FR2758650A1 - Directional indicator lamp switch for automotive applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch includes a plastic moulded box (100) which houses a mobile contact support (200), a pointer (300) and a reset fork (400) with a spring (500). The mobile support can rotate about an axis (O) being actuated by a lever which extends outside the box. Metal paths are present on the box wall and come in contact with pads provided on the support. The pointer includes a support with an actuating pin (320) and a cam (330) with a second pin (350). A triangular cut out (360) in the index support receives a pin (460) fixed on the top surface of the reset fork.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of electrical switches designed for supplying direction change indicators of a motor vehicle.

 Many electrical switches for supplying direction change indicators of a motor vehicle have already been proposed.

A first embodiment of an electrical switch is shown in the patent application
FR-A-96 05233, filed on April 25, 1996. This first embodiment is illustrated in the appended FIGS. 1 to 6, which respectively represent, FIG. 1: a sectional view in a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the switch control means; Figures 2 to 4 three cross-sectional views of the same switch in the rest position, according to the sectional planes referenced respectively II-II, III-III, IV-IV in Figure 1 Figures 5 and 6 views similar to Figures 3 and 4, in a working position of the switch.

 According to this first embodiment, the control means comprise a pivoting assembly 200 comprising an indexing ramp 220 and a V-shaped cutout 210, an indexing finger 300 provided with a pivot 320 placed in a guide 110 in U-shaped, returned to a rest position by two springs 350 and 360, a return finger 400 provided with two pins 430 and 432 on two of its faces opposite one another. The pin 430 is engaged in a longitudinal lumen 330 of the indexing finger 300, while the pin 432 is engaged in the V-shaped cutout 210. Tension springs 450 and 460 urge the return finger 400 towards a cam control carried by the steering shaft. However, in the rest position, when none of the direction indicators is supplied, the pin 432 rests on the central tip of the cutout 210 in "V" shape and the finger 400 is moved away from the control cam. In the stable feeding position, when the pivoting element 200 is pivoted and one of the direction change indicators is energized, the pins 430, 432 move respectively in the lumen 330 and the cutout 210, remaining in the plane P (which corresponds to a plane of symmetry of the switch at rest),, when approaching the steering shaft: finger 400 comes into the displacement sector of the control cam. At the same time, one of the two branches 412, 414 of the finger 400 comes into contact with one of the two flanges 232, 230 of the movable assembly 200. In a direction of rotation of the shaft, the control cam pivots the finger 400 around the axis of the pin 430 without acting on the pivoting element 200. In the other direction of rotation, the control cam drives the finger 400 to bring the pivoting element 200 back into the rest position. This function is generally called the "forcing" function.

 The ability of the indexing finger 300 to pivot around its pivot 320 prevents any deterioration of the device when the driver maintains the switch in the supply position while the rotation of the steering shaft tends to return the switch to the position of rest.

 A second known embodiment of a direction change switch is shown in documents FR-A-2 515 865 and FR-A-2 607 961. According to this second embodiment, control means comprise a door equipment -contact, associated with an indexing system carrying a V-shaped cutout, a forcing slide, and a return finger capable of being pivoted under the action of a control cam secured to the steering shaft when 'a direction change indicator is supplied.

 A third known embodiment of the control means is shown in document US-A-4393280.

According to this third embodiment, the control means comprise a contact carrier assembly which surrounds the steering shaft, a cam carried by the crew opposite the control lever relative to the steering shaft, for cooperate with the control cam carried by the latter, and a spring interposed between the cam and the contact carrier assembly.

 A fourth known embodiment of the control means is shown in document FR-A20V6682.

According to this fourth embodiment, the control means comprise at least one roller capable of rolling with friction against the steering shaft, a pinion integral with the roller, a toothed sector capable of coming into engagement with the pinion when a lever of associated control is pivoted and a spring engaged with the toothed sector.

 A fifth embodiment of the control means is shown in document US-A-4315117.

