Switch control device for motor vehicle

A switch control device for controlling a plurality of switches for actuating apparatuses of a motor vehicle, respectively, including at least one stop mode switch allowed to be operated only in a stop state of the motor vehicle and at least one running mode switch allowed to be operated in a running state of the motor vehicle and provided separately from the stop mode switch such that input operation of the stop mode switch and the running mode switch is regulated on the basis of whether the motor vehicle is in the stop state or in the running state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to a motor vehicle or the like 
provided with various switches for automatically actuating a trunk opener, 
a sun roof, etc. and more particularly, to a switch control device for 
controlling the switches, which is arranged to regulate input operation of 
the switches on the basis of whether the motor vehicle is in a stop state 
or in a running state. 
Conventionally, in switch control devices of this kind, a required number 
of various switches are provided on an instrument panel disposed at a 
front portion of a cabin of a motor vehicle so as to improve driving 
efficiency of the motor vehicle and upgrade functions of the motor 
vehicle. 
However, in the known switch control devices, since the switches include 
stop mode switches permissible to be actuated only at the time of stop of 
the motor vehicle and running mode switches permissible to be at all times 
actuated and both the stop mode switches and the running mode switches are 
provided all together on the instrument panel, it is difficult to select a 
desired one from among the stop mode switches and the running mode 
switches, thereby resulting in deterioration of operating efficiency of 
the switches. Accordingly, the prior art switch control devices have such 
a drawback that a driver may erroneously operate, during running of the 
motor vehicle, one stop mode switch for actuating, for example, a trunk 
opener, thus resulting in a fatal accident. Furthermore, the prior art 
switch control devices have such an inconvenience that since under a poor 
driving condition, the driver cannot ensure that the switches have been 
operated, it is impossible to drive the motor vehicle safely. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is to provide a 
switch control device for a motor vehicle, in which stop mode switches and 
running mode switches are provided separately from one another, with 
substantial elimination of the disadvantages inherent in conventional 
switch control devices of this kind. 
Another important object of the present invention is to provide a switch 
control device of the above described type in which, on the basis of 
whether the motor vehicle is in a stop state or in a running state, either 
of the stop mode switches and the running mode switches are prevented from 
being operated improperly. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a switch 
control device of the above described type which improves operating 
efficiency of the stop mode switches and the running mode switches and 
eliminates positively erroneous operation of the stop mode switches and 
the running mode switches so as to ensure driving safety of the motor 
vehicle. 
In accomplishing these objects according to one preferred embodiment of the 
present invention, there is provided a switch control device for a motor 
vehicle provided with a plurality of switches for actuating apparatuses of 
said motor vehicle, respectively, the improvement comprising: at least one 
stop mode switch which is allowed to be operated only in a stop state of 
said motor vehicle; and at least one running mode switch which is allowed 
to be operated in a running state of said motor vehicle and is provided 
separately from said stop mode switch; said switches being constituted by 
said stop mode switch and said running mode switch such that input 
operation of said stop mode switch and said running mode switch is 
regulated on the basis of whether said motor vehicle is in said stop state 
or in said running state. 
In accordance with the present invention, improper input operation of 
either of the stop mode switches and the running mode switches is 
regulated on the basis of whether the motor vehicle is in the stop state 
or in the running state. Thus, during running of the motor vehicle, input 
operation of the stop mode switches is not allowed to be performed, but 
input operation of only the running mode switches is allowed to be 
performed. Accordingly, since erroneous operation of the switches is 
completely eliminated, the input operation of the switches can be 
performed safely, reliably and easily.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a switch 
control device K1 for a motor vehicle, according to a first embodiment of 
the present invention. The switch control device K1 is constituted by a 
printed circuit board 22 having various control components mounted 
thereon, a casing 24 for accommodating the printed circuit board 22 and a 
base 23 for securing the printed circuit board 22 to the casing 24. 
