Patent Publication Number: US-9902316-B2

Title: Steering-column switch unit for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle having a steering-column switch unit

Description:
The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit for a motor vehicle, having a driver part to which an actuating lever—which can be actuated by the vehicle driver—can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part has an arm which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis, in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body of the driver part, on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, which is attached for example to a printed circuit board. The steering-column switch unit also comprises a resetting device with a triggering element which is designed for automatically resetting the driver part, and thus the actuating lever, from the actuated position into the initial position. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle. 
     Resetting devices for steering-column switches—so-called turn indicator resetting means—already fall within the prior art. For example, document U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,022 B1 describes a resetting device of said type which has a triggering element in the form of a tongue or a finger which, as the steering wheel rotates, is driven along and then effects the resetting of the steering-column switch or of the actuating lever into its initial position. Here, said triggering element is on the one hand mounted so as to be pivotable; on the other hand, said triggering element is also mounted so as to be displaceable, specifically in a sliding direction, in which the triggering element is also arranged under the preload of a spring element. When the triggering element is driven along as the steering wheel rotates, the triggering element pushes the steering-column switch back into its initial position. 
     A resetting device for a steering-column switch is also known from document DE 694 14 867 T2. 
     A generic resetting device is also disclosed in DE 44 18 328 A1. Said resetting device additionally has a switch override protection means which, in a switch override situation—when the vehicle driver exerts a force on the steering-column switch as the steering wheel rotates back toward a centre position—permits a movement of the triggering element relative to the actuating lever and thus prevents destruction of the triggering element. Said switch override protection means generally comprises a switch override spring which deflects under the action of a certain force and thus prevents destruction of the resetting unit. 
     It is considered to be a disadvantage of the prior art that, owing to an arrangement of the resetting device—and in particular the triggering element—in a switch cover, two separate or multiple separate printed circuit boards are required for the electronic components. Specifically, the electrical contact element of the switch must be arranged spatially separate from a control unit on a separate printed circuit board. 
     It is an object of the invention to specify a solution with which, in the case of a steering-column switch unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, the available structural space can be saved, and in particular the use of separate printed circuit boards can be dispensed with. 
     Said object is achieved according to the invention by means of a steering-column switch unit and by means of a motor vehicle having the features of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent patent claims, the description and the figures. 
     A steering-column switch unit according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a driver part to which an actuating lever can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an initial position and an actuated position, specifically in particular relative to a steering column part in which the steering spindle is rotatably mounted. The driver part has an arm which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis and which points in particular in the direction of a steering spindle and which projects from a main body of the driver part, on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element. The steering-column switch unit furthermore has a resetting device with a triggering element which is designed for resetting the driver part, and thus the actuating lever, from the actuated position into the initial position. It is provided according to the invention that the triggering element is arranged on a side of the arm situated opposite the electrical contact element. 
     In other words, a core concept of the invention thus consists in that the electrical contact element is arranged on one side of the arm, whereas the resetting device, that is to say the triggering element of the resetting device, is arranged on the other side. Dual functionality of the arm of the driver part is thus realized, such that one and the same arm, at one side, bears the electrical contact element and, at the other side, also serves for example for guiding the triggering element of the resetting device. It is thus the case that the at least one contact element is arranged on one side, and the triggering element is preferably also arranged on the other side, of a common arm. By means of such a configuration of the driver part, use can be made of a common printed circuit board on which both the further contact element—that is to say a switch—and also the further electronic components, such as for example a control unit and the like, are arranged. There is no need to use additional printed circuit boards. This has the advantage in particular that the available structural space can be saved, and furthermore, the number of components can be reduced to a minimum, such that a robust and reliable steering-column switch unit can be realized. 
     Is preferable for a guide, in particular a slotted guide, for a peg of said triggering element to be formed on the arm, along which guide the peg can move during the movement of the actuating lever between the initial position and the actuated position. It is thus the case that one and the same arm performs two different functions: firstly the function of bearing the electrical contact element, and secondly also the function of guiding the resetting device. The use of further arms, with the associated disadvantages, is thus made superfluous. 
