A multiple switch device

Abstract: A low cost automotive power window switch having few window operating switches uses a single switch to select which of the four windows to operate, and to control the window locks. The power window switch has a window operating switch (3) for raising and lowering each of the car windows, and a mode selector switch (2) for switching between the windows. The mode selector switch (2) also has a window lock switch function for locking and unlocking the windows.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiple switch device having a single knob used for a plurality of switching operations, and relates more particularly to improvement of a power window switch for opening and closing a plurality of windows in an automobile. 2. Description of Related Art Power window switches conventionally used for opening and closing (referred to below as "operating") the windows of an automobile are typically provided in the same number as there are windows to operate. This means, for example, that the power window switch panel provided at the driver's seat of a four-door vehicle has four knobs, one for operating the window of each door, a lock knob for locking the window, and a door lock knob. The resulting problem is that a large number of knobs means that the overall size of the switch panel unit is also large. This creates the further problem that the arm rest, for example, where the power window switch unit is installed grows in conjunction with the size of the power window switch unit, and thus protrudes into the passenger cabin from the side of the door. A power window switch unit according to the related art that has been proposed to solve this problem of numerous window switches is taught in Japanese Utility Patent Laid-open Publication ( kokai ) 60-73141. This power window switch unit has a selection switch, which is a four-way sliding switch for selecting the window to operate, and up and down operating switches. The problem, however, is that the selection switch of this power window switch unit according to the related art only enables the raising and lowering operation to be switched to one of four door windows, and cannot switch between more than four positions. This is particularly a problem in, for example, a van having six windows to operate because the above-noted conventional switch cannot be used. Providing sufficient controls to operate six windows on the power window switch panel obviously requires even more knobs, a larger case, and even greater difficulty placing the panel, for example, in the arm rest. Furthermore, a selection switch that falls in four directions protrudes greatly above the operating panel surface. The problem here is that it can therefore be easy for the driver to mistakenly touch and operate the switch. A yet further problem is that a selection switch that falls in four directions is a joystick-like operating knob that swings in four directions. While the driver's window is the most frequently operated window, it is not the easiest to operate, and thus cannot be quickly operated in an emergency. Furthermore, while it is also conceivable to devise a joystick switch with six operating positions, this greater number of directions in which the switch can be operated further increases the potential for mistakenly operating the wrong window or function. US 5,331,260 discloses a control module for operating power windows. Said module 34 includes a left window operating switch and a right window operating switch. There is further provided a mode selection switch with which a first and a second operation mode is selectable. In the first operation mode the window operating switches operate the front windows. In the second operation mode the window operating switches operate the rear windows. That means that the mode selection switch selects whether the switches operate the power windows of a first row in the front of the car or a second row in the back of the car. EP 0 900 905 discloses a conventional apparatus for controlling power windows, wherein the passenger window switch and the driver window switch (both operating the first row) could be turned on and off by a main switch. That means, that EP 0900905 discloses an alternative approach to operate the windows, wherein one apparatus is used for each row of windows. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power window switch unit with few knobs and a reduced cost, having a switch used for locking and unlocking the power window switches in addition to selecting between four windows. A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple switch device using one knob for a plurality of switching functions, thereby reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, and reducing unit cost. Thus comprised, a power window switch according to the present invention provides the following benefits and effects. The multiple switch device for operating automobile power windows in a first row, second row, and third row according to the present invention has first to fourth window operating switches for operating first row, second row, and third row power windows; and a selector switch for selecting whether the third and fourth window operating switches operate the power windows of the second row or third row. It is thus possible to operate windows in a first, second, and third row using fewer knobs than there are windows. It is therefore possible to provide a power window switch ideally suited for use in vans and other types of vehicles having six power windows. Furthermore, by providing first and second window operating switches used for operating the windows in the first row, that is, the windows in the driver's seat row that are used most frequently and which must on occasion be immediately operable, independently so that they can be operated without first being selected, the windows in the first row can always be immediately operated. An overall compact switch unit having fewer switch