Power Seat Switch to Present Simultaneous Activation

Abstract

A switch actuating assembly for an automobile seat has a switch operating member moveable along a first path to operate a first switch associated with a first function and moveable along a second path to operate a second switch associated with a second function. To inhibit operation of both functions simultaneously a guide controls movement of the switch operating member. Guide members act between the switch operating member and the guide so that movement of the switch operating member along one of the paths upon movement of the switch operating member along the other of the paths from a rest position. An interlock is provided between the switch operating members of a pair of switch assemblies so that only one function of one of the switch assemblies can be operated at a time.

1 . A switch actuating assembly having a switch operating member moveable along a first path to operate a first switch associated with a first function and moveable along a second path to operate a second switch associated with a second function,
 a guide to control movement of said switch operating member, guide members acting between said switch operating member and said guide to constrain said switch operating member for movement along said paths, said switch operating member having a rest position in which said guide members permit movement along either of said paths and said guide members being configured to inhibit movement of said switch operating member along one of said paths upon movement of said switch operating member along the other of said paths from said rest position.   
     
     
         2 . A switch actuating assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said guide members include a follower on one of said switching operating member and said guide plate and tracks on the other of said switch operating member and guide plate defining each of said respective paths to guide said follower, said tracks intersecting at said rest position to permit said follower to move along either of said paths. 
     
     
         3 . A switch actuating assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said switch operating member is supported on a pair of yieldable connections to permit movement along said paths. 
     
     
         4 . A switch according to  claim 3  wherein said switch operating member is rotatable relative to said guide to move said follower along one of said tracks and is translated relative to said guide to move said follower in to the other of said tracks. 
     
     
         5 . A switch actuating assembly according to  claim 4  wherein each of said yieldable connections provides a centre of rotation of said switch operating member relative to said guide. 
     
     
         6 . A switch operating assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said one of said tracks is arcuate and centred on one of said yieldable connections. 
     
     
         7 . A switch operating assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said switch operating member is movable along a third path to operate a third switch associated with a third function, said guide members including a further track defining said third path and a follower guided by said further track, said further track and said one track are convergent whereby movement of said follower along said one track inhibits movement of a follower along said further track. 
     
     
         8 . A switch operating assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said guide members include a pair of tracks each defining a respective one of said paths on one of said switch operating members and said guide and, followers on the other of said switch operating members and said guide engagable with respective ones of said tracks, said tracks being convergent so that movement of one of said followers along one of said tracks from said rest position inhibits movement of the other of said followers along the other of said tracks. 
     
     
         9 . A switch operating assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said switch operating member is supported on a pair of yieldable connections, each of which defines a centre of rotation of said switch operating member relative to said guide, and said tracks are each arcuate and centred on respective ones of said yieldable connections. 
     
     
         10 . A switch operating assembly according to  claim 10  wherein an additional track is provided to permit movement along a third path, said additional track intersecting each of said other tracks, whereby movement of said followers along said additional track inhibits movement of said followers along said arcuate tracks. 
     
     
         11 . A switch assembly including a pair of switch actuating assemblies, each of said switch actuating assemblies operable to control operation of a respective switch to control respective functions, said switch actuating assemblies each including a switch operating member that is moveable from a rest position to operate a switch, said switch operating members overlying one another and having an interlock member selectively engageable with each of said switch operating members, movement of either of said switch operating member from said rest position causing said interlock member to engage the other if said switch operating members and inhibiting movement thereof from said rest position. 
     
     
         12 . A switch assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said interlock member is shuttle displaceable by movement of one of said switch operating members to engage the other. 
     
     
         13 . A switch assembly according to  claim 12  wherein said shuttle is engaged by a cam surface on said switch operating member upon movement from said rest position. 
     
     
         14 . A switch assembly according to  claim 13  wherein each of said switch operating members has an aperture to receive said shuttle, said apertures being aligned at said rest position.