     The guide, in particular the slotted guide, is preferably formed on a side of the arm situated opposite the electrical contact element or facing away from the contact element. On that side of the contact element there is thus also adequate structural space available for further contact elements or for a printed circuit board. 
     The resetting device is preferably arranged on, or integrated into, a detent part which has a detent structure for the engagement of the actuating lever with detent action when said actuating lever is in its actuated position. In this way, the steering-column switch unit is particularly compact. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous for the steering-column switch unit to have a printed circuit board on which the further contact element is arranged. In this embodiment, the arm can be arranged between the printed circuit board at one side and the triggering element at the other side. In particular, in this case, the arm extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board and in particular also parallel to the triggering element of the resetting device, such that overall, a sandwich-type structure is created in which the arm of the driver part is arranged in an intermediate space between the printed circuit board at one side and the resetting device or the triggering element at the other side, and bridges the gap between the printed circuit board and the resetting device. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the printed circuit board can also wear electronic components for other steering-column switches, such that the printed circuit board is a common printed circuit board for multiple steering-column switches. 
     The arm thus projects from the main body of the driver part, specifically in particular in the direction of the steering spindle. The arm thus points in the direction of the steering spindle, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the driver part. Here, the arm preferably projects from a region of the main body which forms an outer edge of the main body as viewed along the pivot axis. Here, it is provided in particular that the arm terminates flush with the main body. The arm is in particular also of the plate-shaped form or in the form of a flat element. 
     As already stated, the resetting device has a triggering element by means of which the driver part can be moved from the actuated position into the initial position and which is mounted on an intermediate piece so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a rest position and a triggering position in which the driver part can be moved into the initial position. The triggering element may furthermore be mounted on the intermediate piece so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, and a spring element may be provided which is designed to generate a spring force which acts parallel to the sliding direction and with which the triggering element is arranged under preload on the intermediate piece. In particular, the triggering element extends perpendicular to the steering spindle and can be driven along as the steering wheel rotates, such that as the steering wheel rotates, the triggering element is pivoted and thus pushes the driver part from the actuated position into the initial position. A resetting movement of the driver part is thus possible in a technically simple and particularly reliable manner. 
     The intermediate piece preferably has a guide surface which is formed perpendicularly to the pivot axis and on which the triggering element is mounted or supported. Here, means may be provided which press the triggering element against the guide surface in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The triggering element can thus be arranged so as to bear against a guide surface of the intermediate piece, which guide surface is formed perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the triggering element, wherein pressing means may be provided by which the triggering element is pressed against the guide surface—that is to say in the direction parallel to the pivot axis. It is thus made possible for the triggering element to be arranged on the intermediate piece without play in the direction of the pivot axis. Specifically, it has been found that, with such an arrangement, no rattling noises are generated during the resetting of the actuating lever. It is achieved in this way that no disturbing noises are perceptible to the vehicle driver, whereby, in turn, the comfort of the vehicle driver when driving the motor vehicle is improved. 
     The stated means may be designed such that a spring force acts on the triggering element toward the guide surface, such that the spring force presses or preloads the triggering element against the guide surface. Said spring force may in particular be the spring force of the stated spring element, which has a force component in the direction parallel to the pivot axis of the triggering element and thus presses the triggering element against the guide surface. By means of a spring force, it is possible for tolerances to be compensated, such that it is made possible for the triggering element to be arranged or mounted on the intermediate piece without play at all times. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a slide element is mounted on the intermediate piece so as to be displaceable in the sliding direction, which slide element is supported at one side on a wall of the intermediate piece via the spring element and at the other side on the triggering element, such that the spring force of the spring element is exerted on the triggering element via the slide element, and thus the triggering element is arranged on the intermediate piece under preload in the sliding direction. By means of a slide element of said type, it is firstly possible for the preload of the triggering element in the sliding direction to be realized without a great deal of outlay and in a compact manner; secondly, it is also possible in this way for the triggering element to be pressed against the guide surface in an effective manner. 
     The slide element and/or the spring element are/is preferably a constituent part of the above-stated means by which the triggering element is pressed against the guide surface. 
