US3745278A - Direction indicator switches with cancelling mechanism - Google Patents

Direction indicator switches with cancelling mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US3745278A
US3745278A US00204608A US3745278DA US3745278A US 3745278 A US3745278 A US 3745278A US 00204608 A US00204608 A US 00204608A US 3745278D A US3745278D A US 3745278DA US 3745278 A US3745278 A US 3745278A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
rotor
movement
switch
striker
cancelling
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
US00204608A
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English (en)
Inventor
N Wilkinson
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 US3745278A publication Critical patent/US3745278A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/34—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
    • B60Q1/40—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position
    • B60Q1/42—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position having mechanical automatic return to inoperative position due to steering-wheel position, e.g. with roller wheel control
    • B60Q1/425—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position having mechanical automatic return to inoperative position due to steering-wheel position, e.g. with roller wheel control using a latching element for resetting a switching element

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A direction indicator switch for a road vehicle having 24 El E3 i9 a central off position and operative positions on opposite sides respectively of the off position and detent means for resisting movement of the rotor of the switch relative to the base of the switch from any one of the positions of the switch.
  • the switch includes electrical contacts operable in the operative positions of the rotor to complete electrical circuits to indicator lights on opposite sides respectively of the vehicle in use.
  • the rotor carries first and second cancelling members which are resiliently urged to respective rest positions on the rotor, the cancelling members being out of the path of movement of a striker carried by the steering wheel of the vehicle when the rotor is in its off position.
  • the cancelling members are engageable respectively by the striker in the operative positions of the rotor and the arrangement is such that during cancelling movement of the striker the striker engages one or other of the cancelling members and applies thereto a force to rotate the rotor its off position.
  • the resistance to movement of the cancelling member is so chosen as to be in excess of the resistance to movement of the rotor imparted by the detent means so that the rotor is moved relative to the base in preference to movement of the cancelling member relative to the rotor.
  • the resistance to movement of the cancelling member is such that if the rotor is held against its return movement, for example, manually, then the cancelling member is moved relative to the" rotor to permit the striker to pass the cancelling member.
  • This invention relates to vehicle direction indicator switches of the kind which can be cancelled in use from either of two operative positions to an off position by a striker rotatable with the steering shaft of the vehicle.
  • a direction indicator switch of the kind specified includes a base, a rotor mounted on the base for rotational movement from a first, central, off position to either of second and third operative positions on opposite sides respectively of the first position, detent means for resisting movement of the rotor relative to the base from any one of the first, second and third positions, electrical contacts operable in the second position of the rotor to complete a first electrical circuit, and operable in the third position of the rotor to complete a second electrical circuit, no circuit through the electrical contacts being completed in the first position of the rotor, and first and second can celling members carried by the rotor and resiliently urged to respective rest positions on the rotor, the cancelling members being out of the path of movement of the striker when the rotor is in its first position, but being engageable respectively by the striker in the second and third positions of the rotor, the arrangement being such that during cancelling.
  • the striker engages the first or the second cancelling member and applies thereto a force to rotate the rotor to its first position, the resistance to movement of the cancelling member relative to the rotor in this condition of the switch being in excess of the resistance to movement of the rotor imparted by the detent means so that the rotor is moved relative to the base in preference to movement of the cancelling member relative to the rotor.
  • the resistance to movement of the cancelling members is such that if the rotor is held against return movement during cancelling movement of the striker then the respective cancelling member is moved relative to the rotor to permit the striker to pass the cancelling member.
  • the cancelling member can be moved relative to the rotor by the striker during movement of the striker in a direction opposite to cancelling movement.
  • the striker is rotatably mounted on said base and is coupled in use to the steering shaft of the vehicle in which the switch is utilized.
  • the base of the switch is provided with an aperture through which the steering shaft extends in use, so that the base encircles the steering shaft.
  • each cancelling member is defined by a roller, the two rollers being spring urged into engagement with respective cam forms on the rotor.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a direction indicator switch with the top cover thereof removed
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the switch shown in FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partly diagrammatic, representation of the switch shown in FIG. 1 during a cancelling operation.
  • the switch includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 arranged to be mounted on the stationary tube 12 of the steering column of a road vehicle.
  • the body 11 is to be mounted at the free end of the tube 12 where the tube 12 terminates within the passenger compartment of the road vehicle.
  • the rotatable steering shaft '13 of the steering column projects through the body 11, for connection to a conventional steering wheel.
  • the body 11 is recessed, and the open end of the body 11 is closed by a cover plate 14 secured to the body 11 in a convenient manner.
  • Joumalled for rotation in the body 11, about the axis of the shaft 13 is a steel striker sleeve 15 through which the shaft 13 extends in use.
  • a moulded synthetic resin rotor 16 is supported by the body 11, and is provided with a pair of oppositely directed posts 17 which are received in corresponding holes in the body 11 and the cover plate 14 to pivotally mount the rotor 16 on the body 11, for movement about an axis parallel to, but spaced from the axis of the sleeve 15.
