]    The actuating member  40  may be hollow as represented on  FIG. 2  or plain. In the hollow embodiment a light guide  48  is placed in the actuating member  40  and the button-cap  46  is holed so that a light emitted by a light source (not represented) placed on the printed circuit board  18  is directed downward illuminating the button-cap  46  thus making it more visible to the user. 
         [0040]    Inside the housing  20  is placed a first slider  52  that comprises a rectangular floor  54 , a front transversal wall  56  and a back transversal wall  58 . The rectangular floor  54  is shorter in length than the housing  20  and fitted in width to the housing  20 . At both extremities of the length of the rectangular floor  54  upwardly extend the front wall  56  and the back wall  58 . The front wall  56  of the first slider  52  faces the front wall  22  of the housing  20  and, the back wall  58  of the first slider  52  faces the back wall  24  of the housing  20 . 
         [0041]    Furthermore, a guiding mean (not represented) of the first slider  52  relative to the housing  20  forbids any other displacement than a longitudinal translation along the longitudinal axis X. 
         [0042]    The rectangular floor  54  of the first slider  52  is provided with an opening  68  through which extends the actuating member  40 . The actuating member  40  is pivotally mounted about a transverse pivot axis AP that is parallel to the transverse axis Y. A pivoting mean  70  comprises two transversally aligned pivoting holes  72 ,  74  operated in two downward extensions  76 ,  78  of the first slider  52 . The two extensions  76 ,  78  extend through the rectangular opening  34  operated in the housing  20  and, between them, extends the actuating member  40 . Two male pins  80 ,  82  transversally extending from the actuating member  40  cooperate with the pivoting holes  72 ,  74  thus forming the pivot axis AP about which pivots the actuating member  40  relative to the first slider  52 . 
         [0043]    In the rectangular floor  54  of the first slider  52 , the opening  68  is sufficient in dimension so the rectangular floor  54  does not interfere with the actuating member  40 . As represented on  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the opening  68  may have a downwardly oriented V-shape, the angle of the V matching the pivoting angle of the actuating member  40 . 
         [0044]    In the first slider  52  is placed a second slider  90  shaped as a parallelepiped rectangle shorter in length than the first slider  52  and fitted in width to the first slider  52 , the four vertically extending sides of the parallelepiped rectangle being a left and a right longitudinal walls and a front  92  and a back  94  transversal walls. Once in place the front wall  92  and the back wall  94  of the second slider  90  respectively face the front wall  56  and a back wall  58  of the first slider  52 . 
         [0045]    In place, the second slider  90  is able to translate inside the first slider  52  along the longitudinal axis X. A guiding mean (not represented) of the second slider  90  relative to the first slider  52  forbids any other displacement than a longitudinal translation of the second slider  90 . 
         [0046]    The second slider  90  is further provided with a centrally placed vertical opening  96  which cooperates with the upper end  42  of the actuating member  40  creating a sliding-pivot knuckle  98  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Thus, an upward pivoting of the actuating member  40  is transformed into a backward translation of the second slider  90  and, reversely, a downward pivoting of the actuating member  40  ( FIG. 4 ) is transformed into a frontward translation of the second slider  90 . Such a sliding-pivot knuckle  98  is easily created with, for instance, a cylindrical vertical opening and a spherically shaped up-extremity. 
         [0047]    As presented on  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the actuating member  40  can move relative to the housing  20  and is guided in its movements by a guiding mean  100  comprising a guiding path  102  and a guiding pin  104  that follows the path  102 . The guiding path  102  is operated in a downward extension  106  of a longitudinal wall  26 ,  28  of the housing  20 . The guiding path  102  has the shape of a cross straightly extending along the longitudinal axis X and curvedly extending substantially along the vertical axis Z, the curve being centered on the pivot axis AP when the guiding pin  104  is in the middle of the cross-shaped guiding path  102 . The guiding pin  104  transversally extending from the button-cap  46  enters the guiding path  102  and follows it, so that the displacement of the actuating member  40  relative to the housing  20  are limited to a frontward-backward translation and to the upward-downward pivoting and, the guiding mean  100  forbids any combination of the translation with a pivoting. The center of the cross shaped guiding path  102  defines a neutral position PN for the switch assembly  14 . 