knobs than windows can thus be provided without impairing driving safety. Preferably in this case the selector switch combines functions of a rocker switch for moving in two directions to select operation of a second row window or a third row window, and a push-lock switch for disabling and enabling window operation. By thus using independent dedicated switches to operate the most frequently used first row windows, and enabling the window operating switches for the relatively less frequently used second and third row windows to be appropriately selected using a switch combining the functions of a rocker switch and push-button switch, the number of switch knobs on the power window switch unit can be reduced, the overall power window switch unit size can be reduced for easy installation in a suitable narrow space such as an arm rest, and cost can be reduced. Yet further preferably, the selector switch is in a contact position for operating a second row window when the knob of selector switch is in an upright position, and is in a contact position for operating a third row window when the knob is rocked to one side. By thus enabling operation of the window lock switch at the same contact position used for operating the second row windows, which are used more frequently than the third row windows, the window lock switch can be easily operated at the most frequent contact position. Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom. Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. I is a partially exploded oblique view of an exemplary embodiment which serves to understand the invention shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the case of the exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 is a section view through line X-X in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section view of a knob of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged oblique view of part the leaf spring according to an alternative version of the exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 is an enlarged partially exploded oblique view of a switch unit of the exemplary embodiment; Fig. 7 describes a window operating switch of the exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying Fig. 8. Fig. 1-7 show an exemplary embodiment, which serves to understand the preferred embodiment according to the invention in Fig. 8. Exemplary embodiment for understanding the invention (Fig. 1-7) An exemplary embodiment, which serves to understand the invention shown in Fig. 8, is described next below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. This embodiment is described with reference to a automotive power window switch for operating four door windows. The case 21 of this automotive power window switch has a first control location 21 a in which a knob 22l, for example, is mounted, a second control location 21b, third control location 21 c, and fourth control location 21d. The case 21 is mounted, for example, in the arm rest on the driver's side door. Rocker body 24 and operating lever 22f of selector switch 22 are installed to first control location 21a. Note that the selector switch 22, further described below, combines the functions of a push-lock switch and a rocker switch. Inside first control location 21a are formed: a stud 21g for supporting rocker body 24; through-hole 21i for passing operating lever 22f so that operating lever 22f can rock freely; and spring hole 21h, which is a blind hole for holding a suitable spring 29. Note that the spring hole 21h is a cylindrical protrusion to which suitable spring 29 is inserted. Selector switch 22 also functions as a window lock switch for locking and unlocking the windows by pressing knob 221. By rocking knob 221, selector switch 22 is also used to switch operation of the first window operating switch 30a and the second window operating switch 30b between raising and lowering the front driver and passenger windows, or the rear right and left windows. A door lock switch 36, which is typically a rocker switch, is located at the second control location 21b. The function of this door lock switch 36 is to lock and unlock the doors in response to the rocking operation of knob 36a. The first window operating switch 30a, which is a two-step rocker switch, is located at the third control location 21c. When knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is pushed to a first contact position, the driver's side or right rear window can be manually lowered (opened). When knob 30f is further depressed to a second contact position, the driver's side or right rear window can be automatically lowered to the fully open position. The first and second window operating switches 30a, 30b rock on studs 21e, 21f when the respective knob 30f, 30g is raised or lowered as shown in Fig. 11. The first and second window operating switches 30a, 30b have two operating positions (steps) in both directions (up and down). Lifting the first window operating switch 30a to the first operating (step) position allows the operator to manually raise the driver or right rear window. Lifting the knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a further to the second operating position accesses an automatic mode in which the driver or right rear window is raised automatically to the fully closed position. The second window operating switch 30b, which is a two-step rocker switch having a knob 30g, is located at the fourth control location 21d. When knob 30g of second window operating switch 30b is pushed to a first operating position (step), the passenger side or left rear window can be manually lowered (opened). When knob 30g is further depressed to a second operating position, the passenger side or left rear window can be automatically lowered to the fully open position. The second window operating switch 30b has a function for manually rasing the passenger side or left rear window as a result of knob 30g being lifted to the first operating position. It