US3375339A - Pushbutton door switch - Google Patents
Pushbutton door switch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3375339A US3375339A US501022A US50102265A US3375339A US 3375339 A US3375339 A US 3375339A US 501022 A US501022 A US 501022A US 50102265 A US50102265 A US 50102265A US 3375339 A US3375339 A US 3375339A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plunger
- switch
- contact
- rod
- tubular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
- H01H13/18—Operating parts, e.g. push-button adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift
- H01H13/183—Operating parts, e.g. push-button adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift for actuation by moving a closing member, e.g. door, cover
Definitions
- the switch has a spring loaded plunger which is disposed ior reciprocal movement in a tubular housing which housing provides a fixed contact surface.
- the movable contact element of the switch is carried by t-he plunger and the surface of the plunger is covered with a dielectric material so that the accumulation of Idirt or moisture within the space between the plunger and movable contact will not result in the establishment of Ia cu-rrent path therebetween. Accordingly, electrolytic decomposition of the switch contact is averted.
- This invention relates generally to an electric switch and more particularly to an electric switch automatically actuated to a closed position in response to, for example, the movement of a cooperating member such as by the opening of an associated door.
- Automotive vehicles have undergone substantial changes in both interior lighting and the means for controlling such lighting.
- only manually actuated electric switches were provided within the interior of the vehicle for closing the circuits energizing the interior lights .(often referred to as courtesy lights).
- This general arrangement has been improved by provi-ding spring actuated electric switches, usually located in a portion of the vehicle defining a door opening, which would be automatically actuated to a closed position whenever Ian associated door was moved toward open position.
- the provision of such automatically actuated light switches has proved to be a material -benet because proper lighting is always provided for a passenger whether entering or leaving the vehicle.
- the switches nevertheless exhibit undesirable characteristics.
- the switches are mounted in a portion of the structure delining a vehicle door opening or door frame so that the asso-- ciated door can, when being opened or closed, engage the switch and either close or open the circuitry associated W-ith the switch.
- the placement of switches in such locations often exposes them to both dirt and moisture. IIt has been ,found that even a slight accumulati-ou of dirt, especially in the presence of water or even relatively high humidity, provides an electrically conductive path as between at least one of the switch contacts and another element of the switch which is at a dilferent electrical potential. As a consequence of the conductive path the said contact experiences electrolytic decomposition.
- an object of this invention is to provide, in an automatically actuated electrical switch, means for preventing the establishment of an electrically conductive path as by the accumulation of dirt or moisture.
- Another more specilic object of this invention is to provide, in an automatically actuated electrical switch, insulating means for both electrically insulating one of the contacts from its supporting member and at the same time preventing lthe establishment of an electrically conductive path as by the accumulation of dirt or moisture.
- FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electric switch, constructed in accordance with this invention, and shown mounted in a fragmentary portion of a vehicular door frame;
- FIGURE 2 is a view, in cross-section, illustrating the switch of 'FIGUR-E l in an open position.
- FIG- URE 1 illustrates the electric switch 10, of the invention, as being suitably secured to a vehicular door frame portion 12 and electrically connected serially with a suitable lighting system, represented by a bulb 14, and a battery 16 by means of electrical conductors 18 and 20.
- Battery 16 is also suitably lgrounded as at 22 by means of an electrical conductor 24.
- the switch assembly 10 is comprised of an externally threaded nut member 26, provided with a tool engaging portion 28, having an axially directed opening 30 formed therethrough for the reception of a generally tubular body 32.
- the tubular body 32 may be retained within nut 26 by any suitable means such as, for example, being pressed therein or having generally outwardly ared portions 34 and 36 which cooperate with enlarged opposite ends of the opening 30.
- End 38 of body 32 is also .preferably formed to provide a generally radially inwardly directed tapered ⁇ or conical surface 40 which terminates in a radially directed annular ange por-tion 42.
- a coiled compression spring 50 is received within tubular lbody 32 generally about rod 48 so as to have one end abutting against the flange por-tion 42 (serving as a spring retainer) and the opposite end abutting against a head or striker portion S2 secured to and carried by one end of rod 48.
- the actuating rod or plunger 48 which is axially movable relative to tubular body 32, carries at its end opposite to the head 52 a tubular contact member 54 which is illustrated as having a portion 56 of reduced cross-section for securing thereto an end of conductor 18.
- Nut 26, tubular body 34 and tubular contact 54 are metallic; further, because of structural requirements the rod 48 as well as the head 52 are also metallic. Therefore, an intermediate connecting member 58 of electrically non-conductive material is secured about the preferably knurled end 60 of rod 48 and situated within the enlarged opening 62 of contact member 54.
- Tabs 64 may be struck out of contact 54 and bent generally inwardly thereof in order to provide for retention ot insulator 58 within opening 62 and thereby assure an operative mechanical connection between rod 48 and contact 54.
- the open end 66 of contact 56 provides a ring-like contacting surface for engagement with the conical contacting surface 40 of body 32 in order to complete an electrical circuit therethrough.
- nut 26 is suitably grounded as schematically illustrated at 68 by means of, for example, a metallic structural portion of the vehicle as the door frame 12.
