Armrest electrical switch array
US5952630A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2300/01
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle interior trim panel electrical switch assembly (10) includes a switch panel portion (16) with a continuous outer surface (18). Force sensitive resistor switches (20a-20g) are supported on the switch panel portion (16) and are secured to the inner surface of a skin cover having a continuous outer surface (18) and forming the outer layer of a soft feel composite. The force sensitive resistor switches are embedded in the soft feel composite either as being cast in a layer of flexible foam or being applied within preformed openings in a layer of flexible foam in certain embodiments in which case they are associated with a circuit module (34) that negates preloading effects due to thermal expansion caused by changes in ambient conditions. In a preferred embodiment the correction occurs due to a circuit configuration that corrects for such preloading effects on a deflection rate basis. The circuit module (34) for each switch (20a-20g) may also include a relay in high power applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.