Known vehicle instrument panels typically support several switches in an aligned, pre-selected arrangement that allows the operator to see and access the switch while operating the vehicle. Known switch types typically include rocker switches or toggle switches which control different operations or functions of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a switch arrangement cluster for a vehicle instrument panel which guides an operators fingers to the switch.

While traveling at high speed or in difficult conditions it is often impractical for the operator to take his eyes off of the road and focus on the series of switches to determine the location of a selected switch which the operator desires to manipulate. As a result, conventional instrument panels having rows of switches and other controls can be frustrating and difficult to use by the driver during operation of the vehicle without visually focusing on the specific switch to be manipulated at a selected time.

When the operator can look at the switches on the instrument panel, visual identification of each switch is typically facilitated by lights behind each of the components. Accordingly, the conventional instrument panel requires a relatively large number of lights to provide sufficient illumination and identification of the switches and controls. Further, assembly of the instrument panels with the large number of lights is a time-consuming process, and maintenance of such an instrument panel, including replacement of the individual lights, is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

A further drawback to the conventional instrument panels is the antiquated look and feel of the known rocker and toggle switch assemblies. In a modem vehicle interior these switch assemblies seem out of place. Recently, a greater number of vehicle operators are familiar with the light tactile feel of computer keyboards and the like, thus preferring the same in a vehicle interior. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved switches for vehicle instrument panels.

The present invention is directed toward a control panel for a vehicle instrument panel having a first surface and a recess formed therein which receives a plurality of switch buttons. Each switch button has a switch recess formed therein with an electrical switch mounted within the switch recess. The switch recesses define partitions which separate the individual electrical switches. The first surface is defined by a control panel which can be provided at various locations within the vehicle interior. Preferably, the control panel is a curvilinear surface such as an instrument panel cowling commonly located rearward of a steering wheel as viewed from an operator's seat.

To actuate an electrical component of a vehicle, the operator places his hand on or in the switch recess and the partitions locate each finger of the operator's hand such that each finger can be associated with one of the plurality of electrical switches. The electrical switch is actuated in a first direction, such as by pressing down into the control panel. The partitions need only create a recognizable distinction between each switch such that an operator's fingers can be associated with a separate switch. After a short familiarity period the operator will become accustomed to associating each switch recess with a particular vehicle component function, thus providing actuation of the component without visually focusing on the specific switch to be manipulated.

The electrical switches are preferably of a soft touch membrane material which flexes when depressed. Additionally, Illumination of each electrical switch is preferably accomplished by a plurality of fiber optic light pipes which originate from a single source. By connecting a plurality of light pipes to a single source replacement of individual lights, a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process, is practically eliminated. The illumination provides either a background"glow"to each recess or can alternatively provide for the specific identification of each switch.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a switch control panel according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the switches shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the switches taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a general perspective view of an alternate embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a switch cluster shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a general perspective view of an alternate embodiment according to the present invention located in a vertical panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 illustrates a control panel assembly 10 according to the present invention. The control panel assembly 10 generally includes a first surface 11. A recess 12 formed in the surface 11 receives a plurality of switch buttons 13. Each of the switch buttons 13 carries an electrical switch 14 which is located in a wall of a switch recess 16 formed in the switch button 13. The switch recesses 16 define partitions 18 which separate the individual electrical switches 14 from one another.

The control panel assembly 10 can be located in various locations within the vehicle interior. Preferably, the control panel 10 is a curvilinear surface such as an instrument panel cowling 20. It is to be understood that cowling 20 is a term for the hooded area covering an instrument panel and may be alternatively known as an eyebrow or dashboard. In any case, the cowling 20 is commonly located rearward of a steering wheel 22 as viewed from an operator's seat (not shown). Preferably, to actuate an electrical component of a vehicle, the plurality of switches 14 are oriented in a readily accessible position to the operator such that the operator does not have to release the steering wheel 22 during actuation of the electrical component.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of one of the switch buttons 13 shown in Figure 1. The operator places his hand on the switch buttons 13 located one of the instrument panel recesses 12 and the partitions 18 locate each finger of the operator's hand (not shown) such that each finger can be associated with one of the plurality of switches 14. To best accept and guide the operator's finger to the switch 14, the switch recess 16 and associated partitions 18 preferably form a keyhole shape.

As further shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, each switch button 13 is illustrated as an individual module defined to accept a single finger. The operator places a finger in the switch recess 16 and the partitions 18 guide the operator's finger in a first direction to the associated electrical switch 14. As the partitions 18 extend parallel to the first direction, actuation of the switch 14 is assured without having to visually determine the position of the switch 14.

As schematically shown in Figure 3, the electrical switch 14 is located in the lower portion of the switch recess 16 and is preferably of a soft touch membrane material.

The membrane material flexes when depressed to close a first electrical contact 14A with a second electrical contact 14B thereby actuating the connected electrical component.

The first electrical contact 14A is preferably integral to the membrane material and located adjacent the second contact 14B. The second contact 14b is preferably integral to a printed circuit board 14C, or can be directly connected thereto by a flex conductor in a known manner. Likewise, a stalk switch, rocker switch, or the like can be located within the switch recess 16 yet similarly actuate a membrane switch located below the recess 16.

Additionally, the switches 14 can be illuminated. In a preferred embodiment, illumination is accomplished by a plurality of fiber optic light pipes 26 which originate from a single light source 28 (shown in Figure 1). By providing a plurality of light pipes 24 each switch recess 16 can be individually illuminated to distinguish each recess 16, yet duplication of the relatively expensive illumination source 28 is minimized. The illumination provides either a background"glow"to each recess 16 or can alternatively provide for specific switch 14 identification by a symbol or phrase. Each light pipe 26 can further provide a different color or hue to further identify each switch 14 while still originating from a single light source 28.

As shown in figure 4, it will be realized that the partitions 18 can be of various sizes and shapes and can be integral to, or separated from, the first surface 11. The partitions 18 can extend to a height less than that of the first surface 11, can be slightly above the first surface 11, or can be as slight as a minimal ridge between each switch 14.

Figure 5 further illustrates that the first surface 11 can be integrated with the partitions 18 to provide a scalloped-like surface to define the recess 16 for each switch 14. The partitions 18 need only create a recognizable distinction between each switch 14 such that an operator's fingers can be associated with each individual switch 14. After a short familiarity period the operator will become accustomed to associating each recess 16 with a particular vehicle component function without having to visually focus on the specific switch 14 to be manipulated. For example only, after a short familiarity period, the operator would associate the ring finger with a second recess and with the actuation of the vehicle's windshield wiper system.

In another alternative embodiment, as shown in figure 6, the control panel can be located in a vertically oriented panel 24 such as a dashboard front fascia. The operator places his hand into a recess 16'which extends horizontally into the vertical panel 24 and the partitions 18'extend vertically to locate each finger of the operator's hand such that each finger can again be associated with one of the plurality of switches 14'.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.