Patent Publication Number: US-6984796-B2

Title: Electrical switch assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an electrical switch assembly that incorporates the use of compliant connectors. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a switch assembly including multiple contacts for providing multiplexed, encoded, or discrete input signals to a controller. In this embodiment, the switch assembly may be configured as part of a rotary selector switch for providing the input signals to the controller. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Switches for making and breaking electrical circuits are widely known. Manually operated switches include an actuator that is manually actuatable to cause making/breaking action of switch contacts to energize/de-energize one or more electrical circuits associated with the contacts. One particular type of manually operated switch is a rotary switch in which a rotary actuator is rotatable to cause making/breaking action of the switch contacts. A rotary selector switch has a rotary actuator that is rotatable to cause making/breaking of multiple electrical contacts of the switch. This causes energizing and/or de-energizing a plurality of electrical circuits to provide a plurality of electrical signals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus comprises a switch assembly. The switch assembly comprises a housing and a set of contacts supported by the housing. The set of contacts includes a first contact and a second contact. The first contact includes a first pad portion supported in the housing and a first connector portion protruding from the housing. The first connector portion includes a compliant connector. The second contact includes a second pad portion supported in the housing and a second connector portion protruding from the housing. The second pad portion is movable relative to and is engageable with the first pad portion. The second connector portion includes a compliant connector. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rotary switch assembly. The rotary switch assembly comprises a housing, at least one set of contacts supported by the housing, and a rotary actuator. The at least one set of contacts each comprise a first contact and a second contact. Each of the first contacts includes a first pad portion supported in the housing and a first connector portion protruding from the housing. The first connector portion comprises a compliant connector. Each of the second contacts includes a second pad portion supported in the housing and a second connector portion protruding from the housing. The second connector portion comprises a compliant connector. The second pad portion is movable relative to the first pad portion and engageable with the first pad portion. The second contact further comprises a deflectable spring portion and an actuator portion that protrudes from the housing and includes a cam surface. The rotary actuator is rotatable relative to the housing and the at least one set of contacts. The rotary actuator comprises at least one actuating portion movable upon rotation of the actuator into engagement with the cam surface to cause deflection of the spring portion and move the second pad portion relative to the first pad portion. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a vehicle device having a plurality of modes of operation comprises a printed circuit board with plated through holes electrically connected with an electrical circuit. The apparatus also comprises a controller operatively connected to the electrical circuit and operatively connected to the vehicle device and a switch assembly. The switch assembly comprises a housing, a plurality of set of contacts supported by the housing, and a rotary actuator. The sets of contacts each comprise a first contact and a second contact. Each of the first contacts includes a first pad portion supported in the housing and a first connector portion protruding from the housing. Each of the first connector portions comprising a compliant connector inserted into one of the plated through holes to electrically connect the first contacts to the electrical circuit. Each of the second contacts including a second pad portion supported in the housing and a second connector portion protruding from the housing. Each of the second connector portions comprises a compliant connector inserted into one of the plated through holes to electrically connect the second contacts to the electrical circuit. The second pad portions each are movable relative to and engageable with a corresponding one of the first pad portions. Each of the second contacts further includes a deflectable spring portion and an actuator portion that protrudes from the housing and including a cam surface. The rotary actuator is rotatable relative to the housing and the at least one set of contacts about an axis to a plurality of positions. The actuator comprises at least one actuating member movable upon rotation of the actuator into engagement with the cam surfaces to cause deflection of the spring portions and move the second pad portions relative to the first pad portions. At each of the rotary positions, the actuator actuates the sets of contacts in predetermined combinations. The controller receives signals from the switch assembly via the electrical circuit. The signals correspond to the predetermined combination and are operative to actuate the vehicle devices to one of the modes of operation according to the predetermined combination. 
     In a further embodiment, a side actuated switch assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending transversely from the bottom wall. A set of contacts is supported by the housing. The set of contacts includes a first contact and a second contact. The first contact includes a first pad portion supported in the housing and a first connector portion protruding from the bottom wall of the housing. The first connector portion includes a first compliant connector. The second contact includes a second pad portion supported in the housing and an actuator portion protruding from the side wall. The second pad portion is engageable with the first pad portion. The second pad portion is movable relative to the first pad portion when a force acts on the actuator portion. The second contact also includes a second connector portion protruding from the bottom wall of the housing. The second connector portion includes a second compliant connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a switch assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken generally along line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are magnified perspective views of certain components of the switch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a magnified view of a portion of the components of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  are magnified elevation views illustrating the installation of the portion of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  are end elevation views illustrating the installation of the switch assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein the switch assembly of  FIG. 1  is implemented in a rotary selector switch configuration; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are sectional views illustrating the operation of the rotary selector switch configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary implementation the rotary selector switch configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are sectional views illustrating the operation of a rotary selector switch configuration incorporating a switch assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a switch assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the switch assembly of FIG.  13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an apparatus  10  comprising a switch assembly  12  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the switch assembly  12  includes three sets of contacts, also referred to herein as contact sets (illustrated at  14  in FIGS.  2  and  3 ), supported in a housing  16 . The switch assembly  12  could, however, include a greater or lesser number of contact sets  14 . Each set of contacts  14  includes a first contact  20  and a second contact  40 . 
