Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Turn indicator type switches
Patent
1999-12-06
2000-11-21
Friedhofer, Michael
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Turn indicator type switches
200 6154, H01H 900
Patent
active
061506206
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
None
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein relates to an automobile steering column switch comprising a turn signal switch with a selector lever with integrated rotary light switch for parking and driving lights.
Generally, steering column switches are mounted to the steering column of the automobile in such a manner that the steering column switch is mounted to the steering column tube and extends in radial direction from the steering column. This arrangement prevents the relative movement between the steering column switch and the steering wheel when the steering wheel, and hence the steering column guided in the steering column tube, are moved. As a rule, the steering column switch accommodates a turn signal switch to indicate driving direction and a light switch for the parking and driving lights of the vehicle; frequently, this light switch is configured as rotary light switch and built into the switch lever of the turn signal switch.
In most cases the instrument panel or the center console of an automobile hold additional switches for activating front and rear fog lights. Therefore, the switching functions of automobile fog lights are separate from the switching functions "off," "parking light" and "driving light" of the light switch for the headlamps. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the front fog light and/or the rear fog light switches are located relatively far from the control area of the driver of the automobile. In addition, these front and/or rear fog light switches require separate complex and expensive configuring and wiring. Consequently, it is more desirable to locate the front and/or rear fog light switches within the driver's closer operating range.
The problem to be solved by the invention herein is to provide a steering column switch of the above-described type, comprising a rotary light switch permitting the additional activation and deactivation of front and/or rear fog lights on an automobile, whereby the steering column switch is convenient to operate and may be manufactured in an easy and cost-effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention herein this problem has been solved in that the rotary light switch comprises at least on switching position for front and/or rear fog lights.
In addition, to the functions "off," "parking light" and "driving light," the present invention incorporates functions for front and/or rear fog lights in the rotary light switch. This eliminates the standard, spatially separate, arrangement of all control elements for front and/or rear fog lights. The steering column switch can always be comfortably reached and used by the driver of the automobile, thus permitting the more convenient activation of the switching functions for front and/or rear fog lights. Furthermore, the steering column switch of the invention herein does not require a particularly greater design effort in order to accommodate the front and/or rear fog light switches because the associated functional elements are housed entirely in the rotary light switch. Consequently, the steering column switch, including the additional functions of the front and/or rear fog light switches, may be manufactured in an easy and cost-effective manner. A particular advantage, from the viewpoint of manufacturing technology is the configuration of the rotary light switch and the front and/or rear fog light switches as one assembly.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention herein the switching positions "off," "parking light" and "driving light" are followed in activation direction of the rotary light switch by a switching position for front and/or rear fog lights. Consequently, the switching positions can be activated sequentially as follows: "off," "parking light," "driving light" and "front fog light" and/or "rear fog light." Inasmuch as the functions "front fog light" and/or "rear
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patent: 5780794 (1998-07-01), Uchiyama et al.
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Leuschner Markus
Luley Reiner
Rudolph Gerd
Eaton Corporation
Friedhofer Michael
Johnston Roger A.
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