Steering column switch assembly

• US 3,892,932 A
• Filed: 02/25/1974
• Issued: 07/01/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herbert Erdelitsch, Walter Hecht
• Original Assignee: Herbert Erdelitsch, Walter Hecht
• Inventors: Erdelitsch, Herbert, Hecht, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/445,460
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4,61.27-61.38,61.54,293
• US Class Current: 200/61.27
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1461 Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights

Abstract

A switching device or unit includes a base plate which is mounted on an extension of the steering column of a motor vehicle. A first switch is mounted on the base plate and includes an actuator movable by a first lever in a first plane to selectively energize turn signal lamps and parking lamps. The operating lever is pivotally connected to the actuating member for movement in a second plane, perpendicular to the plane of movement of the actuating member, to select between the main or high beam and the dipped or low beam of the headlights, and further to flash the headlights as a courtesy signal. A second switch may be mounted in the unit above the first switch and includes a second actuating member and a second operating lever therefor, this second switch controlling the turning on and off the headlamps and the parking lamps. A stirrup-shape cover embraces the two switches and retains them on the base plate. If only the first switch is mounted in the unit, a shallower cover retains the first switch on the base plate.

Claims

1. A steering column switch, for a motor vehicle having a steering column, high beam and low beam headlamps, signal lamps, a flashing indicator, parking lamps, and side lamps, said steering column switch comprising, in combination, a switch mounting means arranged to be secured to said steering column, said mounting means defining a first switch compartment;

a first independently constructed switch device constructed and arranged for mounting in said first compartment and including a first switch lever mounted for movement in first and second mutually perpendicular planes, a first switch operable by movement of said first switch lever in said first plane and perpendicular to said second plane to select between high beam, low beam and flashing operation of said headlamps, and a switch operable by movement of said first switch lever in said second plane and perpendicular to said first plane to selectively connect said signal lamps to said flashing indicator and said parking lamps to a vehicle source of electric potential; and

cover means cooperable with said mounting means to define a second switch compartment adapted selectively to receive therein a second independently constructed switch device having a respective actuating member and operable to selectively connect said headlamps and said side lamps to the vehicle source of electric potential;

said coveR means, when said second switch device is mounted in said second compartment, embracing both said switch devices and said mounting means and, in the absence of said second switch device, embracing said first switch device and said mounting means.

2. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 1, in which said first switch device and said second switch device are arranged in superposition;

said actuating member of said second switch device being formed as a second switch lever shorter than said first switch lever and extending in alignment with the latter.

3. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 1, including connecting plates forming electrical connections between said first switch device and said second switch device, and formed, at least partially, as countercontacts.

4. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 1, in which said mounting means comprises a switch body of plastic composition material having an H-shaped cross section dividing it into a lower compartment and an upper compartment;

said first switch device being mounted in said lower compartment and said second switch device being mounted in said upper compartment;

said lower compartment having a base formed by a base plate having contact pins extending therethrough, connected to said first switch device and to said second switch device, and arranged for connection to the lamp circuits.

5. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 4, said cover means being a stirrup surrounding said switch body and mechanically interconnecting said base plate and said switch body.

6. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 5, in which said stirrup forms a cover plate for said upper compartment of said switch body.

7. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 4, in which said first switch device includes a switch member actuated by said first switch lever for movement parallel to said first plane which is parallel to the plane of said base plate;

said switch member being formed with respective recesses receiving a first contact bridge connected to said flashing indicator and a second contact bridge connected to the vehicle source of electric potential, for engagement of said first contact bridge with contacts connected to said signal lamps and for engagement of said second contact bridge with contacts connected to said parking lamps; and

resilient means biasing each contact bridge into firm engagement with its associated contacts.

8. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 7, in which said first switch lever is pivotally mounted in said switch member for movement in said second plane which is perpendicular to the plane of said base plate.

9. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 7, including an L-shaped switch element having one arm extending through an aperture in said base plate perpendicular to the plane of said base plate;

and a leaf spring contact forming part of a set of contacts for such selection between high beam, low beam and flashing operation of said head lamps;

said L-shaped switch element having a second arm interposed between said first switch lever and said leaf spring contact for operation of said leaf spring contact by movement of said first switch lever in said first plane.

10. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 9, in which said leaf spring contact is normally engaged with a contact for high beam operation of said head lamps and, upon movement of said first switch lever in said first plane, in one direction, is engaged with a second contact for low beam operation of said head lamps;

and further contact means closed by further movement of said first switch lever in said one direction for effecting flashing operation of said head lamps.

11. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 10, in which said further contact means comprises a second leaf-spring contact fixedly mounted at one end, having a contact at its free end engageable with a fixed contact connected to said first-mentioned leaf-spring contact, and a dielectric button intermediate its ends engageable by said first-mentioned leaf-spring contact upon such further movement of said first switch lever in said one direction.

12. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 7, in which said switch member of said first switch device is provided with a pin mounting the same for pivotal movement in said second plane;

said second switch lever of said second switch device being formed with a switch end forming an engaging member.

13. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 12, in which said engaging member of said second switch device is formed with a recess receiving a T-shaped resiliently mounted contact bridge having ends formed as contacts;

three counter-contacts mounted on the base of said upper compartment and operatively associated with said T-shaped contact bridge; and

plastic material pegs extending from the base of said upper compartment through two of said counter-contacts and on which two ends of said T-shaped contact bridge rest in the inoperative position of said second switch device.

14. A steering column switch, as claimed in claim 13, in which said engaging member of said second switch device is formed with further recesses for a further contact bridge effective to bridge two counter-contacts mounted in said switch body in one operative position of said second switch device.