     A first contact  20  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . The first contact  20  is formed as a single piece of electrically conductive material. Examples of such electrically conductive materials are metals or alloys such as steel, copper, and aluminum. In the illustrated embodiment, the first contacts  20  are formed from a spring hard copper alloy. More particularly, the first contacts  20  are formed from generally elongated strips of a spring hard copper alloy that are stamped and bent or otherwise formed into the illustrated configuration using known means (not shown), such as a die. 
     The first contacts  20  include a plurality of portions formed along the length of the elongated strips of electrically conductive material used to construct the first contacts. Each first contact  20  includes a pad portion  22  located at a terminal end of the elongated strip. The pad portion  22  may be fold plated to enhance electrical conductivity. A support portion  24  extends from the pad portion  22  along the length of the elongated strip to a connector portion  26 , which forms a terminal end of the elongated strip opposite the terminal end forming the pad portion  22 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  24  extends from the pad portion  22  in a direction transverse to the pad portion. More particularly, the support portion  24  and pad portion  22  extend perpendicular to each other. The support portion  24  and pad portion  22  could alternatively extend at some other angle relative to each other. 
     Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  24  includes a flange portion  30  that comprises an end portion of the support portion opposite the pad portion  22 . The flange portion  30  extends from the support portion  24  in a direction perpendicular to the support portion. The connector portion  26  extends from the flange portion  30  of the support portion  24  in a direction transverse the flange portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector portion  26  extends from the flange portion  30  downward as viewed in  FIG. 4  in a direction perpendicular to the flange portion. The connector portion  26  could, however, extend from the flange portion  30  at a different angle. Also, it will be appreciated that the flange portion  30  could be omitted, in which case the connector portion  26  could be coextensive with or extend at an angle from the support portion  24 . 
     The support portion  24  of each first contact  20  includes a pair of support flanges  32 . The support flanges  32  project from opposite lateral edges of the support portion  24  and extend along a portion of the length of the support portion. The support portion  24  of each first contact  20  also includes a latch portion  34  that is positioned between the support flanges  32  and projects at an acute angle from a surface  36  of the support portion. The support flanges  32  and the latch portion  34  help connect the first contact  20  to the housing  16  and support the first contact in the housing, as will be discussed below in more detail. 
     The second contacts  40  are illustrated in FIG.  5 . In the illustrated embodiment, all three second contacts  40  are formed from the same single piece of electrically conductive material. The second contacts  40  could, however, be formed from three separate pieces of material, one single piece forming each of the second contacts. Examples of the electrically conductive materials used to construct the second contacts  40  are metals or alloys such as steel, copper, and aluminum. In the illustrated embodiment, the second contacts  40  are formed from a spring hard copper alloy. More particularly, the second contacts  40  are formed from a generally elongated strip of spring hard copper alloy that is stamped and bent or otherwise formed into the illustrated configuration using known means (not shown), such as a die. 
     The second contacts  40  include a plurality of portions formed along the length of the elongated strips of electrically conductive material used to construct the second contacts. Each second contact  40  includes a pad portion  42  located at a terminal end of the elongated strip. The pad portions  42  may be gold plated to enhance electrical conductivity. The pad portion  42  has a slightly curved configuration as viewed in FIG.  5 . 
     An actuator portion  44  extends from the pad portion  42  in a direction generally transverse to the pad portion. The actuator portion  44  has a generally rounded or domed configuration with a convex outer cam surface  370 . A spring portion  46  extends transversely from the an end of the actuator portion  44  opposite the pad portion  42  in a direction generally parallel to the pad portion. The spring portion  46  includes a recessed reinforcing portion  50  that extends along a portion of the length of the spring portion. 
     A support portion  52  extends from the spring portion  46  along the length of the elongated strip to a connector portion  54 , which forms a terminal end of the elongated strip opposite the terminal end forming the pad portion  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  52  extends from the spring portion  46  in a direction transverse to the spring portion. More particularly, the support portion  52  and spring portion  46  extend perpendicular to each other. The support portion  52  and spring portion  46  could alternatively extend at some other angle relative to each other. 
     Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  52  includes a flange portion  56  that comprises an end portion of the support portion opposite the spring portion  46 . The flange portion  56  extends from the support portion  52  in a direction perpendicular to the support portion and opposite the spring portion  46 . The connector portion  54  extends from the flange portion  56  in a direction transverse the flange portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector portion  54  extends from the flange portion  56  downward as viewed in  FIG. 4  in a direction perpendicular to the flange portion. The connector portion  54  could, however, extend from the flange portion  56  at a different angle. Also, it will be appreciated that the flange portion  56  could be omitted, in which case the connector portion  54  could be coextensive with or extend at an angle from the support portion  52 . 
     The support portions  52  of the second contacts  40  are formed together and integrally with each other. This integrally formed support portion  52  includes a pair of support flanges  60  that project from opposite lateral edges of the support portion  52  and extend along a portion of the length of the support portion. The support portion  52  also includes three latch portions  62 , one corresponding to each of the second contacts  40 , that are positioned between the support flanges  60  and project at an acute angle from a surface  64  of the support portion. The support flanges  60  and the latch portions  62  help connect the second contacts  40  to the housing  16  and support the second contacts in the housing, as will be discussed below in more detail. 