  • the rotor 16 is provided with an elongated, arcuate aperture 18 through which the sleeve 15 extends, the width of the aperture being slightly greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve 15, and having its center of curvature lying on the pivotal axis of'the rotor.
  • the rotor 16 encircles the sleeve 15, but can pivot relative to the sleeve 15 and the body 11 through an angular distance determined by stop means on the rotor and the body.
  • the extension 19 is formed with upper and lower channels 21, 22 which are closed at their inner ends, and the outer ends of which are positioned adjacent a cam form 23 integral with the body 11.
  • Engaged in each channel 21, 22. is a respective cylindrical-members 24, 25, the members 24, 25 being urged by respective springs, housed within the channels .21, 22 respectively, towards the cam form 23.
  • the cam form 23 presents a V-shaped recess 26 towards the members 24, 25, the recess 26 being defined by adjacent walls of a pair of triangular projections of the cam form 23.
  • the cam form 23 is so positioned, that when the members 24, 25 engage in the recess 26, then the rotor 16 is so positioned relative to the body 11 that the sleeve 15 is mid-way between the ends of the slot 18 in the rotor.
  • the electrical contact (not shown) are provided within the switch and are'operable by movement of the rotor 16 relative to the body 11.
  • the cam form 23 and the members 24, 25 define a detent arrangement for retaining the rotor 16 in any one of three angularly spaced positions relative to the body 11. When the members 24, 25 are engaged in the recess 26, then the rotor 16 is in a central, off position wherein no electrical circuits are completed through the electrical contacts of the Switch.
  • Movement of the rotor 16 angularly in one direction from the first, central, off position causes the members 24, 25 to ride over one of said triangular projections of the cam form 23, whereafter the springs associated with the members 24, 25 cause the rotor to rotate in said angular direction, until the appropriatestops on the body and the rotor arrest the movement of the rotor.
  • Such movement of the rotor achieves a second, operative position wherein, in use, a first electrical circuit is completed through the switch, the first electrical circuit including the direction indicator lamps of the vehicle on one side of the vehicle.
  • the projection 19 is hollow, and houses a compression spring 27, the spring 27 acting at one end against the outer end of the projection 19, and acting at its other end against an elongated, metal, channel-shaped part 28.
  • the channel-shaped part 28 extends through the projection 19 at right angles thereto, and lies in the plane of rotation of the rotor 16.
  • the closed, base of the channel-shaped part 28 is presented to the spring 27, and the open side of the channelshaped part is presented to the striker sleeve 15.
  • the striker sleeve is provided with a striker projection 29 which is integral with the sleeve 15, and which extends radially outwardly therefrom.
  • the part 28 lies in the path of movement of the striker 29, as the sleeve 15 is rotated, and the striker 29 can pass between the opposite walls of the channel-shaped part 28.
  • the rotor 16 is formed with a pair of V-shaped channels 31, 32 respectively.
  • a respective steel rollers 33, 34 Positioned within each channel 31, 32 is a respective steel rollers 33, 34, the rollers 33, 34 being trapped in the V- shaped grooves 31, 32 by the part 28 under the action of the spring 27.
  • the roller 34 will be moved from its rest position, along the outer of the pair of walls of the groove 32, to permit the striker 29 to pass the roller 34.
  • the switch can be deliberately held in its second operative position during a cancelling movement without damage to the switch.
  • the rotor 16 is provided with an operating lever 36 and preferably the striker 29 is hardened to minimize inaccuracies due to wear in use.
  • a vehicle direction indicator switch of the type which can be cancelled in use from either of two operative positions to an off position by a striker rotatable with the steering shaft of the vehicle, said switch including a base, means on said base whereby said switch can be mounted in position in said vehicle in use, a rotor, means mounting said rotor on said base so as to be capable of rotational movement relative to said base from a first, central, off position to either of second and third operative positions on opposite sides respectively of said first position, detent means resisting movement of said rotor relative to said base from any one of said first, second and third positions, electrical contact means operable in said second position of said rotor relative to said base to complete a first electrical circuit, and operable in said third position of said rotor relative to said base to complete a second electrical circuit,'first and second cam forms on said rotor, first and second rollers carried by said rotor and engaged with said first and second cam forms respectively, resilient means urging said first and second rollers to respective rest positions on said first and second cam
  • said first, or the second roller will lie in the path of movement of said associated striker, the shape of the first and second cam forms, and the force exerted by said resilient means providing a resistance to movement of said rollers relative to said rotor, and said resistance to movement of said rollers relative to said rotor during normal'cancelling of the switch by engagement of said associated striker with one or other of the rollers being in excess of the resistance to movement of the rotor imparted by the detent means so that during normal cancelling the rotor is moved relative to the base in preference to movement of the first, or second, roller relative to the rotor.
  • a switch as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second rollers can be moved relative to said rotor by the striker during movement of said striker in a direction opposite to said cancelling movement.
  • a switch as claimed in claim 1 in which said striker is rotatably mounted on said base and is coupled in use to said steering shaft of the vehicle in which said switch is utilized.
  • a switch as claimed in claim 1 in which said baseof said switch is provided with an aperture through which said steering shaft extends in use so that said base encircles said steering shaft.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
US00204608A 1970-12-12 1971-12-03 Direction indicator switches with cancelling mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3745278A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB5918970A GB1359477A (en) 1970-12-12 1970-12-12 Direction indicator switches

