US2679557A

US2679557A - Starter ignition switch

Info

Publication number: US2679557A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter W Miller
Original assignee: United Specialties Co
Current assignee: United Specialties Co
Priority date: 1951-07-16
Filing date: 1951-07-16
Publication date: 1954-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1971-05-25

Description

May 25, 1954 w. w. MILLER STARTER mnmou swI'rcH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16 1951 y 5 w. w. MILLER 2,679,557

sm'rsa murrxou swrrcu Filed July 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STARTER IGNITION SWITCH of Delaware Application July 16, 1951, Serial No. 236,944

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in automobile ignition switches, and more particularly to new and useful improvements in rotary contact mechanism for ig nition switches and means to impart rotation to and position the contact mechanism.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an ignition switch of novel construction which, in addition to the usual oil." on" and "accessory" positions, has a position wherein a circuit is completed to the starting motor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel ignition switch of the stated type wherein a single contact plate formed from a sheet of conducting material may be used to complete all of the required circuits through the switch.

Another and equally important object of the present invention is to provide an ignition switch as set forth having a novel construction and arrangement of cam and follower to limit different positions of the switch mechanism.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an ignition switch made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the switch illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the construction of the switch;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3--6, Fig- 3;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line |--'l, Fig. 5;

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are schematic sectional views illustrating the position of the contact plate with respect to the contact terminals in the various operating positions of the switch;

Fig. 12 is a developed contour of the lock detent path starting from line A in Fig. 4, counterclockwise;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the contact rotor;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the rotor adaptor;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the rotor base which carries the contact plate; and,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the contact plate.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, reference numeral 20 designates generally an ignition switch which comprises a switch housing 2| having at the front end thereof the usual lock cylinder 22 and at the other end thereof a plurality of

terminals

23, 24 and 25 arranged about a central terminal 25.

In accordance with the present invention the

terminals

23, 24, 25 and 26 extend through an insulating switch base 21 and provide terminal contacts 23a, 24a, 25a and 25a interiorly of the housing 21. These contacts are arranged for engagement selectively by a metal contact plate 28 which is carried by a rotatably mounted switch plate member 29.

As illustrated in Fig. 16, the contact plate 28 comprises an annular ring having a central opening 32 therein. Cut out

portions

33 and 34 along the outer periphery of the ring and a third cut out portion 35 along the periphery of the central opening 32 allow the contact plate 23 to complete the desired circuits through the terminal contacts. A plurality of forwardly extending lug portions 36 on the contact plate 28 are utilized to secure the latter to the switch plate member 29 in the relation shown in Fig. 13.

The switch plate member 29 is rotatably mounted on a lug 31 formed as an integral part of the central terminal 26. Rotation is imparted to the switch plate member 29 by means of bridge piece 38 constructed as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. The bridge 38 comprises a forward cylindrical head portion 39 and rearwardly extending parallel leg portions 42. Extending laterally outward from the free ends of the legs 42 are lugs or fingers 43 which are constructed to be received in slots 44 formed in the rotary switch plate 29 and provide a rotational driving connection between the bridge 38 and the switch plate 29.

Rotation of the entire rotor assembly including the contact plate 23, the switch plate member 29 and the bridge 38, arranged as shown in Fig. 13, is effected by turning a key in the lock cylinder 22. Extending outwardly from the rear surface of the lock cylinder 22 is a generally rectangular tang portion 45 which is received in a similarly shaped slot 46 in the head portion of the bridge 38. Rotation of the ignition key in the lock cylinder 22 causes similar rotation of the tang 45 thereby imparting rotation to the switch assembly.

Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive of the drawings illustrate the position of the contact plate 28 with respect to the contact terminals for the various positions of the ignition switch. The contact plate 28 is insulated from the switch housing and may be energized through the contact terminal 23a which in most instances is connected to the ammeter on the dashboard of an automobile. In the "off position of the switch shown in Fig. 8, the connection between the contact plate 28 and the terminal 23a is broken so that there is no current passing through the switch.

In order to start the motor the contact plate 28 is rotated in the clockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 9 in which it contacts the terminals 23a, 24a and 26a. Contacting the terminal 24a completes the ignition circuit to the motor and the circuit to the starting solenoid of the starting motor is completed through the contact terminal 26a. After the motor has started the contact plate is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 10 thus bringing the contact terminal 26a into alignment with the cut out portion 35 of the contact plate and breaking the circuit to the starting solenoid but still maintaining an unbroken ignition circuit. In this position of the switch, the accessory circuit is completed through the contact terminal 23a which is engaged by the contact plate 28.