     It will be appreciated that the second contacts  40  may be formed as separate pieces, in which case the support portions  52  would not be formed together and integrally with each other. In this instance, each of the second contacts  40  would be formed individually from a single elongated strip of electrically conductive material. Also, in this instance, the support portion  52  of each second contact  40  would include a pair of support flanges  60  that project from opposite lateral edges of the individual support portion  52  and extend along a portion of the length of the support portion. The individual support portion  52  of each second contact  40  would also include a latch portion  62  positioned between the support flanges  60  that projects at an acute angle from the surface  64  of the support portion. The support portions  52  of the second contacts  40  would thus have a form similar or identical to the support portions  24  of the first contacts  20  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  16  includes a base portion  100  and a cover  140 . The housing  16  supports the first and second contacts  20  and  40 . It will be appreciated that the base portion  100  and the cover  140  of the illustrated embodiment is one of a variety of configurations that may be used to provide support for the first and second contacts  20  and  40 . The base portion  100  and/or the cover  140  of the housing  16  may have any desired configuration suited to provide the requisite support for the contacts  20  and  40 . For example, the housing  16  may be constructed of a single piece of material instead of separate pieces. As another alternative, portions of the cover  140  could be omitted and remaining portions could be molded together with the base portion  100  as a single piece. As a further alternative, the cover  140  could be omitted altogether and the first and second contacts  20  and  40  could be supported by the base portion  100  alone. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  16  is constructed of a molded plastic material. The housing  16  could, however, have any suitable material construction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the base portion  100  includes a base wall  102  that has a generally rectangular configuration. A pair of opposed side walls  104  extend from opposite longitudinal edges of the base wall  102  in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the base wall. A pair of opposed end walls  106  extend from opposite lateral edges of the base wall  102  in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the base wall. 
     The base portion  100  also includes four legs  110  that are positioned near each of the four intersections of the side walls  104  and end walls  106 . The legs  110  extend vertically below a lower surface  112  of the base wall  102  as viewed in  FIGS. 1-3 . The legs  110  terminate at a lower foot surface  114 . The foot surfaces  114  of the legs  110  are arranged to be coplanar with each other. 
     The base portion  100  also includes openings  120  for receiving the first contacts  20 . The openings  120  extend through the base wall  102 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the base portion includes three openings  120 , each for receiving one of the three first contacts  20 . The openings  120  are arranged adjacent to each other and are positioned along an intersection of the base wall  102  and one of the end walls  106  at a first end  116  of the base portion  100 . Each opening  120  has a generally rectangular configuration and includes a pair of opposed slots  122  spaced apart from each other on opposite side walls of the openings. 
     Each side wall  104  of the base portion  100  includes a latch portion  124 . The latch portions  124  are positioned opposite each other and extend away from each other from an outer surface of their respective side walls  104 . Each latch portion  124  includes a latch surface  126  that extends perpendicular to the outer surface of its respective side wall  104 . 
     The end wall  106  of the base portion  100  at a second end  118  of the base portion, opposite the first end  116  of the base portion, includes a recess  130 . The recess  130  extends through the base wall  102 . The recess  130  includes a pair of slots  132  positioned at opposite ends of the recess. 
     The base portion  100  also includes a pair of latch receiving portions  134 . The latch receiving portions  134  are positioned adjacent the leg portions  110  at the intersection of the base wall  102  and the end wall  106  at the second end  118  of the base portion  100 . The latch receiving portions  134  take the form of notches recessed from the outer surface  112  of the base wall  102 . Each latch receiving portion  130  includes a latch engaging surface  136  recessed from the outer surface  112  and extending generally parallel to the outer surface. 
     The cover  140  includes a generally rectangular top wall  142  having spaced longitudinally extending side edges  144  having a length about equal to the length of the side walls  104  of the base portion  100 . The cover  140  also includes spaced laterally extending end edges  146  that extend between the side edges  144  and have a length about equal to the length of the end walls  106  of the base portion  100 . A rectangular opening  150  extends through the top wall  142 . 
     The cover  140  also includes a pair of connecting flaps  160  that are positioned adjacent the opening  150  near a first end portion  152  of the top wall  142 . The connecting flaps  160  project downward from a lower surface  154  of the top wall  142  in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface. The flaps  160  each include opposing leg portions  162  extending from the lower surface  154  of the top wall  142  and an end portion  164  opposite the top wall. The end portion  164  extends between and connects terminal ends of the leg portions  162 , thus defining an aperture  166  extending through each of the flaps  160 . 
     The cover  140  also includes a pair of latch members  170  positioned along a second end portion  156 , opposite the first end portion  152 , of the top wall  142 . The latch members  170  project downward from the lower surface  154  of the top wall  142  in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface. The latch members  170  each include a leg portion  172  having a first end connected to the top wall  142  and an opposite second end portion  174  that includes a latch  176 . The latch  176  has a tapered configuration and extends perpendicularly outward from the leg portion  172 . 
     The cover  140  further includes a retainer wall  180  extending perpendicularly from the lower surface  154  along the second end portion  156  of the top wall  142 . The retainer wall  180  extends parallel to the end edges  146  between the larch members  170 . 
