United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Mark Feldman

John Cranick

Robert M Schmidt

Robert D Muller

Gennaro Fedele

Roberto Tomassi

Orlando F Muscat

An electrical switching unit includes a first switch for positioning a vehicle component or activating a memory function. A second switch controls the first switch to select between positioning the component or activating the memory function. Preferably, the switching unit controls the positioning of the right and left side mirrors and activation of a memory function. In one embodiment, the second switch has three positions to select right side mirror positioning, left side mirror positioning, or memory function. The first switch includes four sub-switches to control the upward, downward, inward, and outward adjustment of the right and left side mirror and activation of the set and recall modes of the memory function.

Combination mirror and memory switch

A switching device includes the ability to perform a primary and secondary switching function through the use of a single switch handle. A primary switch contact is activated when the switch handle is moved in a desired direction. A secondary switch contact is activated when the switch handle is further moved in the same direction. The secondary switch contact includes a generally flexible conductive member supported adjacent a printed circuit board. An actuator portion of the switch handle moves into contact with the generally flexible conductive member causing a central portion of that member to flex toward and contact the printed circuit board. Such electrical contact results in a signal being generated that is indicative of a desire to accomplish the secondary switching function.

Switching device with secondary switching function

A rotary dimmer switch assembly for use with a vehicle push-pull switch controls at least one light dimming function. The rotary switch assembly comprises a stationary cam contact assembly, and a rotating carder assembly which carries a circuit element having an exposed circuit trace surface. The cam contact assembly is fixed to a circuit board and has a plurality of contact arms having one end biased against the circuit element circuit trace surfaces and the other end electrically connected to the circuit board. The cam contact assembly guides the rotation of the carrier assembly about the longitudinal axis of the push-pull switch. The circuit element rotates with the carrier assembly, which is rotated by rotation of a push-pull switching component, and the circuit trace surfaces sweep across the contact arms thereby controlling the light dimming function. A method of assembling the rotary potentiometer assembly is also disclosed.

Rotary potentiometer assembly for a push-pull switch

A bi-directional multifunction switch which incorporates a single contact carrier having conductive contacts adapted to be moved in various directions as a result of rotary and push/pull actuation of an interconnected knob. Electrically conductive circuit paths formed in a substrate surface are contacted by protrusions on the conductive contacts to accomplish electrical switching functions. The contact carrier is moved via a shaft which securely retains the contact carrier along opposing axes and which moves as a result of turning, pushing or pulling the actuating knob.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Mark Feldman