FR2685810A1 - Anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotary anti-theft switch for a motor vehicle includes a support (1) comprising a bottom (3) closed by a cap (2) and, housed within the support (1), a manoeuvrable rotor (4), at least one rotary cursor (6, 7) linked in rotation to the rotor (4), moving contacts (61, 71) integral with the cursor (6, 7) for interacting with fixed contacts (8, 9). The bottom (3) has a connecting part (30) into which open out power supply tags (100, 101, 200, 201, 301, 302) integral with the fixed contact (8, 9) via attachment parts (12). The fixed contacts (8, 9) are arranged into two coaxial annular tracks (8, 9). The electrical power supply tags (301, 302) with their associated fixed contacts, suitable for being linked to the relevant terminal of the battery of the vehicle, are arranged on either side of an electrical power supply tag (101), the associated fixed contact of which belongs to the inner electrical track (9). The said electrical tags (301, 302) are installed below the electrical tags (200, 201, 202), the fixed contacts of which are associated with the outer electrical track (8). Application to motor vehicles.

Description

 The present invention relates to a rotary electric motor vehicle anti-theft switch, of the type comprising an electrically insulating hollow support, suitable for being fixed on a fixed part, comprising a bottom closed by a cap and, housed inside the support, a rotor manoeuvrable at the user's discretion, at least one rotary cursor linked in rotation to the rotor while being mounted to move axially relative to the latter, movable contacts secured to the cursor for cooperation with fixed contacts carried by the bottom of the support and establishing electrical circuits in angular positions determined as a function of the position of the rotor, in which the bottom has a connecting part into which open electrical power supply parts secured to the fixed contacts by attachment parts and in which the contacts fixed are arranged according to two coaxial annular electrical tracks, one, external, tracks surrounded the other, internal.

Such a switch is described in the document
FR 91 15354 filed on December 13, 1991 and not yet published.

 In this, said connecting part extends perpendicular to the rotor, each track is associated with a rotary slider with movable contacts linked in rotation to the rotor and the base is overmolded on the attachment parts of the fixed contacts leaving bare said fixed contacts.

 Thanks to this arrangement, we continue to benefit from a bottom with a connecting part making it possible to avoid welding, crimping or other operations, as well as to simplify the wiring for connecting the switch with the vehicle supply network.

 The voltage losses are therefore minimal and it is possible in a reduced space requirement, in particular thanks to the sliders and the tracks, to establish electrical circuits with high current of passage with fixed contacts of great extent.

 This arrangement is axially compact thanks in particular to the arrangement of the connecting part and leads to a high robustness of the bottom fixed contact assembly. The arrangement of the connecting part also makes it possible to simplify the shape of the fixed contacts and of their supply part, which can extend in the same plane.

 The supply part - fixed contact assemblies are very simplified and it becomes possible to attach at least two such assemblies in the form of conductive plates with possible folding, then after overmolding to separate them from one another by breaking for example connecting bridges. The number of parts to be handled is therefore reduced.

 In this document, there are formed two conductive layers mounted one above the other, as well as two supply tabs initially belonging to a cut and folded plate, said tabs being provided for connection with the positive terminal of the drums.

 It may be desirable to simplify these supply tabs.

 The object of the present invention is to respond to this desire.

 According to the invention, a switch of the type indicated above is characterized in that the electrical supply tabs with their associated fixed contacts, suitable for being connected to the relevant terminal of the vehicle battery, are arranged on either side an electrical power supply part, the associated fixed contact of which belongs to the internal electrical track, and in that the said electrical tabs are located below the electrical tabs, the fixed contacts of which are associated with the external electrical track.

 Thanks to the invention, we continue to benefit from the advantages of the previous embodiment, while having electrical power supply parts and simplified fixed contacts.

 Indeed, it is possible to create a first layer, initially in the form of a plate, comprising the fixed contacts of the external electrical track with their associated supply tabs connected by bridges and to have three independent parts of generally planar shape for realization of the other assemblies, electrical supply part-fixed contact.

 It will be appreciated that there is no longer a connecting bridge at the level of the electrical tracks.

 All of these assemblies, part of electrical power supply and fixed contact, can advantageously be made of copper covered with a layer of silver, advantageously graphitized. In the same way, it is possible to give other forms to the rotary cursor.

