FR2748846A1 - Rotary electrical switch for operation of vehicle accessories - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical switch comprises a first ring (100) provided with notches (110), and a second ring (200) coaxial with the first ring also provided with notches (210). A pushing element (300) is mounted to rotate about the axis (0-0) of the rings (100,200) and is susceptible to be moved along this axis (0-0). This element also includes a radial index (310) which engages the notches (110,210) of the two rings. A further actuator element (400) is mounted coaxially with the pushing element (300) in order to be displaced axially by the pushing element whilst a spring urges the pushing element and actuator (400) axially apart. Slides (500-540) are arranged to move in response to the actuator (400) in order to operate the contacts (600) which face the actuator.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of electrical switches.

 The present invention applies in particular to the control of code / headlight lighting lights of a motor vehicle.

 Many electrical switches for this purpose have already been proposed.

 The present invention now aims to improve the known electrical switches.

 This object is achieved according to the present invention thanks to an electrical switch comprising - a first ring provided with notches distributed on its periphery, - a second ring coaxial with the first, also provided with notches distributed on its periphery, opposite the notches of the first ring, - an indexable pusher mounted for rotation about the axis of the rings and capable of translation along this axis, which has at least one generally radial index capable of bearing on said notches of the rings, which pusher is actuated selectively in translation , - an actuator coaxial with the pusher, linked in rotation to the latter, but capable of translation relative to the pusher along the axis of the device, - a spring which urges the pusher and the actuator apart, - a slide mounted at translation in a direction generally transverse to the axis of the pusher, which slide is selectively actuated in translation and has gu ides able to control the passage of the index between the notches of the two rings, depending on its position, and - electrical contact means placed opposite the actuator.

 According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the notches of the second ring are angularly offset from those of the first ring.

 According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the electrical contact means consist of flexible deformable blades oriented in a general direction transverse to the axis of the switch, each blade having an engagement slope, a clearance slope and a zone of contact.

 Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which - Figure 1 shows a schematic view in exploded perspective of an electrical switch according to the present invention, - Figures 2 to 8 illustrate the same switch in different phases of its operation; more precisely, FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate three stages of a code / headlight switching, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two stages of a headlight call sequence in the pilot position of the switch and FIGS. 7 and 8 represent two stages of another flagship call sequence in the switch rest position, and - Figures 9 and 10 schematically show, in cross section, electrical contact means according to the present invention, respectively in the rest position, switch open, and in working position, switch closed.

 There is shown in the accompanying figures, an electrical switch structure centered on an axis O-O, adapted to ensure headlight calls and the control of the lighting lights in the code / headlight position of a motor vehicle. However, the invention is not limited to this particular application.

 As mentioned above, essentially, the electrical switch according to the present invention comprises two rings 100, 200, a pusher 300, an actuator 400, a spring, a slider 500 and electrical contact means 600.

 The first ring 100 is tubular centered around the axis GO.

It is provided with notches 110 on its edge directed towards the second ring 200. More specifically, there are provided on the edge of the first ring 100 alternating notches 112, 114 respectively of two heights. In the figures, the notches of shallower depth are illustrated in 112 and in 114 the notches of greater depth.

 More specifically, the opening contours of the notches 112, 114 are placed in a common plane transverse to the axis O-O. On the other hand, the bottoms of the notches 112, 114 are disposed respectively in two different planes perpendicular to the axis SO. The plane defined by the bottoms of the notches 112 of shallower depth is closer to the second ring 200 than the plane defined by the bottoms of the notches 114 of deeper depth.

 Eight notches 110 can be provided, for example four notches 112 of shallow depth and four notches 114 of great depth, alternating.

 Each notch 110 has the general shape of a concave dihedral in the direction of the second ring 200. Each notch 110 is thus defined by two planar faces 116, 118 for the notches 112 and two planar faces 120, 122 for the notches 114. Each notch 110 has an asymmetry with respect to a respective radial plane passing through the axis & O and coinciding with the bottom of the notches 112, 114. For this the faces 116 correspond to an angular opening relative to the axis ao less than that faces 118, and likewise the faces 120 correspond to an angular opening smaller than that of the faces 122. However preferably the notches 112 have an angular opening equal to that of the notches 114.

 The notches 112 of shallower depth are used for a flagship control, while the notches 114 of deeper depth are used to define a rest position or a code position.