     The base portion  100 , cover  140  and first and second contacts  20  and  40  are assembled in a manner indicated generally by the dashed lines in  FIG. 2  to form the assembled switch assembly  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The first contacts  20  are inserted into the openings  120  in the base wall  102  such that the flanges  32  are inserted into the slots  122  of their respective openings. The first contacts  20  are urged into the openings  120  and the flanges  32  are urged into the slots  122  until the latch portions  34  “snap” into place. This is best illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     When the latch portions  34  snap into place, a terminal end portion of the latch portion engages a latch surface  202  of the base portion  100  to help prevent the first contact  20  from backing out of the opening  120 . The latch surface  202  is formed on the end wall  106  at the first end  116  of the base portion  100 . At the same time, the flange portion  30  engages the outer surface  112  of the base wall  102  prevents further insertion of the first contact into the opening  120 . The latch portion  34  in combination with the latch surface  202  and the flange portion  30  help retain the first contact  20  connected to the base portion  100  in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The second contacts  40  are inserted into the recess  130  in the base wall  102  and end wall  106  such that the flanges  60  are inserted into the slots  132  in the recess. The second contacts  40  are urged into the recess  130  and the flanges  60  are urged into the slots  132  until the latch portions  62  “snap” into place. This is best illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     When the latch portions  62  snap into place, a terminal end portion  66  of the latch portion engages a latch surface  204  of the base portion  100  to help prevent the second contact  40  from backing out of the recess  130 . At the same time, the spring portion  46  engages an upper surface  206  of the end wall  106  at the second end  118  of the base portion  100  and prevents further insertion of the first contact into the recess  130 . The latch portion  60  in combination with the latch surface  204  and the spring portion  46  help retain the second contact  40  connected to the base portion  100  in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     Once the first and second contacts  20  and  40  are assembled with the base portion  100 , the cover  140  brought down over the assemblage of the base portion and the first and second contacts  20  and  40  to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The flaps  160  are slid over opposite sides of the base portion  100  along opposite outer surfaces of the side walls  104 . The flaps  160  are deflected away from the side walls  104  by an angled surface of the latch portions  124  that engages the end portion  164  of the flaps slide. Once the end portion  164  moves beyond the angled surface, the flaps  160  “snap” over the latch portions  124 . The latch portions  124  extend through the apertures  166  in their respective flaps  160 . The end portion  164  of each flap  160  engages the latch surface  126  of its respective latch portion  124 . 
     The latch members  170  are slid between the leg portions  110  at the second end  118  of the base portion  100 . The latch members  170  are deflected inward of the side walls  104  toward the retainer wall  180  by an angled surface of the latch  176  that engages the side walls. Once the angled surfaces move beyond the side walls  104 , the latches  176  “snap” into the latch receiving portions  134  and latch against their respective latch receiving surfaces  136 . The flaps  160  and the latch members  170  thus help connect the cover  140  to the base portion  100  and help maintain the switch assembly  12  in the assembled condition of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The base wall  102 , side walls  104 , end walls  106 , and top wall  142  define an interior space  200  of the housing  16  when the cover  140  is connected to the base portion  100 . The pad portion  22  of the first contact  20  and the pad portion  42  and spring portion  46  of the second contact  40  are disposed in the interior space  200 . The connector portions  26  and  54  of the first and second contacts  20  and  40  protrude from the housing  16 . The actuator portions  44  of the second contacts  40  project through the opening  150  in the cover  140 . 
     The first contact  20 , including the pad portion  22 , support portion  24 , and connector portion  26 , is supported in a fixed position in the housing  16 . The support portion  52  and the connector portion  54  of the second contact  40  are supported in a fixed position in the housing  16 . The support portion  52  is positioned between the retainer wall  180  and the end wall  106  at the second end  118  of the base portion  100 . A portion of the spring portion  46  of the second contact  40  adjacent the intersection of the spring portion and the support portion  52  rests on the top surface  206  of the end wall  106  at the second end  118 . 
     The end wall  106  upon which the spring portion  46  rests serves as a support or fulcrum for the spring portion. The spring portion  46  is deflectable in response to a force acting on the spring portion. When this occurs, the spring portion  46  deflects, i.e., bends, which causes the actuator portion  44  and pad portion  42  to move with the spring portion. The actuator portion  44  and pad portion  42  move in a generally arcuate path about the fulcrum, i.e., the end wall  106  at the second end  118  of the base portion  100  upon which the spring portion  46  rests. 
     When the switch assembly  12  is in the assembled condition of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the contacts touch each other. The spring bias of the spring portion  46  urges the pad portion  42  of the second contact  40  into engagement with the pad portion  22  of the first contact  20 . Thus, in the normally closed configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the contact force that maintains the first and second contacts in the normally closed condition is self-contained or resides in the switch assembly  12  itself and no outside force is required to make the contacts  14 . 
     According to the present invention, the connector portions  26  and  54  comprise what are referred to in the art as “compliant connectors.” Compliant connectors are used to connect electrical components to mounting bodies, such as printed circuit boards, without the use of solder in making the connection. A compliant connector  220  representative of the connector portion  26  of the first contacts  20  and the connector portion  54  of the second contacts  40  is illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the compliant connector  220  of the illustrated embodiment includes a cross member  222  and a pair of retainer members  224  extending transversely from the cross member. Each retainer member  224  has an inner surface  230  and an opposite outer surface  232 . The inner surfaces  230  are presented toward each other. The retainer members  224  have a curved or contoured configuration wherein first portions  234  of the retainer members extend from the cross member  222  away from each other at an acute angle. Second portions  236  of the retainer members extend toward each other at an acute angle and intersect at a terminal end  240  of the compliant connector  220 . The retainer members  224  thus form an aperture  242  across which the inner surfaces  230  of the retainer members are presented toward each other. The inner surfaces  230  have a curved configuration that provide the aperture  242  with the resemblance of a needle eye. 
