Electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle
First Claim
1. In combination, an electrical switch and a steering column, said combination comprising:
- first conductive means for conducting electric current;
second conductive means for conducting electric current;
a carrier linearly movable relative to said first and second conductive means;
contactor means riding upon said carrier operable for conducting electric current between said first and second conducting means, wherein a back and forth movement of said contactor means along a first direction causes telescoping movement of the steering column and a back and forth movement of said contactor means along a second direction causes tilting movement of the steering column;
a nonpivoting post oriented substantially normal to a plane defined by surfaces of said first and second conductive means;
a receptacle having at least one groove for engaging with a distal end of said post; and
said post and said receptacle assisting to align said carrier during movement.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes an actuator and a carrier movable to electrically actuate a steering column tilting device and a steering column telescoping device. A post and a receptacle assist to align the carrier during its linear switching movement. An actuator assembly is provided which includes a shaft, a partially spherical ball, a first set of crossed arms and a second set of crossed arms while a centering spring biases an actuator toward a centralized neutral position. A modularized electrical switch is also mechanically and electrically connected to a second circuit and housing in a single assembly motion.
49 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In combination, an electrical switch and a steering column, said combination comprising:
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first conductive means for conducting electric current; second conductive means for conducting electric current; a carrier linearly movable relative to said first and second conductive means; contactor means riding upon said carrier operable for conducting electric current between said first and second conducting means, wherein a back and forth movement of said contactor means along a first direction causes telescoping movement of the steering column and a back and forth movement of said contactor means along a second direction causes tilting movement of the steering column; a nonpivoting post oriented substantially normal to a plane defined by surfaces of said first and second conductive means; a receptacle having at least one groove for engaging with a distal end of said post; and said post and said receptacle assisting to align said carrier during movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electrical switch comprising an actuator, said actuator including:
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a shaft with an occupant accessible button on a first end thereof; a partially spherical ball joined to said shaft as a single, integral piece; a pedestal segment longitudinally extending as part of said single, integral piece from said ball opposite from said shaft; a first set of crossed arms projecting adjacent to said ball and transverse from said pedestal segment as part of said single, integral piece; and a second set of crossed arms projecting from said actuator in a substantially transverse manner. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrical switch comprising;
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contactor defined as a single stamped metallic member having a pair of bifurcated leaves flexibly projecting from a crotch; two sets of switch node pads, each of said sets divided between at least three distinct contact nodes; a first resistor electrically connected to a first of said contact nodes actuating a steering column tilt up signal; a second resistor electrically connected to a second of said contact nodes actuating a steering column tilt down signal; a third resistor electrically connected to a third of said contact nodes actuating a steering column telescopic extension signal; and a fourth resistor electrically connected to a fourth of said contact nodes actuating a steering column telescopic retraction signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. In combination, an electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle and a tilting and telescoping steering column, said electrical switch comprising:
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a longitudinally elongated actuator pivotable along a cross-like pattern, at least one substantially transversely oriented surface integrally projecting from a longitudinal portion of said actuator, said actuator further includes a partially spherical ball, a longitudinally elongated shaft extending from said ball, said at least one substantially transversely oriented surface projecting from a median longitudinal portion of said actuator; a centering spring biasing against said at least one surface of said actuator; contact nodes; a carrier linearly movable relative to said contact nodes, said carrier having at least one cradle movably engageable with said actuator; a pair of leaves of a contactor mounted to said carrier conducting electric current between said contact nodes; back and forth movement of said contactor along a first direction actuable causing telescoping movement of said steering column; back and forth movement of said contactor along a second direction actuable causing tilting movement of said steering column; a first resistor electrically connected to a first of said contact nodes selectively supplying a steering column tilt up signal; a second resistor electrically connected to a second of said contact nodes selectively supplying a steering column tilt down signal; a third resistor electrically connected to a third of said contact nodes selectively supplying a steering column telescopic extension signal; a fourth resistor electrically connected to a fourth of said contact nodes selectively supplying a steering column telescopic retraction signal; and an occupant accessible button mounted on said actuator for selectively operating said switch.
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Specification