 The second ring 200 is coaxial with the first. It is also tubular. It is provided on its edge, facing the first ring 100, with a plurality of notches 210. The notches 210 of the second ring 200 are identical to each other, concave towards the first ring 100. These notches 210 are formed of dihedrons delimited by two generally planar facets 212, 214. It is preferably provided on the second ring 200 a number of notches 210 equal to the number of notches 110 equipping the first ring 100. Thus, there are preferably provided eight notches 210 on the second ring 200. In addition, the notches 210 of the second ring 200 are offset with respect to those 110 of the first ring 100. Preferably, the notches 210 of the second ring 200 are offset by the order of a quarter of a step relative to the notches 110 of the first ring 100. Thus, according to an advantageous embodiment, the notches 210 of the second ring 200 are offset by the order of 10 relative to the notches 110 of the first ring 100.

 The notches 210 of the second ring 200 are also preferably asymmetrical with respect to the radial planes passing through the axis O.

 Thus, preferably, the bottoms and the tops of the notches 110 of the first ring 100 are placed opposite the faces 212 of the notches 210 of the second ring 200.

 The second ring 200 is fixed in rotation and in translation relative to the first ring 100.

 The pusher 300 is formed by a cylinder mounted for rotation about the axis O-O inside the rings 100, 200. It is moreover capable of translation along this axis ao.

 The pusher 300 is provided with at least one index 310 oriented radially outward relative to the axis O-O and placed in the annular space between the rings 100, 200 to come to bear alternately on the notches 110, 210.

 Preferably, the pusher 300 is provided with a number of indexes 310 equal to the number of pairs of notches 110 equipping the first ring 100.

Thus, preferably, four indexes 310 are provided on the pusher 300.

 Preferably, each index 310 has the general shape of a barrel centered on a radial axis relative to the axis O-O. The indexes 310 are evenly distributed on the pusher 300 around the axis O-O.

 The pusher 300 is selectively actuated in translation along the axis O-O by a lever.

 More specifically, the top 302 of the pusher 300 emerging beyond the first ring 100 is adapted to be biased by a tilting lever (not shown in the figures to simplify the illustration) but conventional in itself.

 The actuator 400 is coaxial with the pusher 300. It is formed like the pusher 300 of a cylinder mounted inside the rings 100, 200.

 The actuator 400 is linked in rotation with the pusher 300.

However, it is capable of translation relative to the latter along the & O axis.

 The actuator 400 is provided on its face opposite the apex 302 of the pusher 300, with different pins 410 equi-distributed around the axis O-O, for example eight pins 410. These pins 410 emerge beyond the ring 200.

 A spring not shown in the figures to simplify the illustration is interposed between the pusher 300 and the actuator 400 to urge them apart.

 The slider 500 is mounted in translation in a direction transverse to the axis O-O, opposite the annular space defined between the rings 100 and 200.

 It is actuated in translation transverse to the axis OO by the lever acting on the pusher 300. More precisely still, preferably, the slider 500 is actuated by a rod (not shown in the figures to simplify the illustration) mounted in rotation on the joystick and provided with an eccentric finger engaged with a fork 510, 512 linked to the slide.

 More precisely still, preferably, the slider 500 is indexed in its translation between three positions: a first rest position, a second position authorizing a pilot light function in which, except for a headlight call, the lighting means are not supplied and a third position controlling a lighting function alternately code and road (the latter position being sometimes also called headlight).

 The slider 500 is shown in the first position (rest) in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the second position (pilot) in FIGS. 5 and 6 and in the third position (code or route) in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

 In addition, the slider 500 is provided on its face directed towards the annular space defined between the rings 100, 200, that is to say in the space where the indexes 310 move, with guide structures for the indexes 310 , suitable for providing headlight reminder, headlight code switch and headlight call area functions.

 According to the preferred embodiment shown in the appended figures, these guide structures comprise two ribs 520, 530 and a stop 540.

 When the indexes 310 rest against the bottom of a notch 110, they are placed opposite a facet 212 of a notch 210.

 The rib 520 is placed in the vicinity of a first end 502 of the slider 500. It extends the facet 120 by a notch 114 (placed opposite the aforementioned facet 212) when the slider 500 is placed in the first so-called rest position ( see Figures 7 and 8). In this position the rib 520 forms a bridge between the facet 120 and an underlying facet 214. In the pilot position of the slide 500 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the same rib 520 forms a bridge between a surface 122 and a surface 212.