     The cross member  222  includes a pair of leg portions  242  that extend downward as viewed in  FIG. 6  in the same general direction as the retainer members  224 . The leg portions  242  are positioned at opposite ends of the cross member  222  and on opposite sides of the retainer members  224 . The leg portions  242  have a generally tapered configuration and terminate at a lower end surface  244  adjacent about a middle portion of the first portions  234  of the retainer members  224 . 
     Advantageously, forming the connector portions  26  and  54  as compliant connectors allows the switch assembly  12  to be installed in a quick and reliable manner without the use of solder or other materials, such as adhesives or fasteners. This is shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C . Referring to  FIG. 7A , the compliant connector  220  is presented to a mounting body  250 , such as a printed circuit board. The compliant connector  220  is directed along an axis  252  toward a hole  254  in the mounting body  250 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the hole  254  has a side wall  260  that may be plated or otherwise coated to form an electrically conductive inner surface  262  of the hole. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7B , as the compliant connector  220  moves along the axis  252 , the second portions  236  of the retainer members  224  engage the mounting body  250 . More specifically, the outer surface  232  of the second portions  236  engage the inner surface  262  of the hole  254  adjacent the intersection of the side wall  260  and an upper surface  264  of the mounting body. As shown in  FIG. 7B , the compliant connector  220  form an interference with the hole  254 . More specifically, the outer surface  232  of the retainer members  224  form an interference with the inner surface  262  of the side wall  260 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7C , as the compliant connector  220  moves farther along the axis  252 , the retainer members  224  are urged toward each other as a result of normal forces exacted on the second portions  236  by the hole  254 . Also, as the compliant connector  220  moves farther along the axis  252 , the outer surface  232  of the second portions  236  slide over the intersection of the inner surface  262  of the side wall  260  and the upper surface  264  of the mounting body  250 . Once the intersections of the first and second portions  234  and  236  enter the hole  254 , outer surface  232  of the retainer members  224  adjacent this intersection slide along the inner surface  262  of the side wall  260 . 
     Due to the material construction of the compliant connector  220 , the retainer members  224  have a spring bias that urge the retainer members away from each other. Thus, when the compliant connector  220  is inserted into the hole  254  and the retainer members  224  are urged toward each other, the retainer members are biased in an opposite direction into engagement with the side wall  260  of the hole  254 . This causes a frictional engagement between the retainer members  224  and the side wall  260 . Since the side wall  260  may be plated or otherwise coated with an electrically conductive material, this engagement may also result in an electrically conductive connection between the compliant connector  220  and the side wall. 
     Also, as the retainer members  224  are urged into the hole  254 , the retainer members may undergo some deformation. Likewise, the plated side wall  260  may also be deformed as the retainer members  224  cut into or gouge the inner surface  262 . This deformation may help promote or enhance the frictional engagement between the retainer members  224  and the side wall  260 . The amount of frictional engagement between the retainer members  224  and the side wall  260  can be adjusted to desired levels by altering the material construction of the retainer members  224  and/or the side wall  60  and also by altering the amount of interference between the retainer members and the side wall. 
     As the compliant connector  220  is moved along the axis  252  into the installed condition of  FIG. 7C , the lower end surfaces  244  of the arm portions  242  of the cross member  222  engage the upper surface  264  of the mounting body  250 . This helps prevent over-insertion of the compliant connector  220  into the hole  254 . This also helps ensure that the compliant connector  220  is in a desired position relative to the mounting body  250  when in the installed condition. The frictional engagement between the retainer members  224  and the side walls  260  help retain the compliant connector  220  in the installed condition. 
     Installation of the switch assembly  12  on a mounting body  300  is illustrated in.  FIGS. 8A-8C . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C , the mounting body  300  is a printed circuit board  302 . The printed circuit board  302  includes plated through holes  304  each having an electrically conductive side wall  306  that is electrically connected to conductive traces  308 .  FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate the installation of the connector portions  26  of the first contacts  20  in the circuit board  302 . It will be appreciated, however, that the installation of the connector portions  54  of the second contacts  40  would be performed in an identical manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8A , the connector portions  26  of the first contacts  20  are presented to the holes  304  of the circuit board  302 . The switch assembly  12  is moved toward the circuit board  302  such that the connector portions  26  move along respective axes  310  toward the holes  304 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , as the switch assembly  12  moves toward the circuit board  302  and the connector portions  26  move along the respective axes  310 , the connector portions  26  engage the side walls  306  of their respective holes  304 . As described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , retainer members of the connector portions  26  engage the circuit board  302  at the intersection of the side walls  306  and an upper surface  312  of the circuit board. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8C , as the connector portions  26  move into the holes  304 , the spring bias of the connector portions and/or material deformation of the connector portions and side walls  306  creates a frictional engagement between the side walls and the connector portions. This engagement creates an electrical connection between the first contact  20  and the side wall  306  and, thus, the traces  308  on the circuit board  302  that are electrically connected to the side wall. 