The description which follows illustrates the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
- Figure 1 is a view of the molded bottom alone
- Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1 of the switch, according to the invention
- Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 2
- Figure 4 is a view, along arrow 4 of Figure 1
- Figure 5 is a view of the sliders of the switch;
- Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 5
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the conductor sheet, according to the invention;
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of electrical supply part-fixed contact assemblies associated with the terminals of the vehicle battery
- Figure 9 is a view of the other fixed contact-power supply part assembly associated with the internal track
- Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figures 5 and 6 for a second embodiment
- Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 2 for another embodiment
- Figure 13 is a view along arrow 13 of the rotor of Figure 12
- Figure 14 is a partial view showing the indexing means
- Figure 15 is a view along line 14-14 of Figure 12
- Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the switch
- Figure 17 is a schematic view also illustrating the operation of the switch.

 In the following description, the term “insulating material” means an electrically insulating material, such as plastic, and by conductive material an electrically conductive material.

 The switch shown is a rotary anti-theft switch associated with the anti-theft lock with ignition key of the motor vehicle.

 As we know, the anti-theft lock allows the locking of the vehicle steering column as well as the operation of the anti-theft switch, here rotary, via the ignition key at the option of the user , in particular to start the vehicle.

For simplicity, the same references as in the above-mentioned document FR 91 15 354 will be used and for more details, reference may be made to this one.
This switch comprises an electrically insulating hollow support 1, suitable for being fixed on a fixed part of the vehicle.

 Here the support 1 is made of insulating plastic and comprises a bottom 3 closed by a hollow cap 2. The bottom 3 here forms a flat fixing base and has a connecting part 30 shaped to form a polarizing device as shown in Figure 3. The bottom 3 has two ears 31 (Figure 2) for fixing the switch to a fixed part of the vehicle.

Of course as described in the document
FR 91 00908 the reverse is possible, the cap 2 then allowing the fixing of the switch for a motor vehicle by presenting the fixing lugs.

 A rotor 4 is rotatably mounted inside the support 1. This rotor is made of insulating material, here plastic, and is maneuverable at the discretion of the user. I1 has for this purpose coupling means 41, here in the form of a keyhole-shaped recess, for its rotational drive by means of a finger driven by the ignition key.

 At least one rotary cursor 6,7, here metallic, is linked in rotation to the rotor 4 while being mounted to move axially relative to the latter. Movable contacts 61,71 are integral with said cursor 6,7 for cooperation with fixed contacts 8,9, made of conductive material, worn to be secured by the bottom 3 of the support 1. Movable contacts 61,71 are, like cursor 6 , 7, mounted inside the support 1 and are arranged to cooperate with fixed contacts 8, 9 in order to establish electrical circuits in angular positions determined as a function of the position of the rotor 4.

 The bottom 3 has a connecting portion 30 into which the electrical power supply parts open 100,101,200,201,202,301,302 secured to the fixed contacts by attachment parts 12. Here, said electrical power supply parts consist of tabs, described below, in silver copper .

 Thus, a plurality of assemblies is created, each assembly made of conductive material, here metallic, comprising in one piece a fixed contact, an attachment part 12 and a supply part.

 The fixed contacts 8, 9 are arranged according to two coaxial annular electrical tracks 8, 9, one, external, of the tracks, namely track 8 surrounding the other internal track 9.

 The connecting part 30 of the bottom 3 extends perpendicular to the rotor 4. Each track 8.9 is associated with a cursor 6.7 with movable contacts 61.71, said cursors 6.7 being linked in rotation to the rotor 4 with axial mobility . The bottom 3 is molded onto the attachment parts 12 of the fixed contacts 8.9, leaving the said fixed contacts 8.9 bare.

Here the feeding parts consist of tabs 100,101 - 200,201,202 - 301,302. The tongue 100 is suitable for establishing an electrical supply circuit ACC of an accessory, such as a radio, the tongues 200,201,101 are suitable for establishing the electrical ignition circuits IG1, IG2A, respectively.
IG2B.

 Here the sliders 6,7 are offset axially with respect to each other and, as a corollary, the tracks 8,9 are offset axially with respect to each other.

 The tongue 202 is suitable for establishing an electrical circuit for supplying the starter, while the tongues 301 and 302 are suitable for being linked to one of the terminals of the vehicle battery, here the positive terminal.

 According to the invention, a switch of the type indicated above is characterized in that the power supply tabs 301,302 with their associated fixed contacts, suitable for being connected to the relevant terminal of the vehicle battery, are arranged on either side other of the electrical supply part 101, the associated fixed contact of which belongs to the internal electrical track 9, and in that the said electrical tabs 301, 302 are located below the electrical tabs 200, 201, 202 whose fixed contacts are associated with the electrical track external 8.

