GB2077499A - Multi-position electric switch - Google Patents

Multi-position electric switch Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2077499A
GB2077499A GB8012863A GB8012863A GB2077499A GB 2077499 A GB2077499 A GB 2077499A GB 8012863 A GB8012863 A GB 8012863A GB 8012863 A GB8012863 A GB 8012863A GB 2077499 A GB2077499 A GB 2077499A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ratchet wheel
actuating
switch
engagement
actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8012863A
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GB2077499B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cosmocord Ltd
Original Assignee
Cosmocord Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cosmocord Ltd filed Critical Cosmocord Ltd
Priority to GB8012863A priority Critical patent/GB2077499B/en
Publication of GB2077499A publication Critical patent/GB2077499A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2077499B publication Critical patent/GB2077499B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/001—Thumb wheel switches
    • H01H19/003—Thumb wheel switches having a pushbutton actuator

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)

Abstract

The switch comprises a ratchet wheel 5 and a one piece actuator 10 which comprises actuating portions 13, 13a selectively independently reciprocatably movable into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 5 on operation of push buttons 14, 14a for selectively moving the ratchet wheel 5 in either sense, a biasing portion 15 basing the actuating portions 13, 13a out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 5 into rest positions, detent portions 18, 18a reciprocatably movable with the actuating portions 13, 13 and basing portions 19, 19a basing the detent portions 18, 18a into engagement with the ratchet wheel 5 for preventing rotation of the ratchet wheel 5 when the actuating portions 13, 13a are in their rest positions, each detent portion 18, 18a being movable against the bias of its biasing portion 19, 19a to allow the actuating portion 13, 13a associated with the other detent portion 18, 18a to rotate the ratchet wheel 5 a predetermined amount on reciprocating movement thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi-position electric switch This invention relates to a multi-position electric switch.
Such switches are known which comprise a housing, switch contact means and a switch position indicator mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel within the housing, and an actuating mechanism for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel in either sense and comprising separate actuating members mounted one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel for independent reciprocatable movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions by separate spring biasing means.
We have devised a switch in which a one-piece actuator is used instead of an actuating mechanism comprising separate components and it will be appreciated that this enables the cost of this part of the switch and the assembly time for the switch to be reduced.
Our invention includes a multi-position electric switch comprising a housing, switch contact means and a switch position indicator mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel within the housing, and an actuator for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel in either sense, said actuator comprising two actuating portions integrally connected with each other and with biasing means therefor, which actuating portions are arranged one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel for independent reciprocatable movevment into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions by said biasing means.
In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which shows a fragmentary view of a multi-position electric switch 1. The switch 1 comprises a housing 2, in which a switch position indicator in the form of a wheel 3 having indicia on its peripheral edge 4 corresponding to various switching positions is mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel 5, shown as integral with the indicator wheel 3, about a fixed shaft 6. The indicator wheel 3 carries switch contact means shown as comprising four contacts 7 arranged to contact printed circuit on the inner surface of a board (not shown) closing the housing and located thereon by pins 8 and snap fastening projections 9.A one-piece actuator 10 is provided for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel 5 in either sense to the various switching positions of the switch, the switching positions being indicated by the indicia on the edge 4 of the wheel 3 as viewed through a window 11 in the housing.
The actuator 10 is symmetrical about a longitudinally extending plane 12 extending through the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel 5 and comprises two actuating portions 13, 13a arranged one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel 5 for independent reciprocatable movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel by respective push buttons 14, which extend externally of the housing and are integral parts of the actuator 10. A portion 15 of the actuator interconnecting the actuating portions is resiliently deflectable about a fixed pivot 16 and provides biasing means for biasing the actuating portions 13, 1 3a out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions as indicated in the drawing in which abutments 17, 17a associated wih the push buttons engage the interior of the housing.On selective movement of either actuating portion from its rest position for engagement with the ratchet wheel 3 the portion 15 is deflected to provide a biasing force biasing the selected actuating portion back to its rest position as indicated by the deflection shown in chain-dotted line for such a selected movement of actuating portion 13 by push button 14.
The actuator also includes detent means comprising detent portions 18, 18a and biasing portions 19, 19a which bias the detent potions into engagement with the ratchet wheel 5 for preventing rotation of the ratchet wheel when the actuating portions 13, 13a are in their rest positions. The detent portions 18, 18a are located one on each side ofthe axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel and are each reciprocatably movable with the actuating portions 13, 13a on its respective side and movable transverse the direction of reciprocatable movement against the bias of its biasing portion.Thus, if push button 14 is operated to move actuating portion 13 into engagement with the ratchet wheel for rotating the same, detent portion 18 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and the other portion 18a is moved transversely against the bias of its biasing portion 19a buy a ratchet tooth 20 to allow the actuating portion 13 to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined amount corresponding to one tooth of the wheel 5. On release of the push button 14 actuating portion 13 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and detent portion 18 moves into engagementtherewith underthe bias of portion 15.
Thus, each operation and release of a push-button causes independent reciprocating movement of the actuating portion associated therewith to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined amount. Operation of push button 14 causes the ratchet wheel to be rotated in one sense and operation of the push button 14a causes the ratchet wheel to be rotated in the other sense.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the actuating portions 13, 13a, their biasing means 15, the detent portions 18, 18a, their biasing means 19, 19a and the push buttons 14, 1 4a are integrally formed to provide a single component, the actuator 10. The actuator is easily assembled in the switch - the push buttons 14, 14a are inserted in respective apertures in the housings and the biasing portion is located against the fixed pivot 16 - and is advantageously formed as an injection moulding.
1. Amulti-position electric switch comprising a
