Multi-circuit switch apparatus

• US 4,471,180 A
• Filed: 05/19/1983
• Issued: 09/11/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Auto OOO (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Allen K., Jones, Billy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cusick, Ernest G.
• Application Number:
  US06/496,085
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 200/67 F, 200/67 G, 200/68, 200/153 A, 200/340, 200/61.45 M, 200/6 R, 200/67 PK, 335/188, 335/205-208
• US Class Current: 200/404
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/343 Manually actuated switching arrangements therefor hand actuated multifunction switches B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/048 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 5/02 Energy stored by the attraction or repulsion of magnetic parts

Abstract

Electrical multi-circuit switch apparatus includes a flat flux plate and a pyramid-shaped magnet having a base and three or more triangular faces defining intersecting edges, outer edges and an apex. The flux plate is fixed in a molded base in a depression with substantially vertical walls and electrical terminals having portions on said walls. The magnet carries spring arm contacts on its outer edges and is free to rotate, with respect to the flux plate, about whichever intersecting edge contacts the flux plate between stable positions in each of which one of said faces abuts the flux plate for maximum magnetic attraction. The movement is initiated by a downward force at a predetermined location on the base of the magnet and occurs with a magnetic snap action, moving said spring arm contacts in a vertical rocking motion to change the electrical connections between said terminals in a predetermined manner. The apparatus is shown in an automotive exterior lamp control.

Claims

1. Electrical multi-circuit switch apparatus comprising, in combination:

a magnetic pyramid member having three or more triangular sides defining an equivalent number of intersecting edges and an apex;

a magnetic plate member abutting said pyramid member and magnetically attracted thereto, said pyramid and plate members being adapted to pivot relative to each other about said intersecting edges among a plurality of different positions in each of which a substantial portion of said plate member abuts one of the triangular sides of the pyramid member to maximize the magnetic attraction therebetween;

a plurality of electrical contacts stationary with respect to each side of one of said pyramid and plate members and spaced therefrom;

a plurality of contact members carried by the other of said pyramid and plate members and adapted to engage selected different combinations of said contacts stationary with respect to the one of said pyramid and plate members in the different positions of said members; and

actuating means adapted to move said members about said apex from one of said positions to another by applying a force tending to bring the surfaces associated with the desired position together, whereby the switch mechanism moves positively with a magnetic snap action.

2. Electrical multi-circuit switch apparatus comprising, in combination:

a magnetic pyramid member having a base and three or more triangular sides defining an apex and intersecting edges, each of said sides having a substantially straight outer edge;

magnetic plate member having a substantially straight outer edge corresponding to each outer edge of the pyramid member, the pyramid and plate members being adapted to pivot relative to each other about said intersecting edges among a plurality of positions in each of which a substantial portion of said plate member abuts one of the triangular sides of the pyramid member to maximize the magnetic attraction therebetween and in which corresponding edges of said pyramid and plate members remain corresponding;

a plurality of electrical contacts stationary with respect to each edge of said magnetic plate member and having portions in a plane substantially parallel to said edge and spaced therefrom;

one or more spring arms carried on each edge of the pyramid member, said spring arms comprising electrical contacts adapted to move in said planes and engage predetermined ones of said stationary contacts in predetermined combinations as the magnetic pyramid and plate members are relatively moved among said positions; and

actuating means adapted to move said pyramid member to a predetermined position with respect to said plate member by applying a force to said pyramid member base at a point opposite the one of the triangular sides abutting the plate member in said position, the force being sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the pyramid and plate members in the position from which they are to be moved, whereby such movement occurs with a magnetic snap action.

3. Electrical multi-circuit switch apparatus comprising, in combination:

a molded base having a flat-bottomed depression with N substantially vertical sides, where N is three or more;

a magnetic plate member affixed to said flat bottom;

a plurality of electrical terminals associated with each of said sides, at least two of said terminals of each side having portions horizontally separated on said side;

a magnetic pyramid member having a base and N traingular faces, said faces defining N intersecting edges, N outer edges and an apex, said pyramid member being situated with said apex adjacent said plate member and being adapted to pivot about whichever of said intersecting edges contacts said plate member among N stable positions in each of which one of said triangular faces abuts the plate member for maximum magnetic attraction therebetween;

electrically conducting spring arm apparatus carried by each outer edge, each said spring arm apparatus carrying at least two electrical contacts spring biased against one of said depression sides and adapted to make and break contact between the terminal portions on said side in a predetermined manner by vertical rocking movement as the pyramid member is moved among its stable positions; and

actuating means effective to apply downward force on the base of said pyramid member in any of N locations, each said location being vertically above one of said faces so that the downward force tends to move the adjacent face toward the plate member to pivot said pyramid member about one of said intersecting edges into a new stable position with a snap action.