US3591748A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Electric switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3591748A
US3591748A US806453A US3591748DA US3591748A US 3591748 A US3591748 A US 3591748A US 806453 A US806453 A US 806453A US 3591748D A US3591748D A US 3591748DA US 3591748 A US3591748 A US 3591748A
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United States
Prior art keywords
switch
members
gasket
contact elements
contact
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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
Application number
US806453A
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English (en)
Inventor
Brian Astbury Holden
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Johnson Electric International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Burgess Micro Switch Co Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Burgess Micro Switch Co Ltd filed Critical Burgess Micro Switch Co Ltd
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Publication of US3591748A publication Critical patent/US3591748A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H17/00—Switches having flexible operating part adapted only for pulling, e.g. cord, chain
    • H01H17/16—Switches having flexible operating part adapted only for pulling, e.g. cord, chain having a single flexible operating part adapted for pulling at one end only
    • H01H17/165—Switches having flexible operating part adapted only for pulling, e.g. cord, chain having a single flexible operating part adapted for pulling at one end only secured to a part of the switch mechanism that has only rectilinear movement

Definitions

  • a switch is constructed with inner and outer rawmg members that support the contact elements of the switch and U.S. Cl 200/161, that sandwich between them a rubber gasket having apertures 200/153, 200/86 that form totally enclosed spaces in which the contact ele- Int. Cl 1101b 17/08 ments are brought into engagement when an operating force is Field of Search 200/86, applied to compress the gasket, beyond an initial prestressed 161, 153.14, 61.19, 151 state, by a Bowden cable on which the switch is mounted.
  • This invention relates to an electric switch.
  • the operation of the switch is actuable by means of a Bowden cable and may be employed in a brake light circuit for the type of brake which is itself operated by the cable, though the invention is by no means limited to this particular application.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a robust switch construction that is able to offer a greater resistance to corrosion and wear that commonly employed metal coil or leaf spring constructions.
  • a switch according to the invention comprises two switch members each bearing at least one contact element or surface and mounted to move from an off position (where the contact elements or surfaces supported on the two switch members are separated) to an on position (where the said elements or surfaces are in contact), resilient means of rubbery material being compressed between the two switch member to act as a return spring biasing the members to the off position, the said resilient means being shaped in a way which allows the contact elements or surfaces on the switch members to make contact when the switch is moved to its on position against the bias of the resilient means.
  • the resilient means is in the form of a gasket that surrounds and protects the area between the contact elements or surfaces from damp penetration.
  • the biasing member is able also to perform a secondary function that adds further to corrosion and wear-resistance when the switch is to be employed in relatively exposed situations, such as the brake mechanism of a motorcycle.
  • one of the members of the switch carries a plurality of contact elements, these may be located in discrete holes so that each such element is separately surrounded by the gasket material.
  • the resilient rubbery material of the gasket may by any suitable natural or synthetic rubber, but is is obviously neces-' sary to relate its thickness and physical characteristics so that it fulfills the dual function of biasing the switch members outwardly and enabling these to be brought into contacting position.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are axial sections through the switch in mutually perpendicular planes.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rubber gasket of the switch of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the switch comprises an outer member of substantially cylindrical cross section, a concentric cylindrical inner member 12, and an intermediate gasket l4.
  • the inner and outer members are molded in plastics material and the intermediate gasket is of rubber.
  • the outer member 10 has a tapering frustoconical end 24 in which is molded a cylindrical recess 26.
  • the other end of the outer member 10 has a larger recess or socket 28 of circular cross section.
  • the recesses 26 and 28 are joined by an axial bore 34 which is of a size to allow the inner wire of a Bowden cable to pass freely therethrough, whilst the recess 26 is large enough to take the sheath of the Bowden cable.
  • a shoulder 27 is defined by the bore 34 and the recess 26.
  • Two diametrically opposed rectangular channels 36 form apertures joining the outer surface of the member 10 and the recess 26 and ter- .minate with shoulders 37.
