EP0269584A2 - Ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0269584A2
EP0269584A2 EP87830416A EP87830416A EP0269584A2 EP 0269584 A2 EP0269584 A2 EP 0269584A2 EP 87830416 A EP87830416 A EP 87830416A EP 87830416 A EP87830416 A EP 87830416A EP 0269584 A2 EP0269584 A2 EP 0269584A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
contact
rotor
fixed
ignition
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Withdrawn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
EP87830416A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0269584A3 (en
Inventor
Giuseppe Esposito
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.)
Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Marelli Europe SpA
Original Assignee
Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Magneti Marelli SpA
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 Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL, Magneti Marelli SpA filed Critical Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Publication of EP0269584A2 publication Critical patent/EP0269584A2/en
Publication of EP0269584A3 publication Critical patent/EP0269584A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches 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
    • H01H19/54—Switches 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
    • H01H19/56—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying contacts, e.g. drum switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/40—Contact mounted so that its contact-making surface is flush with adjoining insulation
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, and in particular to an ignition and starter switch intended to be associated with an anti-theft steering lock device with a cylinder lock operated by means of a key.
  • the improved ignition and starter switch is characterised in that it comprises: a body of electrically-insulating material, in which a cylindrical chamber is formed, a plurality of fixed contacts carried by the body and extending into the chamber, with their surfaces continuous with the internal lateral surface of the chamber, a further fixed contact also carried by the body and having a portion fixed to the base wall of the chamber, a rotor rotatably mounted in the chamber, at least one movable contact member fixed torsionally to the rotor and having first and second portions facing the lateral wall of the chamber and the further fixed contact respectively, first resilient means for thrusting the first portion of the movable contact against the lateral wall of the chamber, and second resilient means for keeping the second portion of the movable contact in permanent contact with the further fixed contact.
  • an ignition and starter switch comprises a casing, generally indicated 1, including a body 2 of electrically-insulating material, in which a cavity defining a cylindrical chamber 3 is formed.
  • a cover 4 with a circular opening, indicated 4a, is applied to the top of the body 2.
  • the cover 4 has two lower hook appendages 4b which are bent into an L-shape and snap-engage in corresponding seats or recesses 2a formed in the external lateral surface of the body 2.
  • the body 2 carries a plurality of fixed contacts, indicated 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
  • the contacts 10 to 40 have respective first ends in the form of flat pins, indicated 10a to 40a, projecting outwardly of the body 2 through a frontal face 2a thereof.
  • the fixed contact 50 also has an end 50a in the form of a flat pin projecting outwardly of the casing 2 through the front face 2a.
  • the fixed contact members 10 to 40 have respective circular-sector-shaped end portions 10b to 40b extending into the chamber 3 with their surfaces continuous with the lateral surface 3a of this chamber.
  • the fixed contact 50 has a disc-shaped end portion 50b with a central opening 50c. This portion 50b of the contact 50 is retained against the base wall 3b of the chamber 3 with the opening 50c facing a recess 3c ( Figure 4) formed in this wall.
  • the fixed contact 50 is intended to be connected to the motor vehicle battery through the flat-pin appendage 50a.
  • the other fixed contacts 10 to 40 are intended to be connected to services and electrical devices in the motor vehicle and to the starter unit of the engine.
  • a rotor 5 of electrically-insulating material is mounted rotatably in the chamber 3 in the body 2 and has a substantially cylindrical shape with projections 5a and 5b extending centrally from the two flat faces.
  • the projection 5b extends into and is rotatable in the recess 3c formed in the base wall of the chamber 3.
  • the upper projection 5a extends through the opening 4a of the cover 4.
  • this projection there is formed a shaped recess 5c in which an axial appendage of the rotor of an anti-theft steering lock device with a cylinder lock of known type, with which the ignition and starter switch will be operatively associated, is intended to be engaged in a manner not illustrated.
  • a pair of circular-arc-shaped rims 5d extend on the lower face of the rotor 5 and define guide channels 5e in diametrally-opposed positions between their ends.
  • An annular seat, indicated 5f, is also formed in the central portion of the lower face of the rotor 5, around the projection 5b.
  • Radial blind holes 5g are formed in two diametrally opposite regions of the lateral surface of the rotor 5.
  • Two movable contact members of electrically-conductive material are indicated 7 and each have a flat half-ring-shaped portion 7a to which is joined a portion bent into an L-shape, indicated 7b. These portions 7b have one arm coplanar with the corresponding half-ring portion 7a and the other arm substantially perpendicular to the first and slightly curved.
  • the movable contacts 7 are arranged under the rotor 5 with their respective half-ring portions 7a between the rims 5d of the rotor.
  • the bent L-shaped portion 7b of each movable contact 7 which is coplanar with the half-ring portion extends into one of the channels 5e defined between the rims 5d of the rotor 5, and the vertical part faces a blind hole 5g of the rotor.
  • Helical springs are arranged in the blind holes 5g of the rotor and thrust the movable contacts 7 away from each other against the walls of the chamber 3.
  • a helical spring 9 disposed in the annular recess 5f of the rotor presses on the half-ring portions 7a of the movable contacts 7 to thrust them against the portion 5b of the fixed contact 50 and the rotor 5 against the cover 4, taking up any possible play.
  • the portions 7b of the movable contacts 7 carry respective rivetted contact elements 7c which project outwardly and are able to cooperate with the portions 10b and 40b of the fixed contacts 10 to 40 carried by the body 2.
  • the movable contacts 7 are permanently in contact with the flat portion 50b of the fixed contact 50. These movable contacts are also fixed torsionally to the rotor 5.
  • rotation of the rotor 5 enables the movable contacts 7 to be brought selectively into engagement with one or more of the fixed contacts 10 to 40, which are thus put selectively into electrical connection with the fixed contact 50. It is thus possible to operate selectively, in a predetermined manner, the various electrical systems in the motor vehicle, particularly the starter unit of the internal combustion engine.
  • diametrally-opposed recesses 3d may be provided in the lateral wall 3a of the chamber 3.
  • a precise rest position of the rotor 5 is thus defined as a result of the engagement of the projections 7c of the movable contacts 7 in the recesses 3d.
  • the ignition and starter switch described above has numerous advantages. In the first place, it has an extremely simple structure and can be fitted quite easily.
  • the springs 8 and 9 also allow any play due to manufacturing tolerances of the individual parts, or play created during use as a result of wear, to be taken up.

