Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Steering wheel – shaft or column mounted
Patent
1994-12-01
1997-02-04
Scott, J. R.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Steering wheel, shaft or column mounted
200 6127, H01H 2136, H01H 316, H01H 902
Patent
active
056001100
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a steering column switch for automotive vehicles and more particularly relates to steering column switches that employ switch levers that are pivotable about two offset axes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Steering column switches of this general type are known from German Published Patent Application (DE-OS) No. 39 40 284. This steering column switch is provided with a longitudinal aperture guide for the lever within the carrier so that, on the one hand, the switch is pivotable alongside the longitudinal aperture about a second axis, thus actuating a second switch, and is further pivotable about a first axis by way of a stop formed by the edge of the longitudinal aperture and thus actuates a first switch.
It is an aim of this invention to improve the switching behaviour of two axes steering column switch and in particular to increase the number of possible switching actuations of two axes switches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, this invention thus consists in reinforcing the guiding edges of the longitudinal aperture in a simple manner, particularly so in the guiding area. The longitudinal aperture is preferably worked directly into the material of the switch lever. The same applies to the fastening of the limiting component. This invention, however, is also applicable to gates insertable into the lever such as shown, for example, in German Published Patent Application No. 39 40 284. Such exchangeable gates, for instance, may be the plastic type which, according to the present invention, will then be reinforced suitably by inserted limiting components.
An improvement in the mode of operation of the steering column switch may be achieved whereby increased strength, in particular the hardness, is introduced thereby reducing wear on the processed surface caused by the actuation of the switch.
An especially simple design of the limiting component is preferred. In this preferred design the limiting plate is inserted on the edge of the longitudinal aperture so that, over the major part of its circumferential surface, the plate itself is embraced and held by the material of the lever while, on the other hand, a part of its surface forms the guideway within the longitudinal aperture in the spot where a major amount of wear would normally take place.
Preferably, the plate includes a cylindrical pin (hereinafter often referred to as `bolt`) anchored in the carrier preferably supports itself permanently on the plate over the entire path of its motion. This feature is especially suitable in cases where only one rest position is provided within the longitudinal aperture into which the lever automatically returns (under a resilient action working on the lever).
It is intended to use this invention for a steering column switch with two stable end positions, and it is preferable that the limiting component is a cylindrical pin which is fastened to the lever. The use of these characteristics is especially recommended if the longitudinal aperture has a circular curvature so that the surface area of the second cylindrical pin forms a part of the curved path of the longitudinal aperture.
The resetting (or the change-over) action of the lever can even be improved by resiliently prestressing the lever. Of course, by means of such a resilient action, it is also possible to improve the resetting behaviour in case of a straight longitudinal aperture.
By constructing the first and second cylindrical pins with approximately the same diameters an especially effective design of a change-over lever results. There, a comparatively strong curvature is achieved for the curved path, said curvature enhancing the change-over action of the lever in the sense of a stop effect.
A further enhancement of the stop effect can be achieved in constructing the curvature of the guiding surface of the limiting component so that it is larger than the curvature of the following guide sections of the longitudinal aperture.
Preferably the limiting component is symmetrically arranged in respect to the long
REFERENCES:
patent: 4142076 (1979-02-01), Bird
patent: 4376236 (1983-03-01), Long et al.
patent: 4748298 (1988-05-01), Chretien
patent: 4810839 (1989-03-01), Chretien
patent: 5196659 (1993-03-01), Neubauer
International Search Report for PCT/EP93/01470 filed 9 Jun. 1993.
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Scott J. R.
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