FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION INTEGRATED SWITCH ASSEMBLY
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Mr. Ajit B Barbadekar
&
Mr. Rajendra Y Khode
both are Indian Nationals
Of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an integrated switch assembly for a vehicle and more particularly relates to a switch assembly in which two or more functions are integrated reducing the number of switches to be controlled by the driver.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Motor vehicles are often equipped with electric window regulators including an electric motor and a kinematic linkage that converts the rotation of the motor shaft into translation of the associated window. By using a switch, the user can control the operation of the motor in one direction or the other to raise or lower the window. The switch is also referred to as the window regulator control switch or as the power window switch (PWS). The PWS is used to make window glass wind UP and DOWN, electrically. Individual PWS is a self spring return angular switch with mainly three positions; UP, OFF and DOWN. UP and DOWN positions are used to rotate the window glass UP and DOWN directions respectively. In some applications, four and five position power window switches are used to wind individual window UP/DOWN, automatically. This is known as AUTO EXPRESS UP/DOWN feature. Four position PWS is used either in AUTO UP or in AUTO DOWN application. Five position PWS is used in both AUTO UP and AUTO DOWN application. Main driver side PWS assembly consist of set of individual power window switches equal to number of electrically operated windows in that vehicle fixed in bezel. In some cases a separate switch called 'INHIBIT' switch is provided with main PWS assembly to restrict other passengers except driver from winding window glass in UP/DOWN direction, individually. Mechanical movement of window glass in UP/DOWN direction is done by Power Window Regulator (PWR) Assembly, which consists of DC electric motor and winding mechanism.

ORVM or Outer Rear View Mirror switch is used to position outer mirrors electrically, as per driver's requirement of rear view. It mainly consists of: (A) Side Selector Switch, which is a manual return rotary switch with three positions -RIGHT (RH), OFF and LEFT (LH). The RH and LH switching positions are used to select between driver side and co-driver side mirror respectively. (B) Two dimensional digital joystick, which gives only ON/OFF signals for four different directions; UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT, which are used to adjust mirror in UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT directions respectively. Mechanical movement of the mirror in UP/DOWN/RIGHT/LEFT direction is done by DC electrical motor fitted in mirrors assemblies on both sides of the vehicle.
There have been attempts in the prior art to reduce the number of switches which are to be controlled by the driver and consequently de-clutter the space in driver side of the vehicle. One such prior art US 7,262,375 also provides for a switch control device disposed on the driver side of the vehicle. The control device comprises of a multifunction switch SW1 which can be used for changing the control mode from "power window" control mode to "power side mirror" control mode and vice versa. SW1 is further provided with switch contacts one at each of the four corners C1, C2, C3 and C4 corresponding to the windows respectively and the window opening and closing is operable through switch SW2. The mirror selecting switch SW3 has two contacts R and L for right and left side mirrors respectively. However, this patent also teaches of several switches for selecting the mode, direction and side operations for power side mirrors and power windows.
Another prior art JP11-96853 discloses a conventional switch control device provided with a plurality of switches for operating a power window and a power side mirror of a vehicle, which is formed as a part of a master switch panel disposed on the driver's seat side and comprises of a mode selector 13 for changing the control mode from "power window" to "power side mirror' and vice versa and a multifunction switch 12 for selecting a window and adjusting a viewing angle of the side mirror as shown in Figure 1. The multifunction switch 12 comprises a