Thus, thanks to the sliders 6,7 it is possible to establish several circuits and the anti-theft switch ensures the following functions
- position 0 - "parking" contact with locking of the steering column and possibility of switching on the "position" lights
- position I - "accessories" contact, in particular for switching on the radio
- position II - "accessories" and "ignition" contacts
- position III - "ignition" and "starter" and "control" contacts.

 For more details, see Figures 16 and 17.

 Thus the cursor 7 is assigned to the internal track 9 and the cursor 6 to the external track 8.

 Each cursor 6,7 has local deformations 61,71 here regularly distributed for the formation of mobile contacts.

 The sliders 6,7 are in the image of each other and are of robust and simple shape having generally the shape of a ring with radial folds 61,71 obtained by stamping for formation of the mobile contacts.

 The cursor 6 surrounds here the cursor 7, the ring of the cursor 7 being housed inside the ring of the cursor 6.

 The folds extend between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the cursor and are arranged at 1200 relative to each other.

These folds have in section generally the shape of a
V rounded and serve as support for an elastic means 63,73 bearing on the rotor 4 to urge said cursor 6,7 towards its associated track. Here these elastic means 63, 73 consist of coil springs mounted in blind holes, which the rotor 4 has for this purpose (FIG. 2). The cursors 6,7 are therefore well balanced.

 The rotor 4 therefore has a stepped shape just like the bottom 3, the springs 63 being axially and transversely offset relative to the springs 73 associated with the internal track 9.

Furthermore, the rotor 4, as in the document
FR 91 00908, has at its keyhole 41 a guide nose 40, in the form of a sleeve, suitable for cooperating with a chimney 20, which has the cap 2 for swiveling mounting of the rotor 4. The chimney 20 is derived from the base of the cap 2 being directed towards the bottom 3. It is used for mounting a return spring 5.

 Indexing means are provided, in a manner known per se, so that the rotor occupies the stable positions 0, I, II (FIGS. 16 and 17). These means here consist of a ball 54 subjected to the action of elastic means 55, here a coil spring housed in a blind hole in the cap 2. The ball 54 is able to cooperate with a notch 43 formed in the rotor 4. Thus each stable position is defined by cooperation of the ball 54 with its notch 43.

 The rotor 4 can easily be produced by molding, like the cap 2 and the base 3, the various springs with their blind holes being oriented axially in the same direction.

 We will appreciate the good balance of the sliders 6,7 and the rotor 4 thanks to a plunger 51 described below.

 The rotation of the sliders 6,7, by the rotor 4 with axial mobility under the action of the springs 63,73, is easily carried out. More specifically, the cursor 7 has a tab 72 of axial orientation engaged in a complementary axial groove made in the rotor 4 (Figure 2). This cursor has, at its outer periphery, projecting lunules delimiting the folds 71. Opposite these lunulas, the cursor 6 has notches. The rotary drive of this slider 6 with axial mobility relative to the rotor 4 is carried out using projecting radial lugs 62 each engaged in a complementary groove made in the rotor 4. These radial lugs delimit the folds 61 externally.

 It will be noted that the bottom 3 has a closed and cylindrical deformation 32 at the level of the free cylindrical end of reduced diameter of the rotor 4 lightened by recesses (FIG. 2).

 Centrally this deformation 32 carries a guide nose 132. This nose has a free end of penetrating shape and a barrel suitable for guiding the free end of the rotor. This free end is provided with a cylindrical blind hole, the internal bore of which cooperates with the guide nose 132.

 This stepped rotor 4 is surrounded by the sliders 6,7 and is guided in rotation by the nose 132.

 The assembly of the cap 2 with the bottom 3 of flat shape is produced by clipping, of which we see at 10 in FIG. 2 a clipping lug of the cap 2 cooperating with an associated notch formed on the bottom 3. The number of lugs and notches depends on the application.

 Given the outline of the bottom and the cap (Figure 1), there are provided here three tabs on the cylindrical part of the outline of the support 1 and two tabs at the rectilinear and parallel portions of said outline.

 If necessary, the bottom 3 can be provided with pins engaged in corresponding openings of the cap 2 to immobilize the assembly properly.

