US3683133A - Ignition switches - Google Patents

Ignition switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3683133A
US3683133A US106018A US3683133DA US3683133A US 3683133 A US3683133 A US 3683133A US 106018 A US106018 A US 106018A US 3683133D A US3683133D A US 3683133DA US 3683133 A US3683133 A US 3683133A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact
rotor
contact member
arms
casing
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
Application number
US106018A
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English (en)
Inventor
Alec John Heap
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.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3683133A publication Critical patent/US3683133A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
    • H01H27/06—Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/56—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying contacts, e.g. drum switch
    • H01H19/563—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying contacts, e.g. drum switch with an initial separation movement perpendicular to the switching movement
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/50—Special application
    • Y10T70/5889—For automotive vehicles
    • Y10T70/5956—Steering mechanism with switch

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT In an ignition switch for use in combination with a key operated steering column lock for a road vehicle, a movable contact member is mounted on a rotor for rotation with the rotor within the switch casing. First and second movable contact arms are carried by the rotor and are engageable with the contact member.
  • Co-operating cam means on the casing of the switch and the first and second contact arms control engagement of the first and second contact arms with the contact member during rotation of the rotor relative to the casing, the first and second contact arms and the contact member defining the movable contacts of the switch.
  • SHEET 2 or 2 INVENTOR rr ATTORNEYS IGNITION SWITCHES This invention relates to ignition switches for use in combination with key operated steering column locks for road vehicles, the switches being of the kind comprising a casing including a base at one end thereof, a plurality of fixed contacts on the base, a rotor rotatable within the casing, and movable contacts carried by said rotor, said movable contacts being engageable with certain of the fixed contacts in predetermined angular positions of said rotor to complete electrical circuits between said fixed contacts.
  • an ignition switch of the kind specified includes a movable contact member mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith, first and second movable contact arms carried by the rotor and engageable with the contact member, and co-operating cam means on the casing of the switch and said first and second contact arms, said cam means controlling engagement of the first and second contact arms with the contact member during rotation of the rotor relative to the casing, and said first and second contact arms and said contact member defining the movable contacts of the switch.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a switch in accordance with one example of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the operating positions of the switch shown in FIG. 1.
  • the ignition switch comprises a hollow, cylindrical, die cast casing 11, the casing 11 including an insulating base 12 closing one end of the casing.
  • Joumalled for rotation within the casing 11 is a moulded synthetic resin rotor 13, which is formed at its end remote from the base 12 with an axially extending spigot 14.
  • the spigot 14 is provided with a non-circular bore (not shown), which in use receives a non-circular shaft coupled to the rotatable core of a key operated cylinder lock mechanism.
  • the rotor 13 is driven by the core of the lock mechanism, the cylinder of the lock being defined by part of the casing of the lock mechanism.
  • a pair of parallel, spaced contact arms 15, 16 respectively are mounted on the rotor 13, for rotation therewith, the contact arms 15, 16 being positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the rotor.
  • a copper contact member 17 is mounted on the rotor 13 for rotation therewith, and extends transversely to and below the contact arms l5, 16.
  • Contact posts 18 are secured to the contact arms 15, 16 and contact posts 18a are secured to the contact member 17, compression springs 19 housed in axially extending bores 21 in the rotor urging each of the contact arms towards the contact member 17 so that the arms l5, l6 are-normally electrically connected to the member 17 by way of the contact posts 18, 18a.
  • the contact arms 15, 16 are each formed with an integral stepped portion 22, 23 respectively, the portions 22, 23 being at opposite ends of the respective arms.
  • the portions 22, 23 extend parallel to their respective contact arms but are positioned closer to the base 12 then their respective contact arms so as to be urged into contact with the base 12 by the compression springs 19.
  • the contact member 17 is also formed at one end thereof with an integral stepped portion 24, the stepped portion 24 being positioned closer to the base 12 than the contact member 17 and being urged into contact with the base by a compression spring 25 mounted in an axially extending bore 25a in the rotor.
  • the ends of the contact arms 15, 16 remote from the portions 22, 23 are provided with integral, outwardly extending carn followers 26, 27 respectively which engage a peripheral cam track 28 formed on the base 12, the arrangement being such that the cam followers 26, 27 follow the profile of the cam track 28 as the rotor 13 is rotated.
  • the portions 22, 23 of the contact arms 15, 16 respectively and the portion 24 of the contact member 17 define movable contacts carried by the rotor.
  • the base 12 carries four angularly spaced fixed contacts 29, 31, 32, 33 respectively, the fixed contacts 31, 32, 33 lying on the irnaginery circle described by the portions 22, 23 of the movable contact arms when the rotor 13 is rotated through 360, and the fixed contact 29 lying on the imaginary circle described by the portion 24 of the movable contact member when the rotor 13 is rotated through 360.
  • the base 12 carries a further fixed contact 34 and a projection 35 on the contact member 17 is urged into engagement with the fixed contact 34 by a compression spring 36 extending between the rotor 13 and the contact member 17.
  • the fixed contact 34 and the projection 35 both lie on the axis of rotation of the rotor 13 so that the contact 34 and projection 35 are in engagement in all angular positions of the rotor.
  • the ignition switch is intended to be combined with a steering column lock for a road vehicle and in one practical embodiment the switch is used in an ignition system incorporating a preengaged starter motor.
  • a pre-engaged starter motor is a starter motor wherein the pinion is moved into engagement with the toothed wheel before the motor is energized at full power.
  • the fixed contact 29 is connected in the ignition circuit of the vehicle