push button switch portion 121 (individual switch disposed at the center and a multi-direction switch portion 122 arranged at eight peripheral positions, which are to operate into eight directions (front/rear, left/right and four diagonal directions). A switch 14 is used for opening and closing a power window. A switch 16 is used for retarding a mirror and a switch 17 is used for locking/unlocking a door. A switch 18 is used for locking/unlocking a window. When the control mode selector switch 13 is pressed to select the "power window" mode and the central switch portion 121 is then pushed down, all windows are selected to be operated. When the multi-directional switch portion 122, is pressed to tilt for example, frontward, left and right windows of the front seats are selected to be operated. When the switch portion 122 is pressed to tilt in the front right direction, the right window is selected to be operated. The selected window can be opened or closed by operating the window opening/closing switch 14. When adjusting the power side mirror, the control mode selector switch 13 is pushed sequentially changing the control mode from the power window control mode to the power side control mode, the selector switch 15 is then pressed to select a left or right side mirror and then the multidirectional switch portion 122 is pressed to tilt in a desirable direction for adjusting viewing angle of the selected mirror.
In the conventional switch control device for a vehicle, the multifunction switch 122 comprises two separate selector switch portions, i.e. the center pushbutton switch portion 121 for selecting all power windows and the circumferentially disposed multi-directional switch portion 122 for selecting each of the windows or adjusting the viewing angle of each of the mirrors by pushing the switch portion to tilt in a desirable eight directions (front, rear, right, left and four diagonal directions) and which therefore has a complicated construction. The control mode selector switch 13 is separately provided, which has to be operated to select a power window control mode or power side control mode before operating switch for driving a power window or power side window.

It is felt that the increased number of switches lead to numerous controls on the driver's door or instrument panel. This creates a problem of control ergonomics because many-a-times these controls are activated blindly by the driver while driving. It also creates a problem of construction and aggregate costs as the number of controls and the wires connecting the controls are increased. Therefore, what is needed and is seemingly unavailable in the prior art is a switch assembly having combined controls for at two or more functions thereby reducing the number of switches on the driver side of the vehicle. Hence, the inventors of the present invention endeavor to provide an integrated switch assembly which allows the driver to control the functions of both Outer rear View Mirror (ORVM) as well Power Window (PW) using an integrated switch assembly. The present invention also attempts to de-clutter the switch assembly on driver's side of the vehicle by reducing the number of controls on the driver's side which increases driver's concentration and efficiency and reduces the chances of undesired incidents. The present invention further attempts to provide a switch panel which has ease of construction and reduced costs of manufacture due to combined switch and control assembly for ORVM and PW functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an integrated switch assembly for installation within a vehicle, the switch assembly being adapted to regulate movement of Outer Rear View Mirror (ORVM) and power Window (PW), such switch assembly having reduced number of controls to be operated by the driver.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figures 1 and 2 depict the arrangement of switches as seen in prior arts US

7,262,375 and JP11-96853 respectively.
Figure 3 represents the circuit diagram according to first embodiment of the present invention
Figure 4 illustrates isometric view of switch assembly in accordance with first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 depicts the top view of the switch assembly in accordance with first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 represents the circuit diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention
Figure 7 illustrates isometric view of switch assembly in accordance with second embodiment of the present invention
Figure 8 illustrates the top view of the switch assembly in accordance with second embodiment of the present invention
Figure 9 illustrates the cross sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the switch assembly console of the present invention, two important functions namely Outer Rear View Minor (ORVM) and Power Window (PW), to be manipulated by the driver are integrated thereby reducing the number of controls to be operated by the driver. The integrated switch assembly of the present invention not only reduces the number of switches/buttons/controls but also reduces the number of connecting wires resulting in ease of construction. From an ergonomic point of view, the user can more easily identify buttons due to the reduced number of buttons. In the description that follows, the words, 'vertical', 'horizontal', 'right', 'left', 'up', 'down', 'front', 'rear', 'top' and 'bottom' are used in reference to the position in the vehicle. The embodiments of the invention as described hereinbelow in a standard installation on the driver's door situated on the right. However, the switch can be easily arranged in other required positions. This specification including appended claims and diagrams describes integration of

