Making Life Easier with the Window Switch

Anthony Fontanelle
January 21, 2008

One of the many benefits of having a technologically-advanced vehicle is its focus on passenger comfort and convenience. Technology certainly makes for a fast-paced life for the automotive industry. As cars have evolved over years of research and development, driving a vehicle involves less manual work. Almost every auto part nowadays is converted into a form of electronic and automatic device, wherein an easy touch of a button and the auto part is readily within the driver’s control and disposal. One of such devices is the window switch.

In automotive terms, the window switch is a small but powerful device that automatically raises and lowers mechanism of the car’s power window. It can be considered as the upgraded version of the traditional hand-turned crank of the manual car windows. The window switch uses an electrical circuit to engage action on the power window motor tucked inside the vehicle door. Once the signal is engaged, the window motor enables a series of gears to trigger the window mechanism. Such an internal process causes the opening or closing of windows according to the direction indicated by the window switch. In its typical installation structure, a window switch is usually mounted against each of the interior door panels. There is also a set of master switch at the driver’s side panel that enables the driver to gain control over the switch at the passenger side. However, some car models employ a more democratic positioning, with the master switch built on the center-console bank for every passenger’s easy access.

Three types of window switch are used in vehicles today: the lever switch, the toggle switch, and the rocket switch. The lever window switch is the most ideal for car owners with young children, as a lever needs to be pulled up first before it can function. Thus, it prevents accidents that involve kids sticking their heads out of windows and accidentally pressing the window switch. On the other hand, a toggle window switch needs to be pushed forward or backward so it can function. This is also child-friendly as it requires an effort to operate the windows. The third window switch type, the rocker switch, is the most automatic among the group. One mere press, whether intentional or accidental, instantly raises or lowers of windows. Given the attributes of the different switch forms, it is advisable to choose the type that is most suitable for the passengers involved.

Source:  Amazines.com