US2385629A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

5.35:. 25, 1945. J. w.- LAWSON SWITCH Filed June 2, 1945 INVENTOF? Ja/zn W: Z :2 W507? Patented Sept. 25, 1945 SWITCH John.- W. Lawson, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application June 2, 1943, Serial No. 489,389

' 13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary type switches for use on automotive vehicles and more particularly the military type.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in a switch structure, two separate manual controllers, one of which controls a plurality of circuits and the other to control movements of the circuit controller. This switch is particularly adapted for controlling circuits for four conditions of driving and parking, namely, black-out parking, black-out driving, daylight driving with only the stop light burnin when the brakes are applied, and night driving with regular or service head and tail lamps burning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved type of switch means having a plurality of on positions on each side of an "011 position and having tw manually operated members, a pusher member and a rotatable member, so arranged that the pusher member will permit the rotatable member to'move the switching means in one direction of rotation to its first "on position, but prevents further movement of the switching means in said direction to the remaining "on positions and also tozprevent the switching means from moving to an on position in the opposite direction of rotation so long as the pusher member is in its normal position. When the pusher member is pushed a certain distance from its normal position the switching means can move by the rotatable member in either direction of rotation to any one of the on" positions to be selected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of control members each having means which cooperate with each other so as to prevent accidental turning of the switching means in the wrong direction of rotation and also prevent the switching means from making a complete rotary movement in the other direc- ;ion of rotation.

Further objects and advantages of the present .nvention will be apparent from the following de- ;cription reference being had to the accompanyng drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of ;he present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the :witch embodying the present invention and alien on the line of Fig. 2.

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively, front and rear iews of the switch looking respectively in the lirections of arrows 2 and 3 of Fig.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 are sectional views respecively on lines 4-4, 5-5, 66 and |-'l of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing designates a cupshaped housing or casing having a bottom wall 2| provided with an opening 22 through which a bushing or hearing 23 extends, said bushing has a shoulder at 24 engaging a detent plate 25 engaging the inner side of the wall 2|. The bushing 23 and plate 25 are held in a fixed relation with respect to the bottom wall 2| by upset ting the bushing at several places, as at 26, over the outer face of the bottom wall 2| as shown in Fig. 4. The bushing 23 is also provided with a shoulder 21 engagin a washer 28 engagirlgan instrument panel 29 having an opening through which the bushing extends. The bushing also extends through an apertured index plate 30 and a washer 3|. A nut 32 has screw threaded engagement with the threaded end of the bushing 23 which on being screwed thereon clamps the washer 28 between the shoulder2-l of the hearing 23 and the panel 28 an'dtfi plate 30 against the panel.

The bearing 23 slidably supports a shaft 35 having a tapered end all provided with flats engaging corresponding flats provided by a handle or lever 31. The handle is attached to the shaft 35 by a screw 38. Thus, relative movement between the handle 31 and the shaft 35 is prevented. The other end of the shaft 35 is, preferably, though not necessarily, provided with reduced portions 38 and 40 with the reduced portion 40 journalled in an insulating plate or closure 4|. It is to be understood due to the length of the bearing surface of the bushing the por= tion 40 of the shaft 35 could be eliminated. The shaft in this instance is preferably formed with an integral flange providing radial arm portions 42 and 43 with the arm 42 having 9, lug or projection 44 extending into a slot 45, see Figs'l and 6, in an insulating contact carrier 46. The car rier 46 supports a plurality of contact plates 41, 48 and 49 of triangular formation. The carrier has a central opening through which portions 39 and 40 project loosely so that the carrier is capable of floatin free of the portion 40 under the pressure of a single compression spring 50.

The compression spring 50 surrounds the shaft 35 and is interposed between the flange comprising the arm portions 42 and 43 and the contact carrier 46 for the purpose of urging the carrier toward the closure 4| causing the contacts 41, 48 and 49 to engage therewith. Since the contact plates are identical in structure only one will be described in detail. For example, the triangular contact plate 41 may beformed with three spherical bosses or buttons 5|, one adjacent each corner on one side of the plate. On the other side of the plate three shanks 51 are provided which pass loosely through openings 58 provided by the carrier to permit the plate to tilt in infinite directions relative to the carrier. The buttons and the shanks 51.may be made of one piece namely a headed rivet with the shank 51 press fitted into suitable openings in the plate 41. In order to provide a fulcrum or pivot for the plate 41 upon which the plate may tilt to adjust itself for engagement with stationary contacts supported on the closure 4| the central portion of the plate is preferably deformed to provide a boss, thereby providing a fulcrum point 54 for the plate. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that each contact plate is free to tilt in many directions.