         [0048]    Furthermore a first deformable plastic dome  110  is placed between the front wall  22  of the housing  20  and the front wall  56  of the first slider  52 . A second deformable plastic dome  112  is placed between the back wall  24  of the housing  20  and the back wall  58  of the first slider  52 . A third deformable plastic dome  114  is placed between the front wall  22  of the first slider  52  and the front wall  92  of the second slider  90 . A fourth deformable plastic dome  116  is placed between the back wall  24  of the first slider  52  and the back wall  94  of the second slider  90 . Each deformable plastic dome generates a force when it is compressed, thus providing a counterforce to the displacement of a slider  52 ,  90 . The counter forces are felt by the user manipulating the actuating member  40 . 
         [0049]    In a preferred embodiment the deformable plastic dome are identical and are placed substantially in a common plane that is horizontal. Such an arrangement provided to the user counter forces with equal intensity. 
         [0050]    Alternative choices are possible both in shapes of the devices providing the counterforce than in force generated. 
         [0051]    The above described embodiment of the switch assembly  14  can be manipulated so its actuating member  40  can either be displaced in one of the four directions, front back up or down, or can be left untouched. The sliders  52 ,  90 , can consequently be in five different operating mode here after detailed. 
         [0052]    Operating mode 1: The frontward translation of the actuating member  40  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 ) frontwardly translates both the first slider  52  and the second slider  90  so that the front wall  56  of the first slider  52  gets closer to the front wall  22  of the housing  20  while the second slider  90  remains centered in the first slider  52 . Only the first dome  110  is compressed generating a backwardly oriented counterforce F 1  to the frontward translation of the actuating member  40 . 
         [0053]    Operating mode 2: The backward translation of the actuating member  40  backwardly translates both the first slider  52  and the second slider  90  so that the back wall  58  of the first slider  52  gets closer to the back wall  24  of the housing  20  while the second slider  90  remains centered relative to the first slider  52 . Only the second dome  112  is compressed generating a frontwardly oriented counterforce F 2  to the backward translation of the actuating member  40 . 
         [0054]    Operating mode 3: The downward pivoting of the actuating member  40  ( FIG. 4 ) frontwardly translates the second slider  90  while the first slider  52  standstill centered relative to the housing  20 . The front wall  92  of the second slider  90  gets closer to the front wall  22  of the first slider  52 . Only the third dome  114  is compressed generating a backwardly oriented counterforce F 3  to the downward pivoting of the actuating member  40 . 
         [0055]    Operating mode 4: The upward pivoting of the actuating member  40  backwardly translates the second slider  90  while the first slider standstill centered relative to the housing  20 . The back wall  94  of the second slider  90  gets closer to the back wall  24  of the first slider  52 . Only the fourth dome  116  is compressed generating a frontwardly oriented counterforce F 4  to the upward pivoting of the actuating member  40 . 
         [0056]    Operating mode 5 “Neutral”: Left untouched the actuating member  40  is positioned so the first slider  52  is centered in the housing  20  and the second slider  90  is centered relative to the first slider  52 . This is achieved thanks to the four deformable plastic domes  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  which are in contact with the walls between which they are mounted. 
         [0057]    The deformable plastic domes  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  act as compression spring. An alternative to the plastic dome is any kind of elastically deformable feature providing a return force, such as a flexible blade spring or a coil spring, 
         [0058]    As an alternative easy to create, for instance by inverting the orientation of the button cap  46  relative to the pivot axis AP of the actuating member  40 , the upward pivoting of the actuating member  40  could generate a frontward translation of the second slider  90  and reversely a downward pivoting would generate a backward translation. 
         [0059]    Upwardly extending from the first slider  52  is a first switching member (not represented) that cooperates with a matching element placed on the printed circuit board  18  in order to generate first switching information. 
         [0060]    Similarly, upwardly extending from the second slider  90  is a second switching member (not represented) that cooperates with a matching element placed on the circuit board  18  in order to generate second switching information. 
         [0061]    The electrical switching members cooperating with their matching element can be of any type such as contact blades, Hall Effect sensors, light barrier or other. 
         [0062]    The above paragraph describes one switching element per slider. Sliders provided with a plurality of switching elements are a possible alternative.