A plurality of push-button switches 25 corresponding to various apparatuses 
of the motor vehicle, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 26, a mode changeover 
switch 27 for effecting changeover between a running mode and a stop mode 
of the motor vehicle, two light emitting diodes (LEDs) 28 for displaying, 
through the energizing, marks indicative of the running mode and the stop 
mode, respectively, and a control circuit 29 for controlling input and 
output signals of these electrical components 25 to 28 are mounted on the 
front face of the printed circuit board 22. The switch control device K1 
further includes input and output flexible cables 30. 
In the case where the mode changeover switch 27 has been set to the stop 
mode, marks indicative of functions to be performed in a stop state of the 
motor vehicle, for example, marks indicative of functions of actuating a 
trunk opener, actuating a fuel lid opener, parking, etc. are displayed, as 
stop mode functions, by the LCD 26 so as to correspond to the push-button 
switches 25, respectively. Meanwhile, in the case where the mode 
changeover switch 27 has been set to the running mode, marks indicative of 
functions other than those of the stop mode functions, for example, marks 
indicative of functions of actuating an antenna, actuating a sun roof, 
actuating a rear heater, etc. performable in both the stop state and a 
running state of the motor vehicle are displayed, as running mode 
functions, by the LCD 26 so as to correspond to the push-button switches 
25, respectively. Each of the push-button switches 25 is provided with a 
push-button LED 31 for displaying, through its energizing, actuation of 
each of the push-button switches 25. 
The base 23 and the printed circuit board 22 have a shape of an identical 
rectangular plate. The base 23 having the printed circuit board 22 mounted 
on its front face is secured to the casing 24 by screwing four screws 33, 
through holes 32 formed at four corner portions of the base 23 and holes 
32 formed at four corner portions of the printed circuit board 22, into 
the casing 24. The base 23 is formed with two threaded holes 34 such that 
the switch control device K1 is secured to the motor vehicle by screwing 
screws 35 into the threaded holes 34. The base 23 is formed with a 
rectangular opening 36 for inserting therethrough the cables 30. A pair of 
rectangular projections 37 engageable with the casing 24 are formed at 
opposite side portions of the front face of the base 23. 
Meanwhile, the casing 24 has a rectangular display window 39 formed on a 
front face thereof. The display window 39 is provided with a transparent 
protective plate 38 confronting the LCD 26 of the printed circuit board 
22. The casing 24 further has a rectangular display window 41 formed on 
the front face. The display window 41 is provided with a mode display film 
40 confronting the LEDs 28. Furthermore, a rectangular opening 42 for 
exposing therethrough the push-button switches 25 on the front face of the 
casing 24 is provided adjacent to the display windows 39 and 41. Moreover, 
the casing 24 is formed with a rectangular opening 43 for exposing 
therethrough the mode changeover switch 27 on the front face of the casing 
24. 
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a control circuit employed in the 
switch control device K1. The control circuit includes a central 
processing unit (CPU) 51 for controlling respective apparatuses of the 
motor vehicle in accordance with a program stored in a memory 52, a wheel 
rotation sensor 53 for detecting whether wheels of the motor vehicle are 
in a halt state or in a rotational state, and a stop/running decision 
member 54 for deciding whether the motor vehicle is in the stop state or 
in the running state on the basis of a detection signal from the wheel 
rotation sensor 53. 
