Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Patent
1996-03-11
1997-11-25
Gellner, Michael L.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
200 6127, H01H 900
Patent
active
056915195
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric switch, notably an automotive steering column switch, featuring a switching lever fitted in the switch casing and serving to switch at least one electric circuit while having on its exposed end a spring-loaded push button for actuation of another electric circuit.
It is generally known to actuate the switching lever of steering column switches in two planes of movement in order to be able to switch a plurality of functions in a clear manner. Additionally it is frequently customary to provide the switching lever on its exposed end with a push button adapted for actuation in axial direction, to perform additional switching functions.
Known from German Patent Publication DE-OS 30 45 159 is an automotive steering column switch featuring a switching element that pivots about a casing-fixed axis and contains, a catch of flexible arrangement which interacts with a stationary cam and a contact bridge for the turn signal circuit. Within the switching element, an actuator lever is pivotably mounted about a stud which is aligned perpendicularly to the casing-fixed axis and parallel to the pivotal plane of the switching element. The actuating lever possesses a spring-loaded catch that interacts with a cam in the switching element. On the end of the actuating lever rests the actuating arm of a rocker which by way of its crank is in working connection, via a slide, with a switching rocker for actuation of the passing light and for turn signal switching. The actuating lever performs thus two movements.
Known German Patent Publication from DE-OS 29 52 298 is a steering column switch which features a switching arrangement with which the left, or right turn signal lights can be activated for signaling the direction of travel, and a switching arrangement capable of influencing the circuit of the headlights. The former switching arrangement is actuated by horizontal pivoting, the second by vertical pivoting of an actuating lever. To be able to perform this movement, the actuating lever is mounted in a switching element so as to rotate about a horizontal axis, which switching element is rotatable about a vertical axis by way of two studs that extend into two casing holes.
Known German Patent Publication from DE-PS 33 43 661 a steering column switch that features two electrically interconnected printed circuit boards, of which one is laminated on both sides and with which printed circuit boards the movements of the actuating lever of the switch in horizontal and vertical direction, or plane, enables a plurality of switching functions, such as parking lights, headlights, low beam, passing lights, turn signal right and left.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective underlying the invention is to provide a switch of the initially mentioned type with a horizontal and/or vertical direction of switching of the switching lever and with a push button arranged on the end of the switching lever and which is compact in construction volume.
This objective is inventionally achieved in that the push button is in working connection, via a spring-loaded connecting rod, with a cross lever that is located in the axis of rotation of the switching lever and mounted pivotably while connected on its pivotable end to a spring-loaded switching member which acts upon contacts.
The present invention provides a compact design of the switch and a reliable transmission of force from the push button to the switching member. The arrangement of the pivotable cross lever in the axis of rotation of the switching lever enables the switching function of the push button to be initiated in any position of the switching lever; and, the cross lever requires virtually no extra installation space.
In one embodiment of the invention, the push button features an inner sleeve that is arranged movably and rotationally fix
REFERENCES:
patent: 3940579 (1976-02-01), Buhl et al.
patent: 4219709 (1980-08-01), Scarbo
patent: 4810839 (1989-03-01), Chretien
patent: 4942273 (1990-07-01), Furuhashi et al.
patent: 5047600 (1991-09-01), Enari et al.
patent: 5049706 (1991-09-01), Du Rocher
patent: 5272290 (1993-12-01), Suzuki et al.
Eaton Corporation
Friedhofer Michael A.
Gellner Michael L.
Johnston Roger A.
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