Landscapes

  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)

Abstract

The switch comprises:
    a body (2) of electrically-insulating ma­terial, in which a cylindrical chamber (S) is formed,
    a plurality of fixed contacts (10 to 40) car­ried by the body (2) and extending into the chamber (3), with their surfaces flush with the internal lateral surface (3a) of the chamber (3),
    a further fixed contact (50) also carried by the body (2) and having a portion (50b) fixed to the base wall (3b) of the chamber (3),
    a rotor (5) rotatably mounted in the chamber (3),
    at least one movable contact member (7) fixed torsionally to the rotor (5) and having first and second portions (7b, 7a) facing the lateral wall (3a) of the chamber and the further fixed contact (50b) respectively,
    first resilient means (8) for thrusting the portion (7b) of the at least one movable contact (7) against the lateral wall (3a) of the chamber (3), and
    second resilient means (9) for keeping the second portion (7a) of the at least one movable contact (7) in permanent contact with the further fixed contact (50, 50b).

Description

  • The present invention relates to an ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, and in particular to an ignition and starter switch intended to be associated with an anti-theft steering lock device with a cylinder lock operated by means of a key.
  • The improved ignition and starter switch according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises:
        a body of electrically-insulating material, in which a cylindrical chamber is formed,
        a plurality of fixed contacts carried by the body and extending into the chamber, with their surfaces continuous with the internal lateral surface of the chamber,
        a further fixed contact also carried by the body and having a portion fixed to the base wall of the chamber,
        a rotor rotatably mounted in the chamber,
        at least one movable contact member fixed torsionally to the rotor and having first and second portions facing the lateral wall of the chamber and the further fixed contact respectively,
        first resilient means for thrusting the first portion of the movable contact against the lateral wall of the chamber, and
        second resilient means for keeping the second portion of the movable contact in permanent contact with the further fixed contact.
  • Further characteristics and advantages of the ignition and starter switch will become clear from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ignition and starter switch according to the present invention,
    • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch illustrated in Figure 1,
    • Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the rotor of the switch according to the invention,
    • Figure 4 is a partially-sectioned front view of the switch, and
    • Figure 5 is a perspective view which shows the arrangement of the fixed contacts of the switch according to the invention.
  • With reference to the drawings, an ignition and starter switch according to the present invention comprises a casing, generally indicated 1, including a body 2 of electrically-insulating material, in which a cavity defining a cylindrical chamber 3 is formed. A cover 4 with a circular opening, indicated 4a, is applied to the top of the body 2. The cover 4 has two lower hook appendages 4b which are bent into an L-shape and snap-engage in corresponding seats or recesses 2a formed in the external lateral surface of the body 2.
  • As can be seen particularly from Figures 2 and 5, the body 2 carries a plurality of fixed contacts, indicated 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. The contacts 10 to 40 have respective first ends in the form of flat pins, indicated 10a to 40a, projecting outwardly of the body 2 through a frontal face 2a thereof. The fixed contact 50 also has an end 50a in the form of a flat pin projecting outwardly of the casing 2 through the front face 2a.
  • The fixed contact members 10 to 40 have respective circular-sector-shaped end portions 10b to 40b extending into the chamber 3 with their surfaces continuous with the lateral surface 3a of this chamber.
