GB1604432A

GB1604432A - Electrical switch combination

Info

Publication number: GB1604432A
Application number: GB46075/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Associated Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Associated Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 1977-11-04
Filing date: 1977-11-04
Publication date: 1981-12-09
Also published as: AU526337B2; ZA786013B; FR2408207A1; BE871664A; SE7811370L; DE2848093A1; FR2408207B1; AU4115978A; NL7810994A

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL SWITCH COMBINATION (71) We, ASSOCIATED ENGINEERING LIMITED190, a British company, of Ince House, 60, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 6JZ, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to switch combinations including electrical switches which incorporate an actuating member, such as a rocker lever, which is coupled to switching means including, for example, a movable contact member. In operation, a force for example a manual force, is applied to the rocker lever, to rock the latter and thereby displace the movable contact member, thus changing the switched condition or state of the switch.

In conventional rocker switches, the switching means is located in line with, i.e.

behind the rocker lever, so that the minimum depth or thickness of the switch must be at least equal to the sum of the depths or thickness of the rocker lever and of the switching means.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a switch combination com- prising a rocker switch including a switch housing having a front, and a rear wall which forms the base of the switch, a rocker lever mounted within the housing for pivotal movement and accessible for pivotal actuation from the front of the housing the rocker lever being positioned, or movable to a position upon actuation, adjacent the rear wall of the housing, and a switch contact arrangement mechanically coupled to the rocker lever for actuation thereby the switch contact arrangement being positioned laterally of the rocker lever, and a second electrical switch including an actuator movable in a single plane to operate the second electrical switch, the first electrical switch being mounted on the actuator of the second electrical switch with the pivot axis of the rocker lever so arranged relatively to the plane of movement of the actuator of the second switch that a force applied to operate the rocker lever of the first switch does not move the actuator of the second electrical switch to operate the second electrical switch.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a switch combination comprising a rocker switch including a rocker lever pivotally mounted in a housing and having a front face accessible for pivot ble actuation of the switch from the front of the housing, and a switch assembly including a switch contact arrangement mounted to one side of the rocker lever and an intermediate member for operating the switch on pivotal movement of the rocker lever and connected between the switch contact arrangement and a side portion of the rocker lever intermediate the front face and a rear portion of the rocker lever, so that the switch assembly does not extend between the rear portion of the rocker lever and a rear wall of said housing, with the rear portion of the rocker lever being adjacent, or movable to a position adjacent, said rear wall of the housing, and a second electrical switch including an actuator movable in a single plane to operate the second electrical switch, the rear wall of the rocker switch being mounted on the actuation of the second switch with the pivot axis of the rocker lever so arranged relatively to the plane of movement of the actuator or the second switch that a force applied to operate the rocker lever of the rocker switch does not move the actuator of the second electrical switch to operate the second electrical switch.

The invention also includes within its scope a motor driven road vehicle incorporating a switch combination according to the first or second aspects of the invention.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the rocker switch of the combination; Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively, front, plan underplan and end views of the rocker switch of Figure l, on a reduced scale; and Figure 6 shows a switch combination embodying the rocker switch of Figures l to 5.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1, the rocker switch comprises a housing assembled from two parts 1 and 2 which may be molded or otherwise formed from a suitable synthetic plastics material.

The housing part I includes a flat or curved base la, side walls ib and an outer end wall Ic, the side and end walls defining an opening Id Within the housing part 1 are opposed bosses le integral one with each of the side walls. the bosses supporting a transverse pin 3 or the like about which an actuating member comprising a rocker lever 4 is pivotally mounted. The rocker lever 4 may comprise a block molded from a suitable synthetic plastics material, and its side surfaces are relieved as indicated in broken lines at 4a to accommodate the bosses le.

Optionally, the bosses and relieved portions 4a may be cooperable to restrict the extent of the pivotal movement of the rocker lever 4.

The rocker lever 4 has an inner or rear face 4b adjacent the base Ib of the housing part 1, and an angled outer or front face 4c formed on a portion of the rocker lever which projects from the front of the housing part through the opening Id. The outer face 4c may be provided with transverse ribs 4d or the like, and, to operate the switch, the rocker lever 4 is rocked in one or other direction about the pin 3 from the central position shown in Figure 1 by applying a force, for example finger pressure, to one or other of the angled zones of the outer face 4c.