  • the inner member 12 is an easy sliding fit within the cylindrical recess 28, and has at its outer end a circular recess 40, this being of the same diameter as the recess 26 and passing part way through the member 12. From the bottom of the recess 40 a circular bore 42 of the same diameter as the bore 34 continues through the member 12, leaving a shoulder 44 between the bore 42 and the recess 40. Molded integrally with the member 12 on diametrically opposite sides thereof are ears 46 which define wedge-shaped projection beyond the main cylindrical face of the member.
  • the rubber sealing gasket or washer 14 which is made of rubber having a Shore hardness of about 30, fits into the bottom end of the recess 28.
  • the gasket 14 is provided with sector-shaped holes 54 located so as to bev opposite the turned over ends 52 of the terminal bars 50 when the inner member 12 is in position, a recess 55 in which can seat the projection 49 of the member l2 and a central aperture 41 slightly larger than the bores 34, 42.
  • the unstressed thickness of the gasket is some 7.5 mm., of which some 4 mm. is occupied by the recess this being of the same axial length as the projection 49.
  • Lugs 57 project from opposite concave regions 59 at the periphery of the gasket.
  • a flat metal ring 32 is first inserted into the outer member 10 to be followed by the gasket, the lugs 57 of which are received in the channels 36, and the inner member 12 is then forced into the recess 28 in a position in which the ears 46 are aligned with the channels 36 of the outer member 10.
  • Resilient deformation of the members occurs until the ears reach the channels 36 where they spring out and are engaged by the shoulders 37 thus preventing the removal of the inner member from the outer one.
  • the far end of the inner member 12 deforms the rubber gasket thus pressing it between the parts 10 and l2 and the ears 46 are thereby urged against the shoulders 37.
  • the Figures show the switch in position in a Bowden cable. It can be seen that sheath 60 of the cable has been separated to leave a length of bare wire 56 running centrally through the switch, the ends of the sheath thereafter having been pushed together to make contact with the shoulders 27 and 44 respectively.
  • the dimensions will normally be such as to give a preload figure of approximately 8 lbs., that is to say, this will be the outward pressure exerted by. the rubber washer against the parts 10 and 12.
  • This allows the sheath of the Bowden cable to be fitted with a compressive force of at least this figure without any fear of operation of the brake light.
  • the normal braking tension in the cable 56, and the opposed compression in the sheath 54 which will increase the gasket load to 20 lbs., say, is quite sufficient to operate the switch
  • a feature of the particular form of gasket shown in the drawings is that it is able to offer different resistance rates to compression, depending upon the degree of deformation that has already taken place.
  • the material surrounding the recess 55 and concave regions 59, where the transverse cross-sectional area of material is relatively small compresses readily under a relatively small axial load.
  • an increase in axial force will give a smaller degree of compression as the resistance to deformation is effectively that offered by the larger cross-sectional area of material below the recess and concave regions.
  • the gasket therefore operates as if there were two separate resilient members present having different spring rates.
  • the switch may be made inmany different designs and if the outer part is of conductive metal there may, in some applications, he no necessity for a metal conductor such as the ring 32.
  • the invention is by no means confined to use in connection with Bowden wire, Its value is not only that it can be used in applications where a preloading of the two members is called for, but in many other cases as well, the rubber gasket which is under compression forming a moistureproof seal between the electrical contact surfaces within the switch as well as acting as a return spring for the separation of these contacts when the pressure is removed.
  • the rubber gasket which is under compression forming a moistureproof seal between the electrical contact surfaces within the switch as well as acting as a return spring for the separation of these contacts when the pressure is removed.
  • a switch comprising, in combination, two switch mem bers, a plurality of contact elements thereon, at least one contact element supported on one switch member and a plurality of contact elements supported on the other said member, the said switch members relatively displaceable between an off position where the contact elements or surface of the respective members are separated and an on position where the said elements or surfaces are in contact, a gasket of rubbery material disposed between the two switch members to surround and protect the area between the contact elements from damp penetration, said gasket compressed between the switch members to act as a return spring biassing the members to the off position, holes in the gasket to receive said contact elements so that each element is separately sealed by the gasket material, the shape of the gasket conformed to allow the con tact elements of the respective switch members to make contact when the switch is moved to its on position against the spring bias of the gasket.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes a bridging contact element which is supported on said one switch member to bear against one face of the gasket and wherein said plurality of contact elements project through said holesto engage said bridging contact element when the switch is in the on position.
  • a switch comprising, in combination, two switch members disposed one within the other, an outer switch member comprising a recessed socket and an inner switch member which is slidable therein, contact elements located on each switch member whereby the two switch members are relatively displaceable between an off position where the contact elements of the two respective switch members are separated and an on position where the said elements are in contact, resilient gasket means of rubbery material disposed at the inner end of the recessed socket between the two switch members, assembly elements provided on the inner and outer switch members, said elements registrable with each other to engage when the members are assembled so as to hold the inner switch member in the socket and wherein the resilient means is compressed to act as a return spring biassing the members to the off position, said resilient means shaped to allow the contact elements of the respective switch members to make contact when the switch is moved to its on position against the bias of the resilient means.
  • a switch comprising in combination, two switch members disposed one within the other, an outer switch member comprising a recessed socket and an inner switch member which is slidable therein, a plurality of contact elements on the switches and wherein at least one contact element is supported on each switch member, the said members relatively displaceable between an off position where the contact elements of the switches are separated and an on position where the said elements are in contact, resilient means of a rubbery material disposed at the inner end of the socket between the two switch members and said resilient means compressed thereby to act as a return spring biassing the members to the off position, apertures in the two switch members extending axially of the recess and being mutually aligned, a Bowden cable engaged with the said switch members at said apertures whereby the application of an operating force to the cable causes said relative movement of the members to compress the rubbery resilient means against its bias and to bring the two switch members to the on position.
  • a switch according to claim 4 wherein the resilient means is a gasket that surrounds and protects the area between the switch contact elements from damp penetration.
  • a switch according to claim 3 wherein the resilient means is a gasket that surrounds and protects the switch contact elements from damp penetration.
  • a switch according to claim 3 wherein a plurality of contact elements are supported on at least one of the two switch members and which includes discrete holes in the gasket to receive respective ones of the said plurality of contact elements so that each contact element is completely surrounded by gasket material.
  • a switch according to claim 3 including a bridging contact element supported on one of the switch members to bear against one face of the gasket, spaced apertures located in the gasket through which apertures correspondingly spaced contact elements supported on the other of the switch members projects to engage the bridging element when the switch is in the on position.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes assembly elements provided on the inner and outer'switch members and said elements are registerable with each other to engage when the members are assembled so as to hold the inner member in the socket recess of the outer member with the resilient means compressed.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes apertures in the switch members, which apertures extend axially of the socket recess and are mutually aligned, a Bowden cable engaged with the switch members at said apertures whereby the application of an operating force to the cable causes relative movement of the switch members to compress the resilient means against its bias.
  • a switch according to claim 4 which includes annular shoulders located around each of the apertures directed away from each other, the outer sheath of the Bowden cable is interrupted to form spaced end faces bearing on said annular shoulders, the inner wire of the cable passing through the apertures to extend continuously between the switch members.
  • a switch according to claim I wherein the switch members are disposed one within the other, the outer switch member comprising a socket recess within which the inner switch member is slidable, a gasket disposed at the inner end of the socket recess and which includes respective apertures in the switch members extending axially of the socket recess and mutually aligned, a Bowden cable engaged with the switch members at said apertures whereby the application of an operating force to the cable causes relative movement of the switch members to compress the gasket against its bias, and a further discrete aperture provided in the gasket for the passage of the Bowden cable.

