Turn signal switch for vehicle

• US 7,332,684 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TOYO Denso Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TOYO Denso Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakamura, Takashi, Tozuka, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US11/700,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/5.R, 200/18, 200/336, 200/329, 200/61.27, 200/61.85, 200/332.2
• US Class Current: 200/61.27
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/05 Direction indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/056 characterised by control means
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/16 Arrangement of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/02 hand actuated arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14

Abstract

A turn signal switch for a vehicle includes: a resiliently urging means provided between a switch operating element and a switch case so as to urge the switch operating element toward a neutral position and a returned position. The resiliently urging means includes: a return plate having a guide recess which is provided at one end and against which abuts a first pin provided on the switch operating element, the return plate being slidably supported on the switch case; a pair of return springs exhibiting spring forces for urging the return plate in a direction to bring the pin into abutment against the guide recess. The guide recess is curved into a substantially triangular shape, and includes a valley and return cam faces on opposite sides of the valley. The return springs are provided on opposite sides of the valley and between the return plate and the switch case. Thus, it is possible to reduce the length of the turn signal switch in the direction of push-in/return of the switch operating element.

Claims

1. A turn signal switch for a vehicle, comprising:

a switch case;

a pivot provided in the switch case;

a switch operating element whose portion protrudes into the switch case, and which is supported by the pivot so that the switch operating element can be pushed-in and returned between a pushed-in position and a returned position which are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the pivot, and so that, in the returned position, the switch operating element can be swung about the axis of the pivot among a neutral position, and a left-turn indicating position and a right-turn indicating position on opposite sides of the neutral position;

a resiliently urging means provided between the switch case and the switch operating element so as to urge the switch operating element toward the neutral position and the returned position; and

a switch mechanism operatively connected to the switch operating element, and adapted to close a left-turn indicating circuit or a right-turn indicating circuit in response to swinging of the switch operating element to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position when the switch operating element is in the returned position, and adapted to open the left-turn or right-turn indicating circuit in response to movement of the switch operating element from the returned position to the pushed-in position,

wherein the resiliently urging means includes;

a return plate having a guide recess which is provided at one end and against which abuts a first pin provided on the switch operating element, the return plate being supported on the switch case so that the return plate can slide in a direction parallel to directions to push-in and return the switch operating element; and

a pair of return springs provided between the return plate and the switch case to exhibit spring forces for urging the return plate in a direction to bring the pin into abutment against the guide recess,

wherein the guide recess is curved into a substantially triangular shape, and includes;

a valley against which the pin is brought into abutment in a state in which the switch operating element is in the neutral position; and

return cam faces provided on opposite sides of the valley, and inclined so that the pin is brought into abutment against the return cam faces in response to the swinging of the switch operating element to the left-turn and right-turn indicating positions, and

wherein the return springs are provided on the opposite sides of the valley and between the return plate and the switch case.

2. A turn signal switch for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the switch mechanism includes a stationary contact base having a plurality of stationary contacts and fixedly disposed within the switch case, and a movable contact holder having a plurality of movable contacts and disposed to face the stationary contact base so that states of conduction contact of the movable contacts with the plurality of stationary contacts are changed in response to the swinging of the switch operating element;

and the movable contact holder is integrally provided with a cover portion so as to cover from above a region between opposed surfaces of the movable contact holder and the stationary contact base when at least both the left-turn and right-turn indicating circuits are opened.

3. A turn signal switch for a vehicle, comprising:

a switch case;

a pivot provided in the switch case;

a switch operating element whose portion protrudes into the switch case, and which is supported by the pivot so that the switch operating element can be pushed-in and returned between a pushed-in position and a returned position which are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the pivot, and so that, in the returned position, the switch operating element can be swung about the axis of the pivot among a neutral position, and a left-turn indicating position and a right-turn indicating position on opposite sides of the neutral position;

a resiliently urging means provided between the switch case and the switch operating element so as to urge the switch operating element toward the neutral position and the returned position; and

a switch mechanism operatively connected to the switch operating element, and adapted to close a left-turn indicating circuit or a right-turn indicating circuit in response to swinging of the switch operating element to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position when the switch operating element is in the returned position, and adapted to open the left-turn or right-turn indicating circuit in response to movement of the switch operating element from the returned position to the pushed-in position,

wherein the resiliently urging means and the switch mechanism are disposed within the switch case with the switching operating element interposed therebetween.

4. A turn signal switch for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the switch operating element includes a first pin protruding out of one surface of the switch operating element, and a second pin protruding out of the other surface of the switch operating element at a position more spaced apart from the pivot as compared with the first pin;

the resiliently urging means is disposed on one side of the switch operating element so as to apply to the first pin a resiliently urging force for urging the first pin toward the neutral position and the returned position; and

a movable contact holder constituting a portion of the switch mechanism and having a plurality of movable contacts is operatively connected to the second pin so that the movable contact holder slides among the neutral position and the left-turn and right-turn indicating positions on the opposite sides of the neutral position, in response to the swinging of the switch operating element.