- FIGURE 2 illustrates the opening of the electrical circuit as caused by the associated door, a portion of which is illustrated at 70, abuttingly engaging the head 52 and axially displacing actuating rod 48 and the contact 54 carried thereby.
- the circuit is opened de-energizing the bulb 14.
- Prior art switches of this type employ an insulating member between the end 60 of plunger rod 48 and contact S4. However, the insulators thusly employed have terminated in a transverse end wall against which the tabs abutted.
- the annular space between the inner surface of contact 54 and the outer diameter of plunger rod 48 was provided in order to accommodate the generally conical configuration of contact surface 40.
- switches of this type and purpose are relatively small and the radial clearance between the outer diameter of plunger rod 48 and the inner surface of contact 54 is often less than a sixteenth of an inch.
- the switch, and ⁇ particularly the area between contact 54 and rod 48 is susceptible to the accumulation of dirt and moisture.
- a current path is often established between contact 54 and the portion of the rod 48 which is immediately radially inward thereof and not protected by any insulation.
- an insulating member 58 which has a tubular extension 72, axially thereof, of an inner diameter 74 sufficiently large to tightly engage the outer diameter of rod 48.
- insulator 58 is formed so as to provide suicient space for the acceptance of end 38.
- the axial length Iof tubular extension 72 is of a magnitude suicient to permit end 76 to be disposed generally within the tubular body 32 when the door 70 has moved plunger 48 and contact 54 to its extreme open position.
- Insulator 58 can, of course, be formed separately from rod 48 and then secured thereto, as by a press fit therebetween, or if desired, the insulator could be molded directly onto the rod 48.
- a switch assembly comprising a tubular housing member having an end portion constituting a switch terminal, a plunger member slidably mounted in said tubular housing member for movement axially thereof, a conductor carrying member spaced from said plunger member, a connecting member formed of a non-conducting material connecting said plunger and said conductor carrying member, and spring means on said tubular housing member biasing said plunger to a circuit completing position in which the plunger projects out of one end of said tubular housing member and the conductor carrying member engages said terminal to complete a circuit through said switch assembly, said connecting member comprising a generally annular body engaging one end of said plunger and engaging and carrying said conductor carrying member, said plunger member being moveable in a second direction to move said conductor carrying member away from said terminal against the force of said spring, and said plunger having an electrically nonconducting surface of an axial length suflicient to extend into said tubular housing member throughout operative movement of the plunger so that a current path is precluded as between said conductor carrying member and
Description
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US501022A US3375339A (en) | 1965-10-22 | 1965-10-22 | Pushbutton door switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US501022A US3375339A (en) | 1965-10-22 | 1965-10-22 | Pushbutton door switch |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3375339A true US3375339A (en) | 1968-03-26 |
Family
ID=23991837
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US501022A Expired - Lifetime US3375339A (en) | 1965-10-22 | 1965-10-22 | Pushbutton door switch |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3375339A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4739133A (en) * | 1987-04-06 | 1988-04-19 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Electrical switching apparatus |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2921155A (en) * | 1958-02-10 | 1960-01-12 | John D Scofield | Self-adjusting switch |
CA658742A (en) * | 1963-03-05 | D. Kleis John | Contact assembly | |
US3115559A (en) * | 1960-07-20 | 1963-12-24 | Chrysler Corp | Pedal operated switch |
-
1965
- 1965-10-22 US US501022A patent/US3375339A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA658742A (en) * | 1963-03-05 | D. Kleis John | Contact assembly | |
US2921155A (en) * | 1958-02-10 | 1960-01-12 | John D Scofield | Self-adjusting switch |
US3115559A (en) * | 1960-07-20 | 1963-12-24 | Chrysler Corp | Pedal operated switch |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4739133A (en) * | 1987-04-06 | 1988-04-19 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Electrical switching apparatus |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIDELITY UNION TRUST COMPANY, 765 BROAD ST., NEWAR Free format text: MORTGAGE;ASSIGNOR:CHRYSLER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:003832/0358 Effective date: 19810209 Owner name: FIDELITY UNION TRUST COMPANY, TRUSTEE,NEW JERSEY Free format text: MORTGAGE;ASSIGNOR:CHRYSLER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:003832/0358 Effective date: 19810209 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHRYSLER CORPORATION, HIGHLAND PARK, MI 12000 LYNN Free format text: ASSIGNORS HEREBY REASSIGN, TRANSFER AND RELINQUISH THEIR ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID INVENTIONS AND RELEASE THEIR SECURITY INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:FIDELITY UNION BANK;ARNEBECK, WILLIAM, INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE;REEL/FRAME:004063/0604 Effective date: 19820217 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHRYSLER CORPORATION Free format text: PARTES REASSIGN, TRANSFER AND RELINQUISH THEIR ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENTS ALSO RELEASE THEIR SECURITY INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:MANUFACTURERS NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIL (CORPORATE TRUSTEE) AND BLACK DONALD E., (INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE);REEL/FRAME:004355/0154 Effective date: 19840905 |