The pressure between the movable contact plates and the stationary contact is substantially equal, because whatever force is imparted from the plate 45 to the contact 41, due to the action of spring 58, is delivered to the point of engagement of the boss 54 when the plate 48 engages the boss. The contact 41 is driven by the carrier 46 due to the fact that the shanks 51 project freely through apertures provided by the carrier. The particular disposition of the contact plates 41, 48 and 49 with respect to the carrier 45 has a three point support provided by the three buttons 5| of the respective contacts 41, 48 and 49. Therefore the pressure exerted by the spring 58 is equally distributed so that each contact button gets one-third and since each contact plate equally distributes its pressure to its individual three contact buttons then it may be said that each movable contact button receives substantially one-ninth of the total pressure exerted by the spring 58. In this way, the movable contact buttons bear uniformly upon the stationary contacts which are flush with the inner surface of the closure 4|.

The closure 4| of the switch is made of any suitable non-conducting material, such as fiber or Bakelite which is provided with an ear 55 extending into a notch 55, in the peripheral flange of the cup-shaped housing 20 to locate definitely the position of the closure therewith.- The housing has a plurality of tangs 51 bent over the closure 4| by which the closure is attached to the housing 28. The closure 4| supports a plurality of stationary contacts 8|, 82, 63, 54, 65 and 98 which are arranged in the same inner circular row with contacts 61 and 68. The contacts SI, 62, 83, 84, 65 and 69 are electrically connected by a strap 18. The base is also provided with an outer row of stationary contacts including contacts 1|, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 88. Contacts 13 and 15 are electrically connected by a strap 8|. Contacts 91, 18, 19 and 88 are connected together by a strap 82. The straps 18, 8| and 82 are located on the outer face of the closure so that the triangular shaped movable contact plate 41, 48 and 49 shown in Fig. 6 cannot engage the straps.

Referring to 'Fig. 1 the movable contacts are yieldingly maintained either in the "011 position or any of the four "on" positions by a detent device including the detent plate 25 having five equidistant slots 85 each capable of receiving a ball 88 located in a pocket 81 of arm 42. The ball 86 is urged by a spring 88 toward the plate 25. Since the plate 25 must be located in a definite relation to the case 28 which is located in a definite relation to the closure 4|, the plate 25 is provided with an aperture 89, see Fig. '1.

which receives a lug or projection 98 integral with bottom wall 2| of case 28. Rotation of the handle 31 in either direction of rotation is limited by stop means comprising a projection 9| of arm 42 received in an arcuate slot 92 in plate 25, see Fig.

To prevent any inadvertent or accidental movement of the handle 31 in a. clockwise direction the "011 position as shown in Fig. 2 the arm portion 43 is provided with a notch 93 intermediate its peripheral edge, to provide abutments 94 and 95 as shown in Fig. '1. The notch 93 receives an enlarged portion or head 98 of a rod or plunger 91 having a cup-shaped push button 98. The enlarged portion 96 will move out of the plane of the arm portion 43 when the button 98 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, against the action of a spring 99 retained in a pocket |88 within a hub |8| riveted to the wall 2| of the housing 28 within which the plunger is guided. The spring 99 normally holds the plunger 91 in such position that movement of the handle 31 clockwise from "011 position is limited to one switch closed position. The handle 31 cannot be moved in a clockwise position, as viewed in Fig. 2 or in a counterclockwise position as viewed in Fig. 7. Only when the plunger 91 is manually moved to the left against the action of the spring 99 to shift the enlarged portion 98 beyond the plane of the arm 43 may the handle 31 be moved in either direction of rotation from the "off position. When the handle moves the arm 43 to its extreme on" positions and the push button is released the enlarged portion 96 will ride on the unnotched portion of the arm 43. Thus, when the handle returns toward the "off position and the enlarged portion is between the abutments 94 and 95 the plunger will automatically return to its normal position with a snap action.

The outer face of the bottom wall 2| supports a plate |83 having'suitable legends |04 while the handle is provided with a pointer or other suitable indicator |85, adapted to coact with the legends I84 to show the positions occupied by the movable contact members.

The general operation of the switch without ,taking into consideration the function or position of the plunger 35 will be clear from the foregoing but it may be briefly summarized as follows: When the handle is in the off" position as shown in Fig. 2 all circuits controlled throughthe switch are open. However, should the handle 31 be moved in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 so that the pointer I is opposite the legend Bo-Mk the movable contacts 41, 48 and 49 'will engage stationary contacts as follows: 41 (62-12); 48 (85, 14-15); 49 (11-18). When the handle is moved further in a counterclockwise direction to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legend Bo-Dr the movable contacts will engage the following stationary contacts' 41 (6|, 1i-12); 48 (84, 13-14); 49 (61-11). Should the handle be moved in clockwise direction to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legend Stop-Lt" the movable contacts will engage the following stationary contacts, 41 (63-13); 48 (16); 49 (19-88); and when the pointer is moved further in the clockwise direction to bring the pointer I85 opposite the legend Hdf-Lts the movable contacts will engage the following stationary contacts; 41 (84, 13-14): 48 (8G, 18); and 49 (88, 88).