 It will be appreciated that the best use is made of the space available, the fasteners 12 and the part 30 extending laterally relative to the tracks 8, 9.

 When the rotor 4 is maneuvered, the ball 54 retracts.

 Position III is defined using a plunger 51 which is allowed to cooperate with a V-shaped track 42 carried by the rotor 4. This rotor 4 also carries a slide 53.

 As a reminder, it will be recalled that position III is an unstable position by being brought back by position II by the return spring 5 in the form of a torsion spring.

 More precisely in position III, the plunger 51 and the slide 53 intervene and are mutually locked so that it is impossible to actuate the starter twice in succession without turning back.

When switching from position II to position
III, one comes to arm one of the arms of the spring 5 in order to carry out a return.

 For more details, reference will be made to document FR 91 00908 and to FIG. 3 in which said arms are visible.

 Here, the fixed contacts 8, 9 are in the form of annular sectors of large area, and they are connected to their associated supply part by the clips 12.

 The power supply parts 100,101,200,201,202,301,302 are arranged here according to at least two parallel conductive layers mounted axially one above the other, and consist of standard connection tabs for connector of the standard type.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, initially, before overmolding, a precut circuit is formed comprising tabs 100,200,201,202, as best seen in FIG. 7.

More precisely, here three fixed contacts arranged on the external track 8 initially belong to said generally planar conductive plate of cut metal comprising the planar tabs 200,201,202. This plate also includes the tongue 100, which is folded downwardly in staircase fashion at its free end for constituting the fixed contact belonging to the internal track 9 and suitable here for the formation of the electrical circuit associated with the accessory.
ACC.

 We will appreciate the simplification, no trigger guard being present at tracks 8.9.

 The attachment parts 12 of these fixed tabs are connected together by connecting bridges 204,205,206. A fixed contact associated with the internal track 9 belongs to a flat tongue 101 and visible in FIG. 9. This tongue 101 comprises a shoulder end connecting part, like the other tongues, a central central attachment part with a larger 'an opening 103 extended by a terminal portion carrying the fixed contact IG2B with the formation of a narrowing. This tongue 101 is arranged below the aforementioned tongues while being located above the tongues 301, 302. All these tongues, as mentioned above, are supported for their anchoring (FIG. 2) in the part 30 comprising extra thicknesses 13 for this purpose.

 Two electrical tabs 301, 302 are also provided, with their associated fixed contacts, for electrical connection with the positive terminal of the battery. These tongues, in the shape of a butt, are visible in FIG. 8 and have a curved end constituting fixed contacts associated respectively with the external and internal track. These tabs 301, 302 are, according to the invention, arranged on either side of the tab 101 while being located below the latter. These tabs 301, 302 are thicker than the other tabs.

 The tongue 302 has a vertical portion connecting the fixed contact to the main or main part, generally planar, of the tongue 302, the tongue 301 is partly raised to present in elevation its associated fixed contact. This tongue 301 is shorter than the tongue 302.

 It will be noted that the tongue 302, associated with the external track, is arranged on the right, and the tongue 301, associated with the internal track, on the left, unlike the previous embodiment.

 The relative positions of the tabs 200,201,202 are also changed.

 Thanks to all these provisions, there is a large range for fixed contacts whose shape is more particularly visible in Figure 1, as well as a large number of electrical circuits. In addition, the solution is very compact, the tongue 302 passing below the tongue 100 being longer than the latter.

 It will be appreciated that one splits the fixed contacts connected to the battery source and that one benefits from larger fixed contacts while having a very compact, very robust and very simple arrangement.

 Here the tracks 8 and 9 are each formed by the fixed contacts separated from each other by non-conductive zones coming from the bottom 3 which gives great robustness.

 To avoid fouling of the cursors 6 and 7, each non-conductive zone has, at its internal periphery, in elevation, strips of annular materials 83, 93 extending circumferentially between two fixed contacts.

 With the fixed contact of the tongue 301, is associated a passage 81. This passage is generated by a projection of a counter-core allowing a plating of said fixed contact against a core associated with the counter-core during the overmolding operation.

 For more details, see the above-mentioned document FR 91 15354.

 The manufacturing process is then very easy.

After placing the fixed contacts, plastic material is injected into the mold, shaped accordingly and formed by the core and the counter-core, so that the space between them is filled with the formation of bands.

 The core and the counter-core are also shaped to reveal clearances 208,207,209. These clearances are associated respectively with bridges 204,205,206. These clearances here consist of through holes.