     When the switch assembly  12  is installed on the circuit board  302 , the first contacts  20  engage the upper surface  312  of the circuit board. As described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , arm portions  242  of the connector portions  26  engage the upper surface  312  of the circuit board  302 . This helps prevent over-insertion of the connector portions  26  into the holes  304 . This also helps ensure that the first contacts  20  and, thus, the switch assembly  12 , is in a desired position relative to the circuit board  302  when in the installed condition of FIG.  8 C. 
     The arm portions  242  of the connector portions  26  of the first and second contacts  20  and  40 , engaging the upper surface  312  of the circuit board  302 , reduce the stack-up tolerance of the switch assembly essentially to two tolerances. One tolerance is associated with the first contact  20  and the second tolerance is associated with the second contact  40 . More specifically, the tolerance of the first contact  20  is associated with the dimension measured from the upper surface of the circuit board  302  to the upper surface of the pad portion  22 . The tolerance of the second contact  40  is associated with the dimension measured from the lower surface of the pad portion  42  to the apex of the actuator portion  44 . The two-piece contact construction of the switch assembly  12  and the incorporation of the compliant connector portions  26  help minimize tolerance stack-up associated with solder mounting, housing dimensions, and additional switch components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the apparatus  10  may comprise a rotary selector switch  320 . In this configuration, the switch assembly  12  is included as a part of a rotary selector switch  320 . The rotary selector switch  320  also includes a circuit board  322  upon which the switch assembly  12  is mounted and a rotary actuator  330 . As viewed in  FIG. 9 , the second contacts  40  of the switch assembly  12  are mounted in plated through holes  324  of the circuit board  322 . The second contact  40  is thus electrically connected to conductive traces  326  of the circuit board  322 . The first contacts (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) are mounted in plated through holes electrically connected to conductive traces  328  of the circuit board  322 . 
     The rotary actuator  330  has a generally flat cylindrical or disk shaped configuration with a lower surface  332  presented generally toward and an upper surface  334  of the switch assembly formed by the top wall  142  of the cover  140 . More specifically, the lower surface  332  is presented toward the actuator portions  44  of the second contact  40 , which project from the upper surface  334 . The rotary actuator  330  is rotatable, manually or otherwise, relative to the switch assembly about an axis  336 . 
     The rotary actuator  330  includes three concentric ring shaped actuator members  340  that are centered about the axis  336  and that project from the lower surface  332  of the rotary actuator. As indicated by the dotted lines in  FIG. 9 , each of the actuator members  340  corresponds to one of the actuator portions  44 . In the exploded view of  FIG. 9 , the rotary actuator  330  is spaced from the upper surface  334  and the actuator portions  44 . However, when the rotary selector switch  320  is in an assembled condition, the lower surface  332  and, more importantly, the actuator members  340  are positioned in close proximity with the actuator portions  44 . The assembled condition of the rotary selector switch  320  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
     The actuator member  340  illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C  includes a non-actuating portion  342  and an actuating portion  344 . Each non-actuating portion  342  and actuating portion  344  occupy an angular segment or portion of their respective actuator member  340 . Each actuator member  340  of the rotary actuator  330  may have any desired number of non-actuating portions  342  and/or actuating portions  344  in any desired position and occupying any desired angular portion of the actuator member. The non-actuating portions  342  have a lower surface  350  spaced vertically above an apex  352  of the actuator portion  44  of the second contact  40 , as viewed in  FIGS. 10A-10C . The actuating portions  344  have a lower surface  354  spaced vertically below the apex  352  of the actuator portion  44  as viewed in  FIGS. 10A-10C . The actuating portions  344  also include an angled surface  356  that forms a transition between the non-actuating portions  342  and the actuating portion  344  and vice versa. 
     When the rotary actuator  330  is rotated about the axis  336  (see FIG.  9 ), the actuator members  340  move relative to the switch assembly  12  and, more specifically, the actuator portions  44 . This movement of the actuator members  340  is indicated generally by the arrows labeled  360  (clockwise) and  362  (counterclockwise) in  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10A , the rotary selector switch  320  is illustrated in a condition wherein the first and second contacts  20  and  40  are in the non-actuated condition. Since, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C , the first and second contacts  20  and  40  are normally closed contacts, the first and second pad portions  22  and  42  are engaged with each other in the non-actuated condition of FIG.  10 A. Thus, when any of the pairs of first and second contacts  20  and  40  are in the non-actuated condition illustrated in  FIG. 10A , electrical conductivity is established between the traces  326  and  328  (see  FIG. 9 ) associated with that particular pair of contacts. 
