Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Patent
1992-02-28
1994-02-01
Pellinen, A. D.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
200 6127, H01H 900, H01H 302, H01H 1900
Patent
active
052834034
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electric switch and, in particular, to an electric switch used as a steering column switch for motor vehicles.
State of the Art
In a switch of the present kind an operating lever is mounted to be swivelled about an axis in a switch housing. After the assembly in a motor vehicle, for example, the turn signal lamps of the motor vehicle are switched on and off by swivelling the operating lever about this axis. The operating lever includes a control grip which is rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction of the operating lever and which is movable into at least two operating positions. By turning the handle, for example, the sidelight and the main beam can be switched on, in which case the control grip has three stable operating positions, namely a neutral position, in which the sidelight and the main beam are switched off, a first operating position, in which the sidelight is switched on, and a second operating position in which in dependence on national regulations the sidelight and the main beam or only the main beam are switched on. In order to be able to control by means of the control grip at least one movable electric contact accommodated in the switch housing, a switching rod is provided which is at least approximately aligned in the longitudinal direction of the operating lever and is substantially rotatable about its longitudinal axis by means of the control grip.
In electric switches of the above described kind the car manufacturers normally prescribe how large the angle of rotation between the various operating positions of the control grip has to be. For example, an angle of rotation of 30.degree. is prescribed. The angle of rotation of the control grip is thereby in the first instance selected according to ergonomic points of view, while the space conditions within the switch housing or the switching paths necessary for operating the electric contacts are not taken into consideration.
The invention is based on the problem of developing an electric switch in such a way that the construction within the switch housing can be made to far-reaching extent independent of the prescribed angle of rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This problem is solved according to the invention in that in an electric switch, the switching rod, in a twisting motion of the control grip about a particular angle of rotation from one operating position into an adjacent operating position, rotates about an angle of rotation which is different from the angle of rotation of the control grip. Thus in an electric switch according to the invention the coupling between the control grip and the switching rod with the principle of turning the control grip and the switching rod about the same angle has been abandoned. The angle of rotation of the switching rod may rather be selected independently of the angle of rotation of the control grip and can be adapted to spacial and electrical conditions within the switch housing.
If there in only little space available in the switch housing, the angle of rotation of the switching rod is preferably smaller than the angle of rotation of the control grip.
If the electric contact is only movable by the switching rod between two adjacent operating positions during part of the twisting motion of the control grip, it has a greater velocity than in a case in which the control grip is movable between two adjacent operating positions during the entire twisting motion. This higher velocity can be advantageous for the electric contact making. In the other case a more uniform switching behavior seems possible to be felt.
As has been mentioned, the control grip has three stable switching positions if it is used for switching on the sidelight and the main beam of a motor vehicle. An uneven number of operating positions of the control grip can also be necessary for other applications. In case of such an uneven number of operating positions of the control grip, a construction is preferre
REFERENCES:
patent: 4942273 (1990-07-01), Furuhash et al.
patent: 5047600 (1991-09-01), Enari et al.
Machalitzky Otto
Vogel Xaver
Friedhofer Michael A.
Lewis J. Gordon
Pellinen A. D.
Seitter Robert P.
SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
LandOfFree
Electric switch, in particular steering column switch for motor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electric switch, in particular steering column switch for motor , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electric switch, in particular steering column switch for motor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-581145