Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Patent
1992-08-28
1994-05-17
Scott, J. R.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
H01H 900
Patent
active
053130294
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a switch lever and in particular a steering column switch lever for motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
An example of a known switch lever is disclosed in German patent number DE 25 32 093 A1. The electric switch comprises a multipart housing, one part of which holds the end of the switch lever as a holding shell and is stationarily connected with it. Another part of the housing is axially movable as a slide towards the one housing part for implementing a switching function. Within the slide furnished with a cap, a first connection contact located opposite a second connection contact held on the holding shell is provided.
Another example of a switch lever is disclosed in German patent number DE 31 07 440 C2. The switch lever serves as a switch housing, in which the different switch components, as for example push-button, springs, bridging contact, printed circuit board etc. are included.
Both switch levers have the different switch components arranged around the end of the switch lever or are arranged separately or in groups in the end of the switch lever. The cables are connected to the respective connection contacts or to the printed circuit board by way of soldering after having pulled the cables through the hollow switch lever.
This way of assembling the switch components on or in the end of the switch lever requires a lot of effort and is rather awkward. Besides, the soldering procedure is difficult and may lead to failure and complaint.
The object of the present invention is to provide a switch lever of the kind mentioned above wherein the assembly of the switch to the switch lever is simplified and ensures reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention makes it possible to prefabricate an electric switch as a complete switch unit and to insert this switch unit into a switch lever in a simple manner. The switch lever has the electric connection contacts connected to the cables and is adapted to receive the electric switch as a unit. The advantage is that operational reliability of the switch unit can be checked before inserting the switch unit into the end of the switch lever. Furthermore it is possible to use such a switch unit for other purposes. Still further, the connection between the connection contacts at the end of the switch lever and the corresponding cables can be realized in a simple manner; thereby common contact elements and cable connections can be used resulting in less effort and increased operational reliability.
For instance, it is possible to provide the connection contacts in each of the lateral areas of holders in the end of the switch lever or in the housing of the switch unit. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the first connection contacts are provided in the longitudinal direction of the holder for the switch unit. Thus the switch lever can be of a narrow overall height.
The switch lever also includes a removable cover assembly that includes means to hold contacts which simplifies the assembly of the switch lever. Furthermore, the connection contacts and the ends of the cables can be connected by common easy to use connections so that no great effort for inserting them is needed.
Retaining webs are also provided for retaining the cables making insertion of the cables simpler and additionally providing better retention of the cables. Besides, the cables are held in the cover and cannot be squeezed during the assembly.
The present invention provides the further advantage of switch unit replacement in case of a defect. It is possible to have detachable latching by way of latching means on the housing of the switch unit at the inside of the end of the switch lever, however it is also possible to realize the latching by other measures, for example on the plug-in connection.
Further details of the invention can be gathered from the following description, in which the invention is described in detail by way of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a
REFERENCES:
patent: 3761662 (1973-09-01), Charles
patent: 3892932 (1975-07-01), Erdelitsch et al.
patent: 3934101 (1976-01-01), Jones
patent: 4336428 (1982-06-01), Berginski
patent: 4675479 (1987-06-01), Wallin
patent: 4739130 (1988-04-01), Roller et al.
patent: 5120914 (1992-06-01), Kerner et al.
Kerner Wolfgang
Schreiber Franz
Weber Adam
Scott J. R.
SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
LandOfFree
Switch lever of a steering column switch for motor vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Switch lever of a steering column switch for motor vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Switch lever of a steering column switch for motor vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-878723