The rocker lever is provided with a sleeved passage 4f which opens towards the second housing part 2, and extends generally longitudinally of the switch, i.e. approximately radially of the pin 3. The passage 4contains a slidable rod 5 which forms part of a toggle or centre-biased mechanism. This mechanism further includes a compression spring 6 which urges the rod 5 out of the passage 4f and urges a wedge shaped head 5a on the rod 5 into engagement with a corrugated or generally "W" shaped movable contact member 7 which is rockably seated in a slot in a U-shaped portion of a fixed central terminal 8. The terminal 8 and movable contact member 7 are formed of an electrically conductive material, and by virtue of the spring-biased rod 5, are resiliently maintained in electrical contact with each other.

The central terminal 8, and two outer terminals 9 and 10 having fixed contact heads 9a and 1 0a respectively, are carried by a transverse wall 11 which, as will be evident from Figure4, is integrally connected by side walls I la to the housing part 1. As will also be apparent from the latter Figure, the walls Il and Iladefineacavity llbinwhichthe movable contact member 7 is contained, whilst the base la is provided with a matching opening to accommodate the lower tip of the movable contact member as viewed in Figure 1. this opening having an extension I lc to enable the terminal 9 to be inserted upon assembly of the switch.

The housing part 2 is open at its underside, and is preferably adapted to be releasably attached to the housing part 1, for example resiliently attachable thereto and detachable therefrom with a snap action, so as to enable access to be gained to the terminals 8, 9 and 10. As will be apparent from Figure 1. the bared ends of insulated electrical conductors 12 are connected to the terminals, the conductors passing out of the housing part 2 in an outer sheath. grommet or bushing 12a via an opening 2a in the end wall 2b of the housing part 2.

In the stable state of the switch as shown in Figure 1, the opposite tips or ends of the movable contact member 7 are spaced from the contact heads 9a and 10a so that no electrical circuit is completed. If the righthand end of the outer face 4c is manually depressed to pivot the rocker lever 4 clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, the wedgeshaped head 5a rides up the face 7a of the movable contact member, depressing the rod 5 into the passage 4f and rocking the movable contact member 7 anti-clockwise to make contact with the contact head 10a.

When pressure on the rocker lever face 4c is removed, the spring 6 acts to extend the rod 5, causing the wedge-shaped head 5a to cam back along the face 7a to its central position shown, rocking the movable contact member back to its central position. In a similar manner, if the rocker lever is manually pressed in an anticlockwise direction, the movable contact member 7 will be rocked into contact with the contact head 9a, until the manual pressure is removed, when the spring 6 will automatically return the components to their positions shown in Figure 1.

Thus, the switch mechanism is centre-biased to an "off' condition, and may be switched to a momentary "on" condition by rocking the rocking lever 4 in either direction.

Since the switching mechanism is positioned to one side of the rocker lever, and not below the rocker lever, i.e. not between rocker lever and the base la, the depth or thickness of the switch may be substantially reduced. This very shallow switch is therefore of particular advantage where it is to be mounted on a surface. For example, the switch may be employed in the electrical system of a road vehicle, such as an automobile, in which event the switch may be attached to the outer or flush surface 13a of one of the steering column lever-switches 13 ("stalk" switch) as shown in Figure 6. The underside of the base la of the switch will be flat or contoured to fit the desired flush surface of the switch - 13, for example the surface of the switch which is remote from the driver and directed towards the front of the automobile, and will be attached to that surface, for example by means of a suitable adhesive. One such adhesive may be a cyanoacrylate based adhesive which gives a bond in two or three seconds. Due to the shallow configuration of the switch, the mounting of the switch on the end of the stalk does not render the steering column lever-switch unacceptably bulky. The switch may be employed for a variety of functions one of which may be in connection with vehicle speed-control circuitry.

In a preferred embodiment for example as shown in Figure 6, the rocker switch is mounted on the stalk of the switch 13 in a position such that the direction of movement of the stalk to perform its normal switching function is generally at right angles to the direction in which pressure is applied to the rocker switch to operate the latter. For example, the stalk may move up and down, i.e. in a plane generally normal to the plane of Figure 6, whilst the pressure to actuate the rocker switch is applied in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle. By this arrangement, actuating pressure applied to the rocker switch will not actuate the stalk to perform its normal switching function, for example to dip the headlights of the vehicle.