     It is particularly preferable for the slide element to have a projection which projects perpendicular to the pivot axis and in the direction of the triggering element and which bears at least in regions against a side of the triggering element facing away from the guide surface and which presses the triggering element against the guide surface in the direction parallel to the pivot axis. By means of a projection of said type, it is possible for a force component of the spring element to be generated in the direction parallel to the pivot axis, such that the use of an additional spring element, with the associated disadvantages with regard to costs and structural space, is eliminated. The spring force of the spring element that is provided in any case can, by means of a projection of said type, be split into two force components, specifically a force component in the sliding direction and a force component in the direction parallel to the pivot axis. 
     It has proven to be advantageous here for the projection to have a supporting bevel on which the triggering element is supported. It is specifically then possible, without great outlay, to achieve that a force component of the spring element, which extends in the sliding direction, is generated in the direction parallel to the pivot axis and thus perpendicular to the sliding direction. Furthermore, the supporting bevel makes it possible for the respective face sides, which face one another, of the slide element on the one hand and of the triggering element on the other hand to be arranged with a small spacing to one another such that the spring force is transmitted to the triggering element via the supporting bevel—in particular exclusively via the supporting bevel. Said spring force then—as already stated—has a force component in the sliding direction and a force component perpendicular thereto, by means of which the triggering element is pressed against the guide surface. In particular, the supporting bevel runs at an angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the sliding direction or the pivot axis. 
     The slide element may extend through a passage opening that is formed in the intermediate piece, and the slide element may be mounted in a displaceable manner on a further guide surface of the intermediate piece, which further guide surface is formed on a side of the intermediate piece situated opposite the guide surface for the triggering element. It can be achieved in this way that the triggering element is, in effect, clamped between its guide surface at one side and the above-mentioned projection of the slide element at the other side, while the slide element engages behind the further guide surface through the passage opening of the intermediate piece. A stable and slippage-free arrangement of the slide element and of the triggering element on the intermediate piece is thus ensured. 
     The slide element and the triggering element preferably have respective face sides facing toward one another. One of the face sides, specifically in particular that of the slide element, preferably has a convex curvature, whereas the other face side preferably has a concave curvature. It may be provided here that the radius of the convex curvature is greater than or equal to the radius of the concave curvature. It can thus be achieved that the clacking noises during the resetting movement of the actuating lever into its initial position are reduced to a minimum. Specifically, it is possible in this way for the two face sides, which are preferably kept spaced apart to a small extent owing to the supporting bevel, to be prevented from coming into contact with one another, and generating a noise, during the resetting movement of the actuating lever. 
     In one embodiment, the triggering element has a tongue element which is of elongate form and which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis, in particular in the sliding direction, which tongue element is driven along during the steering return movement when exiting a bend, or during the rotation of the steering wheel, and moves the actuating lever of the steering-column switch into the initial position. A bearing part may project from the tongue element parallel to the pivot axis, via which bearing part the pivot axis runs and by means of which bearing part the triggering element is mounted on the intermediate piece. Said bearing part may be that which bears against the guide surface of the intermediate piece and which is thus pivotably mounted on the intermediate piece. Said bearing part is in particular formed in one piece with the tongue element. By means of such a design of the triggering element, it is possible to achieve a spatial separation between the tongue element on the one hand and the intermediate piece or the bearing part on the other hand, such that the intermediate piece itself may even be arranged with an arbitrary spacing to the tongue element, wherein this does not impair the correct functioning of the resetting device. 
     The guide surface for the triggering element is preferably formed on a side of the intermediate piece which faces away from the tongue element, and the intermediate piece preferably has a passage opening through which the bearing part extends and engages behind the guide surface. It is thus made possible for the triggering element to be arranged in a stable and rattle-free and/or play-free manner in the direction parallel to the pivot axis of the triggering element. 
