EP0155801A2 - Rotary switch - Google Patents

Rotary switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0155801A2
EP0155801A2 EP85301576A EP85301576A EP0155801A2 EP 0155801 A2 EP0155801 A2 EP 0155801A2 EP 85301576 A EP85301576 A EP 85301576A EP 85301576 A EP85301576 A EP 85301576A EP 0155801 A2 EP0155801 A2 EP 0155801A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact member
rotor
stationary
auxiliary
butting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85301576A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0155801A3 (en
Inventor
Gary Raymond Sutton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bonnella Switches Ltd
Original Assignee
Bonnella Switches Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bonnella Switches Ltd filed Critical Bonnella Switches Ltd
Publication of EP0155801A2 publication Critical patent/EP0155801A2/en
Publication of EP0155801A3 publication Critical patent/EP0155801A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00Contacts
    • H01H1/12Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/63Contacts actuated by axial cams
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H27/00Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
    • H01H27/06Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/38Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to rotary electric switches, such as those used as ignition switches in motor vehicles.
  • the invention relates to a rotary electric switch comprising a rotor carrying a sliding contact member which, on rotation of the rotor, moves between a closed position, in which it bridges a stationary feed contact member and a stationary output contact member, and an open position in which such bridging does not occur.
  • a switch will be referred to hereinafter as "a rotary switch of the type described”.
  • a rotary switch of the type described When the switch is a vehicle ignition switch there are usually a number of output contact members which are bridged in turn by the sliding contact member.
  • the rotary switch is to supply an electronic circuit
  • the supply is interrupted for periods which, although very short, may result in the electronic circuits malfunctioning.
  • An object of the present invention is to avoid or minimise that malfunctioning in a rotary electric switch of the type described.
  • an auxiliary butting contact member is arranged to be operated by rotation of the rotor and to provide a secondary connection, with butting contact, between the stationary contact members.
  • the secondary connection is made and broken respectively after and before the connection through the sliding contact member is made and broken, so that the auxiliary contact member never switches the current; the connection through the auxiliary contact member then ensures that no breaking of the circuit occurs during movement of the sliding contact over the stationary contacts.
  • the auxiliary contact member is spring-biased towards a closed position in which that contact member makes butting engagement with the stationary contact members
  • the rotor has a camform, which is operative on the auxiliary contact member, on rotation of the rotor, to cause movement of the auxiliary contact member between a closed position in which said butting engagement occurs and an open position in which it is out of engagement with at least one of the stationary contact members.
  • the vehicle ignition switch shown in the drawing comprises a rotor 1 carrying a sliding contact- member 2, a ..' a base 3 on which the rotor 1 is mounted for rotation about the central axis A.
  • Contact member 2 is made of electrically conducting material and has parts 2A which are pressed out of the metal to engage with the stationary contact as required.
  • a number of stationary output contact members are mounted in the base 3, but only that for the ignition contact member is shown at 4, while the feed stationary contact member is indicated at 6.
  • sliding contact member 2 bridges the feed contact member 6 successively with the stationary contact members. Connection between the feed contact member and the ignition contact member 4 is made over an arc of travel of the rotor 1, so that the ignition circuit is completed between the IGNITION location and the START location.
  • the switch has an auxiliary butting contact member 5, which is designed to connect between the feed contact member 6 and the ignition contact member 4 in parallel with the sliding contact member 2.
  • Auxiliary contact member 5 is located beneath the feed and ignition contact members and is biased towards them by a spring 7 so that end 8 of the contact member 5 is permanently abutted against the ignition contact member 4 in the IGNITION and START positions.
  • contact member 5 has an upwardly turned leg 10 which is biased by spring 7 against a camform 9 on the underside of the rotor 1, and which serves to move the auxiliary contact member 5 between the open position shown in Figure 2 and the closed position of Figure 1, in which contact member 5 additionally engages the feed contact member 6.
  • cam 9 retains the auxiliary contact member 5 in the OFF position shown in Figure 2.
  • the camform allows the contact member 5 to pivot into the closed position of Figure 1, contact with the feed contact member 6 being made at a small angular position beyond that at which the connection to the ignition contact member 4 is made by the sliding contact member 2.
  • the secondary circuit is thus completed by butting contact of auxiliary contact member 5 with contact members 4 and 6.
  • auxiliary contact member 5 During subsequent movement of the rotor towards the START position and the return to the IGNITION position, auxiliary contact member 5 remains stationary with the circuit through it uninterrupted. Thus, the supply to the ignition contact member 4 is maintained, regardless of short term interruptions in the connection through the sliding contact member 2. Further, as the connection through the auxiliary contact member is made after that through the sliding contact member 2, and similarly the connection through the former is broken before that through sliding contact member 2 is broken, the auxiliary contact member 5 never switches the current. Should the connection through the sliding contact member 2 fail for any reason, while the auxiliary contact member is closed, and welding of the latter occurs, the camform 9 on the rotor 1 will break the weld on the rotor being returned to the ACCESSORY position.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)