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
US806453A 1968-03-28 1969-03-12 Electric switch Expired - Lifetime US3591748A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1502368 1968-03-28

Publications (1)

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US3591748A true US3591748A (en) 1971-07-06

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US806453A Expired - Lifetime US3591748A (en) 1968-03-28 1969-03-12 Electric switch

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US (1) US3591748A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1253039A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3703620A (en) * 1970-05-21 1972-11-21 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Pull switch with housing portions of different diameters and switch contact mode at the interface of said portions
US3870846A (en) * 1973-09-18 1975-03-11 I C S Ignition Control Systems Cable activated switch
US4795864A (en) * 1986-06-24 1989-01-03 Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault Control by switch under force of a declutching system at stop for automatic transmission
US20050250382A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-10 Sila Holding Industriale S.P.A. Device for controlling a motor-vehicle servo-assisted brake
US20060037426A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Teller William G Motion transmitting remote control with conduit connection verification
US20130115809A1 (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-09 John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc. Continuity providing port
FR3017912A1 (fr) * 2014-02-21 2015-08-28 Shimano Kk Structure de gaine de bicyclette
CN111196258A (zh) * 2018-11-19 2020-05-26 现代自动车株式会社 停车杆开关及其操作方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2130015B (en) * 1982-10-27 1986-04-09 Karl Michael Hargreaves Electrical switch for cycle stop-light
GB2561554B (en) * 2017-04-12 2021-12-15 The Vehicle Group Ltd Threshold force sensor

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2337809A (en) * 1942-02-13 1943-12-28 Edwin G Gaynor Switch
US3315050A (en) * 1966-04-04 1967-04-18 Miller Bros Safety door-edge construction
US3435165A (en) * 1966-12-27 1969-03-25 Renault Electric contact units of cable control devices

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2337809A (en) * 1942-02-13 1943-12-28 Edwin G Gaynor Switch
US3315050A (en) * 1966-04-04 1967-04-18 Miller Bros Safety door-edge construction
US3435165A (en) * 1966-12-27 1969-03-25 Renault Electric contact units of cable control devices

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3703620A (en) * 1970-05-21 1972-11-21 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Pull switch with housing portions of different diameters and switch contact mode at the interface of said portions
US3870846A (en) * 1973-09-18 1975-03-11 I C S Ignition Control Systems Cable activated switch
US4795864A (en) * 1986-06-24 1989-01-03 Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault Control by switch under force of a declutching system at stop for automatic transmission
US20050250382A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-11-10 Sila Holding Industriale S.P.A. Device for controlling a motor-vehicle servo-assisted brake
US7448475B2 (en) * 2004-05-06 2008-11-11 Sila Holding Industriale S.P.A. Device for controlling a motor-vehicle servo-assisted brake
US20060037426A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Teller William G Motion transmitting remote control with conduit connection verification
US9147955B2 (en) * 2011-11-02 2015-09-29 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Continuity providing port
US20130115809A1 (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-09 John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc. Continuity providing port
US9537232B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2017-01-03 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Continuity providing port
US10116099B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2018-10-30 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Devices for biasingly maintaining a port ground path
US10700475B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2020-06-30 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Devices for biasingly maintaining a port ground path
US11233362B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2022-01-25 Ppc Broadband, Inc. Devices for biasingly maintaining a port ground path
FR3017912A1 (fr) * 2014-02-21 2015-08-28 Shimano Kk Structure de gaine de bicyclette
CN111196258A (zh) * 2018-11-19 2020-05-26 现代自动车株式会社 停车杆开关及其操作方法
KR20200058169A (ko) * 2018-11-19 2020-05-27 현대자동차주식회사 파킹레버 스위치 및 그 작동 방법
US11345321B2 (en) * 2018-11-19 2022-05-31 Hyundai Motor Company Parking lever switch and operating method thereof
CN111196258B (zh) * 2018-11-19 2024-07-05 现代自动车株式会社 停车杆开关及其操作方法

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GB1253039A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-11-10

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