     The steering-column switch unit preferably has a switch override protection unit with at least one switch override spring which, in a switch override situation, permits a movement of the intermediate piece relative to the actuating lever. A switch override protection unit of said type protects the resetting device, specifically in particular the triggering element, against damage. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous for the at least one switch override spring and the spring element to be arranged adjacent to one another in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. This means in particular that the switch override spring and the spring element are arranged at the same height such that a projection of the switch override spring in a direction perpendicular to its spring axis or perpendicular to the sliding direction exists on the spring element. In particular, the switch override spring and the spring element are arranged parallel and adjacent to one another. By contrast to the prior art—in which the spring element and the switch override spring are for example arranged in series or in an in-line configuration—this embodiment serves to realize a particularly short and compact arrangement of the two resilient elements, which offers advantages in particular with regard to tolerance compensation. The switch override spring and the spring element may in particular be arranged relative to one another such that at least a predominant part of the length of the spring element—in particular the entire spring element—overlaps the switch override spring in a direction perpendicular to the spring axis. 
     The switch override protection unit may be arranged on a detent part which has a detent structure for the engagement of the actuating lever with detent action when said actuating lever is in the actuated position. A particularly compact arrangement is created as a result of the integration of the switch override protection unit into the detent part. 
     A motor vehicle according to the invention has a steering-column switch unit according to the invention. The preferred embodiments discussed with regard to the steering-column switch unit according to the invention, and the advantages thereof, apply correspondingly to the motor vehicle according to the invention. 
     Further features of the invention will emerge from the claims, from the figures and from the description of the figures. All of the features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown on their own in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or individually. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment and also with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, a steering-column switch unit according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, an enlarged view of the steering-column switch unit as per  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, the steering-column switch unit with a printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 4  shows, in a schematic illustration, a side view of the steering-column switch unit; 
         FIG. 5  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, individual components of a resetting device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6 to 8  show different views of the resetting device; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show different embodiments of the resetting device; 
         FIG. 11  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, the resetting device with a driver part which has an arm projecting from a main body; 
         FIG. 12  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, the resetting device, wherein a triggering element is arranged on the driver part; 
         FIG. 13  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, a resetting device according to one embodiment of the invention, with individual components being illustrated in more detail; 
         FIGS. 14 to 19  show different views of the resetting device; and 
         FIGS. 20 a  to  c    each show a plan view of the steering-column switch unit, with a resetting movement of the driver part and thus of an actuating lever being explained in more detail. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, a steering-column switch unit  1  which can be installed in a motor vehicle. The steering-column switch unit  1  has, in this case, a first and a second actuating lever  2 ,  3 , wherein, for example, the first actuating lever  2  serves for the activation of a turn indicator of the motor vehicle. The actuating levers  2 ,  3  are pivotably mounted on a steering column part  4  in which there is formed a receptacle  5  for a steering spindle. The receptacle  5  is of approximately circular cross-sectional form and constitutes, in effect, a sleeve for the steering spindle. At least the first actuating lever  2 , which serves for the activation of a turn indicator, is assigned a resetting device  6  by means of which the actuating lever  2  can be moved from its actuated position, in which the turn indicator is activated, into an initial position, in which the turn indicator is deactivated, specifically automatically, solely as a result of the rotation of the steering wheel (not illustrated). It is self-evident here that two actuated positions are provided, specifically one for the left-hand turn indicator and one for the right-hand turn indicator. 
       FIG. 2  shows the resetting device  6  in an enlarged illustration. The resetting device  6  is assigned a driver part  7  to which electrical contact elements  8  are attached. 
     If the actuating lever  2  is moved into its actuated position, the electrical contact elements  8  make contact with corresponding contact elements arranged on a printed circuit board  9  (see  FIG. 3 ). Here, the contact elements  8  are arranged on a side of the driver part  7  facing toward the vehicle driver during the operation of the motor vehicle. 
     As can also be seen from  FIG. 2 , the resetting device  6  comprises a triggering element  10  which, as the steering wheel rotates during the steering return movement when exiting a bend, is driven along by an element connected to the steering spindle, and is thus pivoted. In the process, the triggering element  10  pushes the driver part  7  such that the actuating lever  2  is moved into the initial position. 