controls for regulating functions of Outer Rear View Mirror (hereinafter referred to as ORVM) and Power Window Switch (hereinafter referred to as PWS) onto a single switch assembly. The specification further describes the means and methods for semi and full integration of ORVM and PW functions which may be chosen by the user based on make and model of the vehicle, monetary considerations or simply user requirement.
In accordance with the appended figures 3-9, there is described an integrated switch assembly assembly (220, 330) for installation within a vehicle, adapted for regulating movement of Outer Rear View Mirror (ORVM) and Power Window (PW) wherein the assembly comprising a bezel (221, 331) which is configured to receive a control assembly (270,370) comprising a digital control means (223, 333) and a side selector switch (228, 340) for selecting and manipulating the Front Right Hand side (FRH), Front Left Hand side (FLH), Rear Right Hand side (RRH) and Rear Left Hand side (RLH) of Power windows and Outer rear View Mirrors of the vehicle. The side selector switch (228, 340) comprises of five positions being adapted to select and manipulate Front Right Hand (FRH) (242, 342), Front Left Hand (FLH) (244, 344) of both Outer Rear View Mirror and Power Windows and Rear Right Hand (RRH) (241, 341), Rear Left Hand (RLH) (245, 345) and a neutral (243, 343) positions of Power Windows. In the present embodiment, the side selector switch is a rotary switch, any suitable switch may be employed to fulfill the same function.
The digital control means (223,333) is bi-dimensionally operable means adapted to operate the side selector switch (228, 340). In the present embodiment the digital control means (223, 333) is a joystick, however, any similar control means may be employed. The bezel further comprises of an inhibit switch (224, 334) comprising two positions UP and DOWN for restricting movement of all power windows together in UP/DOWN position respectively.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the integrated switch assembly (220) further comprises of a mode-selector switch (222) received on the bezel and configured to enable selection between Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and Power Window mode (230). This embodiment is also referred to as the semi-integrated switch assembly in which there is only partial integration of ORVM and PW functions. In the semi-integrated embodiment, the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position (230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved vertically upward positions (241, 242) thus transmitting signals (231, 232) to Front Right Hand or Rear Right Hand Power Window respectively enabling the user to regulate its movement thereof. Similarly, the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position (230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved vertically downwards to positions (244, 245) transmitting signals (234, 235) to Front Left Hand or Rear Left Hand Power Window respectively enabling the user to regulate its movement thereof.
In the same embodiment, when the mode selector switch (222) is moved horizontally right to Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and side selector switch (228) is moved vertically upwards (242), a signal (251) is transmitted to Right Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror thus enabling the user to regulate its movement thereof. Whereas when the mode selector switch (222) is moved horizontally right to Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and side selector switch (228) is moved vertically downwards (244) position transmitting signal (252) to Left Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror thereby enabling the user to regulate its movement thereof. In order to regulate movement of all power windows UP or DOWN together, the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position (230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved to neutral position (243) transmitting signal (233) to Common position which allows movement of all power windows in UP or DOWN position simultaneously.
The circuit diagrams represented by figures 3 and 6 determine the various positions of the switch assembly (220, 330). Depending on the position of common knob

(223, 333), a change-of-state signal is activated which issues a signal on the multiplexed bus to the windows and mirrors concerned. The signal represents the enabling or disabling of the function or mode in question.
In the second embodiment of the invention, the control assembly comprises of a top cover (406) for receiving the digital control means (333) and a bottom cover (401) including therewithin, a five-position moving plate (403) comprising detents for receiving five position switch (340), a two-position moving plate (404) comprising detents for receiving side-selector switch (360), a conducting plate (405) comprising conducting terminals for transmitting signals to Outer Rear View Mirror and a conducting plate (402) comprising conducting terminals for transmitting signals to Power Windows and digital control means (333) and shaft (408) of digital control means (333) in a manner that top (333t) of shaft protrudes through the top cover enabling operation of the said means.
In the same embodiment, the power window side selector switch (340) and Outer Rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) are present at different vertical levels namely upper and lower vertical levels respectively and both are operated by a single digital control means (333). power window side selector switch (340) is configured to enable the user to select and manipulate Front Right Hand (FRH) (342), Front Left Hand (FLH) (344), Rear Right Hand (RRH) (341), Rear Left Hand (RLH) (345) power windows. The power window side selector switch (340) further comprises a neutral (343) position configured to enable the user to move all windows UP/DOWN together. The Outer Rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) configured to enable the user to select and manipulate Front Right Hand side mirror (361) and Front Left Hand side mirror (362).
In the same embodiment, the digital control means (333) is moved vertically upwards to Outer Rear View Mirror mode and Outer rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) is moved horizontally left to select Front Left Hand side (362) position transmitting signal (352) to Left Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof. Whereas when the