According to this fifth embodiment, the control means comprise a circular equipment carried in rotation on a support plate and provided with two concave peripheral notches, a locking stirrup which rests against the equipment, a lever pivotally carried on the stirrup and a tension spring interposed between the crew and the lever. When the crew is moved into the working position to supply one of the direction change indicators, the blocking stirrup enters one of the concave notches. The crew is returned to the rest position when the steering shaft is driven in an appropriate direction and the control cam moves the lever in a direction tending to urge the stirrup towards the outside of the aforementioned concave notch.

 A sixth embodiment of the control means is shown in document DE-A-3430664.

According to this sixth embodiment, the control means comprise an assembly associated with the control lever and carried pivotally on a support plate, a cam pivotally carried on the assembly, which cooperates with the control cam carried by the shaft steering, and a spring interposed between the cam and the crew to urge the cam to a rest position relative to the control cam.

Other embodiments of known control means designed to ensure the automatic return to the rest position of the means for supplying direction change indicators are described in documents US-A-4739131, US-A-4880945, FR -A-2199708,
FR-A-2246171, FR-A-2326310, DE-A-2201157, DE-A-2515754,
DE-A-2528681, DE-A-1037886, FR-A-2297750, FR-A-2191235,
US-A-4335284, DE-A-3502651, DE-A-3510714.

 The switches hitherto proposed, although having already rendered great services, have various drawbacks. In general, they require fairly complex part structures and / or have a non-negligible size and / or comprise a large number of parts.

 The invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks by reducing the number of parts and the volume of known switches.

 This object is achieved according to the present invention by means of an electrical switch for supplying direction change indicators of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, an index, a moving contact-holding assembly, a return finger, comprising means for pivotally controlling the moving element between a rest position and two working positions, the moving element having flanges capable of being acted on alternately by the end of the return finger adjacent to the moving element to ensure the return to the rest position thereof, these flanges being elastically flexible.

 Other characteristics, objects 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 example, and in which - FIGS. 1 to 6 previously described illustrate an electrical switch according to the state of the art - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a switch according to the present invention, the housing having been detached from the rest of the switch - Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view d an electrical switch according to the present invention - Figure 9 shows another exploded perspective view of the same switch according to the present invention - Figure 10 shows a top view of a switch according to the present invention, in the position of rest - Figure 11 shows a top view of the switch according to the present invention in a position of direction change indicator control work - Figure 12 shows a top view of the switch according to the present invention in the working position, a single spring urging the return finger and an index spring being highlighted - Figure 13 shows a top view of a switch according to the present invention, in the forcing position of the switch.

 FIG. 7 shows an electrical switch in accordance with the present invention, the housing 100 of which is separated from the rest of the switch for greater clarity in the figure. This box 100 can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments. Preferably, the housing 100 is produced by plastic molding and by assembling different parts.

 This box 100 houses means which will be defined in more detail below, and presented in FIG. 8, designed to provide a function for controlling direction change indicators. More specifically, these means essentially comprise a movable assembly 200, an index 300, a return finger 400 and a single spring 500.

 The housing 100 preferably houses other means adapted to provide auxiliary functions, such as for example control functions of the vehicle lighting means. These auxiliary means will not be described later.

 The moving element 200 is pivotally driven about an axis O by any suitable means, preferably using a control lever which emerges outside the housing 100. The aforementioned lever can itself be guided movement around axes different from the axis O, preferably around two axes orthogonal thereto to ensure the control of the auxiliary functions previously mentioned.

The housing 100 has, as seen in particular in Figures 8 and 9, a pin 110 centered on the axis
O. This pin 110 is housed in a cylindrical cavity 210 carried by the moving element 200, shown in FIG. 9, thus constituting the pivot of axis O previously described of the moving element 200.

 Electrical contacting means, for example in the form of electrically conductive pads, or stirrups, or any equivalent means, are arranged on the index holder 200. These means are adapted to selectively connect conductive means, such as tracks metal carried by the housing 100, during the movement of the movable element 200 around the axis O.

The electrical contacting means known in themselves will not be described below and are not shown in the accompanying figures, to simplify the illustration.