     Specifically, the driver part  7  is pivotably mounted on the steering column part  4 , specifically so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis  11  running parallel to the steering spindle. Furthermore, the actuating lever  2  is connected to the driver part  7 . Here, it may likewise be provided that a pivoting movement of the actuating lever  2  relative to the driver part  7  is possible. It is however crucial that, during the pivoting of the actuating lever  2  from the initial position into the actuated position, the driver part is also concomitantly moved or concomitantly pivoted. The driver part  7  is thus also pivotable between the initial position and the actuated position, specifically about the pivot axis  11 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the steering-column switch unit  1  with the printed circuit board  9 , wherein a further actuating lever  12  is likewise visible. Said actuating lever  12  may for example serve for the activation of a windscreen wiper and/or of further functions in the motor vehicle. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , the printed circuit board  9  is a printed circuit board that is common to all of the actuating levers  2 ,  3 ,  12 , such that no further printed circuit boards need to be used. Electronic components  14 , such as for example control units, electrical switches and the like, are attached to the printed circuit board  9  on the side  13  facing away from the driver part  7 . 
     The printed circuit board  9  has a circular passage opening  15  through which the steering spindle extends (not illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). Said passage opening  15  is arranged concentrically with respect to the receptacle  5  for the steering spindle. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the resetting device  6  in greater detail. Here, the design of the driver part  7  can be seen particularly clearly. The driver part  7  has a main body  16  which is a hollow body and through which a detent pin  17  of the actuating lever  2  extends. Here, the detent pin  17  extends to a detent part  18  on which there is formed a detent structure for the engagement of the detent pin  17  with detent action in the actuated position and in the initial position. Said detent structure is formed on a side of the detent part  18  facing toward the actuating lever  2 . The detent pin  17  thus ends at the detent structure and slides along the latter, and can engage into detent depressions formed in said detent structure. 
     An arm  20  which is of substantially plate-like form projects from an edge  19  of the main body  16  of the driver part  7 , said edge facing toward the printed circuit board  9 , which arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis  11  of the driver part  7  and points in the direction of the steering spindle. The arm  20  is thus a plate-like element of relatively flat form which terminates flush with the main body  16  or the edge  19  of the main body  16 . The electrical contact elements  8  are attached to a side  21  of the arm  20  facing toward the printed circuit board  9  and away from the triggering element  10 , which electrical contact elements can make contact with corresponding contact elements of the printed circuit board  9 , specifically in the actuated position. Specifically, the corresponding contact elements which can be placed in electrical connection with the contact elements  8  are attached to that side of the printed circuit board  9  which faces toward the arm  20 . 
     By contrast, the electronic components  14  are attached to that side of the printed circuit board  9  which faces away from the arm  20 . 
     The triggering element  10  for the resetting of the actuating lever  2  is situated on that side of the arm  20  which is situated opposite the contact elements  8 . Said triggering element  10  is mounted by way of its peg in a slotted guide of the arm  20 , as will be described in more detail further below. 
     Also situated on that side of the arm  20  which is situated opposite the contact elements  8  is the detent part  18 , and also an intermediate piece  22  that is not illustrated in its entirety in  FIG. 4 . The triggering element  10  is mounted on said intermediate piece  22 . 
     Some components of the resetting device  6  are illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 5 . As already stated, the detent part  18  has a detent structure  23  which is formed on a side  24  of the detent part  18  facing toward the actuating lever  2 . Said detent structure  23  may for example comprise detent openings into which the detent pin  17  of the actuating lever  2  engages, specifically in the actuated position and in the initial position. The resetting device  6  furthermore comprises a slide element  25  with a sleeve  26  in which a spring element  27  in the form of a spiral spring can be accommodated. As will be described in more detail further below, the slide element  25  may be mounted in displaceable fashion either on the detent part  18  or on the intermediate piece  22 , specifically so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction  28  oriented perpendicularly to the pivot axis  11 . The triggering element  10  is also mounted in pivotable and displaceable fashion on the intermediate piece  22 . Here, the triggering element  10  has a tongue element  29  which is in the form of a strip and thus of elongate design. The tongue element  29  is thus in the form of a short bar, perpendicularly from which there projects a bearing part  30  by way of which the triggering element  10  is mounted on the intermediate piece  22 . The precise design of the triggering element  10  will be described in more detail further below. The triggering element  10  also has a peg  31  which projects from that side of the tongue element  29  which is situated opposite the bearing part  30 , said peg being in alignment with the bearing part  30 . 
