United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Robert F Gutman

Robert S Migrin

A view control prism display system in which the viewable angle of an informational display (15) is controlled and limited to certain desired areas (17) by utilizing the reflective and refractive properties of an optical prism element (10) used in association with the informational display. In the exemplary application of a button (6B) in an instrument cluster in an automotive environment (5), the informational display is included as an applique (15) on a flat surface provided adjacent to but spaced from the optical prism by an air gap (14). A further, 'decorated' surface (13) which can be painted black or be frosted, is provided on an adjacent, bottom surface of the optical prism. Within the desired viewing angle in front (11) of the button, the viewer will see the refracted image of the information contained on the applique, while those outside (18) of the desired viewing angle will 'see' the reflected image of the non-informational 'decorated' surface. Likewise, by properly designing the angles of the various surfaces of the optical prism and the locations of the two surfaces, the informational image will not be projected onto the interior side ('CVZ') of the windshield (9), which is located outside of the desired viewing range of angles, preventing any daytime or nighttime reflections from being generated on the windshield or, if so designed, any of the side windows.

Vehicular display view control system

Automotive power seat switch

An inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system for automotive instrumentation with button cluster switching, in which the switches form a 2.times.2 matrix switch circuit free of diode feedback protection in its input lines, the button structures being rocker mounted preventing the concurrent actuation of their associated switches. One button structure integrally includes two, closely spaced button elements having the look and feel of two independent buttons, with the other button structure having a relatively wide, single, continuous button actuation surface, the three 'buttons' being located in line forming a button cluster for the automobile's information center. The first two, integrally formed button elements are used to set the basic parameters of the information system (English or metric, and zeroing of odometer), while the third, wider button is used in a rocking motion to sequence back and forth to present various information and displays (time of day, odometer reading, fuel consumption rates, trip miles to go, etc.). The button cluster can be located on the instrument panel, the console, the steering wheel or the driver's interior door panel, and the display can be visual and/or audio.

Inter-locked button actuated matrix switch system, particularly for

A button set and switch particularly useful for an automotive power seat switch are disclosed. The button set is a single one-piece, molded set of buttons each connecting by living hinge to a frame such that each button may be displaced independently but are physically arranged to simulate a preselected design. A printed circuit board may be mounted to the button set and may include a series a clicket switches appropriately positioned to be engaged by each botton for providing appropriate signals to obtain the desired output controlled by the switch.

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St. Clair Shores, MI, United States of America

Robert F Gutman