Abstract:
The invention relates to a steering column switch of a vehicle, comprising an inicator touch switch ( 4 ) and a wiper/washer touch switch ( 4 ) which are situated in a common housing ( 1 ), whereby each switch ( 4,5 ) is provided with a switch lever ( 17 ) which is mounted on a universal joint and impinged upon a rotating and sliding switching member ( 16 ), in addition to a carrier ( 12 ) having connecting contacts ( 13 ) and locking devices ( 23 ). Said switch lever ( 17 ), the rotating member ( 15 ) and a sliding-switch member ( 16 ), the carrier ( 12 ) and the locking device ( 23 ) of each switch ( 4, 5 ) are formed in an identical manner ( 4, 5 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The invention generally relates to electrical switches and more particularly relates to a steering column switch of a motor vehicle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    From DE-C-27 21 879, a steering column switch with a keyed blinker switch is known, whose switch lever for change-of-lane blinking or for direction indication to the right and to the left acts successively on one or two correlated keying switches. The switching state of the blinker switch is stored by means of an electronic holding device and the holding device is reset by means of an electronic resetting device. The switch lever is reset to a neutral position automatically, after its actuation, by a spring-loaded connecting bridge. This switch is used only as a blinker switch because of its limited functions and its limited moving capacity.  
           [0003]    Furthermore, wiper/washer switches for motor vehicles are known, whose switch levers for the front wiper functions are supported in a housing in such a way that they can swivel clockwise and counter-clockwise and for the front/washer and rear wiper/washer functions, the switch levers are supported so that they can swivel in and contrary to the direction of a dashboard. The switch functions can be carried out mechanically locking and keyed.  
           [0004]    Each of the previously explained switches has specific features with regard to its mechanics, which make their separate manufacturing necessary. In addition to a high manufacturing expense, the existence of these different switches also involves a high logistical expense with separate storage and separate handling during assembly. Furthermore, it is necessary to produce correspondingly different switches for motor vehicles steered on the right and on the left side.  
           [0005]    Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5 977 495 discloses a steering column switch for a motor vehicle with two switches with separate switch housings inserted into one housing, wherein the two switches have the same construction. In each switch housing, a switch lever is supported by a universal joint. The switch lever has switching contacts for action of stationary contacts on the switch housing side and can be locked at least in its upper and lower switching positions.  
           [0006]    It is the goal of the invention to produce a steering column switch of the type mentioned in the beginning, whose blinker and wiper/washer switches can be mutually exchanged, wherein the steering column switch can be manufactured at low cost due to a limited number of units.  
           [0007]    In accordance with the invention, the goal is attained in that the switch lever, the rotating switching element and sliding switching element, the carrier, and the locking devices of each switch are designed identically, and the carrier is essentially in the shape of a Z, wherein the leg facing the switch lever is used to guide the sliding switching element; the other leg is inserted into the housing and the bridge connecting the legs supports the rotating switching element.  
           [0008]    As a result of these measures, identical switch mechanics are available for the two switches, which can be produced in a correspondingly large number of units at a low cost. Also during the storage and assembly of the switches, they need not be separated according to their functions. Moreover, this ensures that different switches for motor vehicles steered on the left or right sides need not be manufactured and assembled. The switching functions are assigned to the switches with the identical switch mechanics in a so-called final assembly programming of the vehicle electronics. Moreover, the carrier represents an essential component to hold the sliding switching element and the rotating switching element. With the correlated switching elements, the carrier forms an assembly independent of the steering column switch, which can be assembled separately and if needed, can be replaced in a relatively simple manner.  
           [0009]    In order to secure an initial position of the switch lever, which is supported by a universal joint, and to ensure a desired switching feel when it is actuated, the carrier leg, which guides the sliding switching element, holds, in the middle, two spring-loaded, locking sleeves of the locking devices, which are above one another, wherein the upper locking sleeve works together with a locking curve in the foot of the switch lever and the lower locking sleeve, with a locking curve of the rotating switching element. Appropriately, each locking curve is designed in the shape of a V.  
           [0010]    For the support of the switch lever with a universal joint and the execution of the related switching functions, the rotating switching element is constructed in the form of an L, wherein the switch lever is set into the short leg in such a way that it can move by swiveling, and the long leg is supported in the carrier. Thus, the arrangement of additional supports for the switch lever are dispensed with, since corresponding support sites are integrated in the rotating switching element.  