  • the fixed contact 31 is connected in the accessories circuit of the vehicle
  • the fixed contacts 32 and 33 are connected in the starter motor circuit of the vehicle
  • the fixed contact 34 is the supply terminal of the ignition switch.
  • the projection 35 on the contact member 17 is permanently connected to the supply terminal 34.
  • portions 22, 23 and the contact arms l5, 16 respectively, and the portion 24 and the contact member 17 serve to make electrical connections between the fixed contacts 29, 31, 32, 33 and the supply terminal 34 in the appropriate angular positions of the rotor 13.
  • Detent means (not shown) are provided between the rotor 13 and the casing 11 to releasably retain the rotor in certain of the angular positions of the switch.
  • the second position (FIG. 4b) of the switch is reached by driving the core of the key operable steering column lock so as to rotate the rotor 13 through 60 in a clockwise direction from the first position.
  • the arrangement is such that the 60 clockwise rotation of the core of the lock is sufficient to release the steering column lock.
  • the third position (FIG. 40) of the switch is reached by rotating the rotor 13 through a further 30 in a clockwise direction from the second position.
  • the cam follower 26 is still engaged in a depression in the cam track 28 and the portion 22 of the contact arm 15 is still engaged with the fixed contact 31 on the base 12, it being appreciated that the length of the fixed contact 31 is sufficient to accomodate the movement of the portion 22 corresponding to the 30 rotation of the rotor.
  • the portion 24 of the contact member 17 is now engaged with the fixed contact 29.
  • the contact arm 15 and the contact member 17 complete the electrical circuits between the supply terminal 34 and the accessory and ignition contacts 31, 29 respectively.
  • the cam follower 27 is still engaged on a projection on the cam track 28 so that the contact arm 16 remains electrically disconnected from the supply terminal 34.
  • the fourth position (FIG. 4d) of the switch is reached by rotation of the rotor 13 through 15 in a clockwise direction from the third position.
  • the portion 22 of the contact arm 15 is thereby moved out of engagement with the fixed contact 31 and into engagement with the fixed contact 32.
  • the cam follower 26 is moved onto a projection on the cam track 28 so that the end of the contact arm 15 adjacent the cam follower 26 is moved upwardly and the contact post 18 on the arm 15 is moved away from its respective contact post 180 to break the electrical connection between the contact arm 15 and the contact member 17.
  • the electrical circuit between supply terminal 34 and the starter motor contact 32 remains deenergized in the fourth position of the switch.
  • the fifth position of the switch (FIG. 4e) is reached by rotation of the rotor through 15 in a clockwise direction from the fourth position.
  • the portion 24 of the contact member 17 is still in engagement with the fixed contact 29, so that the electrical circuit between the supply terminal 34 and the fixed contact 29 is completed and the ignition circuit of the vehicle is energized.
  • the portion 23 of the contact arm 16 is still in engagement with the fixed contact 33 and the cam follower 27 is still positioned in a depression in the cam track 30, so that the electrical circuit between the supply terminal 34 and the starter motor contact 33 is energized.
  • the portion 22 of the contact arm 15 remains engaged with the fixed contact 32, and when the switch reaches its fifth position the cam follower 26 is moved into a depression in the cam track 30 so that the contact post 18 on the arm 15 is urged into engagement with its respective contact post 18a and the circuit between the supply terminal 34 and the starter motor contact 32 is completed.
  • the arrangement is such that when the contact 33 and 32 of the starter motor are closed the starter motor is operated at full power, it being appreciated that the time taken to turn the rotor from the fourth position to the fifth position is sufiicient to allow the pinion to move into full engagement with the toothed wheel of the motor.
  • the detent means acting between the rotor 13 and the casing 11 does not restrain the rotor in its fourth position or its fifth position and moreover spring means is provided to urge the rotor anti-clockwise from the fourth and fifth positions.
  • the rotor 14 is released from either the fourth or fifth position, wherein the starter motor circuit of the vehicle is energized, the rotor is urged back to its third position, whereby the starter motor circuit is de-energized and the ignition and accessory circuits are completed.
  • Further latch means (not shown) is operable on the rotor 14 so that when the rotor has been moved from the third position to either the fourth or fifth positions and then has returned to the third position, the rotor cannot immediately be moved again to its fourth or fifth position, without first being returned to its second position.
  • the latch means acts as a safety measure to prevent energization of the starter while the engine is running.
  • the contact arms 15, 16 are actually formed of brass whereas the contact posts 18, 18a are formed of silver.
  • the making and breaking of the electrical circuit between the supply terminal 34 and the fixed contact 29 in the various switch positions is, of course, effected through the portion 24 of the copper contact member 17.
  • An ignition switch for use in combination with a key-operated steering column lock for a road vehicle, the switch comprising a casing, a base at one end of the casing, a plurality of fixed contacts on the base, a rotor rotatable within the casing, a movable contact member mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith, first and second movable contact arms carried by the rotor and engageable with the contact member, the first and second contact arms and the contact member defining movable contacts engageable with certain of said fixed contacts in predetermined angular positions of the rotor, and co-operating cam means on the casing and said first and second contact arms, said cam means controlling engagement of the first and second contact arms with the contact member during rotation of the rotor relative to the casing, whereby when the rotor is moved into each of said predetermined angular positions at least one of said contact arms engages said contact member so that an electrical circuit between certain of said fixed contacts is completed by way of said contact member and said at least one contact arm.
  • each of said movable contact arms is provided with a contact post and further contact posts are provided on said contact member, said contact arms being engageable with said contact member through said contact posts and said further contact posts respectively.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Drives, Propulsion Controls, And Safety Devices (AREA)
US106018A 1970-01-17 1971-01-13 Ignition switches Expired - Lifetime US3683133A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB236870 1970-01-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3683133A true US3683133A (en) 1972-08-08