 Thus after overmolding, it suffices using a punch associated with a counter-punch to cut said bridges and form flaps without falling material in order to establish corresponding circuits. It will be appreciated that the central hole 103 of the wide tongue 101 makes this possible, this hole 103 being opposite the clearance 207 and the bridges 205.

 If necessary, after forming the bottom 3, the clearances can be plugged with insulating resin.

 Thanks to all these provisions, the number of parts to be handled is reduced.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described.

 In particular, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the movable contacts associated with the sliders 6,7 may consist of contact grains 161,171, these grains being covered with a layer of graphite silver in order to reduce the pollution of the switch and to decrease the electrical resistance between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts. The friction is also reduced. Each grain 161,171 is radially associated internally with a stamped 162,172 for cooperation with the raised areas 83,93 and avoiding fouling, the grains being raised by means of said stamped, just as in FIGS. 1 to 6, the folds 61,71 providing the same effect. Alternatively, the grains 161, 171 can be silvered and greased. The silver layer can be combined with a material which reduces friction.

 In FIGS. 12 to 15, the indexing means 155, 154, 143 are arranged radially, the notch 143 being formed in the cap 2.

 It will be noted that, as in FIG. 2, the guide nose 40 of the rotor 4 has a groove 48 in which engages a ring 28 carried internally by the chimney 20 of the cap 2. The rotor 4 is thus well guided, in rotation , by said ring and by the nose 132 of the deformation 32. In addition, sealing baffles are formed between the bottom and the caps. Of course, the tongue 101 may be narrower and another tongue may be provided.

 In all cases, we take advantage of overmolding.

Claims (8)

 1) rotary electric motor vehicle anti-theft switch, of the type comprising an electrically insulating hollow support (1) capable of being fixed on a fixed part, comprising a bottom (3) closed by a cap (2) and, housed at inside the support (1), a rotor (4) maneuverable at the discretion of the user, at least one rotary cursor (6,7) linked in rotation to the rotor (4) while being mounted axially movable relative to it ci, and movable contacts (61,71) integral with the cursor (6,7) for cooperation with fixed contacts (8,9) carried by the bottom of the support (1) and establishment of electrical circuits in angular positions determined in as a function of the position of the rotor (4), in which, on the one hand, the base (3) has a connecting part (30) into which feed parts in the form of tongues (100,101,200,201,301,302) integral with the fixed contacts ( 8, 9) by attachment parts (12), some of which are suitable for being connected to the relevant terminal of the battery, secondly, the fixed contacts (8,9) are arranged according to two coaxial annular electrical tracks (8,9), one, external, tracks surrounding the other, internal, thirdly, said connecting part (30) extends perpendicular to the rotor (4), with each track (8,9) a rotary cursor (6,7) associated with movable contacts (61,71) , said sliders (6,7) being linked in rotation to the rotor (9), and, on the other hand, the base (3) is molded onto the attachment parts (12) of the fixed contacts (8,9) leaving bare said fixed contacts (8,9), characterized in that the power supply tabs (301,302) with their associated fixed contacts, suitable for being connected to the relevant terminal of the vehicle battery, are arranged on the side and on the other side of an electrical supply tab (101) whose associated fixed contact belongs to the internal electrical track (9), and in that the said electrical tabs (301,302) are located below the electrical tabs (200,201,202), whose fixed contacts are associated with the external electrical track (8).  2) Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrical tabs (200,201,202) associated with the external track (8) initially belong to a flat conductive plate also comprising an electrical tab (100) associated with the internal electrical track (9) .  3) Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that said electrical tab (100) of the internal track (9) is bent in staircase at its free end, for constitution of the fixed contact.  4) Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the power supply tongue (101), whose associated fixed contact belongs to the internal electrical track (9), is arranged below said electrical tabs of the external track ( 8) and comprises a central opening (103) disposed opposite connecting bridges (205) connecting two of said tongues to one another.  5) Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said electrical tabs (301,302), adapted to be connected to the relevant terminal of the vehicle battery, are bent at their end.  6) Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bottom (3) carries a guide nose (132) adapted to cooperate with an internal bore that has the free end of the rotor (4).  7) Switch according to claim 6, characterized in that, at its other end, the rotor (4) has a groove (48) adapted to cooperate with rotary guide with a ring (28) carried by the cap (2).  8) Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sliders (6,7) are ring-shaped and carry contact grains (161,171) covered with a layer of silver.