also has a function for automatically raising the passenger side or left rear window all the way closed when the knob 30g is further lifted to a second operating position. It will be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the related art that case 21 can be made smaller overall, and the arm rest in which case 21 is installed can therefore be made slimmer, because the number of window operating switches is smaller than in a conventional automotive power window switch. In addition, the first window operating switches 30a and 30b are also arranged in the case 21 to match the locations of the windows in the vehicle. When the knob 221 of selector switch 22 is in the up position as shown in Fig. 5, selector switch 22 is in contact position 22a, that is, the position for unlocking window operation. When the knob 221 is pressed to the down position, selector switch 22 is in contact position 22b for locking window operation. When knob 221 of selector switch 22 is in the center neutral position (pointing straight up), the selector switch 22 is at contact position 22c, that is, the front driver and passenger side windows can be operated using first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b. When selector switch 22 is at this contact position 22c, the rear windows cannot be operated. When knob 221 of selector switch 22 is rocked from contact position 22c, the selector switch 22 is at contact position 22d enabling the left and right rear windows to be operated using first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b. When selector switch 22 is at this contact position 22d, the front windows cannot be operated. The knob 221 of selector switch 22 is molded to integrate the top button head 22e and operating lever 22f therebelow as shown in Fig. 4. The operating lever 22f has a shaped slot 22h and a push-lock cam 22g. The selector switch 22 is inserted to rocker body 24 so that it can move freely up and down by way of return spring 23, which automatically returns knob 221. The operating lever 22f passes through-hole 24c in rocker body 24 so that shaped slot 22h engages first and second sliding studs 27a and 27b of switch unit 27. By engaging hole 24d with stud 21 g of first control position 21 a in case 21, rocker body 24 rocks around stud 21 g in conjunction with knob 221. Shaped slot 22h has a longitudinal slot 22i for engaging first sliding stud 27a of switch unit 27 at the end, and a sloped slot 22j contiguous to longitudinal slot 22i for engaging second sliding stud 27b of switch unit 27. This first sliding stud 27a floats inside longitudinal slot 22i when knob 221 is pressed. When knob 221 is pressed, sloped slot 22j pushes on second sliding stud 27b, causing it to move. An escape slot 22m allowing second sliding stud 27b to float when knob 22l is rocked is formed at the junction between longitudinal slot 22i and sloped slot 22j. Return spring 23 is a coil spring that urges upward on knob 221 so that cam 22g contacts lock pin 26 and holds selector switch 22 in the on or off position. The top end of return spring 23 fits onto spring mount 22k shown in Fig. 8, and the bottom end fits onto spring mount 24e shown in Fig. 1. Spring mounts 22K, and 24e each have a protrusion that fits loosely into an end of return spring 23, which is a coil spring as noted above, and an annual groove. Spring mount 22k is formed juxtaposed to operating lever 22f, which is formed in the middle of selector switch 22 knob 221. spring mount 24e is formed juxtaposed to through-hole 24c formed in the middle of rocker body 24. Cam 22g is formed integrally to the side of operating lever 22f, or is formed as a separate part that is then bonded in place. Leaf spring 25 applies constant pressure to lock pin 26, the end of which is thus held in contact with the cam 22g, and holds selector switch 22 in the on or off position. Lock pin 26, which is thus pressed against cam 22g, is a metal rod. Lock pin 26 passes through lateral hole 24a in rocker body 24 with one end of lock pin 26 contacting leaf spring 25 pressed to cam 22g. The leaf spring 25 urging lock pin 26 has a spring part 25a that is flexible and pushes on lock pin 26, and a mounting part 25b for mounting leaf spring 25 to the rocker body 24. The spring part 25a of leaf spring 25 is inserted to and held in longitudinal hole 24b formed in rocker body 24. It should be noted that the leaf spring 25 shown in Fig. 5 can be alternatively comprised as leaf spring 25' with a mounting part 25b' as shown in Fig. 9. The mounting part 25b' in this case is a flexible part that is press fit to leaf 21c', which is inset to first control location 21a' of case 21', to secure leaf spring 25'. Note that this mounting part 25b' is a flexible piece that covers and clamps on leaf 21c'. Hole 24d formed in both sides of rocker body 24 is engaged with stud 21g of case 21, thus rockably supporting the rocker body 24 with a suitable body 28 urged by a suitable spring 29 pushing on a suitable protrusion 24f formed on the bottom of the rocker body 24. The rocker body 24 is held with the knob 221 of selector switch 22 in the vertical contact position 22c as a result of body 28 pushing on incline 24g of protrusion 24f. Furthermore, protrusion 24f is also held with knob 221 at the rocked contact position 22d as a result of body 28 pushing on incline 24h. Suitable spring 29 is inserted and held in spring hole 21h formed inside first control location 2 1a of selector switch 22. As shown in Fig. 5, switch unit 27 is held with the bottom thereof fit between support fingers 31a and 31b, which are formed protruding from the base 31. The plural contacts 27c protruding at the top of switch unit 27 are inserted to through-holes 32a in substrate 32 and soldered in place. Fig. 6 is a partially exploded view of switch unit 27 according to this exemplary embodiment. This switch unit 27 has a selector switch part 27c, and a window lock switch part 27d for locking and unlocking the windows. The selector