           [0011]    According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the long leg of the rotating switching element has switching contacts, designed as contact springs, for the contacting of correlated contact tracks of the bridge of the carrier. The long leg of the rotating switching element is preferably provided with a recess into which the contact springs protrude. The contact springs are a component of a pressed screen, which is admitted into the rotating switching element. The manufacturing of the rotating switching element takes place with an injection molding method, in which the pressed screen is simultaneously injected, so that an additional assembly step is dispensed with.  
           [0012]    Appropriately, the contact springs are affixed on one side of the recess and provided, at their free ends, with a V-shaped bend, whose tip acts on the correlated contact track. This development secures a linear contacting of the corresponding contact track, wherein the tip of the contact springs lies, prestressed, on the contact track.  
           [0013]    According to an advantageous alternative refinement of the idea of the invention, an actuation device for the switching contacts, designed as microswitches, is connected with the long leg of the rotating switching element; the contacts are situated on the bridge of the carrier. The microswitch offers the advantage of an exact switching point, which is reached via the actuation device. To carry out various switching operations, either a corresponding programming of the vehicle electronics or the arrangement of a corresponding number of microswitches is necessary.  
           [0014]    The actuation device preferably comprises two spring arms for action on a microswitch, wherein the free end of each spring arm carries a boss, which works together with switching bosses of the rotating switching element. The actuation device secures a path-dependent action of the microswitches, in an interplay with the switching bosses of the rotating switching element. The signal of the first actuated microswitch is stored by the vehicle electronics and after the subsequent setting of a second signal, a switching operation is clearly identified by the vehicle electronics. After the storage of the second signal, other signals are stored by the vehicle electronics by the renewed action of one of the microswitches and corresponding switching operations are triggered.  
           [0015]    Advantageously, the short leg of the rotating switching element carries a support pin on the front side and the opposite side, wherein the front-side support pin meshes in a corresponding support borehole of the housing and the opposite support pin into a corresponding support borehole of the carrier. By means of this two-point support of the rotating switching element, a reliable mode of functioning of the rotating switching element is attained.  
           [0016]    According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sliding switching element has a recess for an actuation projection of the switch lever. Appropriately, the recess is designed in the shape of an elongated hole and is connected with a horizontal bridge of the sliding switching element. The arrangement of the actuation projection in the recess is the mechanical connection between the switch lever and the sliding switching element. Since the switch lever is supported by a Cardan joint, but the position of the sliding switching element is to change only in a swivel direction, the opening is designed in the shape of an elongated hole. During the swivel movement of the switch lever for the actuation of the rotating switching element, the actuation projection follows the longitudinal orientation of the elongated hole and there is no action of the sliding switching element. If the switch lever swivels, in an arbitrary position, perpendicular to the first swiveling movement, the actuation projection moves the sliding switching element from its position at rest.  
           [0017]    To carry out the related switching functions, the sliding switching element is appropriately provided with switching contacts, which are situated perpendicular to the recess and designed as contact arms; the contacts work together with correlated contact tracks of the corresponding leg of the carrier. The contact arms are, in turn, components of a pressed screen, injected into the sliding switching element.  
           [0018]    The blinker switch and the wiper/washer switch are preferably correlated to a common circuit board, which is connected with a vehicle power supply.  
           [0019]    Appropriately, the circuit board is provided with boreholes for the terminal contacts of the blinker switch and the wiper/washer switch. Thus, the number of supply lines of the vehicle power supply or the electronics to the switches is reduced and the vehicle electronics connected with the circuit board, which manage other switching functions correlated to the circuit board, have access to the functions of the two switches. Moreover, the insertion of the terminal contacts into the corresponding boreholes of the circuit board creates a fixing, which facilitates the electrical connection. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a steering column switch, in accordance with the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2, an enlarged representation of detail II according to FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 2;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4, a representation of the view in the direction of the arrow IV according to FIG. 3;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5, an enlarged representation of detail V according to FIG. 4; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6, an enlarged representation of detail V according to FIG. 4 in an alternative development. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    The steering column switch comprises a two-part housing  1 , which consists of a cover  2  and a carrier module  3  and holds a blinker switch  4  and a wiper/washer switch  5  with a correlated circuit board  6 . A transmission element  7  for controlling the functions of an airbag is inserted into the cover  2  of the housing  1 , on the side facing a steering wheel, which is not depicted and said housing is connected with the circuit board  6 . On its circumference, the cover  2  is provided with clip openings  8 , which enter into clip connections with corresponding clip arms  9  of the carrier module  3 . Moreover, the carrier module  3  comprises an opening  10  for an ignition lock and an affixing device  11  for the fixing of the steering column switch to a steering column jacket of the vehicle.  
