Patent ID: 6300852
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B60Q,H01H

Abstract:
A stalk switch comprising: a housing having a V-shaped cam surface in cross section; a control lever rotatably supported on the housing; a driving member movably held by the control lever; a first elastic member to urge the driving member in a direction to press into contact with the cam surface; a stopper member disposed so as to be set in and out of a valley of the cam surface, a second elastic member to urge the stopper member in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first elastic member urges the driving member, the second elastic member urging the driving member with a force smaller than a force of the first elastic member urging the driving member; an electromagnet capable of attracting an attraction member provided on the stopper member; and a position detector to detect a rotational operation of the control lever from a neutral position to an operating position;wherein electric current is passed through a coil of the electromagnet by detecting signals from the position detector, and the electromagnet attracts the attraction member to hold the stopper member in a projected state during the passage of electric current, whereby the stopper member latches the driving member in the operating position; andwherein the driving member presses in the stopper member by the force of the first elastic member and against the force of the second elastic member when electric current is not passed through the coil.