IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,891,115
Granted Patent B2
US 6,891,115 · App. 10/148,839 · Granted May 10, 2005

Steering column switch

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,891,115
App. No.
10/148,839
Granted
May 10, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steering column switch having a switch element and a switch lever, wherein the switch lever is designed from first and second modules. Because of the modular design, different grip pieces can be accommodated by the same switch element.

Claims (21)

1. Steering column switch comprising:

a first switch having a pivotable switch lever which acts on terminal contacts by way of at least one switch element having switch contacts, wherein the switch lever is designed in first and second parts, said first part being a foot and said second part being a grip piece coupled to the foot, wherein the foot cooperate with the at least one switch element, and

a second switch having an end of said grip piece inserted into said foot, wherein said end of said grip has contact traces that act on terminal contacts by way of a contact unit.

2. Steering column switch according to claim 1 , wherein the grip piece further includes said contact traces comprised of exposed regions of a punched grid integrated in the grip piece.

3. Steering column switch according to claim 2 , wherein the contact unit has contact arms designed as leaf springs, in which one end of each of the contacts arms is connected to a corresponding one of the contact traces of the punched grid of said grip piece and the other end of said contact arm is connected to a corresponding contact trace of a Z-shaped support fixed to the housing.

4. Steering column switch according to claim 3 , wherein the contact arms of the contact unit that act on the contact traces of said Z-shaped support pass through a recess of a rotary switch element of said first switch that is inserted into one arm of said Z-shape support.

5. Steering column switch according to claim 4 , wherein the contact unit has arms that extend essentially parallel to said contact arms.

6. Steering column switch according to claim 5 , wherein each of the contact unit arms has a cylindrical shoulder on an end, in which the shoulders on one end of the contact unit engage in a corresponding recess of said rotary switch element and wherein shoulders on an other end of the contact unit engage in a corresponding recess of said foot.

7. Steering column switch according to claim 6 , wherein the recesses in said rotary switch element, in which the shoulders of said arm of said contact unit engage, are cylindrical holes.

8. Steering column switch according to claim 6 , wherein the recesses in said foot of switch lever, in which the shoulders of said arm of said contact unit engage, are elongated holes.

9. Steering column switch comprising:

at least one switch having a pivotable switch lever which acts on terminal contacts by way of at least one switch element having switch contacts wherein the switch lever is designed in first and second parts, said first part being a foot and said second part being a grip piece coupled to the foot, wherein the foot cooperates with the at least one switch element, and wherein the foot of the switch lever is provided with two opposite clip arms that engage in corresponding clip openings of said grip piece.

10. Steering column switch according to claim 9 , wherein said foot of the switch lever is swivel-mounted.

11. Steering column switch comprising:

at least one switch having a pivotable switch lever which acts on terminal contacts by way of at least one switch element having switch contacts wherein the switch lever is designed in first and second parts, said first part being a foot and said second part being a grip piece coupled to the foot, wherein the foot cooperates with the at least one switch element, and wherein said at least one switch element includes a rotary switch and the foot of the switch lever is mounted to pivot in an opening of an arm of the L-shaped rotary switch element, where the rotary switch element is inserted into one arm of a Z-shaped support fixed to the housing.

12. Steering column switch according to claim 11 , wherein the arm of said rotary switch element is provided with an end locating curve that cooperates with a spring-loaded locating sleeve in an arm of the Z-shaped support.

13. Steering column switch according to claim 12 , wherein the Z-shaped support has an additional spring-loaded locating sleeve that cooperates with a locating curve in a free end of the foot.

14. Steering column switch according to claim 12 , wherein the arm of the Z-shaped support supports said at least one switch element.

15. Steering column switch according to claim 11 , wherein switch contacts of the rotary switch element are designed as contact springs and act on corresponding contact traces of said Z-shaped support.

16. Steering column switch comprising:

at least one switch having a pivotable switch lever which acts on terminal contacts by way of at least one switch element having switch contacts wherein the switch lever is designed in first and second parts, said first part being a foot and said second part being a grip piece coupled to the foot, wherein the foot cooperates with the at least one switch element, and wherein the grip piece has a centering shoulder on an end inserted into said foot that engages in a corresponding centering hole of said foot.