In the regular operation of the improved construction the movement of the handle 31 from the off position to the stop-Lt position can take aeeaeco place without hindrance but the handle cannot be moved to position Hd-Lts or the positions "Bo-Mk and Bo-Dr w hout requiring the manipulation of the plunger 35 because the enlarged portion will be in the path of one or the other abutment 94 or 95. Thus the enlarged portion 98 of the plunger will prevent any inadvertent or accidental movement of the handle to rotate the carrier to bridge stationary contacts to close circuits through the switch. This feature makes it necessary to operate manually the plunger 91 before the handle 31 can be manually operated to close a circuit which would be dangerous if said circuits were closed inadvertently or accidentally.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Switch means comprising an axially movable plunger; switch means having its axis paralleling the axis of the plunger and capabie of rotating in either direction of rotation from a normal open position to a plurality of closed positions; contacts cooperating therewith; yieldable mechanism for holding the switch means in any one of its positions; and means carried by the plunger cooperating with spaced abutments rotatable with the switch member to permit the switching means to move a certain distance in one direction of rotation to one of the closed positions but preventing the switch means from moving to another closed position in that same direction and preventing the switch means to move in the opposite direction from the normal open position, the displacement of the plunger means from engagement with the abutments permitting the switch means to rotate in either direction of rotation to any one of the closed positions.

2. Switch means compising, an axially movable plunger; a carrier rotatable in either direction of rotation from a normal "off position to a plurality of different on positions on each side of the off position; yieldable contacts supported by the carrier and adapted to bridge stationary contacts in the diflerent on" positions; cooperating releasable mechanism for holding the carrier in its different positions; a manually operable actuator for rotating the carrier; means movable with the actuator, said means having a slot to receive a head on the plunger, said head permitting rotary movement of the carrier in one direction of rotation to one of the on positions upon actuation of the carrier but preventing accidental rotary movement of the carrier in the opposite direction of rotation, said plunger being axially movable so that the head of the plunger is moved beyond the slot of the movable means permitting the actuator to turn the carrier in either directionof rotation with the head riding on the unslotted portion of the movable means; and a spring pressing said plunger in a direction to return the plunger to its normal position when the head is in registry with the notch.

3. In an electric switch the combination of a plunger mounted for straight-line movement and having a manually operated member at one end; a spring for urging the plunger in one direction of its straight line movement; a carrier adapted for rotation in either direction; an actuator for the carrier; an arm carried by the actuator and having a notch for receiving an en- 3 larged portion provided on the other end of the plunger, said notch being constructed so that the actuator can move the carrier and arm a predetermined distance in one direction of rotation relative to the plunger to permit the carrier to shift yieldable contacts.

4. An electric switch comprising in combination; an axially movable plunger; a rotatable contact carrier having an off position and a plurality of on positions on each side of the ofi position; floating contacts carried by the carrier and adapted to bridge stationary contacts; an actuator for rotating the carrier; an arm movable with the actuator and having a slot to receive a head on the plunger to permit rotary movement of the carrier in one direction of rotation to one of the on" positions upon operation of the actuator but preventing accidental rotating movement of the actuator in the opposite direction of rotation, said plunger being axially movable so that its head is moved out of the plane of the arm permitting the actuator to turn the carrier in either direction oi. rotation with the head riding on the unslotted portion of the arm to hold the plunger in its depressed position; and resilient means urging the plunger in a direction to return the plunger to its normal position when the head is in registry with the slot.

5. Switch means comprising, an axially displaceable plunger provided with a head; a rotatable shait; a contact carrier driven by the shaft; contact elements supported by the carrier and adapted to bridge stationary contacts; means movable with the shaft having a pair of abutments; a head carried by the plunger and adapted to extend into the space between the abutments so that the head will permit the shaft to rotate in one direction of rotation to move the movable means and the carrier to bridge certain contacts but preventing accidental movement of the shaft in the opposite direction, said plunger being capable oi axial movement with respect to movable means so that the head is moved out of the plane of the movable means permitting the shaft to turn in either direction of rotation.

6. A switch device providing a bearing; member guided for sliding movement in the bearing to either of two positions; resilient means for normally holding the member in one of said two positions; a rotatable shaft; a circuit closer driven by the shaft; 9. plate having a pair oi abutments and rotatable with the shaft, said abutments adapted to engage a head provided by slidable member, said abutments being spaced to permit a predetermined rotation of the shaft in one direction of rotation but preventin accidental rotation of the shaftin the opposite direction, movement of saidsliding member against the action ot' the resilient means to move the head out of the path of the abutments permits the shaft to rotate in either direction of rotation with the head riding on the plate, said resilient means returning the sliding member to its normal position when the heat. is between the abutments.