Abstract

A rotary electric switch has a rotor (1) which can turn relative to a stationary base assembly (3), and which carries a sliding contact member (2) designed to bridge between a stationary feed contact member (6) and a stationary output contact member (4) on rotation of the rotor (1). An auxiliary butting contact member (5) is biased by a spring (7) towards butting engagement with contact members (4,6) and against a camform (9) on the rotor (1). As rotor (1) turns electrical contact between contact members (4,6) is first made through sliding contact member (2) and then additionally through auxiliary member (5).

Description

  • This invention relates to rotary electric switches, such as those used as ignition switches in motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a rotary electric switch comprising a rotor carrying a sliding contact member which, on rotation of the rotor, moves between a closed position, in which it bridges a stationary feed contact member and a stationary output contact member, and an open position in which such bridging does not occur. Such a switch will be referred to hereinafter as "a rotary switch of the type described". When the switch is a vehicle ignition switch there are usually a number of output contact members which are bridged in turn by the sliding contact member.
  • Where the rotary switch is to supply an electronic circuit, it is important that the supply should be continuous while the sliding contact member is moving over the stationary contact members. In practice it is found that the supply is interrupted for periods which, although very short, may result in the electronic circuits malfunctioning. An object of the present invention is to avoid or minimise that malfunctioning in a rotary electric switch of the type described.
  • According to the present invention, an auxiliary butting contact member is arranged to be operated by rotation of the rotor and to provide a secondary connection, with butting contact, between the stationary contact members. Advantageously, the secondary connection is made and broken respectively after and before the connection through the sliding contact member is made and broken, so that the auxiliary contact member never switches the current; the connection through the auxiliary contact member then ensures that no breaking of the circuit occurs during movement of the sliding contact over the stationary contacts.
  • Preferably, the auxiliary contact member is spring-biased towards a closed position in which that contact member makes butting engagement with the stationary contact members, and the rotor has a camform, which is operative on the auxiliary contact member, on rotation of the rotor, to cause movement of the auxiliary contact member between a closed position in which said butting engagement occurs and an open position in which it is out of engagement with at least one of the stationary contact members.
  • The invention will be more readily understood by way of example from the following description of a rotary electric ignition switch in accordance therewith, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which
    • Figures 1 and 2 show the switch in radial section, with the switch contacts closed and open respectively, and
    • Figures 3 and 4 show the contact members of the switch in plan view and correspond to Figures 1 and 2 respectively.
  • The vehicle ignition switch shown in the drawing comprises a rotor 1 carrying a sliding contact- member 2, a ..' a base 3 on which the rotor 1 is mounted for rotation about the central axis A. Contact member 2 is made of electrically conducting material and has parts 2A which are pressed out of the metal to engage with the stationary contact as required. A number of stationary output contact members are mounted in the base 3, but only that for the ignition contact member is shown at 4, while the feed stationary contact member is indicated at 6. As the rotor 1 is turned, sliding contact member 2 bridges the feed contact member 6 successively with the stationary contact members. Connection between the feed contact member and the ignition contact member 4 is made over an arc of travel of the rotor 1, so that the ignition circuit is completed between the IGNITION location and the START location.
  • During the travel of the sliding contact member 2 over the ignition contact member 4, short term interruptions in the connection may occur due to slight imperfections in the feed contact member 6. Those interruptions are so short that the operation of the ignition is unaffected, but they may affect any electronic circuit supplied through the same contact members and may cause the electronic circuit to malfunction. To avoid that possibility, the switch has an auxiliary butting contact member 5, which is designed to connect between the feed contact member 6 and the ignition contact member 4 in parallel with the sliding contact member 2. Auxiliary contact member 5 is located beneath the feed and ignition contact members and is biased towards them by a spring 7 so that end 8 of the contact member 5 is permanently abutted against the ignition contact member 4 in the IGNITION and START positions. The other end of contact member 5 has an upwardly turned leg 10 which is biased by spring 7 against a camform 9 on the underside of the rotor 1, and which serves to move the auxiliary contact member 5 between the open position shown in Figure 2 and the closed position of Figure 1, in which contact member 5 additionally engages the feed contact member 6. While the rotor 1 is in the OFF position or the ACCESSORY position, cam 9 retains the auxiliary contact member 5 in the OFF position shown in Figure 2. As the rotor is progressively turned to the IGNITION position, the camform allows the contact member 5 to pivot into the closed position of Figure 1, contact with the feed contact member 6 being made at a small angular position beyond that at which the connection to the ignition contact member 4 is made by the sliding contact member 2. The secondary circuit is thus completed by butting contact of auxiliary contact member 5 with contact members 4 and 6.
  • During subsequent movement of the rotor towards the START position and the return to the IGNITION position, auxiliary contact member 5 remains stationary with the circuit through it uninterrupted. Thus, the supply to the ignition contact member 4 is maintained, regardless of short term interruptions in the connection through the sliding contact member 2. Further, as the connection through the auxiliary contact member is made after that through the sliding contact member 2, and similarly the connection through the former is broken before that through sliding contact member 2 is broken, the auxiliary contact member 5 never switches the current. Should the connection through the sliding contact member 2 fail for any reason, while the auxiliary contact member is closed, and welding of the latter occurs, the camform 9 on the rotor 1 will break the weld on the rotor being returned to the ACCESSORY position.