     The resetting device  6  furthermore includes a switch override protection unit  32  which, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises two switch override springs  33 ,  34 . The two switch override springs  33 ,  34  are in the form of spiral springs. Said switch override springs  33 ,  34  are supported at one side on the intermediate piece  22 ; said switch override springs are supported at the other side on the detent part  18  and extend along the sliding direction  28 . 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  illustrate different views of the detent part  18  with the intermediate piece  22  mounted thereon. In the steering-column switch unit  1 , the detent part  18  is a component that is immovable relative to the steering column part  4 , that is to say the detent part  18  constitutes, in effect, a positionally fixed element relative to which the driver part  7  is pivoted. By contrast, the triggering element  10  is mounted on the intermediate piece  22  and is thus also pivotable relative to the detent part  18 , specifically about a pivot axis  35  running parallel to the pivot axis  11 . Furthermore, the triggering element  10  is also mounted so as to be displaceable in the sliding direction  28  perpendicular to the pivot axis  35 , and here, is resiliently preloaded by means of the spring element  27 . 
     The intermediate piece  22  is also movably mounted on the detent part  18 , specifically by way of the switch override springs  33 ,  34 . Said relative movement between the intermediate piece  22  and the detent part  18  is however generated only in a switch override situation. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the intermediate piece  22  is illustrated without the triggering element  10 , such that the slide element  25  is also visible. Here, the spring element  27  is situated in the sleeve  26  of the slide element  25  (see  FIG. 5 ). As can be seen from  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   , both the slide element  25  and also the triggering element  10  may be mounted on the intermediate piece  22 . It may alternatively be provided that the slide element  25  is mounted on the detent part  18 , whereas the triggering element  10  is mounted on the intermediate piece  22 . Such a configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   . The spring element  27  can also be seen in  FIG. 10 a   . Regardless of the configuration—be it the arrangement as per  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b    or the arrangement as per  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   —the mode of operation of the resetting device  6  is the same. 
     As can be seen in particular from  FIG. 10 a   , it is the case in all embodiments that the detent part  18  has two grooves  36 ,  37  which are of elongate form along the sliding direction  28 , which grooves are formed on a side of the detent part  18  facing toward the intermediate piece  22 . Said grooves  36 ,  37  serve for accommodating the switch override springs  33 ,  34  and are thus of a shape that is adapted to the shape of the springs. The grooves  36 ,  37  are delimited by support elements  38 ,  39  on which the respective switch override springs  33 ,  34  are supported. 
     It is provided in all of the embodiments that—as emerges from the figures—the spring element  27  is arranged at the level of the switch override springs  33 ,  34 . Here, the spring element  27  lies parallel to the switch override springs  33 ,  34  and also, in the direction perpendicular to the spring axis, adjacent to the switch override springs  33 ,  34 . This means that an imaginary line which runs perpendicular to the sliding direction  28  and which intersects the spring element  27  also runs perpendicularly through the switch override springs  33 ,  34 . Such an arrangement of the switch override springs  33 ,  34  on both sides of the spring element  27 , such that said spring element  27  is arranged between the switch override springs  33 ,  34  and the spring axis of the spring element  27  extends parallel to the axes of the switch override springs  33 ,  34 , serves in particular to provide a compact design of the resetting device  6 , and also has advantages with regard to the mechanical tolerances. 
       FIG. 11  shows the driver part  7  in detail, specifically together with the intermediate piece  22 , the triggering element  10  and the slide element  25 . As can be seen from  FIG. 11 , the main body  16  of the driver part  7  is in the form of a hollow body which has a cavity  40  which is formed so as to be open all the way through. The detent pin  17  (see  FIG. 4 ) extends through the cavity  40 . From the main body  16  there projects a peg  41  by means of which the driver part  7  is mounted in pivotable fashion and which defines the pivot axis  11 . 