It will be understood the various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the centre-biased mechanism illustrated may be replaced by any other switching mechanism in which the switch is stable in one or more of two or more switched conditions, such as an over-centre or toggle mechanism. The mechanical moving contact and fixed contact arrangement may be replaced by an electronic arrangement such as a semi-conductor switching element or chip.

The rocker lever 4 may be replaced by rocker levers of other configurations, for example it may be displaced by an arm or the like extending generally at right angles to the outer surface 4c in the manner of a conventional toggle switch.

The rocker switch is not restricted to switch combinations for use in road or other vehicles, but may be employed in switch combinations for use in any other applications, preferably where surface mounting of the rocker switch is required. The dimensions and configuration of the rocker switch and its components may be varied in dependence upon factors such as the current-and/or voltage-carrying capacity of the switch, its purpose, and the environment in which it is to operate.

If the surface to which the rocker switch is to be attached is not flat. for example is curved, the underside or rear surface of the base la may be similarly contoured, and the switch may be attached to its mounting surface or member by attachment means other than an adhesive.

Other aspects of the switch combination hereinbefore described form the subject of copending divisional Application No: 38152/80 (Serial No 1604433).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A switch combination comprising a rocker switch including a switch housing having a front, and a rear wall which forms the base of the switch, a rocker lever mounted within the housing for pivotal movement and accessible for pivotal actuation from the front of the housing, the rocker lever being positioned, or movable to a position upon actuation, adjacent the rear wall of the housing, and a switch contact arrangement mechanically coupled to the rocker lever for actuation thereby, the switch contact arrangement being positioned laterally of the rocker lever, and a second electrical switch including an actuator movable in a single plane to operate the second electrical switch, the first electrical switch being mounted on the actuator of the second electrical switch with the pivot axis of the rocker lever so arranged relatively to the plane of movement of the actuator of the second switch that a force applied to operate the rocker lever of the first switch does not move the actuator of the second electrical switch to operate the second electrical switch.

2. A switch combination comprising a rocker switch including a rocker lever pivotally mounted in a housing and having a front face accessible for pivotal actuation of the switch from the front of the housing, and a switch assembly including a switch contact arrangement mounted to one side of the rocker lever and an intermediate member for operating the switch on pivotal movement of the rocker lever and connected between the switch contact arrangement and a side portion of the rocker lever intermediate the front face and a rear portion of the rocker lever, so that the switch assembly does not extend between the rear portion of the rocker lever and a rear wall of said housing, with the rear portion of the rocker lever being adjacent, or movable to a position adjacent, said rear wall of the housing, and a second electrical switch including an actuator movable in a single plane to operate the second electrical switch, the rear wall of the rocker switch being mounted on the actuator of the second switch with the pivot axis of the rocker lever so arranged relatively to the plane of movement of the actuator or the second switch that a force applied to operate the rocker lever of the rocker switch does not move the actuator of the second electrical switch to operate the second electrical switch.

