EP0157550A2 - Rotary electric switches - Google Patents
Rotary electric switches Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0157550A2 EP0157550A2 EP85301974A EP85301974A EP0157550A2 EP 0157550 A2 EP0157550 A2 EP 0157550A2 EP 85301974 A EP85301974 A EP 85301974A EP 85301974 A EP85301974 A EP 85301974A EP 0157550 A2 EP0157550 A2 EP 0157550A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plunger
- rotor
- camform
- case
- rotary electric
- 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- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H27/00—Switches 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
- H01H27/06—Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch
- H01H27/063—Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch wherein the switch cannot be moved to a third position, e.g. start position, unless the preceding movement was from a first position to a second position, e.g. ignition position
Definitions
- This invention relates to rotary electric switches comprising a rotor and a case carrying cooperating contacts.
- An example of a rotary electric switch is an automotive ignition switch, which is frequently provided with an interlock mechanism designed to prevent damage to the starter motor.
- the interlock mechanism allows the rotor to be moved from the IGNITION position to the START position and to be returned to the IGNITION position. If a subsequent attempt to move the rotor again to the START position is made, the movement will be prevented by the interlock mechanism, until the rotor is first moved back from the IGNITION position to the ACCESSORY position, which resets the interlock mechanism.
- An object of the invention is to provide a simple form of interlock mechanism for a rotary electric switch and, in accordance with the invention, a rotary electric switch has a rotor and a case holding the fixed contacts, and includes an interlock mechanism comprising a plunger and an interlock member carried by the rotor, and a camform on the case capable of cooperating with the plunger to limit movement of the rotor relative to the case, the interlock member coacting with the plunger normally to retain the plunger out of contact with the camform, but to release the plunger at a given position of the rotor relative to the case, whereby subsequent movement of the rotor again to the given position is prevented by engagement of the plunger with the camform.
- the given position is the START position of the rotor and the plunger is brought out of contact with the camform, when the rotor is moved to the ACCESSORY position, in order to reset the interlock member.
- the interlock member is operated by a second camform in the case, both the plunger and the interlock member being biased towards the respective camforms.
- the plunger may be movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotor and the interlock member movable approximately radially with respect to the rotor.
- the switch rotor is shown at 10 and the case at 11.
- the case has an upstanding wall 12 in which is received the rotor 10.
- the interlock mechanism comprises a plunger 13, which is spring biased downwardly, i.e. parallel to the rotor axis, towards a camform 14, which is shown in enlarged form in Figure 4 as being in the form of a recess 15 in the floor of the case 11, with a sharp ledge 16 and a resetting ramp 17.
- Ledge 16 is located approximately at the IGNITION position, and the ramp 17 is disposed closer to the ACCESSORY position.
- a second plunger 20 constituting an interlock member is located in an approximately radial passage in the rotor 10 and is spring biased outwardly so as to protrude beyond the rim of the rotor and against the wall 12 of the case.
- a second camform 21 is located on the interior of wall 12 with a ramp 22, leading to the START position.
- Interlock member 20 has a side slot 23 facing towards the plunger 13.
- the interlock mechanism is reset by moving the rotor back to the ACCESSORY position; the plunger 13 is forced upwardly against its bias by the ramp 17 and, at the same time, the interlock member 20 is caused to move outwardly under the ear 24, again to retain the plunger in its inoperative position. The rotor can then be moved again to the START position.
Landscapes
- Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
- Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to rotary electric switches comprising a rotor and a case carrying cooperating contacts.
- An example of a rotary electric switch is an automotive ignition switch, which is frequently provided with an interlock mechanism designed to prevent damage to the starter motor. The interlock mechanism allows the rotor to be moved from the IGNITION position to the START position and to be returned to the IGNITION position. If a subsequent attempt to move the rotor again to the START position is made, the movement will be prevented by the interlock mechanism, until the rotor is first moved back from the IGNITION position to the ACCESSORY position, which resets the interlock mechanism.
- An object of the invention is to provide a simple form of interlock mechanism for a rotary electric switch and, in accordance with the invention, a rotary electric switch has a rotor and a case holding the fixed contacts, and includes an interlock mechanism comprising a plunger and an interlock member carried by the rotor, and a camform on the case capable of cooperating with the plunger to limit movement of the rotor relative to the case, the interlock member coacting with the plunger normally to retain the plunger out of contact with the camform, but to release the plunger at a given position of the rotor relative to the case, whereby subsequent movement of the rotor again to the given position is prevented by engagement of the plunger with the camform.
- In the case of an automotive ignition switch, the given position is the START position of the rotor and the plunger is brought out of contact with the camform, when the rotor is moved to the ACCESSORY position, in order to reset the interlock member.
- Preferably, the interlock member is operated by a second camform in the case, both the plunger and the interlock member being biased towards the respective camforms. The plunger may be movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotor and the interlock member movable approximately radially with respect to the rotor.