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Multi-position electric switch This invention relates to a multi-position electric switch. Such switches are known which comprise a housing, switch contact means and a switch position indicator mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel within the housing, and an actuating mechanism for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel in either sense and comprising separate actuating members mounted one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel for independent reciprocatable movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions by separate spring biasing means. We have devised a switch in which a one-piece actuator is used instead of an actuating mechanism comprising separate components and it will be appreciated that this enables the cost of this part of the switch and the assembly time for the switch to be reduced. Our invention includes a multi-position electric switch comprising a housing, switch contact means and a switch position indicator mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel within the housing, and an actuator for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel in either sense, said actuator comprising two actuating portions integrally connected with each other and with biasing means therefor, which actuating portions are arranged one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel for independent reciprocatable movevment into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions by said biasing means. In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which shows a fragmentary view of a multi-position electric switch 1. The switch 1 comprises a housing 2, in which a switch position indicator in the form of a wheel 3 having indicia on its peripheral edge 4 corresponding to various switching positions is mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel 5, shown as integral with the indicator wheel 3, about a fixed shaft 6. The indicator wheel 3 carries switch contact means shown as comprising four contacts 7 arranged to contact printed circuit on the inner surface of a board (not shown) closing the housing and located thereon by pins 8 and snap fastening projections 9.A one-piece actuator 10 is provided for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel 5 in either sense to the various switching positions of the switch, the switching positions being indicated by the indicia on the edge 4 of the wheel 3 as viewed through a window 11 in the housing. The actuator 10 is symmetrical about a longitudinally extending plane 12 extending through the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel 5 and comprises two actuating portions 13, 13a arranged one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel 5 for independent reciprocatable movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel by respective push buttons 14, which extend externally of the housing and are integral parts of the actuator 10. A portion 15 of the actuator interconnecting the actuating portions is resiliently deflectable about a fixed pivot 16 and provides biasing means for biasing the actuating portions 13, 1 3a out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions as indicated in the drawing in which abutments 17, 17a associated wih the push buttons engage the interior of the housing.On selective movement of either actuating portion from its rest position for engagement with the ratchet wheel 3 the portion 15 is deflected to provide a biasing force biasing the selected actuating portion back to its rest position as indicated by the deflection shown in chain-dotted line for such a selected movement of actuating portion 13 by push button 14. The actuator also includes detent means comprising detent portions 18, 18a and biasing portions 19, 19a which bias the detent potions into engagement with the ratchet wheel 5 for preventing rotation of the ratchet wheel when the actuating portions 13, 13a are in their rest positions. The detent portions 18, 18a are located one on each side ofthe axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel and are each reciprocatably movable with the actuating portions 13, 13a on its respective side and movable transverse the direction of reciprocatable movement against the bias of its biasing portion.Thus, if push button 14 is operated to move actuating portion 13 into engagement with the ratchet wheel for rotating the same, detent portion 18 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and the other portion 18a is moved transversely against the bias of its biasing portion 19a buy a ratchet tooth 20 to allow the actuating portion 13 to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined amount corresponding to one tooth of the wheel 5. On release of the push button 14 actuating portion 13 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and detent portion 18 moves into engagementtherewith underthe bias of portion 15. Thus, each operation and release of a push-button causes independent reciprocating movement of the actuating portion associated therewith to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined amount. Operation of push button 14 causes the ratchet wheel to be rotated in one sense and operation of the push button 14a causes the ratchet wheel to be rotated in the other sense. Thus, it will be appreciated that the actuating portions 13, 13a, their biasing means 15, the detent portions 18, 18a, their biasing means 19, 19a and the push buttons 14, 1 4a are integrally formed to provide a single component, the actuator 10. The actuator is easily assembled in the switch - the push buttons 14, 14a are inserted in respective apertures in the housings and the biasing portion is located against the fixed pivot 16 - and is advantageously formed as an injection moulding. CLAIMS
1. Amulti-position electric switch comprising a housing, switch contact means and a switch position indicator mounted for rotation with a ratchet wheel within the housing, and an actuator for selectively rotating the ratchet wheel in either sense, said actuator comprising two actuating portions integrally connected with each other and with biasing means therefor, which actuating portions are arranged one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel for independent reciprocatable movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel into rest positions by said biasing means.
2. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator includes detent means and biasing means biasing said detent means into engagement with said ratchet wheel for preventing rotation thereof in either sense when said actuating portions are in their rest positions.
3. A switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detent means of said actuator comprise two detent portions one on each side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel and each reciprocatably movable with the actuating portion on its respective side for movement out of engagement with the ratchet wheel when that actuating portion is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel, each detent portion being movable transverse the direction of reciprocatable movement of the actuating portions against its biasing means to allow the actuating portion on the other side of the axis of rotation of the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined amount on reciprocating movement thereof.
4. A switch as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the biasing means for the actuating portionscom- prises a portion of the actuator interconnecting the actuating portions and resiliently deflectable about a fixed pivot in the housing on selective movement of either actuating portion from its rest position for engagement with the ratchet wheel.
5. A switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator includes two push buttons extending externally of the housing for effecting the independent reciprocating movement of respective ones of said actuating portions.
6. A switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator comprises a plastics injection moulding.
7. A multi-position electric switch substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8012863A 1980-04-18 1980-04-18 Multi-position electric switch Expired GB2077499B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8012863A GB2077499B (en) 1980-04-18 1980-04-18 Multi-position electric switch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8012863A GB2077499B (en) 1980-04-18 1980-04-18 Multi-position electric switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2077499A true GB2077499A (en) 1981-12-16
GB2077499B GB2077499B (en) 1983-12-14

