Control mechanisms for automotive heating and air conditioning systems

• US 4,667,068 A
• Filed: 06/04/1986
• Issued: 05/19/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Indak Manufacturing Corp.
• Original Assignee: Indak Manufacturing Corp.
• Inventors: Cummings, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US06/870,438
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.86, 200/16 C, 200/291, 137/353
• US Class Current: 200/61.86
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0065 Control members, e.g. levers or knobs B60H1/00985 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6888 Dash
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18888 Reciprocating to or from oscillating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

A function selector knob is pivotally mounted on a function control lever which is pivotally and slidably supported by first pivot means. A pin and slot connection is provided between the lever and a vacuum electric selector switch. A convertible detent mechanism is provided for detaining the lever in either of two sets of detent positions, such sets having different numbers of positions, such as seven and five positions. Such convertible detent mechanism comprises a reversible detent carriage which is pivotally connected to the lever and is slidable along a guide channel having first and second sets of detent recesses on opposite sides thereof. The detent carriage has a detent ball or other member which is offset toward one side of the carriage, whereby the detent carriage is reversible between a first position, in which the detent member encounters the first set of detent recesses, and a second position, in which the detent carriage encounters the second set of detent recesses. Different function switches having different numbers of positions can thus be accommodated.

Claims

1. A control switch mechanism for automotive air environment regulating systems, such mechanism comprising

a control switch having a plurality of control positions,

a manually operable control member movable along a predetermined path,

means forming an operating connection between such control member and such control switch, and

a convertible detent mechanism for detaining such control member in either of two sets of established positions,

such convertible detent mechanism comprising a guide formation extending along the path of the control member,

a detent carriage reversibly interfitting with such guide formation and slidable therealong,

such guide formation having a first set of detent elements distributed in a first sequence along one side of such guide formation,

such guide formation having a second set of detent elements distributed in a second sequence along an opposite side of such guide formation,

such detent carriage being reversibly connected to such control member for movement therewith along its path,

such detent carriage having a detent member thereon offset toward one side of such detent carriage,

such detent carriage being reversible relative to such detent formation between first and second positions in which such detent member is offset in opposite directions,

such detent member when in such first position being operative to encounter such first detent elements and to be successively detained by such first detent elements,

such detent member when in such second position being operative to encounter such second detent elements and to be detailed by such second detent elements,

the number of such first detent elements in such first sequence being different from the number of such second detent elements in such second sequence,

whereby such detent carriage is reversible to match the number of detent positions required by such control switch.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1,

in which such guide formation takes the form of a guide channel, and

such detent carriage takes the form of a detent block reversibly and slidably received in such channel.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2,

such first set of detent elements taking the form of first detent recesses distributed along such one side of such guide channel,

such second set of detent elements taking the form of second detent recesses distributed along such opposite side of such guide channel,

such detent member being receivable and detainable in such detent recesses.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3,

such detent member taking the form of a detent ball,

such detent block having an opening for receiving such detent ball,

such opening boing offset toward one side of such detent block,

such detent block having a spring in such opening for biasing such detent ball into a position with such ball projecting from such block for detainable reception in such detent recesses.

5. A control switch mechanism for automotive air environment regulating systems,

such mechanism comprising, a control switch having a plurality of control positions,

a manually operable control lever movable along a predetermined path,

such lever having a rear portion with a pivot slot therein,

pivot means extending through such pivot slot and supporting such rear portion for a combination of pivotal and sliding movement,

means forming an operating connection between such control lever and such control switch, and

a convertible detent mechanism for detaining such control lever in either of two sets of established positions,

such convertible detent mechanism comprising a guide channel extending along the path of the control lever adjacent a front portion thereof,

a detent carriage reversibly received in such guide channel and slidable therealong,

a pivotal connection between such detent carriage and the front portion of such control lever whereby such carriage is reversibly connected to such control lever for movement therewith along its path,

such guide channel having a first set of detent elements distributed in a first sequence along one side of such guide channel,

such guide channel having a second set of detent elements distributed in a socond sequence along an opposite side of such guide channel,

such detent carriage having a detent member thereon offset toward one side of such detent carriage,

such detent carriage being reversible relative to such guide channel between first and second positions in which such detent member is offset in opposite directions,

such detent member when in such first position being operative to encounter such first detent elements and to be successively detained by such first detent elements,

such detent member when in such second position being operative to encounter such second detent elements and to be detained by such second detent elements,

the number of such first detent elements in such first sequence being different from the number of such second detent elements in such second sequence,

whereby such detent carriage is reversible to match the number of detent positions required by such control switch.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5,

in which such detent carriage takes the form of a detent block reversibly and slidably received in such channel,

such first set of detent elements taking the form of first detent recesses distributed along such one side of such guide channel,

such second set of detent elements taking the form of second detent recesses distributed along such opposite side of such guide channel,

such detent member being receivable and detainable in such detent recesses.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6,

such detent member taking the form of a detent ball,

such detent block having an opening therein for movably receiving such detent ball,

such opening being offset toward one side of such detent block,

such detent block having a spring in such opening for biasing such detent ball into a position projecting from such detect block for detainable reception in such detent recesses.

8. A mechanism according to claim 5,

in which such operating connection takes the form of a pin and slot connection allowing for the sliding movement of such control lever.