Steering column switch

US4791253A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SWF Auto-Electric GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Herbert Erdelitsch · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Walter Hecht · Ravensburg, DE
• Horst Rachner · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 4, 1987
• Grant date: Dec 13, 1988
• Expiry date: Nov 4, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q1/425
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to an electric switch, especially to a steering column switch. The switch comprises an insulation plate, a switch lever and a switching member, which are jointly swivellably mounted on the insulation plate in a swivelling plane extending perpendicular to a swivelling shaft and which are tiltable from this plane. In the swivelling plane, the lever and switching member can occupy several operating positions. The various operating positions are defined by a locking cam and a detent. One of these two elements is positioned on a locking lever. One end of said locking lever is swivellably mounted about a shaft parallel to the swivelling shaft of the switching member and the locking member is resiliently prestressed against the switching member. In order to prevent the switch lever and the switching member from shaking in the rest condition and to provide a smooth movement of the switch lever and switching member in a changeover between the operating positions, the switching member is guided in the swivelling plane by the switch lever. Thus, the guide can be maintained without an additional space requirement. Due to the guide, the switching member does not strike an…