Hereinbelow, a processing sequence of the switch control device K1 of the 
above described arrangement will be described with reference to flow 
charts of FIGS. 4a and 4b. Initially, when a power source of the switch 
control device K1 has been turned on at step 61 in the case where the 
motor vehicle is in the stop state, a decision is made at step 62 as to 
whether the motor vehicle is in the stop state or in the running state. In 
the case where a decision has been made at step 62 that the motor vehicle 
is in the stop state, one of the LEDs 28 displays, through its energizing, 
a mark indicative of the stop mode and the marks indicative of the stop 
mode functions are displayed by the LCD 26 at step 63. Then, at step 64, a 
desired one of the push-button switches 25 corresponding to the stop mode 
functions, respectively is depressed. If a mark of a desired function is 
not displayed by the LCD 26 at step 63, the mode changeover switch 27 is 
depressed at step 65 so as to change over the motor vehicle to the running 
mode. If the desired push-button switch 25 corresponding to one stop mode 
function of, for example, actuating the trunk opener has been depressed at 
step 64, the trunk of the motor vehicle is opened automatically and a 
push-button LED 31 corresponding to the desired push-button switch 25 is 
turned on at step 66, so that it becomes possible to ensure that the 
desired push-button switch 25 is turned on. Subsequently, when the trunk 
has been closed at step 67, the push-button LED 31 is turned off at step 
68. At step 69, an input operation for actuating the trunk opener is 
completed. If it is found at step 70 that the power source of the switch 
control device K1 is not turned off, the program flow proceeds to step 62 
so as to repeat the same procedures as described above. If it is 
unnecessary to operate the push-button switches 25 any more, it is found 
at step 70 that the power source of the switch control device K1 is turned 
off, so that the program flow proceeds to "END" designation. 
Then, in the case where the motor vehicle is in the running state, the 
other one of the LEDs 28 displays, through its energizing, a mark 
indicative of the running mode on the basis of a signal representing a 
decision that the motor vehicle is in the running state at step 71. At the 
same time, the marks indicative of the running mode functions of actuating 
the sun roof, actuating a room light, actuating a door lock, etc. are 
displayed by the LCD 26. Thereafter, when a desired one of the push-button 
switches 25 corresponding to the running mode functions, respectively has 
been depressed at step 64, the sun roof, for example, is automatically 
opened or closed and a push-button LED 31 corresponding to the desired 
push-button switch 25 is turned on, so that it becomes possible to ensure 
that the desired push-button switch 25 is turned on. Meanwhile, in the 
case where the motor vehicle is brought to a halt in the course of 
automatic operation of the apparatuses (e.g., the sun roof), for example, 
at an intersection due to a red traffic signal, the motor vehicle is 
changed over to the stop mode after completion of automatic operation of 
the apparatuses. 
Meanwhile, in the case where the motor vehicle is undesirably caused to 
start running while the trunk is open, it is found at step 67 that the 
input mode is improper. Then, at step 72, the corresponding LED 28 
displays, through its energizing, the mark of the stop mode. Subsequently, 
at step 73, the push-button LED 31 corresponding to the push-button switch 
25 for actuating the trunk opener starts flickering so as to warn the 
driver of the motor vehicle that the trunk is not closed properly. 
Furthermore, in the case where the running mode functions are performed 
during stop of the motor vehicle, the mode changeover switch 27 is 
depressed and thus, the motor vehicle is changed over to the running mode. 
On the other hand, even if the mode changeover switch 27 is depressed 
during running of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle is not changed over 
to the stop mode. 
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a touch panel type switch 
control device K2 according to a second embodiment of the present 
invention. The switch control device K2 includes a printed circuit board 
82 having an LCD 83 mounted thereon such that a transparent touch panel 
switch 84 having a rectangular platelike shape is placed on the front face 
of the LCD 83. When an LED 85 for the stop mode is turned on, the marks 
indicative of the various stop mode functions are displayed by the LCD 83. 