     Movement of the rotary actuator  330  in the counterclockwise direction is illustrated in  FIGS. 10B and 10C . As the actuator member  340  moves in the counterclockwise direction, the angled surface  356  moves toward the cam surface  370  of the actuator portion  44 . Referring to  FIG. 10B , as the actuator member  340  continues to move in the counterclockwise direction, the angled surface  356  engages the cam surface  370 . This creates a normal force between the angled surface  356  and the cam surface  370 , which urges the actuator portion  44  in a downward direction indicated by the arrow labeled  372  in  FIGS. 10B and 10C . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10C , as the actuator member  340  continues to move in the counterclockwise direction, the angled surface  356  slides over the cam surface  370  and urges the actuator portion  44  to move in the downward direction. The angled surface  356  creates a normal force against the cam surface  370 , which creates resultant forces acting on the second contact  40  in a vertical (actuating) direction and a horizontal (wiping) direction. As a result, the spring portion  46  deflects against its spring bias, and thus bends or pivots about the top surface  206  of the end wall  106 . This causes the first and second contacts  20  and  40  to move away from each other into the actuated condition illustrated in FIG.  10 C. Since, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A-10C , the first and second contacts  20  and  40  are normally closed, when any of the pairs of first and second contacts  20  and  40  are in the actuated condition illustrated in  FIG. 10C , electrical conductivity between the traces  326  and  328  (see  FIG. 9 ) associated with that particular pair of contacts is broken. 
     The material construction of the contacts  14  helps ensure a long duty life of the switch assembly  12 . This construction helps minimize the amount of plastic deformation experienced by the contacts  14  as a result of deflection during normal usage. In fact, the contacts  14  may even experience little or no plastic deformation if deflected beyond their normal usage deflection. The self-contained contacting force of the switch assembly  12  may thus be retained throughout its extended duty life. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10C , the first and second contacts  20  and  40  are arranged to provide a wiping action between their respective pad portions  22  and  42 . Referring to  FIG. 10C , the pad portion  42  of the second contact  40  has a normal position relative to the actuator portion  44 . This position is illustrated in solid lines at  42  in FIG.  10 C. When the contacts  20  and  40  are in the non-actuated condition of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the spring bias of the spring portion  46  urges the pad portion  42  against the pad portion  22 , which causes the pad portion  42  to deflect to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . This position is also illustrated in dashed lines at  42 ′ in FIG.  10 C. As the first and second contacts  20  and  40  move from the non actuated condition to the actuated condition and vice versa, their respective pad portions  22  and  42  rub against each other as the pad portion  42  deflects and returns to its normal position. This provides a wiping action between the pad portions  22  and  42 . This wiping action is also produced as a result of the horizontal resultant force component of the normal force applied to the cam surface  370  by the angled surface  356  of the actuating member  340 . 
     The rotary selector switch  320  illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10C  includes three contact pairs  14 . For any given rotary position of the rotary actuator  330 , these three contact pairs  14  can be placed in either the actuated or non-actuated condition. The actuation or non-actuation of each contact pair  14  for any given rotary position of the actuator  330  is predetermined by the configuration of the actuating members  340 . If a contact pair  14  is to be placed in the actuated condition when the rotary actuator  330  is at a given rotary position, the actuating member  340  is configured to have an actuating portion  344  at that given rotary position. If a contact pair  14  is to be placed in the non-actuated condition when the rotary actuator  330  is at a given rotary position, the actuating member  340  is configured to have an non-actuating portion  342  at that given rotary position. 
     It will thus be appreciated that, for any given rotary position of the rotary actuator  330 , the rotary selector switch  320  may be adapted to place the three contact pairs  14  in the actuated or non-actuated condition in any desired combination. It will also be appreciated that the electrical signals provided by the three contact pairs  14  may be multiplexed or encoded to provide a three bit binary code that corresponds to the condition (actuated/non-actuated) of the contact pairs  14 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that such a three bit binary code provides eight unique codes. The rotary selector switch  320  may thus be adapted to provide any one of these eight unique three bit binary codes for any predetermined rotary position of the rotary selector  330 . Alternatively, the switch assembly  12  could be configured to provide three discrete signals, one associated with each of the contact pairs  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the switch assembly  12  of the present invention, incorporated in a rotary selector switch  320  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10C , is shown in an implementation wherein the rotary selector switch is used to control vehicle device(s)  400 . Such vehicle devices may include vehicle lighting systems, climate control systems, windshield wipers, etc., each of which may have a plurality of modes of operation. In this implementation, the rotary selector switch  320  would thus be used to select one of a variety of modes of operation for the vehicle device  400 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the rotary selector switch  320  is operatively connected to positive vehicle battery voltage, indicated at V + . The rotary selector switch  320  is also operatively connected to a device controller  402  to provide three signals, indicated at  406 , to the controller. Each of the signals  406  is associated with a corresponding one of the contact pairs of the rotary selector switch  320 . The controller  402  is operatively connected to the vehicle device(s)  400  by means such as wires or a cable. 
     The rotary selector switch  320  and the controller  402  may be assembled as a unit to form a module, indicated generally at  404 , for controlling the vehicle device  400 , or they may be separately installed components. In this modular assembly, the rotary selector switch  320  and the controller  402  may be mounted to a common circuit board and enclosed on a housing (not shown). This unit may then be installed in a vehicle at a desired location, such as on an instrument panel of the vehicle (not shown). 
     In the implementation shown in  FIG. 11 , the rotary selector switch  320  has eight positions. Each of these eight positions may be associated with any one of the eight unique three bit binary codes discussed above. The rotary selector switch  320  thus supplies the signals  406  in the form of voltage V +  to the controller  402  in accordance with the three bit binary code associated with the rotary position of the rotary actuator  330 . The controller  402  is programmed or otherwise arranged to provide electrical current to the vehicle device(s)  400 , based on the combination of signals  406  received from the rotary selector switch  320 , to place the device(s) in the desired mode of operation. 