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ID=10512871

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8012863A Expired GB2077499B (en) 1980-04-18 1980-04-18 Multi-position electric switch

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GB (1) GB2077499B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2531261A1 (en) * 1982-07-28 1984-02-03 Fm Atel Meca Precision MINIATURE ELECTRIC SWITCH
EP0167990A2 (en) * 1984-07-04 1986-01-15 OMRON Corporation Digital switch
EP0174499A2 (en) * 1984-08-10 1986-03-19 Alcatel SEL Aktiengesellschaft Key switch with a step-by-step switching device
FR2757997A1 (en) * 1996-12-31 1998-07-03 Valeo Vision Height adjustment mechanism for car headlight beam

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2531261A1 (en) * 1982-07-28 1984-02-03 Fm Atel Meca Precision MINIATURE ELECTRIC SWITCH
EP0100245A1 (en) * 1982-07-28 1984-02-08 Atelier De Mecanique De Precision F.M (Sarl) Miniature electric switch
US4503303A (en) * 1982-07-28 1985-03-05 Atelier De Mecanique De Precision F.M. Miniature electrical switch
EP0167990A2 (en) * 1984-07-04 1986-01-15 OMRON Corporation Digital switch
US4647732A (en) * 1984-07-04 1987-03-03 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Digital switch
EP0167990A3 (en) * 1984-07-04 1988-04-20 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Digital switch
EP0174499A2 (en) * 1984-08-10 1986-03-19 Alcatel SEL Aktiengesellschaft Key switch with a step-by-step switching device
EP0174499A3 (en) * 1984-08-10 1987-01-07 Alcatel SEL Aktiengesellschaft Key switch with a step-by-step switching device
FR2757997A1 (en) * 1996-12-31 1998-07-03 Valeo Vision Height adjustment mechanism for car headlight beam

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2077499B (en) 1983-12-14

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee