Multiple detent switch

• US 6,914,201 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Swisher, William F., Van Vooren, Gregory P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/721,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20050109591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1.B, 200/4, 200/6.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/339, 200/553
• US Class Current: 200/1.00B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/003 with more than one electrically distinguishable condition in one or both positions

Abstract

A multifunctional switch for any automobile application having a need for a multiple detent switch. The switch includes a button that is moveably connected to a base. The switch includes a first lever connected to the button at a point of the first lever that is closer to a first end of the first lever than a second end of the first lever. The switch also includes a first tactile bridge fixed to the base. The first tactile bridge is adapted to be contacted by the first end of the first lever and thereby close a first switch. The switch further includes a second tactile bridge fixed to the base. The second tactile bridge is adapted to be contacted by the second end of the first lever and thereby close a second switch.

Claims

1. A switch comprising:

a button moveably connected to a base;

a first lever rotatable connected to the button at a point of the first lever that is closer to a first end of the first lever than a second end of the first lever;

a first tactile bridge fixed to the base, the first tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the first end of the first lever and thereby close a first switch; and

a second tactile bridge fixed to the base, the second tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the second end of the first lever and thereby close a second switch.

2. The switch of claim 1, wherein the button is rotatably connected to the base.

3. The switch of claim 1, wherein the button is connected to a pivot fixed to the base, and wherein the first end of the first lever is positioned to face towards the pivot.

4. The switch of claim 1, wherein the button is connected to a pivot fixed to the base, and wherein the second end of the first lever is positioned to face towards the pivot.

5. The switch of claim 1, wherein the point of the first lever is located at a distance that is at least twice as close to the first end of the first lever than the second end of the first lever.

6. The switch of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile bridges are metal pieces formed so as to deform in a predefined manner upon a force applied to the first and second tactile bridges.

7. The switch of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile bridges are metal pieces formed so as to return to a predefined shape upon a release of a force applied to the first and second tactile bridges.

8. The switch of claim 1, which includes a second lever attached to the button at a point of the second lever that is closer to a first end of the second lever than a second end of the second lever.

9. The switch of claim 8, which includes a third tactile bridge fixed to the base, the third tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the first end of the second lever and thereby close a third switch.

10. The switch of claim 9, which includes a fourth tactile bridge fixed to the base, the fourth tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the second end of the second lever and thereby close a fourth switch.

11. The switch of claim 8, wherein the second lever is rotatably attached to the button.

12. A multiple detent switch comprising:

a button connected to a button pivot attached to a base;

a first lever connected to a first pivot fixed to the button, the first lever including a first and second end, wherein the first pivot is closer to one of the first or the second ends of the first lever, and the first lever is adapted to close a plurality of switches that are fixed to the base; and

a second lever connected to a second pivot fixed to the button, the second lever including a first and a second end, wherein the second pivot is closer to one of the first or the second end of the second lever, and the second lever is adapted to close a switch that is fixed to the base.

13. The multiple detent switch of claim 12, wherein the switches electrically communicate with connectors attached to leads, wherein the leads are adapted to electrically communicate with an external electrical device.

14. The multiple detent switch of claim 12, wherein the second lever is adapted to close a plurality of switches that are fixed to the base.

15. The multiple detent switch of claim 12, wherein the ends of the levers that are closer to the pivot are positioned to face towards the button pivot.

16. The multiple detent switch of claim 12, wherein the ends of the levers that are closer to the pivot are positioned to face away from the button pivot.

17. A method for enabling activation of functions in an automobile comprising the steps of:

providing a detent switch including a button to be installed in the automobile;

enabling a first switch to be closed by a first lever rotatably connected to the button in response to moving the button in a first direction a first distance; and

enabling a second switch to be closed by the first lever in response to moving the button in the first direction a second distance.

18. The method of claim 17, which includes the step of enabling a third switch to be closed by a second lever in response to moving the button in a second direction a first distance.

19. The method of claim 18, which includes the step of enabling a fourth switch to be closed by a second lever in response to moving the button in a second direction a second distance.

20. A switch comprising:

a button moveably connected to a base;

a first lever connected to the button at a point of the first lever that is closer to a first end of the first lever than a second end of the first lever,

a second lever attached to the button at a point of the second lever that is closer to a first end of the second lever than a second end of the second lever;

a first tactile bridge fixed to the base, the first tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the first end of the first lever and thereby close a first switch; and

a second tactile bridge fixed to the base, the second tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the second end of the first lever and thereby close a second switch.

21. The switch of claim 20, which includes a third tactile bridge fixed to the base, the third tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the first end of the second lever and thereby close a third switch.

22. The switch of claim 21, which includes a fourth tactile bridge fixed to the base, the fourth tactile bridge adapted to be contacted by the second end of the second lever and thereby close a fourth switch.

23. The switch of claim 20, wherein the second lever is rotatably attached to the button.