switch part 27c is for switching the knob 221 of selector switch 22 between a front seat window position for operating the front windows, and a rear seat window position for operating the rear windows. The first and second sliding studs 27a and 27b are tubular members to which contact springs 27e, 27f and steel balls 27g, 27h are inserted and held. A flat sliding base 27r, 27s is integrally formed to first and second sliding studs 27a, 27b. The end of first and second sliding studs 27a, 27b passes through elliptical hole 27m in cover piece 271. The first and second sliding studs 27a, 27b engage shaped slot 22h of operating lever 22f, and the side of each stud is pushed by a return spring 27y. Each contact spring 27e, 27f pushes on contact plate 27i, 27j by way of intervening steel ball 27g, 27h. One end of each return spring 27y engages first and second sliding studs 27a, 27b, and the other end pushes against the inside wall of switch case 27k. Each contact plate 27i, 27j is rockably supported by engaging the longitudinal center thereof with the U-shaped notch in common contacts 27p, 27q. The switch case 27k which cover piece 271 engages is insert molded to form common contacts 27p, 27q, fixed contacts 27t, 27u, 27v, and 27w, and contacts 27o. The contact plates 27i, 27j contact the fixed contacts 27t, 27u, 27v, and 27w. It should be noted that fixed contact 27v is the contact contacted by contact plate 27j when selector switch 22 window lock switch part 27d is in the off position, and can be omitted. The cover piece 271 holds first and second sliding studs 27a, 27b urged in contact with contact spring 27e, 27f, and closes the opening to switch case 27k. When the knob of selector switch 22 is raised in contact position 22a, second sliding stud 27b is at the bottom end of sloped slot 22j, moved in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 5 and Fig. 10 with the window lock switch part 27d in the off position. The first sliding stud 27a at this time is positioned at the bottom end of longitudinal slot 22i in operating lever 22f. When knob 221 of selector switch 22 is then depressed, window lock switch part 27d switches to the on position at contact position 22b. When knob 22l of selector switch 22 descends, second sliding stud 27b is pushed into sloped slot 22j, and moves in the direction of arrow D. Contact plate 27j then rocks on common contact 27p to the opposite side, and window lock switch part 27d switches to the on position. At this time first sliding stud 27a is at the top end of longitudinal slot 22i in operating lever 22f. When selector switch 22 knob 221 is in the vertical position at contact position 22c, first sliding stud 27a is at the front seat contact position 22c, enabling operation of the front windows, moved in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6. When selector switch 22 knob 221 rocks to the back seat contact position 22d, the windows that can be operated by first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b change to the rear seat windows. When selector switch 22 knob 221 then rocks to the second contact position 22d, first sliding stud 27a is pushed by the edge of longitudinal slot 22i and moves in the direction of arrow B. Contact plate 27i then rocks to the opposite side on common contact 27q, which rockably supports contact plate 27i, and selector switch part (contacts) 27c changes to the rear seat position. Second sliding stud 27b at this time floats freely in sloped slot 22j. The construction of first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b is described in detail next below with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 7. It should be noted that first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b are identical in construction, and the following description therefore refers to the first window operating switch 30a only. First window operating switch 30a has an operating lever 30d integrally connected to movable selector 33, and is rockably supported on case 21 by engaging stud 21f in hole 30e. An indicator (not shown in the figure) for illuminating lighting indicator 30c is disposed inside knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a. This lighting indicator 30c is formed by overlaying a photoconductor inside the opaque knob 30f. The end 30 of operating lever 30d is fit onto connector 33a of movable selector 33. As a result, movable selector 33 rocks around hole 30e in conjunction with knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a. The movable selector 33 has a first notch 33b and second notch 33c for respectively engaging the sliding studs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b of the front seat switch unit 34 and rear seat switch unit 35, which are disposed in line with each other. The front seat switch unit 34 and rear seat switch unit 35 are switches substantially identical in structure to the switch unit 27 described above. The front and rear seat switch units 34, 35 are positioned before and after the operating lever 30d, the bottom side thereof fit to base 31 and the top fixed to substrate 32 similarly to switch unit 27. The return spring (not shown in the figure) disposed inside front and rear seat switch units 34, 35 is also used to automatically return the knob 30f, 30g of first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b to the off position. It should be noted that disposing a return spring to both sides of sliding studs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b is sufficient to increase the operating force of first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b as desired. Front and rear seat switch units 34, 35 each have two parts: forward switch part 34c, 35c where sliding stud 34a, 35a operates to lower the window, and reverse switch part 34d, 35d where sliding stud 34b, 35b operates to raise the window. For example, if knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is lifted in the direction of arrow E, movable selector 