Apparatus for retaining and aligning an electrical switch housing in a cast housing member

• US 6,069,332 A
• Filed: 10/10/1996
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Switches & Detection Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: ITT Automotive, Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Suchanek, Jurgen, Burr, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stright, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hayes, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US08/728,691
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 200/293, 200/296, 200/303, 200/61.54, 174/61, 174/63, 70/252
• US Class Current: 200/293
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/11 with indexing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/63 Contacts actuated by axial cams H01H19/6355 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/06 Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/02 Bases, casings, or covers accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B1/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45518 and distinct spring biasing component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/602 by separate spring

Abstract

An apparatus retains and aligns an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing. A switch housing supports the electrical switch and has at least one first aperture formed therein. The steering column housing slidably receives the switch housing therein, and the steering column housing has at least one second aperture formed therein. At least one locking member is engagable within the first aperture and is moveable between a first position retracted within the aperture and a second position extended outwardly with respect to the first aperture. The locking member engages within the second aperture when the switch housing is slidably engaged and fully seated within the steering column housing and holds the switch housing with respect to the steering column housing when engaged within the second aperture. A biasing member urges the locking member toward the second position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for retaining and aligning an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing comprising:

switch housing means for supporting said electrical switch and having at least one first aperture;

said steering column housing for slidably receiving the switch housing means therein, said steering column housing having at least one second aperture;

locking means reciprocally engageable within said first aperture and moveable longitudinally along a fixed path between a first position retracted within said first aperture and a second position extended outwardly with respect to said first aperture, said locking means nonrotatable about said fixed path to present a consistent leading surface and a consistent trailing surface during insertion of said switch housing means within said steering column housing, said locking means for engaging within said second aperture when said switch housing means is slidably engaged and fully seated within said steering column housing and for holding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing with said trailing surface; and

biasing means for urging said locking means toward said second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

said locking means having a first ramp surface formed thereon defining said trailing surface during insertion of said switch housing means within said steering column housing, said first ramp surface disposed for engagement with said steering column housing to resist removal forces and maintain minimum clearances in cooperation with said steering column housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

said first ramp surface disposed at an angle with respect to a side wall of said locking means, wherein said angle is between 30° and

45°

inclusive.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

said steering column housing having an inclined surface thereon, said inclined surface having at least one edge engageable with said trailing surface of said locking means for operably locking said switch housing means against dislodging movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

said at least one edge of said inclined surface engageable with said trailing surface to hold said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing when said switch housing means is fully seated with respect to said steering column housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

said locking means having a second ramp surface formed thereon defining said leading surface during insertion of said switch housing means into said steering column housing, and said first ramp surface defining said trailing surface of said locking means during insertion of said switch housing means into said steering column housing; and

said at least one edge of said inclined surface engageable with said second ramp surface during insertion of said switch housing means slidably within said steering column housing for reciprocating said locking means toward said retracted position against said urging of said biasing means.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

said inclined surface disposed at an angle with respect to a side wall defining said second aperture for receiving said locking means, wherein said angle is between 45° and

60°

inclusive.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

guide means for guiding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing during insertion therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said guide means further comprises:

said switch housing means having at least one guide rail disposed thereon; and

said steering column housing having at least one complementary guide slot formed therein for receiving said guide rail during insertion therein, said second aperture formed in a side wall defining said at least one guide slot.

10. An apparatus for retaining and aligning an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing comprising:

switch housing means for supporting said electrical switch and having at least one first aperture with a noncircular periphery;

said steering column housing for slidably receiving the switch housing means therein, said steering column housing having at least one second aperture;

guide means for guiding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing during insertion therein;

locking means having a complementary shaped periphery reciprocally engageable within said first aperture preventing rotation of said locking means with respect to said first aperture while maintaining a predetermined orientation during reciprocal movement longitudinally along a fixed path between a first position retracted within said first aperture and a second position extended outwardly with respect to said first aperture, said locking means nonrotatable about said fixed path to present a consistent leading surface and a consistent trailing surface during insertion of said switch housing means within said steering column housing, said locking means for engaging within said second aperture when said switch housing means is slidably engaged and fully seated within said steering column housing and for holding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing with said trailing surface; and

biasing means for urging said locking means toward said second position.

11. An apparatus for retaining and aligning an electrical ignition switch of a motor vehicle with respect to a steering column housing comprising:

switch housing means for supporting said electrical switch and having at least one first aperture;

said steering column housing for slidably receiving the switch housing means therein, said steering column housing having at least one second aperture;

guide means for guiding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing during insertion therein, wherein the guide means further includes said switch housing means having at least one guide rail disposed thereon, said first aperture formed in said at least one guide rail, and said steering column housing having at least one complementary guide slot formed therein for receiving said guide rail during insertion therein, said second aperture formed in a side wall defining said at least one guide slot;

locking means engageable within said first aperture and moveable between a first position retracted within said first aperture and a second position extended outwardly with respect to said first aperture, said locking means for engaging within said second aperture when said switch housing means is slidably engaged and fully seated within said steering column housing and for holding said switch housing means with respect to said steering column housing; and

biasing means for urging said locking means toward said second position.