         [0027]    The blinker switch  4  and the wiper/washer switch  5  are built identically and essentially consist of a carrier  12  with terminal contacts  13 , which mesh into corresponding boreholes  14  of the circuit board  6 , a rotating  15  and sliding switching element  16  and a switch lever  17 , supported by a universal joint. The switch lever  17  is constructed in two parts and consists of a foot  18  and a gripping element  19 , wherein the foot  18  and the gripping element  19  are mechanically connected with one another.  
         [0028]    The carrier  12  is essentially designed in the shape of a Z and holds, in the middle, two spring-loaded, locking sleeves  21 ,  22 , which are components of the locking devices  23  of the switch  4  or  5  and which are above one another, in the leg  20  facing the switch lever  17 . Moreover, domes  24  are shaped on the leg  20  of the carrier  12 , into which corresponding compressed springs are inserted, which act on the locking sleeves  21 ,  22 . Furthermore, the leg  20  has opposite grooves  25  to guide the sliding switching element  16  and contact tracks, which are not depicted.  
         [0029]    The second leg  26  of the carrier  12  is fixed in the carrier module  3  of the housing  1 . The leg  20 ,  26 -connecting bridge  27  comprises a shaped centering projection  28 , in the area of the leg  26 , which meshes into a corresponding recess  29  of the carrier module  3  and a support borehole  30  for the support of the rotating switching element  15 , which is admitted into the centering projection  28 . Furthermore, the terminal contacts  13  and switching contacts  32 , designed as microswitches  31 , are connected with the bridge  27 . In order to fix the microswitches  31  in a defined position, an opening  33  is formed in the bridge  27 , whose inside contour  34  corresponds to the outside contour  35  of the microswitches  31 , which are situated next to one another.  
         [0030]    An actuation device  36  with two spring arms  37  for the actuation of a microswitch  31  is located between the microswitches  31  and the essentially L-shaped rotating switching element  15 , which extends parallel to the bridge  27  of the carrier. The free end of each spring arm  37  is provided with a boss  38 , which works together with switching bosses  39 ,  40 ,  41 ,  42  of the rotating switching element  15 , wherein the switching bosses  39 ,  40 ,  41 ,  42  are correlated with a long leg  43  of the rotating switching element  15 . On its front side  44 , facing the leg  20  of the carrier  12 , the leg  43  of the rotating switching element  15  has a V-shaped locking curve  45 , which is a component of one of the locking devices  23  and which works together with the lower locking sleeve  22 .  
         [0031]    In an alternative development of the rotating switching element  15  of the switch  4  or  5 , the switching contacts  32  are correlated with the long leg  43  of the rotating switching element  15 . The switching contacts  32  are designed as contact springs  60  and act together with contact tracks in the bridge  27  of the carrier  12 , which are not depicted. The contact springs  60  protrude into a recess  61  of the leg  43  and are provided with a V-shaped bend  63  on their free ends  62 , whose tip  64  acts on the correlated contact track.  
         [0032]    The short leg  46  of the rotating switching element  15  comprises a support pin  48 ,  49 , shaped on the front side  47  and the opposite side, wherein the front-side support pin  48  meshes into a corresponding support borehole of the cover  2  of the housing  1  and the opposite support pin  49 , into the support borehole  30  of the carrier  12 . Moreover, an opening  50  is made in the short leg  46 , into which the foot  18  of the switch lever  16  is inserted in such a way that it can move by swiveling. In addition, the foot  18  has lateral axle pins  51 , which are supported in corresponding boreholes  52  of the leg  46 .  
