Multifunctional switch with indicator

• US 7,141,748 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
• Original Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaka, Kazumasa, Kikuya, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/037,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20050224322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/5.R, 200/11.R, 200/14, 200/17, 200/18, 200/566, 200/310
• US Class Current: 200/310
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/038 Preselection, i.e. the output of a switch depends on a particular preselection, e.g. a particular position of another switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

Abstract

A multifunctional switch with an indicator for selecting and switching a plurality of functions is disclosed. The multifunctional switch is provided with a dial knob capable of being pushed in an axial direction and rotated; a window formed at a center of the dial knob; an indicator configured to indicate a selected function; an indicator support configured to support the indicator and disposed at a rear of the dial knob, the dial knob being rotatably fitted on the indicator support and movable with the indicator support In the axial direction; and means for anti-rotation of the indicator support.

Claims

1. A multifunctional switch with an indicator for selecting and switching a plurality of functions, the multifunctional switch comprising:

a dial knob capable of being pushed in an axial direction and rotated;

a window formed at a center of the dial knob;

an indicator configured to indicate a selected function;

an indicator support configured to support the indicator and disposed at a rear of the dial knob, the dial knob being rotatably fitted on the indicator support and movable with the indicator support in the axial direction; and

means for anti-rotation of the indicator support.

2. The multifunctional switch of claim 1, further comprising

a first tact switch including repulsive means so as to support and urge the indicator support toward the dial knob.

3. The multifunctional switch of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more second tact switches disposed around the dial knob; and

an indicia plate indicating the functions of the one or more second tact switches, the indicia plate being interposed between the indicator and the dial knob.

4. The multifunctional switch of claim 1, wherein the means for anti-rotation of the indicator support comprises a combination of one or more rails and one or more slots.