US3626134A

US3626134A - Rotary actuator for slide switch

Info

Publication number: US3626134A
Application number: US8671A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norbert J Kazyk
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 1970-02-04
Filing date: 1970-02-04
Publication date: 1971-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-07
Also published as: CA922924A; DE2104819C3; JPS528508B1; DE2104819A1; DE2104819B2; GB1281655A; DE7103811U

Abstract

A switch-actuating device is mounted within a housing to convert rotary movement of a selector knob into linear movement to actuate a slide switch mounted within the housing. The shaft which carries the knob outwardly of the housing has a crank extending rearwardly behind the wall of the housing to engage a pivotal member which pivots about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The pivotal member is loosely coupled to the crank at one end thereof and has the other end thereof coupled to a slide actuator on the switch body to move the actuator linearly between its two selectable positions.

Description

M M 11$ til States Patent [72] Inventor Norbert .1. Kazyk Norridge, 111. [21] App]. No. 8,671 [22] Filed Feb. 4, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Motorola, Inc.

Franklin Park, 1111.

[54] ROTARY ACTUATOR FOR SLIDE SWITCH 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs [52] 11.8. C1 200/172, 325/315 [51] 1nt.C1 H0lh3/02 [50] Field of Search 74/22 A, 25, 38, 104; 200/172 A; 325/315, 316, 317, 452, 458, 459; 334/47, 52, 53,54

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,698,361 12/1954 Mekelburg 200/172 A Primary Examiner-Benedict V. Safourek AttorneyMueller and Aichele ABSTRACT: A switch-actuating device is mounted within a housing to convert rotary movement of a selector knob into linear movement to actuate a slide switch mounted within the housing. The shaft which carries the knob outwardly of the housing has a crank extending rearwardly behind the wall of the housing to engage a pivotal member which pivots about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The pivotal member is loosely coupled to the crank at one end thereof and has the other end thereof coupled to a slide actuator on the switch body to move the actuator llinearly between its two selectable positions.

PATENIED m 7197:

FIGZ

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to switch-actuating devices. and more particularly to a switch-actuating device for converting rotational movement of a selector knob to linear movement to actuate a slide switch.

It is often desired to provide a selector knob on electronic or electrical equipment to select between two or more modes of operation of such equipment. Such selector knobs are readily provided with associated wafer switch means which are mounted behind a wall of the housing with the selector knob, or a portion thereof, extending through the wall of the housing to be rotatably operated. However, in some situations the space limitations are such that wafer switch devices cannot be used without requiring a complete redesign of the switch, and in some cases, such wafer switches are still unappropriate for the purposes. Although the switch actuator of this invention can be used wherever rotation of a selector knob is to be translated into linear movement for actuating a slide switch or the like, it has particular utility when used in conjunction with an AM-FM radio receiver which is to be installed in an automobile, or the like. Such radio receivers are generally very compact in design so as to occupy a minimum of space within the dashboard compartment of an automobile. and, as such, require compact components for their operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. it is an object of this invention to provide switch-actuating means for translating rotary movement of a selector knob to linear movement of a slide switch which is simple in operation and compact in design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selector switch means to be mounted within an AM-FM radio receiver housing to enable the user thereof to select the mode of operation ofthe radio, between AM and FM modes of operation.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a crank secured to a rotatable shaft and which extends rearwardly of the front wall of an AM-FM radio receiver, said crank being displaced radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft to move through a predetermined arcuate path. A pivotal member has one end thereof engaged with the crank to be pivoted about an axis which is transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft and which has the other end thereof engaging the actuator of a switch. Preferably the pivotal member engages the slide actuator ofa slide switch to move the same linearly between its two or more switching positions.

Another feature of this invention is the use of a leaf spring having a crest portion formed thereon to engage a protuberance located on an arm extending from the shaft of the selector knob to provide detent or positive locking of the selector knob in each of its two selected positions, but which also provides only a slight resistance which is readily overcome by manual pressure on the selector knob to rotate the same and select the AM or FM mode of operation of the radio receiver.