Claims (3)

1. A rotary electric switch comprising a rotor (1) carrying a sliding contact member (2) which, on rotation of the rotor, moves between a closed position (Figure 1), in which it bridges a stationary feed contact member (6) and a stationary output contact member (4); and an open position (Figure 2), in which such bridging does not occur; characterised in an auxiliary butting contact member (5) which is arranged to be operated by rotation of the rotor (1) and to provide a secondary connection, with butting contact, between the two stationary contact members (4, 6).
2. A rotary electric switch according to claim 1, in which the secondary connection is made and broken respectively after and before the connection through the sliding contact member (2) is made and broken, so that the auxiliary contact member (5) never switches the current to the output contact member (4).
3. A rotary electric switch according to claim 2, in which the auxiliary contact member (5) is spring-biased towards a closed position in which that contact member (5) makes butting engagement with the stationary contact members (4, 6), and the rotor (1) has a camform (9), which is operative on the auxiliary contact member (5), on rotation of the rotor, to cause movement of the auxiliary contact member (5) between a closed position in which said butting engagement occurs and an open position in which it is out of engagement with at least one of the stationary contact members (4, 6).
EP85301576A 1984-03-13 1985-03-07 Rotary switch Withdrawn EP0155801A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8406562 1984-03-13
GB848406562A GB8406562D0 (en) 1984-03-13 1984-03-13 Rotary switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0155801A2 true EP0155801A2 (en) 1985-09-25
EP0155801A3 EP0155801A3 (en) 1986-05-07

Family

ID=10558022

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85301576A Withdrawn EP0155801A3 (en) 1984-03-13 1985-03-07 Rotary switch

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0155801A3 (en)
ES (1) ES285721Y (en)
GB (1) GB8406562D0 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3506798A (en) * 1967-09-11 1970-04-14 Cherry Electrical Prod Multi-position break-before-make snap-action switch
DE1962973A1 (en) * 1969-12-16 1971-07-15 Josef Fritzen Device for tying up plants, shrubs, vines, etc., especially for viticulture

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3506798A (en) * 1967-09-11 1970-04-14 Cherry Electrical Prod Multi-position break-before-make snap-action switch
DE1962973A1 (en) * 1969-12-16 1971-07-15 Josef Fritzen Device for tying up plants, shrubs, vines, etc., especially for viticulture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8406562D0 (en) 1984-04-18
EP0155801A3 (en) 1986-05-07
ES285721U (en) 1985-11-01
ES285721Y (en) 1986-05-16

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Inventor name: SUTTON, GARY RAYMOND