Family

ID=9738320

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US106018A Expired - Lifetime US3683133A (en) 1970-01-17 1971-01-13 Ignition switches

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3683133A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS46228A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2102053B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES194995Y (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2076976A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1328966A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4281226A (en) * 1978-11-17 1981-07-28 Firma Leopold Kostal Ignition switch
US4286126A (en) * 1978-06-22 1981-08-25 Firma Leopold Kostal Ignition switch
US4298776A (en) * 1978-06-03 1981-11-03 Siegfried Sondermann Motor vehicle ignition-starter switch
AU577606B2 (en) * 1984-08-18 1988-09-29 Bauer Kaba Ag Electronic lock
US5264669A (en) * 1991-08-27 1993-11-23 Merit-Elektrik Gmbh Multi-position switch particularly for motor vehicle
US5756947A (en) * 1996-10-09 1998-05-26 Delta Systems, Inc. Ignition switch
US20110278140A1 (en) * 2010-05-11 2011-11-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Restriction Mechanism for Ignition Switch
US10650990B2 (en) 2015-05-21 2020-05-12 Alpha Corporation Rotary switch

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2853681C2 (de) * 1978-12-13 1980-12-18 Merit-Werk Merten & Co Kg, 5270 Gummersbach Kraftfahrzeug-Zünd- oder -Gliihanlaßschalter
JPS5971534U (ja) * 1982-11-05 1984-05-15 株式会社ジヤルコ 電圧切換スイツチ

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2121671A (en) * 1938-06-21 Ignition starter control
DE1131465B (de) * 1960-07-09 1962-06-14 Leopold Kostal Elektrotechn Sp Vereinigter Zuend- und Anlassschalter
US3172968A (en) * 1959-06-18 1965-03-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Multi-position electric switch lock assembly
GB1160140A (en) * 1966-12-14 1969-07-30 D H Bonnella & Son Ltd Improvements relating to Rotary Switches

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2121671A (en) * 1938-06-21 Ignition starter control
US3172968A (en) * 1959-06-18 1965-03-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Multi-position electric switch lock assembly
DE1131465B (de) * 1960-07-09 1962-06-14 Leopold Kostal Elektrotechn Sp Vereinigter Zuend- und Anlassschalter
GB1160140A (en) * 1966-12-14 1969-07-30 D H Bonnella & Son Ltd Improvements relating to Rotary Switches

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4298776A (en) * 1978-06-03 1981-11-03 Siegfried Sondermann Motor vehicle ignition-starter switch
US4286126A (en) * 1978-06-22 1981-08-25 Firma Leopold Kostal Ignition switch
US4281226A (en) * 1978-11-17 1981-07-28 Firma Leopold Kostal Ignition switch
AU577606B2 (en) * 1984-08-18 1988-09-29 Bauer Kaba Ag Electronic lock
US5264669A (en) * 1991-08-27 1993-11-23 Merit-Elektrik Gmbh Multi-position switch particularly for motor vehicle
US5756947A (en) * 1996-10-09 1998-05-26 Delta Systems, Inc. Ignition switch
US20110278140A1 (en) * 2010-05-11 2011-11-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Restriction Mechanism for Ignition Switch
US8429942B2 (en) * 2010-05-11 2013-04-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Restriction mechanism for ignition switch
US10650990B2 (en) 2015-05-21 2020-05-12 Alpha Corporation Rotary switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES194995U (es) 1975-01-16
DE2102053A1 (de) 1971-07-29
GB1328966A (en) 1973-09-05
JPS46228A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-08-20
ES194995Y (es) 1975-06-01
DE2102053B2 (de) 1973-05-24
FR2076976A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-10-15

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