These and many other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of an AM-FM automobile radio receiver wherein the switch-actuating device of this invention is used in the housing thereof;

FIG, 2 is a top fragmentary view of the radio receiver of FIG. I with a portion of the top wall thereof broken away to illustrate the switch-actuating device therein;

FIG. 3 is a top fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the switch-actuating device in an alternate selected position;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along section IV-lV of FIG. 2 showing some of the details of the switch actuator of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, but with portions thereof eliminated to illustrate the leaf spring and protuberance engagement of the switch-actuating device of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 there is seen an AM-FM radio receiver designated generally by reference numeral 10, of the type to be installed in an automobile, or other motor vehicle. The radio receiver 10 includes a housing I2 having a front wall 12a through which a plurality of pushbuttons I4, 15, l6, l7 and I8 extend. The pushbuttons 14-18 provide means to quickly select any one of a corresponding number of preset radio stations as is well known in the art. Also extending through the front wall 12a is an on-otf switch and volume control 20 and, in some cases, a tone control 21 is independently rotatable relative to the volume control 20 to allow selection of the tone quality of the audio signal information reproduced by the radio 10. A manual station selector 23 provides means for manually selecting radio stations which are not preset for selection by any one of the pushbuttons 14-18.

In accordance with this invention, an AM-FM selector knob 24 provides means for manually selecting between either the AM or the FM mode of operation of the radio receiver 10 and, as indicated by reference numeral 26 on the dial indicator portion of the radio receiver, the selected mode of operation will be indicated by corresponding indicia. It will be understood that the AM-FM indicia may be indicated anywhere on the radio receiver 10, and not necessarily on the dial indicator. Means many be provided to black out one of the AM- FM indicia to enable the user of the radio 10 readily to determine in which band or mode of operation the radio will operate. Also, if desired, a pointer may be provided to point to the desired indicia, i.e., point to either the AM or FM markings on the dial indicator.

Referring now to FIG. 2,3 and 4, there is seen a fragmentary portion of the radio receiver 10 to illustrate the switch-actuating device of this invention. A shaft 23a extends through a hollow shaft 24a which, in turn, is mounted through the front wall 12a of the housing 12 for rotation. The shaft 23a receives the manual station selector knob 23, of FIG. 1 and the shaft 24a receives the band or mode selector knob 24 of FIG. I.

The switch-actuating device of this invention is designated generally by reference numeral 30 and includes an arm 31 formed at the rear end portion of the shaft 24a and extends radially outwardly thereof. A crank 32 is secured to the arm 31 for movement therewith through a predetermined arcuate path back and forth between extreme positions of an arc segment of rotation of the shaft 24a. The crank 32 fits into an elongated slot 34 formed in a bent up portion 35 of a pivotal member 36. The pivotal member 36 is secured to a standard 38 by pivot means 40, preferably a rivot or the like. The pivotal member 36 then pivots about an axis which extends through the rivot 40 and which axis is transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft 24a, as best seen in FIG. 4.

A switch body 42 is secured to a support bracket 44 located behind the pivotal member 36 and is fixedly supported in a spaced relation to the arm 31 and crank 32. A slide actuator 46 thereof is engaged with an opening 47 in another bent up portion 48 of the pivotal member 36. Therefore, rotation of the shaft 240 between its two extreme positions, preferably which are only an arcuate segment ofa complete rotation, will cause pivotal movement of the member 36 about the axis of the rivot 40 to move the slide actuator 46 linearly between its two positions. For example, in FIG. 2 the slide actuator 46 as shown in its extreme left hand position this being, for example, the AM mode of operation, and in FIG. 3 the slide actuator 46 is shown in its extreme right hand position this being, for ex ample, the FM mode of operation. Therefore, the actuator of this invention converts rotational movement of the shaft 24, through a segmented arc of rotation, into linear movement of the slide actuator 46 over a limited extent sufficient to fully actuate the switch 42 between its two stable switching conditions. However, it should be understood that more than two positions of a slide switch can be obtained by the actuator of this invention.

A plurality of

terminal connectors

50, 51 and 52 are located at the rear of the switch body 42 for connection of suitable circuit leads which cause switching between the AM and FM modes of operation in radio receiver 10. Other terminal connections may be located at the rear of the switch body 42, the total number of terminal connections being as many as necessary to effect mode switching of the AM-FM radio receiver 10.