 To this end, the rib 520 has its apex 522 which substantially coincides with the opening contour of the notches 110 and a base 524 which substantially coincides with half the height of the notches 210.

The inclination of the rib 520 corresponds substantially to that of the faces 120 of the notches 114.

 The rib 530 is placed substantially at mid-length of the slider 500. It extends the facet 120 by a notch 114 when the slider 500 is placed in the second so-called pilot position (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The rib 530 is thus parallel to the rib 520. In the pilot position of the slider 500, the rib 530 thus forms a bridge between a surface 120 and an underlying surface 214. Furthermore in the code / headlight position of the slider 500 (see FIGS. 2 in 4), the rib 530 forms a bridge between a surface 122 and a surface 212.

 To this end, the rib 530, in a manner comparable to the rib 520, has its apex 532 which substantially coincides with the opening contour of the notches 110 and a base 534 which substantially coincides with half the height of the notches 210.

 The ribs 520, 530 interfere with the path of movement of the indexes 3 10. However, it is defined between the ribs 520, 530, a channel 525 authorizing the passage of the indexes 310.

 The stop 540 is placed on the second end 504 of the slider 500, opposite the first ring 100. It defines a finger 542 oriented transversely to the axis OO, the face 543 of which faces the second ring 200 coincides with the bottom of the notches 112 of shallow depth.

 This finger 542 is extended, towards the rib 530 by a facet 544. This converges towards the rib 530, in approach to the second ring 200. Its vertex 546 substantially coincides with the plane transverse to the axis & O defined by the notch opening contour 110.

 In the third position of the slider 500, known as code or road (see Figures 2 to 4), the second end 504 of the slider 500 substantially coincides with the bottom of one of the notches 112 of shallower depth.

Thus, the facet 544 is placed opposite an index 310 resting against the bottom of this notch 112 when the device is placed in the headlight control position.

 The electrical contact means 600 are adapted to be activated by the actuator 400. They can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments. According to the particular embodiment given in the appended figures, and considered as preferred, these electrical contact means 600 consist of two curved elastic contact blades 610, each in the form of a ring sector covering of the order of 1800 around the OO axis. These strips 610 are fixed, for example embedded, by one end 612 on a support 630. The flexible blades 610 are adapted to be stressed by the fingers 410 secured to the actuator 400. It is thus preferably provided a blade 610 for the control of the headlight function and a blade 610 for the control of the code function. These two blades 610 are offset by 1800 +/- (360 "/ n), n representing the number of notches 110 or 210, or for example 1800 +/- 45" in the case of rings fitted with 8 rings.

 More precisely still, each blade 610 comprises a part 614 adjacent to the fixing end 612, which is transverse to the axis OO, followed by an engagement slope 615 which converges towards the actuator 400, away from the first part 614, then a clearance slope 6 16 which diverges relative to the actuator 400, away from the first part 614, and finally a contact zone 617, generally transverse to the axis SO and equipped preferably a contact grain 618 adapted to cooperate with an electrical circuit 620 carried by the support 630.

 As can be seen in FIG. 9, at rest when the engagement slope 615 is not stressed by a finger 410, the contact grain 618 is distant from the circuit 620. On the other hand, as can be seen in FIG. 10 , when a finger 410 urges the engagement slope 615, the corresponding blade 610 is elastically deformed and the contact grain 618 comes to rest against the circuit to thus electrically connect a track underlying the contact 618 and a track connected to the end 612.

 The contacting structure which has just been described has in particular the advantages of generating a frank and frictionless contact and of allowing easy adaptation to the specifications as to the desired overlap ranges of the code and headlight lights.

 The operation of the switch which has just been described is essentially as follows.