7. In a switch, the combination with a plunger having a head mounted for axial movement; of a spring for urging the plunger in one direction; a rotatable actuator; a floating contact carrier driven by the actuator; a plate attached to the actuator; resilient means about the shaft and resting on the plate and bearing against the carrier; movable contacts carried by the carrier; a support providing stationary contacts with which thevmovable contacts cooperate; abutments provided bythe plateand coacting with the head of the plunger to permit apredetermined movement of the actuator in one direction of rotation but preventing accidental movement of the actuator in the opposite direction, axial movement of the plunger so that the. head is moved beyond the abutments permitting the actuator to move in either direction of rotation; and cooperable releasable mechanism for holding the actuator in its difierent positions. I

8. In a switch, the combination with a plunger having an enlarged portion mounted for: sliding movement; of a spring for. urging the plunger in one direction; a rotatablei actuator; a floating contact carrier; radial extensions mounted on the shaft, one of .said extensions having means for driving the carrier while another extension is provided with a notch to receive the enlarged portion of the plunger, said head cooperating with the notch to control the rotatable movements of the actuator, said notch being greater in cross dimension than the head and so positioned in relation thereto to,permit a predetermined movement of the actuator in one direction of rotation but preventing accidental movement of the actuator in the opposite direction, axial movement of the plunger permitting the head to move from the confines'of the notch allowing the actuator to move in either direction of rotation; and resilient means for urging the movable contacts and the actuator axially in opposite directions.

9. In a switch, the combination comprising; an axially movable plunger and a rotary member having their axis in parallelism and mounted for independent manual operation; a plurality of yieldable contacts... ,actuated by the rotary member; stationary contacts arcuately disposed about the axis of the rotary member and adapted to be engaged by the yieldable contacts; stop means carried by the axially movable member limiting the angular motion of the rotary mem-' ber in the normal position of the plunger to a certain arc in one direction of rotation and preventing accidental motion of same in the opposite direction, the axial displacement of the stop means by the plunger permitting the rotary member to move ina greater are in either direction of rotation; and,addit ional stopmeans limiting the motion'of the rotary member in either direction of rotation.

10. In a switch, the combination comprising, a slidable member and a rotary member having their axes in parallelism and mounted for independent manual operation; a carrier carryin yieldable contacts driven by the rotary member; stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by the movable contacts; and means carried by'the slidable member located in the path of means movable with the rotary member to limit the angular motion of the rotary member in one direction of .rotation but preventing angular motion of the.

rotary member in the opposite direction when the slidable means-ism its normal position, the removal of the slidable means from its normal position and out of the path of the rotatable means permitting the rotary member to increase the angular motion of the rotary member in said one direction of rotation and also permitting the rotary member in the opposite direction of retation from its normal position.

11. In a switch of the kind specified having a shaft adapted for rotation in either direction from a normal position and provided with a lateral flange having a peripheral notch to provide spaced shoulders; a plunger mounted relative to the shaft and having a head normally biased into the same plane of the flange and disposed in the space between the shoulders so that one shoulder is adjacent 'the head to prevent angular motion of the shaft in one direction but having the other shoulder positioned to permit angular motion in the opposite direction until the other shoulder engages head, said plunger being movable in a direction which is transverse to the plane of the flange to move the head out of the plane of the flange and thereby permit greater angular motion of the shaft in said opposite direction and also permit angular motion of the shaft in said one direction from its normal position; and means for limiting the angular motion of the shaft in both directions.

12. A switch of the kind specified having a rotatable. shaft provided with a lateral flange; a plunger mounted for axial movement relative to the flange; abutments on the flange between which the one end of the plunger normally rests, said plunger'being biased in one direction so that said end normally cooperates with the abutments to limit the angular motion of the shaft in one direction and preventin angular motion thereof in the opposite direction, said plunger being capable-of axial movement so that the end will be out of the path of the abutments to permit selectively angular motion of the shaft in either direction of rotation. I

13. A controller comprising in combination, a rotatable manually operable plate having a depression spaced from its axis of rotation; a spring pressed rod having its axis paralleling the axis of the plate and having one end thereof projecting into the depression, said end normally engaging one end of the depression to prevent the plate from rotating in onedirection but permitting the plate to rotate in the opposite direction until the specified one end of the rodengages the other end of the depression; said rod being disposed for manual operation to move the specified end of the rod out of the depression whereby the plate can rotate in greater arcs in either direction, said specified end of the rod engaging the plate upon manual release of the rod and same is out of registry with the depression, said rod reentering the depression when same is in a position to receive the rod.

" JOHN W. LAWSON.

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