3. A switch combination as claimed in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. surface of the switch which is remote from the driver and directed towards the front of the automobile, and will be attached to that surface, for example by means of a suitable adhesive. One such adhesive may be a cyanoacrylate based adhesive which gives a bond in two or three seconds. Due to the shallow configuration of the switch, the mounting of the switch on the end of the stalk does not render the steering column lever-switch unacceptably bulky. The switch may be employed for a variety of functions one of which may be in connection with vehicle speed-control circuitry. In a preferred embodiment for example as shown in Figure 6, the rocker switch is mounted on the stalk of the switch 13 in a position such that the direction of movement of the stalk to perform its normal switching function is generally at right angles to the direction in which pressure is applied to the rocker switch to operate the latter. For example, the stalk may move up and down, i.e. in a plane generally normal to the plane of Figure 6, whilst the pressure to actuate the rocker switch is applied in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle. By this arrangement, actuating pressure applied to the rocker switch will not actuate the stalk to perform its normal switching function, for example to dip the headlights of the vehicle. It will be understood the various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the centre-biased mechanism illustrated may be replaced by any other switching mechanism in which the switch is stable in one or more of two or more switched conditions, such as an over-centre or toggle mechanism. The mechanical moving contact and fixed contact arrangement may be replaced by an electronic arrangement such as a semi-conductor switching element or chip. The rocker lever 4 may be replaced by rocker levers of other configurations, for example it may be displaced by an arm or the like extending generally at right angles to the outer surface 4c in the manner of a conventional toggle switch. The rocker switch is not restricted to switch combinations for use in road or other vehicles, but may be employed in switch combinations for use in any other applications, preferably where surface mounting of the rocker switch is required. The dimensions and configuration of the rocker switch and its components may be varied in dependence upon factors such as the current-and/or voltage-carrying capacity of the switch, its purpose, and the environment in which it is to operate. If the surface to which the rocker switch is to be attached is not flat. for example is curved, the underside or rear surface of the base la may be similarly contoured, and the switch may be attached to its mounting surface or member by attachment means other than an adhesive. Other aspects of the switch combination hereinbefore described form the subject of copending divisional Application No: 38152/80 (Serial No 1604433). WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A switch combination comprising a rocker switch including a switch housing having a front, and a rear wall which forms the base of the switch, a rocker lever mounted within the housing for pivotal movement and accessible for pivotal actuation from the front of the housing, the rocker lever being positioned, or movable to a position upon actuation, adjacent the rear wall of the housing, and a switch contact arrangement mechanically coupled to the rocker lever for actuation thereby, the switch contact arrangement being positioned laterally of the rocker lever, and a second electrical switch including an actuator movable in a single plane to operate the second electrical switch, the first electrical switch being mounted on the actuator of the second electrical switch with the pivot axis of the rocker lever so arranged relatively to the plane of movement of the actuator of the second switch that a force applied to operate the rocker lever of the first switch does not move the actuator of the second electrical switch to operate the second electrical switch.

3. A switch combination as claimed in

claim 2 wherein the pivotal axis of the rocker lever is parallel to the rear wall of the housing and wherein the switch contact arrangement is spaced from rocker lever in a direction generally normal to said pivotal axis.

4. A switch combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the housing includes spaced side walls connected to the rear wall, the rocker lever being pivotally connected to and between the side walls.

5. A switch combination as claimed in any one of claims I to 4 including an intermediate member comprising a rod forming a mechanical connection between the rocker lever and the switch contact arrangement, the rod being slidably located in a passage in the rocker lever extending longitudinally of the rocker lever in a direction generally normal to the pivotal axis of the rocker lever and between the front face and rear portion of the rocker lever, the rod being resiliently biased towards the switch contact arrangement and forming part of a toggle mechanism for opening and closing contacts of the switch contact arrangement.

6. A switch combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the switch contact arrangement comprises two contact sets. each contact set including a fixed contact and a movable contact, the fixed contacts being secured to, and spaced apart along, a wall within the housing which extends in a direction between the front and the rear wall of the housing.

7. A switch combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein the toggle mechanism resiliently biases the rocker lever to a central position in which the fixed and movable contacts of both contact sets are open, pivotal movement of the rocker lever in one direction from said central position closing one of the contact sets while leaving the other contact set open and pivotal movement of the rocker lever in a direction opposite to said one direction closing said other of the contact sets and leaving said one contact set open.

8. A switch combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the rocker lever is a manually actuable lever and is formed from a block of a synthetic plastics material.

9. A switch combination is claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the housing is formed from a synthetic plastics material.

10. A switch combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the housing comprises two housing parts, a first of the two housing parts carrying the rocker lever and switch contact arrangement and a second of the two housing parts at least partially shrouding the switch contact arrangement and being detachable from the first housing part to enable the switch contact arrangement to be connected to external electrical conductors.

II. A switch combination as claimed in any one of claims I to 10 wherein the pivot axis of the rocker lever is parallel to said single plane of movement of the actuator of the second electrical switch.

12. A switch combination as claimed in any one of claims I to 11 wherein the second electrical switch includes a part adapted to be mounted on a steering column of a road vehicle and wherein the actuator comprises a stalk member extending from said part, the first switch being mounted on a portion of the stalk member remote from said part of the first electrical switch.

13. A switch combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A motor driven rod vehicle incorporating a switch combination as claimed in any one of claims I to 13.