Meanwhile, when another LED 85 for the running mode is turned on, the 
marks indicative of the various running mode functions are displayed by 
the LCD 83. A desired one of the stop mode functions or the running mode 
functions is inputted to the switch control device K2 by depressing a 
portion of the front face of the touch panel switch 84, which portion is 
disposed on the mark of the desired one of the stop mode functions or the 
running mode functions displayed by the LCD 83. By using a mode changeover 
switch 86, it becomes possible to effect changeover between the stop mode 
and the running mode such that the mark of one of the stop mode and the 
running mode is displayed by the corresponding LED 85. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, there is shown a switch control device K3 
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The switch 
control device K3 includes a plurality of push-button switches 92 placed 
independently of one another on the front face of a printed circuit board 
93. Each of the push-button switches 92 has a built-in LCD for displaying 
one of the marks indicative of the stop mode functions or the running mode 
functions. Namely, one of the marks indicative of the stop mode functions 
or the running mode functions designated by a mode changeover switch 94 is 
displayed on the front face of each of the push-button switches 92. A 
desired one of the stop mode functions or the running mode functions is 
inputted to the switch control device K3 by depressing the front face of 
the push-button switch 92 corresponding to the desired one of the stop 
mode functions or the running mode functions such that the depressed 
push-button switch 92 is lit up with high brightness. More specifically, 
as shown in FIG. 9, each of the push-button switches 92 includes a casing 
95 in which a switch 96, a light emitting lamp 97 and a reflecting plate 
98 are incorporated. Polarizing plates 100, glass plates 101 and a liquid 
crystal plate 102 are mounted on the upper portion of the casing 95 so as 
to be enclosed by a push button 99. Reference numerals 103, 104 and 105 
represent a connector made of electrically conductive rubber, terminals 
and terminal holes, respectively. 
Referring further to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown a switch control 
device K4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The 
switch control device K4 includes a plurality of push-button switches 113a 
for the respective running mode functions and a plurality of push-button 
switches 113b for the respective stop mode functions. The push-button 
switches 113a are arranged in a row at an upper portion of the front face 
of a printed circuit board 112, while the push-button switches 113b are 
arranged, on the front face of the printed circuit board 112, in a row 
downwardly of the push-button switches 113a. Each of the push-button 
switches 113a and 113b includes switch contact portions 114 confronting 
each other. A shielding plate 115 is provided at the push-button switches 
113b so as to be retractably inserted between the switch contact portions 
114 of the push-button switches 113b by a solenoid 116 such that switching 
operation of the pushbutton switches 113b is regulated by the shielding 
plate 115. Namely, when the motor vehicle is in the stop state, the 
shielding plate 115 is disposed at its retracted position and thus, it is 
possible to depress all the push-button switches 113a and 113b. Meanwhile, 
when the motor vehicle is in the running state, the shielding plate 115 is 
advanced so as to prevent the stop mode functions from being inputted to 
the switch control device K4. Thus, each of the tongue pieces 117 formed 
in openings of the shielding plates 115, respectively is inserted between 
the switch contact portions 114 of each of the push-button switches 113b 
so as to prevent the push-button switches 113b for the stop mode functions 
from being depressed such that only the running mode functions are allowed 
to be inputted to the switch control device K4. 
Referring finally to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown a switch control 
device K5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The 
switch control device K5 includes a plurality of push-button switches 122a 
for the respective running mode functions and a plurality of push-button 
switches 122b for the respective stop mode functions. In a manner similar 
to that of the switch control device K4, the push-button switches 122a are 
arranged in a row at an upper portion of the front face of a printed 
circuit board, while the push-button switches 122b are arranged, on the 
front face of the printed circuit board, in a row downwardly of the 
push-button switches 122a. A shielding plate 124 coupled with a solenoid 
123 is provided so as to retractably cover wholly front faces of the 
push-button switches 122b such that switching operation of the push-button 
switches 122b is regulated by the shielding plate 124. Namely, when the 
motor vehicle is in the stop state, the shielding plate 124 is disposed at 
its retracted position and thus, it is possible to depress all the 
push-button switches 122a and 122b. Meanwhile, when the motor vehicle is 
in the running state, the shielding plate 124 is advanced so as to cover 
wholly the front faces of the push-button switches 122b such that the 
push-button switches 122b for the stop mode functions are prevented from 
being depressed, whereby only the push-button switches 122a for the 
running mode functions are allowed to be depressed. 
Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example 
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that 
various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart 
from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being 
included therein.