         [0033]    Moreover, the foot  18  of the switch lever  16  comprises a V-shaped locking curve  54 , on its free end  53 , facing the leg  20  of the carrier  12 , with this curve working together with the upper locking sleeve  21 , and an actuation projection  55 , which acts on the sliding switching element  16 . The actuation projection  55  meshes into an elongated hole-shaped recess  56  of a horizontal bridge  57  of the sliding switching element  16 . The elongated hole-shaped formation of the recess  56  makes possible a swiveling of the switch lever  17  around the support pins  48 ,  49 , without the sliding switching element  16  being moved and at the same time, secures the movement of the sliding switching element  16  into the groove  25  of the leg  20  of the carrier  12  with a swiveling movement of the switch lever  17  around the axle pin  51 . By the interaction of the locking sleeve  21  with the locking curve  54  of the switch lever  17 , the switch lever is held in a middle position, wherein the sliding switching element  16  assumes an equivalent position. Switching contacts  59 , which are designed as contact arms  58 , are correlated with the sliding switching element  16 ; they run perpendicular to the recess  56  and work together with the contact tracks in the leg  20  of the carrier  12 .  
         [0034]    Below, the mode of functioning of the keyed blinker switch  4  is explained, wherein, the microswitches  31  are provided as switching contacts  32 . During the swivel movement of the switch lever  17  from the neutral position, in the direction of the arrow  65 , the switching boss  42  reaches the correlated boss  38  and moves the spring arm  37  of the actuation device  36  in the direction of the corresponding microswitch  31 , after whose actuation, the vehicle electronics receives a signal. This signal, which pre-sets the direction of the blinking, is stored and simultaneously triggers a change-of-lane blinking of the left blinking light. After the release of the switch lever, it swivels from the pertinent locking device  23 , and is guided back to its neutral position.  
         [0035]    If the switch lever  17  is swiveled over a threshold  66  of the locking curve  45 , in the direction of the arrow  65 , the microswitch  31  in the vehicle electronics, which is first actuated via the switching boss  42 , sets a signal for the direction of the blinking. The microswitch  31 , acted on subsequently by the switching boss  40 , brings about a continuous blinking of the left blinking light, controlled by the vehicle electronics, after the release of the switch lever  17 . The continuous blinking is ended by an electronic angle measurement device or by a swiveling of the switch lever  17  in the direction of the arrow  67 . The blinking to the right is triggered by the swiveling of the switch lever  17 , in the direction of the arrow  67 , wherein the switch contact  39  first acts on the correlated microswitch  31  for a direction indication or change-of-lane blinking, which can be stored in the vehicle electronics. After exceeding the threshold  65  of the locking curve  45 , the continuous blinking of the right blinking light begins, which is ended either by an electronic angle measurement device or by a swiveling of the switch lever  17 , in the direction of the arrow  65 .  
         [0036]    If the switch lever  17  is swiveled around the axle pin  51 , in the direction of the arrow  68 , a movement of the sliding switching element  16  in the opposite direction by the actuation projection  55 , inserted into the recess  56  of the sliding switch element  16 , occurs, wherein the contact arms  58 , in interplay with the corresponding contact tracks of the carrier  12 , trigger the headlight flasher of the motor vehicle via the vehicle electronics. The swiveling of the switch lever  17  in the direction of the arrow  69  results in the switching on of the full beam, controlled by the vehicle electronics, after a corresponding linear movement of the sliding switching element  16 . The switching off of the full beam occurs after the renewed swiveling of the switch lever  17 , in the direction of the arrow  69 , since in this way, the signal set in the vehicle electronics is reset.  
         [0037]    The mode of functioning of the keyed wiper/washer switch  5  is essentially equivalent to that of the blinker switch  4 . If the actuation of the rotating switching element  15  takes place by the swiveling of the switch lever  17 , in the direction of the arrow  70 , then a first stage of the front wiping functions, which is an interval wiping, is activated by the vehicle electronics. After releasing the switch lever  17 , the lever returns to its neutral position. The renewed, perhaps multiple actuation of the switch lever  17 , in the direction of the arrow  70 , brings about the activation of a next-higher or arbitrarily higher stage of the front wiping functions. The next-lower or an arbitrarily lower stage is attained by a one-time or multiple actuation of the switch lever in the direction of arrow  71 . In order to switch off the front wiping functions, the switch lever  17  is moved, in the direction of the arrow  71 , over the threshold  66  of the locking curve  44 , which results in a corresponding resetting of the vehicle electronics. The signal giving to the vehicle electronics occurs through the working together of the contact springs  60  of the rotating switching element  15  with the correlated contact tracks in the bridge  27  of the carrier  12 .  