33 rotates in the direction of arrow G around hole 30e. Guided by movable selector 33, sliding studs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b of front and rear seat switch units 34, 35 move in the direction of arrow I, forward switch part 34c, 35c turns on,. and the window rises. It should be noted that if selector switch 22 knob 221 is in the front seat contact position 22c at this time, the rising window will be the driver's window because only the front seat switch unit 34 operates at this time. Likewise, if the selector switch 22 knob 221 is in the rear seat contact position 22d, only the rear seat switch unit 35 operates and the right rear window thus rises. If knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is pushed in the direction of arrow F, movable selector 33 rotates pivoting on hole 30e in the direction of arrow H. In this case, sliding studs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b of front and rear seat switch units 34, 35 move in the direction of arrow J guided by movable selector 33, reverse switch part 34d, 35d turns on and the window descends. It should be noted that if selector switch 22 knob 221 is in the front seat contact position 22c at this time, the descending window will be the driver's window because only the front seat switch unit 34 operates at this time. Likewise, if the selector switch 22 knob 221 is in the rear seat contact position 22d, only the rear seat switch unit 35 operates and the right rear window thus opens. Thus comprised, a power window switch according to this exemplary embodiment operates as described below. For example, if mode selector switch 22 is operated so that knob 221 is in the vertical position at contact position 22c, first window operating switch 30a switches to the controller for operating the driver's side windows, and second window operating switch 30b switches to the controller for operating the passenger's side windows. Then, if the knob 30f of the first window operating switch 30a is lifted to the first operating position (step), the movable contact for raising (closing) the window contacts the fixed contact for as long as knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is held in this first operating position. The motor thus turns and the driver's side window rises. When the knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is released, the movable contact for raising the window returns automatically to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops moving. If the knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is lifted further to the second operating position (step), a solenoid (not shown in the figure) in the motor controller holds the switch at this second operating position, or the equivalent circuit state is held electrically by means of a relay (not shown in the figure), so that the window-raising movable contact remains in contact with the fixed contact. Operation thus continues until the driver's window rises all the way closed. When the window is completely closed, window-raising movable contact returns to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops moving. If selector switch 22 knob 221 remains in the front seat contact position 22c and knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is pushed down to the first operating position, the movable contact for lowering (opening) the window contacts the fixed contact for as long as knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is held in this first operating position. The motor thus reverses and the driver's side window descends. When the knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is released, the movable contact for lowering the window returns automatically to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops moving. If the knob 30f of first window operating switch 30a is pushed further to the second operating position (step), a solenoid (not shown in the figure) in the motor controller holds the switch at this second operating position, or the equivalent circuit state is held electrically by means of a relay (not shown in the figure), so that the window-lowering movable contact remains in contact with the fixed contact. Operation thus continues until the driver's window descends all the way open. When the window is completely open, window-lowering movable contact returns to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops moving. If the selector switch 22 knob 221 is moved to the rear seat contact position 22d, the first window operating switch 30a operates in the same way to control the right rear window, and second window operating switch 30b operates in the same way to control the left rear window. If selector switch 22 knob 221 is pressed from contact position 22a to contact position 22b, the power window switches at all seats other than the driver's seat are disabled so that the windows cannot be operated. The number of control knobs is reduced and cost is thus reduced in a power window switch according to this exemplary embodiment by combining push-lock switch and rocker switch functions in a single selector switch 22, which is then used for switching the operating mode of the first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b of the power window switch between the front and back seat windows, and controlling a window lock function. Furthermore, by eliminating dedicated switches for operating the rear windows, this fourth preferred embodiment of the invention provides a power window switch that is small overall and can prevent such unintentional operation as operating a switch for a rear window when intending to operate one of the front windows. Embodiment according to the invention (Fig. 8) A power window switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is described next below with reference to Fig. 8. An automotive power window switch according to this embodiment of the invention is directed to providing a compact power window switch unit for a van or