 In the rest position of the slide 500, as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, only the rib 520 is active. At rest of the pusher 300, the indexes 310 rest against the bottom of the deepest notches 114 (see FIG. 8). The blade 610 for supplying the codes is deformed by a finger 410, but the supply of codes is not authorized taking into account the position of the slide 500. Furthermore, the blade 610 for supplying the headlights is not deformed . Consequently, neither the codes nor the headlights are powered. When a headlight call is requested by translation of the pusher 300 in approach of the actuator 400, the indexes 310 slide on the slopes 212, so that the indexes 310 reach the bottom of the notches 210 by slight rotation around the axis OO ( see figure 7). This rotation of the pusher 300 causes a rotation of the same amplitude of the actuator 400 so that one of the fingers 410 urges the headlight blade 610 to deformation to ensure the temporary supply of the headlights. However, this feeding position is unstable. Indeed when the force on the pusher 300 is released, it resumes its rest position illustrated in Figure 8 thanks to the spring interposed between the pusher 300 and the actuator 400. During this return movement one index 310 slides on the rib 520 then on the slope 120 to cause a reverse rotation of the actuator 400 and the pusher 300. The aforementioned blade 610 then resumes its rest position and the power supply to the headlights is interrupted. Thus in the rest position of the slider 500, the pusher 300 moves between the stable position of FIG. 8 and the unstable position of FIG. 7 when it is stressed.

 In the pilot position of the slider 500, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ribs 530 and 520 are active. When the pusher 300 is at rest, the indexes 310 rest against the bottom of the deepest notches 114 (see FIG. 5). The blade 610 for supplying the codes is deformed by a finger 410, but the supply of codes is not authorized taking into account the position of the slide 500. Furthermore, the blade 610 for supplying the headlights is not deformed . Consequently, neither the codes nor the headlights are powered. When a headlight call is requested by translation of the pusher 300 in proximity to the actuator 400, the indexes 310 slide on the slopes 212, one of these indexes 310 being guided between the ribs 520 and 530, so that the indexes 310 reach the bottom of the notches 210 by slight rotation around the axis OO (see FIG. 6). This rotation of the pusher 300 causes a rotation of the same amplitude of the actuator 400 so that one of the fingers 410 urges one of the blades 610 to deformation to ensure the provisional supply of the headlights.

However, this feeding position is unstable. When the force on the pusher 300 is released, it resumes its rest position illustrated in FIG. 5 thanks to the spring interposed between the pusher 300 and the actuator 400. During this return movement, one index 310 slides on the rib 530 then on the slope 120 to cause a reverse rotation of the actuator 400 and the pusher 300. The aforementioned blade 610 then resumes its rest position and the power supply to the headlights is interrupted. Thus in the pilot position of the slider 500, the pusher 300 moves between the stable position of FIG. 5 and the unstable position of FIG. 6 when it is stressed.

 It is understood that a movement of the slider 500 between the rest and pilot positions is without influence on the operation which has just been described.

 In the code / headlight position of the slide 500, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rib 530 and the stop 540 are active. When the pusher 300 is at rest, the indexes 310 rest against the bottom of the deepest notches 114 (see FIG. 2). The blade 610 for supplying the codes is deformed by a finger 410, and the supply of the codes is authorized by the position of the slide 500. Furthermore, the blade 610 for supplying the headlights is not deformed. Consequently only the codes are supplied.

When a code / headlight switch is requested by translation of the pusher 300 in approach to the actuator 400, the indexes 310 slide on the slopes 212, one of these indexes 310 sliding on the rib 530, so that the indexes 310 reach the bottom of the notches 210 by slight rotation around the axis OO (see FIG. 3). This rotation of the pusher 300 causes a rotation of the same amplitude of the actuator 400 so that the previously deformed code blade 610 resiliently returns to its rest position and on the other hand one of the fingers 410 biases the headlight blade 610 to deformation to ensure the headlights. When the force on the pusher 300 is released, it moves to the stable position illustrated in FIG. 4 thanks to the spring interposed between the pusher 300 and the actuator 400. During this return movement the indexes 310 slide on the slopes 118 to reach the bottom of the notches 112, position in which the deformation of the headlight blade 610 is maintained. To return to the code position, the pusher 300 must be actuated again so that the indexes 310 slide successively on the slopes 212 to reach the bottom of the notches 210, then on a slope 122 to reach the bottom of the notches 114 when the pusher 300 is released. In this last position, the blade code 610 is again subjected to deformation, while the headlight blade 610 is released. Thus in the code / headlight position of the slide 500, the pusher 300 moves between the stable code position in FIG. 2, the unstable position in FIG. 3 and the stable headlight position in FIG. 4, then back to the unstable position of Figure 3 and the stable code position of Figure 2.

 A return of the slider 500 to one of the pilot or rest positions, from the code / headlight position illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, has no effect on the pusher 300, when the indexes 310 are placed in the bottom of the notches 114 deepest, but nevertheless causes the supply of codes to be interrupted.

