Patent · US Expired

Contactless stalk mounted control switch

US6175290A · kind A · utility

1,205Cited by
14References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 1999
Grant dateJan 16, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H36/006
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A contactless control switch (20) for a vehicle for actuating a system between an open and a first closed circuit position is disclosed. The switch includes a housing (22) and a pivot assembly (24) disposed within the housing. The switch also includes a switch actuator (26) having first and second ends. The switch actuator is coupled to the pivot assembly for producing pivoting motion of the switch actuator in response to a force (84) applied to the switch actuator. The switch also includes first and second proximity sensors (80a and 80b) and a first magnet (70). The proximity sensors are disposed within the housing and the first magnet is fastened to the switch actuator second end. The first magnet is adapted to be selectively displaced into and out of close proximity with one of the proximity sensors when the force is applied to the switch actuator. The switch (20) also includes a biasing member (52a and 52b) disposed between the switch actuator and the pivot assembly for biasing the switch actuator into an open circuit position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.