Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Actuators
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-28
2003-02-25
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Actuators
C200S061540
Reexamination Certificate
active
06525283
ABSTRACT:
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 invention relates to a multifunction switch to be mounted on the steering wheel of an automobile, comprising an oblong housing with a contact assembly accommodating circuit elements, comprising at least one automatically restoring button with a member acting on the circuit elements, and comprising an actuating ridge with two opposing actuating faces.
An electric pushbutton switch of this type is known from DE 195 11 878 A1; it is equipped with a housing accommodating circuit elements and several automatically restoring and eccentrically mounted pushbuttons, each having a stud which acts upon the circuit elements. Each pushbutton features an actuating ridge with two opposing actuating faces, said ridge being aligned approximately axially parallel with the pushbutton mount. The actuating force introduced on the side of the pushbutton mount generally parallel with the housing has the same working direction upon the pushbutton as the actuating force introduced on the opposite side generally perpendicularly to the housing. Two diametrically opposed pushbutton switches are normally joined to the steering wheel disk of an automobile, by means of mounting flanges molded to the housing ends, such that the actuating faces of the pushbuttons protrude through an aperture between the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel disk. Such electric pushbutton switches arc suited particularly to trigger switching functions, for example, for temporary speed control (Tempomat) of the automobile and/or to control operating functions of a radio-cassette unit available in the vehicle. Accommodated in the pushbutton switch housing is a printed circuit board configured as a contact assembly, with which a spring unit mounted on the housing is coordinated. Actuation of a pushbutton causes the pertaining stud to act on the spring unit and close or interrupt current paths on the printed circuit board. The latter is mounted rigidly in the housing interior. Such printed circuit boards are frequently provided with circuit elements, preferably microswitches which trigger switching and operating functions. A considerable disadvantage of the pushbutton switches is constituted by the eccentric mounting of the pushbuttons on the housing and by the disuniform design of the housing, since the one pushbutton switch is intended for left-side mounting and the other for right-side mounting on the steering wheel disk. Accordingly, the outer contour of the housing is between the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel disk adapted to this area of the aperture. Suited for that purpose is an eccentric mounting of the pushbuttons on the housing. As a result, however, the pushbutton switch can be mounted only on that side of the steering wheel disk which is intended therefor, making it necessary to fabricate for one steering wheel type two pushbutton switches of different design. This separate fabrication results in relatively high costs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective underlying the invention is to create a multifunction pushbutton switch of the initially named type which allows inexpensive fabrication and variable use on the steering wheel of an automobile.
This objective is satisfied according to the invention in that
the pushbutton is mounted in toggle fashion, centered on the housing, and has a cross section which transverse to its mounting axis is symmetric, the mounting axis extending parallel to the actuating ridge, and
the housing is symmetric in its longitudinal section and its cross section and possesses on one of its long sides, or centered on its underside, a mounting tab which extends generally radially to the steering column of the automobile.
The housing cross section is generally symmetric on all sides and allows, in contingence on assembly conditions and application, a rotation of the multifunction pushbutton switch about a vertical axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, prior to its installation on one side of the steering wheel disk of an automobile, with the mounting tab which extends radially being fitted centrally on the underside of the housing. This enables the assembly of the multifunction pushbutton switch bath in the one installation position and also in another installation position rotated 180° about the vertical axis of the switch. Owing to the symmetric longitudinal section of the housing, the multifunction pushbutton switch can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis or transverse axis and assembled to the one or the other side of the steering wheel disk, with the assembly variant described above being available additionally, due to the switch rotation by 180° about the vertical axis. If the multifunction pushbutton switch is intended only for installation on one or the other side of the steering wheel, with the switch then being turned about its transverse axis, the mounting tab is provided only on one long side of the housing. Preferably, the mounting tab is arranged centrally on the underside of the housing, which permits all rotary or pivotal movements of the multifunction pushbutton switch.
The cross-sectionally symmetric design of the pushbuttons suited for mounting on the housing allows their selective slip-on or replacement under allowance for, or in contingence upon, the installation position of the multifunction pushbutton switch and the icons showing on the buttons to symbolize the switching functions to be controlled. As a result, a single multifunction pushbutton switch may be fabricated which can be installed in any position and on any side of the steering wheel disk of an automobile. The need for fabrication of a pushbutton switch, separate for each side of the steering wheel disk, is thus eliminated and reduces production costs.
Alternatively, the objective also is satisfied by
mounting the pushbutton in toggle fashion, centered on the housing, and having a cross section that is in symmetry with its mounting axis, with the mounting axis extending parallel to the actuating ridge, and
by giving the housing, in longitudinal section, an asymmetric design with a mounting tab centered on its underside and extending generally radially relative to the steering column of the automobile.
The asymmetric design of the present multifunction pushbutton switch allows, in longitudinal section, a variable installation, notably due to the different curvature of the housing ends adapted to the aperture between the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel disk, for example, when the steering wheel shape has an irregular contour. Owing to the central arrangement of the mounting tab on the underside of the housing, the latter may be turned about its longitudinal axis and installed both on the one and also the other side of the steering wheel disk. The symmetrically configured pushbuttons allow a variable arrangement as needed, on the housing of the multifunction pushbutton switch.
According to an improvement of the invention, the housing features mutually spaced brackets which are arranged crosswise to its longitudinal axis and on which opposing and centered mounting pins and mounting holes are respectively provided. To enable a pushbutton to mesh with the pertaining brackets of the housing, the pushbutton possesses side flanges which are arranged crosswise to its bracket axis and possess respectively a mounting hole or mounting pin. A two-sided toggle movement of the pushbutton is achieved about the mounting axis, and which is limited only by the pushbutton rims opposing the actuating ridge.
Multifunction pushbutton switches and their central components are generally injection-molded of plastic. The brackets are suitably configured integral with the housing, the side flanges of the pushbutton integral as well, in order to lower the manufacturing expense and production costs.
Injection-molding of plastic allows providing functional elements easily on the relevant components, whi
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Luebke Renee
Twomey Thomas N.
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