In order to complete solely the circuit to the car accessories the contact plate 28 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 11 contacting the terminals 23a and 25a which completes the circuit through the ignition switch to the accessories.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to properly position the contact plate 28 with respect to the terminals for the various settings of the ignition switch. To this end, there is provided on the forward inner surface of the switch housing 2| diametrically disposed semi-circular cam tracks 41, 41 which are arranged concentrically of the rotational axis of the switch rotor assembly. A pin 48 having its opposite ends disposed in cooperative engagement with the cam tracks 41, 41 is slidably mounted in slots or guideways 49 extending lengthwise of the leg portions 42 of the bridge member 38. A coil spring 52 is positioned within the bridge piece 38 and between the pin 48 and the switch plate 29 and this spring operates to maintain the pin 48 yieldingly in engagement with the cam tracks 41, 41 while the slots or guideways 49 permit the pin 48 to be displaced against the spring 52 in accordance with variations in the height of the cams. Rollers 5|, 5| at the ends of the pin 40 enable the pin to roll easily on the surface of the cam tracks 41, 41.

A smaller coil spring 53 is positioned at the outer side of the pin 48 between it and the forward wall of the bridge piece 35. By this construction the pin 48 is held under the opposing pressures of the

springs

52 and 53 so that rattling of the pin is precluded and the spring 53 in conjunction with the spring 52 maintains the bridge 38 against the lock cylinder 22, thereby preventing rattling of the lock cylinder 22.

A developed contour of the cam surface is illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawing in order to show the relative positions of the pin 48 with respect to the cam track 41 in the various settings of the ignition switch. Each cam track 41 has three

low portions

54, 55 and 56 in which the pin 48 may be engaged when the switch is turned to its "ofl position, on position, or "accessory position, respectivelyfas shown in Figs. 8, l0 and 11. These low portions of the cam track serve to properly position the contact plate with respect to the contact terminals.

When the contact plate 28 is rotated to its extreme clockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 9, in order to complete the circuit to the starting solenoid the pin 48 rides up the cam track 41 to the right-hand stops 51, 51 as shown in Fig. 12, and upon release of the ignition key the pin 48 and cam track 41 in cooperation with spring 52 cause the switch rotor to move counterclockwise to the on position in which the pin 48 is positioned at the low portion 55 of the cam track 41. The extreme counterclockwise position of the contact rotor is limited by the left-hand stops 5B which are adjacent to the low portions 56 on the cam track 41.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the present invention provides a novel ignition switch which, in addition to the usual ofi," on and accessory positions also has a position wherein a circuit is completed to the starting motor. The invention also provides an ignition switch having a novel construction of cam and follower to limit the dilierent positions of the switch mechanism. Furthermore, the present invention provides a novel ignition switch wherein a single contact plate formed from a sheet of conductin material may be used to complete all of the required circuits through the switch. In addition, the present invention provides a novel ignition switch having the features and characteristics set forth which is easily and cheaply manufactured and is entirely eflicient and eiiective in operation and use.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosures, and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

In a starter ignition switch comprising a generally cylindrical housing having a plurality of contact terminals positioned interiorly thereof, a switch plate assembly in said housing mounted for rotary movement about the longitudinal axis of said housing, a contact plate carried by said switch plate for engagement with said contact terminals, a bridge piece comprising a cylindrical head portion and forwardly extending parallel leg portions terminating in lugs engaging said switch plate and actuable to impart rotation thereto, a cam track arranged concentrically about the rotational axis of said switch plate adjacent the junction between the head and leg portions of said bridge piece, a detent pin mounted in longitudinal slots in the parallel leg portions of said bridge piece, spring means intermediate said leg portions in engagement with said switch plate resiliently urging said detent pin into engagement with said cam track, and second spring means positioned between said detent pin and the cylindrical head of said bridge piece to prevent rattling of said bridge piece, said second spring means being weaker than said first spring means whereby said first spring means maintain the detent pin in engagement with the cam track.

Name Date Jacobi May 4, 1948 Number