  • The fixed contact 50 has a disc-shaped end portion 50b with a central opening 50c. This portion 50b of the contact 50 is retained against the base wall 3b of the chamber 3 with the opening 50c facing a recess 3c (Figure 4) formed in this wall.
  • In use, the fixed contact 50 is intended to be connected to the motor vehicle battery through the flat-pin appendage 50a. The other fixed contacts 10 to 40 are intended to be connected to services and electrical devices in the motor vehicle and to the starter unit of the engine.
  • A rotor 5 of electrically-insulating material is mounted rotatably in the chamber 3 in the body 2 and has a substantially cylindrical shape with projections 5a and 5b extending centrally from the two flat faces. The projection 5b extends into and is rotatable in the recess 3c formed in the base wall of the chamber 3. The upper projection 5a extends through the opening 4a of the cover 4. In this projection there is formed a shaped recess 5c in which an axial appendage of the rotor of an anti-theft steering lock device with a cylinder lock of known type, with which the ignition and starter switch will be operatively associated, is intended to be engaged in a manner not illustrated.
  • As can be seen particularly in Figure 3, a pair of circular-arc-shaped rims 5d extend on the lower face of the rotor 5 and define guide channels 5e in diametrally-opposed positions between their ends. An annular seat, indicated 5f, is also formed in the central portion of the lower face of the rotor 5, around the projection 5b.
  • Radial blind holes 5g are formed in two diametrally opposite regions of the lateral surface of the rotor 5.
  • Two movable contact members of electrically-conductive material are indicated 7 and each have a flat half-ring-shaped portion 7a to which is joined a portion bent into an L-shape, indicated 7b. These portions 7b have one arm coplanar with the corresponding half-ring portion 7a and the other arm substantially perpendicular to the first and slightly curved.
  • The movable contacts 7 are arranged under the rotor 5 with their respective half-ring portions 7a between the rims 5d of the rotor. The bent L-shaped portion 7b of each movable contact 7 which is coplanar with the half-ring portion extends into one of the channels 5e defined between the rims 5d of the rotor 5, and the vertical part faces a blind hole 5g of the rotor.
  • Helical springs, indicated 8, are arranged in the blind holes 5g of the rotor and thrust the movable contacts 7 away from each other against the walls of the chamber 3. A helical spring 9 disposed in the annular recess 5f of the rotor presses on the half-ring portions 7a of the movable contacts 7 to thrust them against the portion 5b of the fixed contact 50 and the rotor 5 against the cover 4, taking up any possible play.
  • The portions 7b of the movable contacts 7 carry respective rivetted contact elements 7c which project outwardly and are able to cooperate with the portions 10b and 40b of the fixed contacts 10 to 40 carried by the body 2.
  • The movable contacts 7 are permanently in contact with the flat portion 50b of the fixed contact 50. These movable contacts are also fixed torsionally to the rotor 5.
  • In use, rotation of the rotor 5 enables the movable contacts 7 to be brought selectively into engagement with one or more of the fixed contacts 10 to 40, which are thus put selectively into electrical connection with the fixed contact 50. It is thus possible to operate selectively, in a predetermined manner, the various electrical systems in the motor vehicle, particularly the starter unit of the internal combustion engine.
  • Conveniently, diametrally-opposed recesses 3d (Figure 2) may be provided in the lateral wall 3a of the chamber 3. A precise rest position of the rotor 5 is thus defined as a result of the engagement of the projections 7c of the movable contacts 7 in the recesses 3d.
  • The ignition and starter switch described above has numerous advantages. In the first place, it has an extremely simple structure and can be fitted quite easily. The springs 8 and 9 also allow any play due to manufacturing tolerances of the individual parts, or play created during use as a result of wear, to be taken up.