     On a side  42  of the arm  20 , said side  42  being situated opposite the side  21  and the contact elements  8  attached thereto, there is formed a slotted guide  43  which constitutes a guide for the peg  31  of the triggering element  10 . Here, on the side  42  of the arm  20 , there is formed a depression  44  which is delimited by a wall  45  which forms the slotted guide  43 . The wall  45  and thus the slotted guide  43  are of triangular form and, in this case, have a first slotted-guide section  46  and a second slotted-guide section  47 , which converge in pointed fashion. Said slotted-guide sections are linear slotted-guide sections  46 ,  47  which enclose an angle with one another, which angle may for example lie in a value range from 60° to 120°. Said angle may for example be 90°. 
     The peg  31  of the triggering element  10  then bears against the wall  45 , said peg being guided along the slotted guide  43  and, in the process, being situated in the depression. When the actuating lever  2  is situated in the initial position, the peg  31  of the triggering element  10  is situated at a tip  48  of the slotted guide  43 . By contrast, when the actuating lever  2  is situated in the actuated position, the peg  31  bears against the other end of the respective slotted-guide section  46 ,  47 , specifically in a manner dependent on the direction in which the actuating lever  2  has been pivoted. Here, the tongue element  29  of the triggering element  10  slides on a surface  49  of the arm  20 , said surface  49  being delimited at both sides by the webs  50 ,  51 . At the webs  50  and  51 , the driver part  7  is pushed by the tongue element  29  of the triggering element  10  during the resetting movement into the initial position. The resetting of the driver part  7  is thus performed by virtue of the respective web  50 ,  51  of said driver part being pushed, specifically by means of the tongue element  29 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the driver part  7  together with the triggering element  10  arranged thereon and the intermediate piece  22 . Here, the peg  31  of the triggering element  10  faces toward the arm  20  and slides on the slotted guide  41 . As already stated, the triggering element  10  can be both pivoted about the pivot axis  35  (see  FIG. 6 ), specifically as per the arrow  52 , and also displaced in the sliding direction  28 . The triggering element  10  is preloaded in the sliding direction  28  by the spring force of the spring element  27 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 to 19 , the configuration of the triggering element  10  and of the intermediate piece  22 , and also of the slide element  25 , will be explained in more detail. Here,  FIG. 13  is an illustration of the triggering element  10  and the slide element  25  and the intermediate piece  22  separate from one another. As already stated, the slide element  25  has an axial sleeve  26  in which the spring element  27  is accommodated. The slide element  25  has a projection  53  which points in the sliding direction  28  and which in turn has a bevel  54 . The slide element  25  furthermore has two laterally projecting collars  55 ,  56  by means of which the slide element  25  is mounted. 
     As already stated, the triggering element  10  has a tongue element  29  which is of elongate form and from which a bearing part  30  projects perpendicularly. A groove  57  is formed in a circumferential direction on an outer circumference of the bearing part  30 , which groove, in the exemplary embodiment, has a semi-circular overall form. 
     The intermediate piece  22  has a passage opening  58 . Furthermore, two pegs  59 ,  60  are formed on the intermediate piece  22 , which pegs serve for supporting the above-mentioned switch override springs  33 ,  34 . Said pegs  59 ,  60  likewise point in the sliding direction  28 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 14 , the bearing part  30  extends through the passage opening  58  of the intermediate piece  22 , such that the bearing part  30  engages behind the rear side of the intermediate piece  22 . Here, a guide surface  61  is formed on the intermediate piece  22 , wherein the bearing part  30  bears against and slides on said guide surface. The bearing part  30  thus engages behind the guide surface  61 , wherein the tongue element  29  of elongate form is situated on the opposite side of the intermediate piece  22 . Here, an edge of the passage opening  58  of the intermediate piece  22  engages into the groove  57  of the bearing part  30 . 