other type of vehicle having up to six windows in three rows. It should be noted that selector switch 37 according to this fifth exemplary embodiment is identical to the selector switch 22 of the fourth embodiment described above, and differs only in that contact position 22c of knob 37a is the contact position for windows in the second row, and contact position 22d of Knob 37a is the contact position for windows in the third row. In addition, door lock switch 38 is identical in application and construction to the door lock switch 36 of the exemplary embodiment. Yet further, the first window operating switch 39, second window operating switch 40, third window operating switch 41, and fourth window operating switch 42 are also identical in application and construction to the first and second window operating switches 30a and 30b of the exemplary embodiment. The selector switch 37 comprises the functions of a rocker switch having a knob 37a that rocks between two in-line contact positions, and a push-button used for a window lock function. More specifically, the knob 37a rocks between a second row contact position 37b for operating windows in the second row, and a third row contact position 37c for operating windows in the third row. The push-button 37d located in the middle of knob 37a is depressed to lock the windows so that they cannot be opened and closed. Referring to Fig. 8, case 43 of this automotive power window switch is populated with six knobs 37a, 38a, 39a, 40a, 41 a, 42a for the selector switch 37, door lock switch 38, and first to four window operating switches 39, 40, 41, 42, respectively. This case 43 is mounted in the driver's side arm rest, for example. The four window operating switches 39, 40, 41, 42 are positioned in correlation to the front-back direction of the vehicle and the first to third rows. Using both a rocker switch and push-button switch, the selector switch 37 is a combination row selector and window lock switch. The door lock switch 38 locks and unlocks the door locks. The first window operating switch 39 is a dedicated switch for controlling the driver's window, and second window operating switch 40 is a dedicated switch for controlling the front seat passenger window. The first window operating switch 39 can be operated by lifting up or pushing down on the knob as described in the previous embodiments, and enables two-step operation in both directions. The third and fourth window operating switches 41, 42 have one switch unit disposed to the operating level as in a conventional power window switch. The third window operating switch 41 is for operating the right window in the second or third row. The fourth window operating switch 42 is for operating the left window in the second or third row. A movable selector for operating two switch units as described in the fourth exemplary embodiment above is further linked to the operating lever of the third and fourth window operating switches 41, 42. That is, the switch units are constructed as shown in Fig. 7 with the front seat switch unit 34 shown in Fig. 7 being used as the switch unit for the second row, and the rear seat switch unit 35 being used as the switch unit for the third row. For example, if knob 37a of selector switch 37 is set to the second row contact position 37b and knob 42a of fourth window operating switch 42 for operating the left-side window is lifted up to the first operating position, the window motor turns and the left window in the second row rises for as long as knob 41a is held down. When knob 42a is released, the switch returns automatically to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops moving. If knob 37a of selector switch 37 is set to the third row contact position 37c and knob 41 a of third window operating switch 41 for operating the right side window is pushed down, the right side window in the third row opens for as long as knob 41a is held down. When the knob 41a is released, the switch returns automatically to the off position, the motor stops, and the window stops. Depressing knob 38a of door lock switch 38 locks all doors. It will thus be obvious that a power window switch according to this embodiment of the invention uses five knobs 37a, 39a, 40a, 41a, 42a, including selector switch 37 that also operates as a window lock switch, to operate six windows, thus reducing the number of window operating switches and reducing cost. Furthermore, by integrating the switches used to control windows in the second and third rows, this embodiment of the invention provides a power window switch that is small overall.

Claims: A multiple switch device for operating automobile power windows in a first row, second row, and third row, characterised in that said multiple switch device comprises: first to fourth window operating switches (39, 40, 41, 42) operating first row, second row, and third row power windows; and a selector switch (37) selecting whether the third and fourth window operating switches (41, 42) operate the power windows of the second row or third row. A multiple switch device as described in claim 1, wherein: the selector switch (37) combines functions of a rocker switch moveable in two directions to select operation of a second row window or a third row window, and a push-lock switch disabling and enabling window operation. A multiple switch device as described in claim 2, wherein the selector switch (37) is in a contact position (37b) operating a second row window when the knob (37a) of selector switch (37) is in an upright position, and wherein the selector switch (37) is in a contact position (37c) operating a third row window when the knob (37a) is rocked.

Inventors: FURUKAWA OSAMU, HIRAI HIDEO, SEKI HIROSHI, SOTOME TSUYOSHI, FURUKAWA, OSAMU, HIRAI, HIDEO, SEKI, HIROSHI, SOTOME, TSUYOSHI
Applicants: NILES PARTS CO LTD, NILES PARTS CO., LTD.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H01H21
IPC codes: B60J1, H01H25, H01H13, H01H23, H01H21, E05F15, H01H19, B60R16