 The upper face 260 of the mobile assembly 200 comprises a cutout 240 intended to receive an index tip 330, as shown in FIG. 7. The side of the cutout 240 which is closest to the axis O constitutes a ramp indexing 230 facing the index tip 330.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in the appended figures, the indexing ramp 230 comprises three recesses. There is a central recess 232 and two lateral recesses 234 and 236. The point of the central recess 232 is closer to the axis
O as the tips of the two lateral recesses 234 and 236, so that the contour of the ramp 230 has a general shape of V, the cavity of which is directed opposite the pivot axis O, and each branch of which leads to its end a cavity capable of stably receiving the index tip 330. The index holder 200 comprises, at its end opposite to the axis O, an oblong actuating light 220 directed radially relative to the axis O , adapted to receive an actuation pin 320 carried by the index 300. This pin 320 is advantageously cylindrical and centered on an axis parallel to the axis O.

 The index 300 consists of a plate 310, carrying on its upper face the actuating pin 320 and the index point 330 previously mentioned, the pin 320 being at the end furthest from the axis O, and the index tip 330, is at the end of the index 300 closest to the axis O, its tip 335 being directed towards the axis O when the switch is in the rest position.

The index tip 330 is a plate of thickness approximately equal to that of the upper plate 260 of the moving element 200, the outline of which is of elongated ovoid shape.

 On this index tip 330 is disposed an actuating pin 350, of vertical axis parallel to the axis O, located approximately at the center of the index 300. the respective positions of the index tip 330, of the journal 350 and the actuating pin 320 are such that the axis of the index tip 330 is coincident with the straight line parallel to the plane of the part 300 and intersecting the axes of the journal 350 and the pin 320. When the switch is assembled , the mean planes of the index tip 330 and the upper plate 260 of the movable assembly 200 are combined, so that the central pin 350 protrudes from the upper face 260 of the index holder 200, and is housed in a light 150 of the housing 100. This light 150 is oblong and directed radially with respect to the axis of rotation O of the moving element.

 The plate 310 of the index 300 further comprises an isosceles triangular cutout 360, arranged so that the main axis of the isosceles triangle 360 coincides with the main axis I of the index shown in FIG. 9, and that the main vertex 365 of the triangle 360 is directed in the direction away from the axis O.

 The triangular cutout 360 is intended to receive a peg 460 carried by the upper face of the return finger 400. The triangular cutout 360 is arranged so that, when the peg 460 is in abutment in the main vertex 365, the axis of the peg 460 is confused with that of the central journal 350.

 The return finger 400 is provided, at its distal end directed towards the steering shaft, with a rectilinear beam 410, and, at its end closest to the axis O, with a fork 420 in V. This fork 420 is formed by two branches 422 and 424. It has its concavity directed towards the axis O.

 As will be seen below, the outer surfaces of these branches 422, 424 contact the lateral branches 710, 720 of a spring 700 in U encircling the index holder 200, when the latter is moved to the active control position d 'a direction change indicator.

 In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, a first compression spring 600 urges the end of the index 300 materialized by the pin 320, bearing on a point on the housing 100 distant from the axis O. This spring 600 has the effect of placing the index tip 330 in abutment against the indexing ramp 230. For the general clarity of the figures, the spring 600 has only been shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 12, and this in a very symbolic way. Alternatively, the helical compression spring 600 can be replaced by any elastic means, such as a leaf spring, or a helical tension spring. According to variants, the elastic means 600 acting on the index 300 can bear on the moving element 200 or on any fixed element external to the switch.

 A second compression spring 500 is disposed between a support 205 located on the index holder 200 at a point close to the axis O and a support 405 located on the return finger 400 in the hollow of the fork 420. These two supports are consisting of cylindrical reservations of radial axis when the switch is in the rest position. This spring 500 has the first effect of placing the pin 460 of the return finger 400 in abutment in the angle of the main vertex 365 of the triangle 360 of the index 300.

 The spring 500 also has sufficient deformability to perform this function, whether the switch is in the rest position or in the position of indication of change of direction.

 The support 405 of the spring 500 on the return finger 400 is offset with respect to the pivot axis of the return finger 400. The second effect of the spring 500 is therefore to exert a return torque on the finger 400 towards a rotational rest position about its pivot axis 460.

The helical compression spring 500 is here chosen so that, in the position of direction change indication, the stresses resulting from the work of the spring in bending are very low compared to the axial stresses developed.