- The invention will be more readily understood by way of example from the following description of an automotive ignition switch in accordance therewith, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which
- Figures la and lb show the rotor of the switch in side and plan views respectively, the interlock mechanism being in an OFF state,
- Figures 2a and 2b are similar to Figures 1a and 1b, but with the interlock mechanism in the ON state,
- Figure 3 is a plan view of the case of the switch, and
- Figure 4 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 3.
- In the Figures, the switch rotor is shown at 10 and the case at 11. The case has an
upstanding wall 12 in which is received therotor 10. - The interlock mechanism comprises a
plunger 13, which is spring biased downwardly, i.e. parallel to the rotor axis, towards acamform 14, which is shown in enlarged form in Figure 4 as being in the form of arecess 15 in the floor of the case 11, with asharp ledge 16 and aresetting ramp 17.Ledge 16 is located approximately at the IGNITION position, and theramp 17 is disposed closer to the ACCESSORY position. - A
second plunger 20 constituting an interlock member is located in an approximately radial passage in therotor 10 and is spring biased outwardly so as to protrude beyond the rim of the rotor and against thewall 12 of the case. Asecond camform 21 is located on the interior ofwall 12 with aramp 22, leading to the START position.Interlock member 20 has aside slot 23 facing towards theplunger 13. - When the rotor is in the OFF position or the ACCESSORY position,
member 20 is fully extended, being in engagement with thewall 12, and anear 24 ofplunger 13 overliesmember 20, which thereby retains the plunger in its upper, inoperative, position as shown in Figures la and 1b. The rotor can then be turned to the START position, without theplunger 13 dropping into therecess 15. - As the rotor is moved from the IGNITION position to the START position (Figure 3), the protruding end of the
interlock member 20 engages thecamform 21, with the consequence that it is forced inwardly to the position shown in Figure 2b, so that theslot 23 becomes axially aligned with theear 24. Plunger 13 is thus released and moved into engagement with the floor of the case 11. When the rotor is turned back to the IGNITION position, the plunger drops into therecess 15, thereby preventing immediate return of the rotor to the START position through the engagement of the plunger with theledge 16. - The interlock mechanism is reset by moving the rotor back to the ACCESSORY position; the
plunger 13 is forced upwardly against its bias by theramp 17 and, at the same time, theinterlock member 20 is caused to move outwardly under theear 24, again to retain the plunger in its inoperative position. The rotor can then be moved again to the START position.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8408560 | 1984-04-03 | ||
GB848408560A GB8408560D0 (en) | 1984-04-03 | 1984-04-03 | Rotary electric switches |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0157550A2 true EP0157550A2 (en) | 1985-10-09 |
EP0157550A3 EP0157550A3 (en) | 1986-09-24 |
Family
ID=10559097
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85301974A Withdrawn EP0157550A3 (en) | 1984-04-03 | 1985-03-21 | Rotary electric switches |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0157550A3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES286318Y (en) |
GB (1) | GB8408560D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8256197B2 (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2012-09-04 | Delta Systems, Inc. | Switch assembly having a mechanically actuated override |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1160140A (en) * | 1966-12-14 | 1969-07-30 | D H Bonnella & Son Ltd | Improvements relating to Rotary Switches |
GB1204960A (en) * | 1968-10-11 | 1970-09-09 | D H Bonnella & Son Ltd | Improvements relating to rotary switches |
GB1499726A (en) * | 1973-08-03 | 1978-02-01 | Antivols Simplex Sa | Safety device for the starter of an engine |
GB2022924A (en) * | 1978-06-07 | 1979-12-19 | Bonnella Switches Ltd | Locking device for an ignition switch |
-
1984
- 1984-04-03 GB GB848408560A patent/GB8408560D0/en active Pending
-
1985
- 1985-03-21 EP EP85301974A patent/EP0157550A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-04-03 ES ES1985286318U patent/ES286318Y/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1160140A (en) * | 1966-12-14 | 1969-07-30 | D H Bonnella & Son Ltd | Improvements relating to Rotary Switches |
GB1204960A (en) * | 1968-10-11 | 1970-09-09 | D H Bonnella & Son Ltd | Improvements relating to rotary switches |
GB1499726A (en) * | 1973-08-03 | 1978-02-01 | Antivols Simplex Sa | Safety device for the starter of an engine |
GB2022924A (en) * | 1978-06-07 | 1979-12-19 | Bonnella Switches Ltd | Locking device for an ignition switch |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8256197B2 (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2012-09-04 | Delta Systems, Inc. | Switch assembly having a mechanically actuated override |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0157550A3 (en) | 1986-09-24 |
ES286318Y (en) | 1986-06-01 |
GB8408560D0 (en) | 1984-05-16 |
ES286318U (en) | 1985-11-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19861031 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19880615 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19881227 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: SUTTON, GARY RAYMOND |