     The slide element  25  likewise extends through the common passage opening  58  and, at one side, is supported via the spring element  27  on a wall  62  of the intermediate piece  22 , said wall delimiting the passage opening  58 , and at the other side, is supported on the bearing part  30 . At the other side, the triggering element  10  is—as already stated—supported on the slotted guide  43  of the driver part  7 , see  FIG. 11 . Here, both the slide element  25  and also the triggering element  10  are mounted so as to be displaceable in the sliding direction  28  perpendicular to the pivot axis  11 , and are preloaded with the spring force of the spring element  27 . The slide element  25  thus bears without play against the triggering element  10 . 
     The opposite side of the triggering element  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Here, it is possible to particularly clearly see the peg  31  which is mounted in the slotted guide  43 . The triggering element  10  is supported in the slotted guide  43  by way of the peg  31 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 16 , the intermediate piece  22  has, on a side situated opposite the guide surface  61 , a further guide surface  63  against which the collars  55 ,  56  of the slide element  25  bear and on which the slide element  25  is thus mounted in displaceable fashion. Here, the projection  53  of the slide element  25  is situated on the opposite side of the intermediate piece  22 , or on the far side of the passage opening  58 . At one side, the slide element  25  is thus held by means of the collars  55 ,  56  on the guide surface  63 ; at the other side, the slide element  25  is supported by way of the projection  53  on the bearing part  30  of the triggering element  10 , such that the bearing part  30  is clamped between the projection  53  and the guide surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the bearing part  30  bears against the bevel  54  of the projection  53  of the slide element  25 . Between the respective face sides, which face toward one another, of the slide element  25  on the one hand and of the bearing part  30  on the other hand, there is thus formed a small air gap, and said face sides are arranged with a small spacing to one another. The bearing part  30  is in contact only with the bevel  54 , such that the bearing part  30  is subjected to a spring force  64  which has a force component parallel to the pivot axis  35 . An arrangement is thus made possible which is free from play also in the direction parallel to the pivot axis  35 . The spring force  64  thus acts on the triggering element  10  both in the sliding direction  28  and also along the pivot axis  35 , such that two different directions of action are obtained with only a single spring element  27 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate a schematic plan view of the arrangement once again, wherein, in  FIG. 18 , the triggering element  10  is situated in a rest position, whereas, in  FIG. 19 , the triggering element  10  is shown in a triggering position. It is also possible to see respective face sides  65 ,  66  of the slide element  25  on the one hand and of the bearing part  30  on the other hand, which face sides face toward one another. The two face sides  65 ,  66  each have a curvature: In the exemplary embodiment, the slide element  25  has a convex face side  65 , whereas the face side  66  of the bearing part  30  is of concave form and, in effect, projects into the convex face side  65 . In one embodiment, it is provided here that the radius of curvature of the face side  65  of the slide element  25  is greater than or equal to the radius of curvature of the bearing part  30 . It is thus possible for clacking noises during the resetting movement of the actuating lever  2  to be eliminated. 
     In the triggering position of the triggering element  10  illustrated in  FIG. 19 , said triggering element  10  presses the driver part  7  against the respective web  50 ,  51 , such that the driver part  7  is moved into the initial position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20 a  to 20 c   , a triggering process of the actuating lever  2  and of the driver part  7  will be explained in more detail. In  FIG. 20 a   , the driver part  7  is situated in the actuated position, in which the turn indicator is activated. The vehicle driver then rotates the steering wheel such that an element  67  connected to the steering spindle is moved in the direction of rotation of the steering wheel along an arc, as per the arrow  68 . The element  67  then actuates the triggering element  10 , which is pivoted, specifically about the pivot axis  35 , from the rest position illustrated in  FIG. 20 a    into a triggering position illustrated in  FIG. 20 b   . In said position, the triggering element  10  pushes the driver part  7  such that the driver part  7  is moved back into the initial position. Here, the peg  31  slides along the slotted guide  43 , such that the triggering element  10  is also displaced slightly in the sliding direction  28 .  FIG. 20 c    illustrates the initial position of the driver part  7 , with the triggering element  10  situated in the rest position again.