         [0038]    To activate the front wiping/washing functions or the rear wiping/washing functions, the switching lever  17  is swiveled in the direction of arrow  72  or in the direction of arrow  73 , wherein an opposing movement of the sliding switching element  16  occurs with a corresponding signal giving to the vehicle electronics.  
         [0039]    To carry out other switching functions which are integrated in the switch lever  17 , the gripping element  19  has contact tracks  74 , exposed at the end inserted into the foot  18 ; these tracks work together, via a contact spring unit  75 , with contact tracks of the bridge  27  of the carrier  12 . The contact spring unit  75  is, on the one hand, supported in opposite elongated holes  76  of the foot  18  of the switch lever  17  and, on the other hand, in the rotating switching element  15 .  
         [0040]    Reference Symbol List  
         [0041]    [0041] 1  Housing  
         [0042]    [0042] 2  Cover  
         [0043]    [0043] 3  Carrier module  
         [0044]    [0044] 4  Blinker switch  
         [0045]    [0045] 5  Wiper/washer switch  
         [0046]    [0046] 6  Circuit board  
         [0047]    [0047] 7  Transmission element  
         [0048]    [0048] 8  Clip opening  
         [0049]    [0049] 9  Clip arm  
         [0050]    [0050] 10  Hole  
         [0051]    [0051] 11  Affixing device  
         [0052]    [0052] 12  Carrier  
         [0053]    [0053] 13  Terminal contact  
         [0054]    [0054] 14  Borehole  
         [0055]    [0055] 15  Rotating switching element  
         [0056]    [0056] 16  Sliding switching element  
         [0057]    [0057] 17  Switch lever  
         [0058]    [0058] 18  Foot  
         [0059]    [0059] 19  Gripping element  
         [0060]    [0060] 20  Leg  
         [0061]    [0061] 21  Locking sleeve  
         [0062]    [0062] 22  Locking sleeve  
         [0063]    [0063] 23  Locking devices  
         [0064]    [0064] 24  Dome  
         [0065]    [0065] 25  Groove  
         [0066]    [0066] 26  Leg  
         [0067]    [0067] 27  Bridge  
         [0068]    [0068] 28  Centering projection  
         [0069]    [0069] 29  Recess  
         [0070]    [0070] 30  Support borehole  
         [0071]    [0071] 31  Microswitch  
         [0072]    [0072] 32  Switching contact  
         [0073]    [0073] 33  Opening  
         [0074]    [0074] 34  Inside contour  
         [0075]    [0075] 35  Outside contour  
         [0076]    [0076] 36  Actuation device  
         [0077]    [0077] 37  Spring arm  
         [0078]    [0078] 38  Boss  
         [0079]    [0079] 39  Switching boss  
         [0080]    [0080] 40  Switching boss  
         [0081]    [0081] 41  Switching boss  
         [0082]    [0082] 42  Switching boss  
         [0083]    [0083] 43  Leg  
         [0084]    [0084] 44  Frontside  
         [0085]    [0085] 45  Locking curve  
         [0086]    [0086] 46  Leg  
         [0087]    [0087] 47  Front side  
         [0088]    [0088] 48  Support pin  
         [0089]    [0089] 49  Support pin  
         [0090]    [0090] 50  Opening  
         [0091]    [0091] 51  Axle pin  
         [0092]    [0092] 52  Borehole  
         [0093]    [0093] 53  End  
         [0094]    [0094] 54  Locking curve  
         [0095]    [0095] 55  Actuation projection  
         [0096]    [0096] 56  Recess  
         [0097]    [0097] 57  Bridge  
         [0098]    [0098] 58  Contact arm  
         [0099]    [0099] 59  Switching contact  
         [0100]    [0100] 60  Contact spring  
         [0101]    [0101] 61  Recess  
         [0102]    [0102] 62  End  
         [0103]    [0103] 63  Bend  
         [0104]    [0104] 64  Tip  
         [0105]    [0105] 65  Arrow  
         [0106]    [0106] 66  Threshold  
         [0107]    [0107] 67  Arrow  
         [0108]    [0108] 68  Arrow  
         [0109]    [0109] 69  Arrow  
         [0110]    [0110] 70  Arrow  
         [0111]    [0111] 71  Arrow  
         [0112]    [0112] 72  Arrow  
         [0113]    [0113] 73  Arrow  
         [0114]    [0114] 74  Contact track  
         [0115]    [0115] 75  Contact spring unit  
         [0116]    [0116] 76  Elongated hole