 The principle of shifting the support of the spring 500 on the return finger 400, relative to its pivot axis, can be applied to a number of electrical switches, such as for example those where the return finger is provided with a pin. pivot engaged in a V-shaped cutout with a concavity directed opposite the pivot axis of the moving element and carried by the moving element, as well as a sliding pin engaged in an oblong light directed in the direction away from the axis of rotation of the moving element. This last oblong lumen is then fixed in the non-forcing position. This same principle could thus be applied to switches of the type presented in patent application FR-A-96 05233 and in documents FR-A-2 515 865 and FR-A-2 607 961.

 The stiffness of the spring 500 is also lower than that of the spring 600, so that the force developed by the spring 500 never exceeds that developed by the spring 600, the index tip 330 thus always resting on the ramp indexing 230. According to a variant, the helical compression spring 500 can be replaced by any elastic means capable of exerting at a point offset from the pivot axis of the return finger 400 a resulting force substantially directed in the direction of away from the axis O and this, whether the switch is in the rest position or in the position of direction change indication. The helical spring 500 can for example be replaced by a leaf spring anchored on the contact carrier assembly 200.

 The U-shaped leaf spring 700 is arranged around the mobile assembly 200, so that its two branches 710 and 720 directed away from the axis O, apply pressure to the buffers 282 and 284 arranged on the faces opposite sides 280 and 285 of the moving element 200. The side faces 280 and 285 are provided with cutouts 287 and 289 in the plane of which are flush with the curved ends 710 and 720 of the leaf spring 700. The branches 710 and 720 are , in their part in abutment against the buffers 282 and 284, substantially re-entering towards the interior of the moving assembly. In the command position for direction change indicators, the curved ends 710 and 720 are in contact with the external surfaces of the branches 422 and 424 of the return finger 400, as illustrated in FIG. 11. According to a variant, the U-shaped spring can be replaced by flexible flanges placed in much the same way as the branches of the U-shaped spring.

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

 In the rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the mobile assembly 200 and the index 300 have their main plane of symmetry coincident with that of the housing 100.

 The index tip 330 of the index 300 is supported in the central reservation 232 of the indexing ramp 230, under the effect of the spring 600.

 In this position, the central journal 350 of the index 300 is close to the proximal end of the oblong lumen 150 of the housing 100. There then remains a margin B between the edge of the central journal 350 and the proximal end of the reservation 150. In the same way, the extremal journal 320 of the index 300 is close to the proximal end of the oblong lumen 220 of the moving element 200, and there remains in this position a margin C between the edge of the extremal journal 320 and the bottom of the reservation 220.

 In the rest position of the switch, the pin 460 of the return finger 400 is supported in the main apex 365 of the triangular cutout 360, under the action of the spring 500 previously described.

 When a torque around the axis O is exerted on the moving element 200, the oblong lumen 220 urges the extremal journal 320 of the index 300 in an orthoradial direction relative to the axis O. The central journal 350 then being supported in the oblong opening 150, there is therefore a torque on the index 300 which tends to rotate it around the axis of the central journal 350 and to slide the end 335 of the index tip 330 on one of the edges of the central recess 230. This sliding has the effect of pushing the index 300 in a direction away from the axis O.

The central pin 350 therefore slides in the oblong light 150 fixed, in the direction of the distance from the axis
O and the extremal pin slides in the oblong opening 220, in the direction away from the axis O, the oblong opening 220 itself being in rotation about the axis O. If the pivoting torque exerted on the moving element 200 is sufficient, the index tip 330 is released from the central recess 232 and takes position in one of the lateral recesses 232, 234 according to the direction of rotation imposed on the index holder 200. The user can also move the steering lever in an unstable position without going until the index tip 330 is released from the central recess 232. In such a position where the index undergoes sufficient rotation while remaining pressed on one of the slopes of the central reservation 232, the electrical contacting means temporarily supply the direction change indicators corresponding to the direction of rotation of the crew 200. This possibility is particularly useful when traveling ts on the highway and is well known to manufacturers of control means for direction change indicators.

 The moving element 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, in a position for supplying one of the direction change indicators. In this position, the pin 460 of the return finger 400 remains in the main angle 365 of the triangular cutout 360, and therefore remains aligned with the central pin 350 of the index 300. When the switch switches from the rest position to a control position for direction change indicators, the pin 460 is therefore moved in translation along the plane of symmetry of the housing 100 away from the axis O in the same way as the journal 350. The translation of the return finger 400 thus caused is such that the beam 410 interferes with the path of movement of a return cam secured to the steering shaft shown in FIG. 13.

 It will be understood that - the definition of the effort / stroke curve of the springs 500, 600, and - the definition of the slopes of the indexing ramp 230 allow specific adaptation to each requirement in terms of effort, stroke and tactile sensation. .

 In certain configurations, the switch is held in the flashing position by the user who requests the control lever, during a rotation of the steering wheel so that the cam secured to the steering shaft requests the return finger 400 towards a rest position of the switch.

 The structure of the switch according to the present invention is adapted to accept this constraint without causing the moving equipment 200 to return to zero position.

 Indeed, in this case, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the force exerted by the control cam on the return finger 400 causes rotation of the finger 400 around the axis of the pin 460, allowing the latter to clear by pivoting out of the rotational path of the cam linked to the steering shaft. The rotation of the return finger 400 around the pin 460 then generates a bending of the branch 710 of the spring leaf 700.

 Furthermore, in the working position of the moving element 200 for supplying a direction indicator, the return finger 400 can also be urged in a direction opposite to that causing a return to the rest position of the switch. In this case, the branch 720 is sufficiently distant from the branch 424 of the return finger 400 so as not to come into contact: the rotation of the return finger 400 takes place freely and without affecting the positions of the mobile assembly 200 and index 300.

 On the other hand, the triangular cutout 360 on the index 300 allows, in any position of the switch, the return finger 400 to fade under the effect of a force applied to the beam 410, directed towards the axis O. Indeed, the sides of the triangular cut adjacent to the main angle 365 have an angular opening such that in position for indication of change of direction, one of said sides is oriented in the radial direction relative to the axis. O.

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

 It will be noted that the indexing and recall structure of the control means for the direction change indicators allows maximum flexibility as to the adaptation to the customer's requirements, of the effort / race / tactile sensation parameters.

 The overall device constitutes an autonomous, automatable module, while offering indexing ramps of reasonable dimensions.

 Beyond the application to direction change indicator commands, this device can be adapted to any other application where indexing is necessary, such as wiping, radio or cruise control functions.

Claims (8)

 1. Electric switch for supplying direction change indicators of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (100), an index (300), a moving contact-holder assembly (200), a return finger (400) , comprising means for pivotally controlling the moving element (200) between a rest position and two working positions, characterized in that the moving element (200) has flanges (710, 720) capable of being acted upon alternately by the end of the return finger (400) adjacent to the movable assembly (200) to ensure the return to the rest position thereof, these flanges being elastically flexible.  2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the return finger (400) has at its proximal end adjacent to the movable assembly (200) a biasing fork (422, 424) capable of alternately biasing the flanges (710 , 720).  3. Switch according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the flanges (710, 720) are constituted by the ends of a U-shaped spring (700) surrounding the movable assembly (200).  4. Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable assembly (200) carries buffers (282, 284) on which the branches (710, 720) of the U-shaped spring (700) are supported when the spring ( 700) in U is not stressed in bending.  5. Switch according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the movable assembly (200) has lateral openings (287, 289) through which the branches (710, 720) of the U-shaped spring (700) are flush with the interior of the moving assembly (200).  6. Switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the branches (710, 720) of the U-shaped spring are, in their part in abutment against the stops (282, 284) substantially re-entrant towards the interior of the moving assembly.  7. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the return finger (400) is capable of pivoting around a pivot axis (460) which is specific to it, and of moving in a direction d activation, and in that a spring (500) exerts a reaction force on the return finger (400) at a point offset from the pivot axis (460) so that the return finger (400) is biased on the one hand in translation in the direction of activation, on the other hand towards an equilibrium position in rotation around the axisepivot (460).  8. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the index (300) constitutes a lever actuated at its first end by the movable assembly (200), taking its support (350) on the housing (100), and cooperating at its second end (335) with an indexing ramp (230).