Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Push button operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2001-04-17
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Solid contact
Push button operated
C200S524000, C200S061540, C335S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06218634
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pushbutton switch assemblies, particularly pushbutton switches used in interior automotive signal and accessory applications and more particularly to automotive pushbutton hazard switches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Interior automotive switches have typically comprised an assembly including a switch housing, terminal, a pushbutton actuator, conductive extensions and a relay. The relay is typically composed of a relay module mounted to a circuit board.
Prior art hazard switch assemblies included a stationary flasher relay requiring a separate protective outer shell protecting it from the elements and damage. The relay circuit board was typically soldered to the conductive extensions for contact with the terminal upon activation.
Prior art pushbutton switches have also utilized detent mechanisms whereby upon force and movement of the pushbutton, the button would temporarily lock in an intermediate position typically activating a signal or accessory, for example, turning on an automobile's hazard lights. Prior art detent mechanisms have included guides in the form of roller pins, spherical balls and wires which were guided by a track.
Prior art pushbutton hazard switches as described above were problematic due to the complexity of the designs, the quantity of components and the spacial and structural relationships between the individual components. A problem often encountered was the requirement to solder the relay circuit board to the conductive extensions or alternatively to the terminals which is costly, inefficient and effectively a permanent connection whereby if a failure occurred in manufacturing or in the field of either of the soldered components, the entire assembly would have to be discarded.
Further, prior art hazard switches have included an illumination bulb on either the circuit board or on the shell whereby activation of the switch would illuminate the bulb, and through a translucent film on the exterior of the pushbutton, provide an operator a visual flashing indicator that the hazard lights or accessories were engaged and functioning. For ease of identification of the hazard switch in the vehicle, some prior art switches had the bulb continuously illuminated while the vehicle's instrument panel lights and/or exterior headlamps were illuminated. Under the latter design, a problem was encountered that due to the stationary nature of the relay and bulb, the intensity of the bulb through the translucent film, and thus the visual indicator, would vary depending on whether the pushbutton was in the engaged or disengaged position.
In addition, prior art detent mechanisms using guides in the form of pins, spheres and wires experienced undesirable feel characteristics due to binding and cocking of the guide in the track throughout travel of the pushbutton.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a switch improving the problematic conditions in prior art pushbutton hazard switches and to provide a switch that is inexpensive, facilitates manufacturing, assembly and service, and effectively activates the hazard signal while providing a visual indication of the signal status to the operator. It would also be desirable to provide a smooth, positive feeling detent for activating and deactivating the switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventive switch comprises a housing assembly or housing having a terminal mounted thereon and an actuator assembly or actuator having an integrated flasher relay therein whereby the actuator is slidingly displaced and moves along the housing placing the actuator in contact with the terminal thereby activating or deactivating the flasher relay.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the actuator assembly includes a casing and a detachable pushbutton. The casing further has a cavity and a track within the cavity which slidingly receives the circuit board of the flasher relay. The pushbutton attaches to the casing and substantially surrounds the relay. This arrangement combines the advantages of a relay that moves with the pushbutton, allows accessibility of the relay, and affords protection of the relay from damage in use.
In another preferred aspect of the invention, the actuator further includes an insert that is integrally molded in the casing. The insert provides a conductive electrical connection between the circuit board and the terminal. This arrangement has the advantage of eliminating inefficient and costly solder connections through an electrical connection between the flasher relay and the insert.
In an additional preferred aspect of the invention, the flasher relay further includes an illuminatable device which is mounted to the circuit board adjacent the pushbutton. This arrangement has the advantage of the illuminatable device remaining a constant distance from the indicator lens of the pushbutton.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the housing and the actuator assembly have slidably interconnecting guides and rails providing for sliding engagement of the actuator assembly in the housing. This provides for smooth and positive movement of the actuator.
In another preferred aspect of the invention, the switch includes a detent for releasably locking the actuator in a predetermined position relative to the terminal. The detent includes a roller having an inner and an outer shoulder separated by a hub. The roller further includes a pin extending outwardly from the outer shoulder opposite the hub. The roller is slidingly engaged in the actuator casing and the pin is guided by a track in the housing. This arrangement provides for smooth movement and positive locking of the actuator relative to the terminal.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon reading the following specification which, along with the drawings, describes and discloses preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention in detail.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4733030 (1988-03-01), Erdelitsch et al.
patent: 5199558 (1993-04-01), Neubauer
patent: 5563756 (1996-10-01), Ignasiak
patent: 5579903 (1996-12-01), McEvilly et al.
patent: 5727675 (1998-03-01), Leveque et al.
patent: 5756949 (1998-05-01), Sato
patent: 5823326 (1998-10-01), Saito et al.
Schwartz Allen K.
Ucar Christina
Friedhofer Michael
Lewis J. Gordon
Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
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