 On the other hand, a return of the slider 500 to one of the pilot or rest positions, from the code / headlight position illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, causes the pusher 300 to return to the potential code position, ie index 310 in the bottom of the notches 114, when the indexes 310 are placed in the bottom of the notches 112 when the slider 500 moves. This return of the pusher 300 to the code position is caused by the request of an index 3 10 by the stop 540, which request causes said index finger to emerge from the notch 112 of shallower depth than it occupied.

 Of course the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has just been described, but extends to all variants in accordance with its spirit.

 We have previously described an embodiment according to which the first ring 100 has notches 110 having respectively and alternately two different heights. However, this feature is not essential. We can indeed provide that all the notches 110 have the same depth.

 In addition, it may be provided in the context of the present invention means avoiding a "black hole" effect, that is to say a temporary lack of power when switching between the code and headlight positions. For this, means are provided ensuring overlap between the supply of the coded filaments and the supply of the flagship filaments during this switching. For this, for example, one can provide an angular offset between the blades 610, different from that previously described or a conformation of the blades (in particular the engagement faces 615) suitable for such a covering, or also studs 410, the angular opening around the axis of rotation is adapted accordingly.

Claims (14)

 1. Electric switch for supplying the lighting means of motor vehicles, characterized in that it comprises: - a first ring (100) provided with notches (110) distributed over its periphery, - a second ring (200 ) coaxial with the first (100), also provided with notches (210) distributed over its periphery, opposite the notches (110) of the first ring (100), - an indexable pusher (300) rotatably mounted around the axis (OO) of the rings (100, 200) and capable of translation along this axis (OO), which has at least one index (310) generally radial able to bear on said notches (110, 210) of the rings, which push (300) is selectively actuated in translation, - an actuator (400) coaxial with the pusher (300), linked in rotation to the latter, but capable of translation relative to the pusher (300) along the axis (0-0) of the device, - a spring which urges the pusher (300) and the actuator (400) apart, - a slide u (500) mounted in translation in a direction generally transverse to the axis (OO) of the pusher (300), which slide (500) is selectively actuated in translation and has guides (520, 530, 540) capable of controlling the passage of the index (310) between the notches of the two rings (100,200), depending on its position, and - electrical contact means (600) placed opposite the actuator (400).  2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the notches (210) of the second ring (200) are angularly offset from those (110) of the first ring (100).  3. Switch according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical contact means (600) consist of flexible deformable blades (610) oriented in a general direction transverse to the axis (OO) of the switch , each blade (610) having an engagement slope (615), a clearance slope (616) and a contact area (617, 618).  4. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each ring (100, 200) comprises eight notches (110, 210).  5. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each notch (110, 210) has the general shape of a concave dihedral.  6. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least some notches (110) have asymmetry with respect to a respective radial plane passing through the axis (CKO).  7. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each index (310) has the general shape of a barrel centered on a radial axis relative to the axis (horn).  8. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuator (400) is provided on its face opposite the pusher (300), different pins (410) adapted to request the contact means ( 600).  9. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the slide (500) is indexed in its translation between three positions: a first rest position, a second position authorizing a pilot light function in which except for a headlight call, the lighting means are not supplied and a third position controlling a lighting function alternately code and driving.  10. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the slide (500) comprises at least one stop (540) capable of urging one of the indexes (310) out of notches (112) of the first ring (100) to interrupt the headlight supply, when the slide (500) is moved to a rest or pilot position.  11. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the slide (500) comprises at least one rib (520, 530) capable of guiding an index (310) between a stable inactive position and an unstable position headlights supply when the slide (500) is placed in the rest position or pilot.  12. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the electrical contact means (600) consist of two elastic contact blades (610) curved, each in the form of a ring sector.  13. Switch according to claim 12, characterized in that each blade (610) comprises a part (614) adjacent to a fixing end (612), which is transverse to the axis (OO), followed by a slope engagement (615) which converges towards the actuator (400), away from the first part (614), then a release slope (616) which diverges with respect to the actuator (400), away of the first part (614), and finally of a contact zone (617), generally transverse to the axis (OO) and preferably equipped with a contact grain (618) adapted to cooperate with an electrical circuit ( 620) carried by the support (630).  14. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises means avoiding a power failure during a code / headlight switching.