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3745278A true US3745278A (en) 1973-07-10

Family

ID=10483255

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00204608A Expired - Lifetime US3745278A (en) 1970-12-12 1971-12-03 Direction indicator switches with cancelling mechanism

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3745278A (de)
JP (1) JPS4712622A (de)
AU (1) AU459024B2 (de)
DE (1) DE2161531C3 (de)
ES (1) ES175477Y (de)
FR (1) FR2117609A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1359477A (de)
IT (1) IT946254B (de)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5013008A (de) * 1973-05-30 1975-02-10
DE2336663A1 (de) * 1973-07-19 1975-02-13 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Lenkstockschalter fuer kraftfahrzeuge
DE2823142C3 (de) * 1978-05-26 1982-02-11 Westfälische Metall Industrie KG Hueck & Co, 4780 Lippstadt Fahrtrichtungsschalter mit selbsttätiger Rückstellung für Kraftfahrzeuge
DE3507921C1 (de) * 1985-03-06 1986-10-16 Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co KG, 5880 Lüdenscheid Lenkstockschalter zur Fahrtrichtungsanzeige an Kraftfahrzeugen
US6396011B1 (en) 2000-03-23 2002-05-28 Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. Multi-function switch lever apparatus
US6444929B1 (en) 2000-03-23 2002-09-03 Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. Multi-function stalk switch with zero backlash drive gear pair
US6384351B1 (en) 2000-03-23 2002-05-07 Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. Switch apparatus for actuating a plurality of electrical circuits
US6403899B1 (en) 2000-03-23 2002-06-11 Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. Vehicle fog lamp interlock switch apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2817728A (en) * 1955-11-14 1957-12-24 Gen Motors Corp Direction signal
US3209092A (en) * 1962-06-15 1965-09-28 Flii Vitaloni Turn indicator switch
US3530266A (en) * 1967-06-03 1970-09-22 Vif Vitaloni S A S Di Vitaloni Switching control apparatus for vehicle direction indicators and main lights with oscillatory disc contacts
US3557328A (en) * 1968-02-02 1971-01-19 Essex International Inc Direction signal and hazard warning switch assembly
US3586800A (en) * 1969-01-13 1971-06-22 Lucas Industries Ltd Direction indicator switches
US3604867A (en) * 1968-11-25 1971-09-14 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Release device for directional indicator switch

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4026578Y1 (de) * 1964-02-17 1965-09-08
JPS434086Y1 (de) * 1966-10-05 1968-02-22

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2817728A (en) * 1955-11-14 1957-12-24 Gen Motors Corp Direction signal
US3209092A (en) * 1962-06-15 1965-09-28 Flii Vitaloni Turn indicator switch
US3530266A (en) * 1967-06-03 1970-09-22 Vif Vitaloni S A S Di Vitaloni Switching control apparatus for vehicle direction indicators and main lights with oscillatory disc contacts
US3557328A (en) * 1968-02-02 1971-01-19 Essex International Inc Direction signal and hazard warning switch assembly
US3604867A (en) * 1968-11-25 1971-09-14 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Release device for directional indicator switch
US3586800A (en) * 1969-01-13 1971-06-22 Lucas Industries Ltd Direction indicator switches

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU459024B2 (en) 1975-03-13
DE2161531A1 (de) 1972-06-29
FR2117609A5 (de) 1972-07-21
JPS4712622A (de) 1972-06-26
GB1359477A (en) 1974-07-10
IT946254B (it) 1973-05-21
AU3615571A (en) 1973-05-31
DE2161531C3 (de) 1979-07-12
ES175477Y (es) 1972-11-16
DE2161531B2 (de) 1978-11-09
ES175477U (es) 1972-06-16

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