Most advantageously, a resilient leaf spring member 54 is secured to the front wall 120 in any suitable manner but preferably extends upward toward the arm 31. The leaf spring 54 preferably is secured to a ceramic block 56 which also forms a trimming capacitor within the housing 12 to be adjusted for proper operation of the radio receiver 10, as is well known in the art. The leaf spring 54 has a bent back portion 54a which forms a crest 54b. A protuberance 58 slideably rides over the crest 54b and firmly holds the arm 31 together with the shaft 24a in position at its extreme arcuate locations. That is, FIG. 4 illustrates the protuberance 58 resting at the upper portion of the crest 54b, and upon rotation of the shaft 24 the protuberance will move over the crest 54b to the lower portion thereof as indicated in FIG. 5. This provides a detent action and insures that sufficient holding force is at all times maintained on the slide actuator 46 of the switch 42 to prevent undesired actuation of the switch, but which holding force is easily overcome by manual rotation to the shaft 240.

Accordingly, the switch actuator of this invention provides means for easily and inexpensively converting rotary movement of a shaft into linear movement for actuation of a slide switch or the like.

lclaim:

l. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination:

a shaft to be rotated about a first axis to first and second arcuately displaced positions; crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement through a predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft upon rotational movement of said shaft;

a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft, said switch body having an actuator extending therefrom to be moved linearly between first and second positions to operate the same; and

a pivotal member pivotal about a second axis transverse to said first axis of said shaft and having a first apertured bent over portion at one end thereof to receive said crank and a second apertured bent over portion at the other end thereof to receive said actuator, whereby movement of said crank by rotation of said shaft will cause linear movement of said actuator.

2. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extending radially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm and extending rearwardly thereof, said crank being a pin which engages said first apertured bent over portion.

3. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extending radially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm and extending rearwardly thereof to engage said means;

a protuberance formed on said arm; and resilient means defining a cam surface secured to said wall and engageable with said protuberance to provide stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions.

4. The switch-actuating device of claim 3 wherein said resilient means is a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crest over which said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side of the crest to hold said shaft in either of said first and second ositions.

5. The switch-actuating device of c arm 1 wherem said shaft is a hollow shaft, and further including a second shaft extending therethrough.

6. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination:

a shaft to be rotated to first and second arcuately displaced positions;

a crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement through a predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft upon rotational movement of said shaft;

a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft. said switch body having an actuator extending therefrom to be moved between first and second positions to operate the same;

pivotal means having one portion to receive said crank and another portion to receive said actuator, movement of said crank by rotation of said'shaft will cause movement of said actuator,

a protuberance formed on said shaft and resilient means defining a cam surface engageable with said protuberance to provide a stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions.

7. The switch-actuating device of claim 6 wherein said resilient means is a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crest over which said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side of the crest to hold said shaft in either of said first and second positions.

Claims

1. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination: a shaft to be rotated about a first axis to first and second arcuately displaced positions; a crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement through a predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft upon rotational movement of said shaft; a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft, said switch boDy having an actuator extending therefrom to be moved linearly between first and second positions to operate the same; and a pivotal member pivotal about a second axis transverse to said first axis of said shaft and having a first apertured bent over portion at one end thereof to receive said crank and a second apertured bent over portion at the other end thereof to receive said actuator, whereby movement of said crank by rotation of said shaft will cause linear movement of said actuator.

3. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extending radially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm and extending rearwardly thereof to engage said means; a protuberance formed on said arm; and resilient means defining a cam surface secured to said wall and engageable with said protuberance to provide stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions.

4. The switch-actuating device of claim 3 wherein said resilient means is a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crest over which said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side of the crest to hold said shaft in either of said first and second positions.

5. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 wherein said shaft is a hollow shaft, and further including a second shaft extending therethrough.

6. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination: a shaft to be rotated to first and second arcuately displaced positions; a crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement through a predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft upon rotational movement of said shaft; a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft, said switch body having an actuator extending therefrom to be moved between first and second positions to operate the same; pivotal means having one portion to receive said crank and another portion to receive said actuator, movement of said crank by rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said actuator, a protuberance formed on said shaft and resilient means defining a cam surface engageable with said protuberance to provide a stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions.