Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Patent
1996-05-09
1998-04-07
Tso, Edward
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
H01H 926
Patent
active
057366969
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an automotive light switch that includes a rotary/pull switch for the parking lights, headlights and interior lighting, said switch accommodated in a casing.
Switches of that type, for actuation of the parking and headlights by turning the actuating knob and for actuating the interior lighting lamps by pulling the knob are known in various styles (e.g., DE-A1-3 023 905, DE-A1-4 036 671, DE-A1-3 031 711). Such a switch is installed in the dashboard of an automobile as a preassembled module, In addition to this rotary/pull switch, an on/off switch for the fog light, an on/off switch for the fog taillight, a control switch for the illuminated distance and a control switch for the dashboard illumination need to be installed in the dashboard at different locations. This arrangement of the switches requires extra installation space for each individual switch and involves, fix each individual switch, extra installation expense. Furthermore, the switches are not all situated in the operator's line of sight, due to their spaced positioning within the dashboard, which impedes visually locating a specific switch.
Therefore, the problem underlying the invention is to provide an automotive light switch of the initially named type which, while serving all light switching functions of an automobile, has a maximally compact structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This problem is inventionally solved in that the casing accommodates additionally a control switch for the illuminated distance, an on/off switch for the fog light, an on/off switch for the fog taillight and a control switch for the dashboard illumination.
This arrangement results in a combined automotive light switch for all light switching functions of an automobile, which switch, preassembled, can be fitted easily and quickly in a opening in the dashboard of the automobile; that is, it is no longer necessary to install various individual switches for the different light switching functions. All that is required is installing the combined automotive light switch according to the invention. With all switches accommodated in a common casing, they form an extremely compact arrangement that requires relatively little installation space. Furthermore, all of the individual switches are now directly in the operator's line of sight, enabling the operator to quickly recognize the desired individual switch of the combined automotive light switch.
For easy installation of the automotive light switch, according to a favorable embodiment of the invention the casing snaps into an appropriate dashboard opening through the intermediary of opposed retaining springs.
To provide an operator-friendly handling of the automotive light switch, a favorable advancement of the invention provides for arranging side by side, below the rotary/pull switch, the control switch for the illuminated distance, the on/off switch for the fog light, the on/off switch for the fog taillight and the control switch for the dashboard illumination.
Preference goes to the opposed arrangement of the two control switches, with the on/off switches centered in between, side by side.
Each of the individual switches features a locating and a function illumination. According to a favorable advancement of the invention, the light sources for the locating and function illumination of the switches are arranged on a joint printed circuit board, and the light sources illuminate the opaque locating symbols and the opaque function symbols of the switches by way of light guides. An installation-friendly arrangement of the light sources is obtained, since these can be preassembled on the printed circuit board.
In the preferred practice of the invention, the printed circuit board rests on a base snapped in place in the casing and provided with plug contacts, the latter connecting to the printed circuit board by means of clamping devices. This guarantees a quick installation of the common printed circuit board for all switches.
A further preferred provision is arranging t
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patent: 4403818 (1983-09-01), Kleinbohl
patent: 4868354 (1989-09-01), Ray et al.
patent: 4885434 (1989-12-01), Vultaggio et al.
patent: 5442527 (1995-08-01), Wichelt
patent: 5596233 (1997-01-01), Leiber et al.
Eaton Corporation
Johnston Roger A.
Tso Edward
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