Claims (1)

1. An ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine, characterised in that it comprises:
      a body (2) of electrically-insulating material, in which a cylindrical chamber (3) is formed,
      a plurality of fixed contacts (10 to 40) carried by the body (2) and extending into the chamber (3), with their surfaces continuous with the internal lateral surface 13a) of the chamber (3),
      a further fixed contact (50) also carried by the body (2) and having a portion (50b) fixed to the base wall (3b) of the chamber (3),
      a rotor (5) rotatably mounted in the chamber (3),
      at least one movable contact member (7) fixed torsionally to the rotor (5) and having first and second portions (7b, 7a) facing the lateral wall (3a) of the chamber and the further fixed contact (50b) respectively,
      first resilient means (8) for thrusting the portion (7b) of the at least one movable contact (7) against the lateral wall (3a) of the chamber (3), and
      second resilient means (9) for keeping the second portion (7a) of the at least one movable contact (7) in permanent contact with the further fixed contact (50, 50b).
EP87830416A 1986-11-21 1987-11-20 Ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine Withdrawn EP0269584A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT5411586U IT208377Z2 (en) 1986-11-21 1986-11-21 IGNITION AND START SWITCH FOR A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
IT5411586U 1986-11-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0269584A2 true EP0269584A2 (en) 1988-06-01
EP0269584A3 EP0269584A3 (en) 1990-03-14

Family

ID=11286720

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87830416A Withdrawn EP0269584A3 (en) 1986-11-21 1987-11-20 Ignition and starter switch for a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0269584A3 (en)
BR (1) BR6702584U (en)
IT (1) IT208377Z2 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0546945A1 (en) * 1991-12-11 1993-06-16 Valeo Electronique Anti-theft switch for motor vehicle
FR2685123A1 (en) * 1991-12-11 1993-06-18 Valeo Commutation Anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle
FR2685810A1 (en) * 1991-12-26 1993-07-02 Valeo Commutation Anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle
DE4330310A1 (en) * 1993-09-08 1995-03-09 Teves Gmbh Alfred Rotary switch with sliding contact being made on sliding contacts which are domed in a cylindrical shape
EP0805077A2 (en) * 1996-03-27 1997-11-05 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle main switch
WO1998034253A1 (en) * 1997-01-31 1998-08-06 Itt Composants Et Instruments Modular electric switch
US6525284B2 (en) * 2000-11-16 2003-02-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switching device, in particular for an ignition-starter switch in a motor vehicle
GB2429844A (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-03-07 Lear Corp Electrical switch
CN103582922A (en) * 2011-06-07 2014-02-12 Abb有限公司 Switch

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE711201C (en) * 1940-04-14 1941-09-27 Koch & Sterzel Akt Ges Switching device for resistors or windings of electrical devices, especially for the primary windings of current transformers
GB674176A (en) * 1949-04-20 1952-06-18 Revo Electric Co Ltd Improvements in rotary electric switches
FR2013883A1 (en) * 1968-07-29 1970-04-10 Skil N V
US3983354A (en) * 1975-06-30 1976-09-28 General Motors Corporation Rotary electric switch

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE711201C (en) * 1940-04-14 1941-09-27 Koch & Sterzel Akt Ges Switching device for resistors or windings of electrical devices, especially for the primary windings of current transformers
GB674176A (en) * 1949-04-20 1952-06-18 Revo Electric Co Ltd Improvements in rotary electric switches
FR2013883A1 (en) * 1968-07-29 1970-04-10 Skil N V
US3983354A (en) * 1975-06-30 1976-09-28 General Motors Corporation Rotary electric switch

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0546945A1 (en) * 1991-12-11 1993-06-16 Valeo Electronique Anti-theft switch for motor vehicle
FR2685123A1 (en) * 1991-12-11 1993-06-18 Valeo Commutation Anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle
FR2685810A1 (en) * 1991-12-26 1993-07-02 Valeo Commutation Anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle
DE4330310A1 (en) * 1993-09-08 1995-03-09 Teves Gmbh Alfred Rotary switch with sliding contact being made on sliding contacts which are domed in a cylindrical shape
EP0805077A2 (en) * 1996-03-27 1997-11-05 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle main switch
EP0805077A3 (en) * 1996-03-27 1999-08-18 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle main switch
FR2759199A1 (en) * 1997-01-31 1998-08-07 Itt Composants Instr MODULAR ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE
WO1998034253A1 (en) * 1997-01-31 1998-08-06 Itt Composants Et Instruments Modular electric switch
US6525284B2 (en) * 2000-11-16 2003-02-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switching device, in particular for an ignition-starter switch in a motor vehicle
GB2429844A (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-03-07 Lear Corp Electrical switch
GB2429844B (en) * 2005-09-02 2008-01-02 Lear Corp Electrical switch
US7495187B2 (en) 2005-09-02 2009-02-24 Lear Corporation Electrical switch
CN103582922A (en) * 2011-06-07 2014-02-12 Abb有限公司 Switch
CN103582922B (en) * 2011-06-07 2017-03-22 Abb 有限公司 Switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT208377Z2 (en) 1988-05-28
EP0269584A3 (en) 1990-03-14
IT8654115V0 (en) 1986-11-21
BR6702584U (en) 1988-07-05

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