digital control means (333) is moved vertically upwards to Outer Rear View Mirror mode and Outer rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) is moved horizontally right to select Front Right Hand side (361) position transmitting signal (351) to Right Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof.
In order to regulate the power windows, the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved vertically upwards to select Rear Right Hand side and Front Right Hand side (341, 342) position transmitting signals (321, 322) to Front Right Hand or Rear Right Hand Power Window respectively thus enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof. Further, when the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved vertically downwards to select Rear Left Hand side and Front Left Hand side (344, 345) position transmitting signals (324, 325) to Front Left Hand or Rear Left Hand Power Window respectively enabling its movement thereof. And when the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved to neutral position (343) transmitting signals (323) to Common position enabling movement of all power windows in UP/DOWN position together.
In one embodiment, the switch assembly (220, 330) is configured and dimensioned for mounting on the trim of the door of driver side of the vehicle. In another embodiment the switch assembly can be mounted on any suitable position for example a steering wheel or such other positions which enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the interiors of the vehicle or simply based on user's customized requirement. It is possible to implement the invention with other switches and buttons than described hereinabove. It is to be noted that only one state i.e. idle or active can activated by action by the user. This can be easily achieved by capacitive sensor buttons or by switches depressed under the action of the user's fingers that then return to their initial position.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an indicator can be provided to show the state of the function. The state of the indicator represents the state of the function in question for the said window glass or ORVM corresponding to the selector switches. Further, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described as examples. In particular, the shape of the switches and buttons can vary.
It is to be noted that the invention is explained above with the help of an exemplary embodiment which is presented for the purpose of illustration and description in order to explain the various principles of the invention and their practical application. This is not intended to exhaust or limit the invention to a precise form that is disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings.

WE CLAIM
1. An integrated switch assembly (220, 330) for installation within a vehicle,
said switch being adapted to manipulate movement of Outer Rear View Mirror
(ORVM) and Power Window (PW) wherein the assembly comprising a bezel (221,
331) configured to receive:
(a) a control assembly (270, 370) comprising a digital control means (223, 333) and a side selector switch (228, 340) for selecting and manipulating the Front Right Hand side (FRH), Front Left Hand side (FLH), Rear Right Hand side (RRH) and Rear Left Hand side (RLH) of Power windows and Outer rear View Mirrors of the vehicle;
(b) an inhibit switch (224, 334) comprising two positions UP and DOWN for restricting movement of all power windows together in UP/DOWN position respectively.

2. The integrated switch assembly (220, 330) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side selector switch (228, 340) comprises of five positions being adapted to select and manipulate Front Right Hand (FRH) (242, 342), Front Left Hand (FLH) (244, 344) of both Outer Rear View Mirror and Power Windows and Rear Right Hand (RRH) (241,341), Rear Left Hand (RLH) (245, 345) and a neutral (243,343) positions of Power Windows;
3. The integrated switch assembly (220, 330) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the digital control means (223, 333) is bi-dimensionally operable means adapted to operate the side selector switch (228,340)
4. The integrated switch assembly (220, 330) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the digital control means (223,333) is a joystick.
5. The integrated switch assembly (220, 330) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the side selector switch is a rotary switch.

6. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the assembly further comprises of a mode-selector switch (222) received on the bezel (221) to enable the user to select between Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and Power Window mode (230).
7. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position (230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved vertically upwards to positions (241, 242) transmitting signals (231, 232) to Front Right Hand or Rear Right Hand Power Window respectively enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof.
8. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position (230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved vertically downwards to positions (244, 245) transmitting signals (234, 235) to Front Left Hand or Rear Left Hand Power Window respectively enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof.
9. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mode selector switch (222) is moved horizontally right to Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and side selector switch (228) is moved vertically upwards (242) transmitting signal (251) to Right Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof.
10. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mode selector switch (222) is moved horizontally right to Outer Rear View Mirror mode (250) and side selector switch (228) is moved vertically downwards (244) position transmitting signal (252) to Left Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling the user to manipulate its movement thereof.
11. The integrated switch assembly (220) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mode selector switch (222) is moved to horizontal left position

(230) and the side selector switch (228) is moved to neutral position (243) transmitting signal (233) Common position enabling the user to manipulate the movement of all power windows in UP/DOWN position together.
12. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claims 1-5 wherein the control
assembly comprises of:
(a) a top cover (406) for receiving the digital control means (333) and a bottom cover (401) including therewithin
(b) Five-position moving plate (403) comprising detents for receiving five position switch (340)
(c) Two-position moving plate (404) comprising detents for receiving side-selector switch (360)
(d) Conducting plate (405) comprising conducting terminals for transmitting signals to Outer Rear View Mirror
(e) Conducting plate (402) comprising conducting terminals for transmitting signals to Power Windows and digital control means (333)
(f) Shaft (408) of digital control means (333) such that top (333t) of shaft protrudes through the top cover enabling operation of the said means.

13. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 12 wherein the power window side selector switch (340) and Outer Rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) are present at different vertical levels namely upper and lower vertical levels respectively.
14. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 13 wherein the power window side selector switch (340) and Outer Rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) are both operable by a single digital control means (333).
15. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 14 wherein the power window side selector switch (340) is configured to enable the user to select

and manipulate the Front Right Hand (FRH) (342), Front Left Hand (FLH) (344), Rear Right Hand (RRH) (341), Rear Left Hand (RLH) (345) power windows.
16. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 15 wherein the power window side selector switch (340) further comprises a neutral (343) position configured to enable the user to manipulate movement of all windows UP/DOWN together.
17. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 16 wherein Outer Rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) is configured to enable the user to select and manipulate Front Right Hand side mirror (361) and Front Left Hand side mirror (362).
18. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 17 wherein the digital control means (333) is moved vertically upwards to Outer Rear View Mirror mode and Outer rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) is moved horizontally left to select Front Left Hand side (362) position transmitting signal (352) to Left Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling its movement thereof.
19. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 18 wherein the digital control means (333) is moved vertically upwards to Outer Rear View Mirror mode and Outer rear View Mirror side selector switch (360) is moved horizontally right to select Front Right Hand side (361) position transmitting signal (351) to Right Hand Side mirror of Outer Rear View Mirror enabling its movement thereof.
20. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 19 wherein the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved vertically upwards to select Rear Right Hand side and Front Right Hand side (341, 342) position transmitting signals (321, 322) to Front Right Hand or Rear Right Hand Power Window respectively enabling its movement thereof.

21. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 20 wherein the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved vertically downwards to select Rear Left Hand side and Front Left Hand side (344, 345) position transmitting signals (324, 325) to Front Left Hand or Rear Left Hand Power Window respectively enabling its movement thereof.
22. The integrated switch assembly (330) as claimed in claim 21 wherein the digital control means (333) is moved vertically downwards to Power Window mode and Power Window side selector switch (340) is moved to neutral position (343) transmitting signals (323) to Common position enabling movement of all power windows in UP/DOWN position together.
23. The integrated switch assembly (220, 330) as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the assembly is configured and dimensioned for mounting on the trim of the door of driver side of the vehicle.