     In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the switch assembly  12  of the rotary selector switch  320  supplies the signals  406  as low current control signals to the controller  402 . The controller  402 , in turn, provides high current drive signals  408  to the vehicle devices  400 . The controller  402  may determine when and which drive signals  408  to provide in any known manner. For example, the controller  402  may include computer means for executing control logic based on the signals  406  to determine when to provide the drive signals  408 . The controller  402  could alternatively comprise electromechanical devices, such as relays, for supplying the drive signals  408  when energized by the control signals  406 . As a further alternative, the controller  402  could be eliminated, in which case the rotary selector switch  320  could be connected directly to the vehicle devices  400  and provide drive signals directly to the vehicle devices. 
     In the first embodiment, the switch assembly  12  is illustrated in an implementation wherein the switch is included in a rotary selector switch assembly  320  in which the contacts  14  are actuated by a rotary actuator  330 . Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that the switch assembly  12  could have an implementation wherein the contacts  14  are actuated by a linear actuator, i.e., an actuator that moves in a linear direction. Also, since the actuator portion  44  has a domed configuration, such a linear actuator, moving generally parallel with the top wall  142  of the cover  140 , could strike the actuator portion at any desired angle and actuate the switch assembly  12 . Such a linearly actuated switch assembly could be desirable in automotive implementations such as window switches, light switches, climate control switches, ignition switches, and brake switches. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12C . The apparatus  10   a  of the second embodiment of the invention is similar to the apparatus  10  first embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11 . Accordingly, numerals similar to those of  FIGS. 1-11  will be utilized in  FIGS. 12A-12C  to identify similar components, the suffix letter “a” being associated with the numerals of  FIGS. 12A-12C  to avoid confusion. The rotary selector switch  320   a  ( FIGS. 12A-12C ) of the second embodiment is identical to the rotary selector switch  320  (FIGS.  1 - 11 ), except that the contact pairs  14   a  ( FIGS. 12A-12C ) are normally opened contacts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , when the normally opened contact pairs  14   a  of the switch assembly  12   a  are in the non-actuated condition, the pad portions  22   a  and  42   a  of the first and second contacts  20   a  and  40   a  are spaced from each other. Thus, in the non-actuated condition, there is no electrical conductivity between the first and second contacts  20   a  and  40   a . As the rotary actuator  330   a  is rotated and the angled surface  356   a  moves into engagement with the actuator portion  44   a , the pad portion  42   a  is urged in the downward direction  372   a . The spring portion  46   a  deflects and the pad portion  44   a  moves in the downward direction  372   a  to the actuated condition illustrated in FIG.  12 C and into engagement with the pad portion  22   a . In the actuated condition, electrical conductivity is established between the first and second contacts  20   a  and  40   a.    
     An apparatus  400  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The apparatus  400  of the third embodiment is a side actuated version of the switch assembly of the first and second embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12C . The side actuated switch assembly  402  is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  is shown as including a single set of contacts  404 . The switch assembly  402  could, however, include multiple sets of contacts as illustrated in the first and second embodiments of the invention (see FIGS.  1 - 12 C). The contacts  404  may be normally opened or normally closed contacts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the contacts  404  include a first contact  410  and a second contact  412 . The first and second contacts  410  and  412  each are formed as a single piece of electrically conductive material in the manner described above in regard to the first and second embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the first contact  410  includes a pad portion  420 , a support portion  422 , and a connector portion  424 , all of which are similar to the portions of the first contact of the first and second embodiments of  FIGS. 1-12C . The main difference between the first contact  410  of the third embodiment and the first contact of the first and second embodiments is that the pad portion  420  of the first contact  410  ( FIG. 14 ) extends transversely from a side or lateral edge of the support portion  422 . 
     The second contact  412  includes a pad portion  430 , an actuator portion  432 , a spring portion  434 , a support portion  436 , and a connector portion  438 , all of which are similar to the portions of the second contact of the first and second embodiments of  FIGS. 1-12C . The main difference between the second contact  412  of the third embodiment and the second contact of the first and second embodiments is that the pad portion  430  of the second contact  412  ( FIG. 14 ) extends transversely from a side or lateral edge of the support portion  436 . 
     The connector portions  424  and  438  each include compliant connector pins  414 . The compliant connector pins  414  are formed identical to and function in the same manner as the connector pins of the first and second embodiments. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a housing  440  of the side actuated switch assembly  402  supports the first and second contacts  410  and  412  in an assembled condition of the switch assembly  402 . The assembled condition of the switch assembly  402  is illustrated in FIG.  13 . The housing  440  is constructed in a manner similar or identical to the housing of the first and second embodiments of  FIGS. 1-12C . The main difference between the housing  440  of the third embodiment ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) and the housing of the first and second embodiments ( FIGS. 1-12C ) is that the rectangular opening  442  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) through which the actuator portion  432  extends is located on a side wall  444  of the housing. 
     The housing  440  and the first and second contacts  410  and  412  are assembled in a manner indicated generally by the dashed lines in  FIG. 14  to form the assembled switch assembly  402  illustrated in FIG.  13 . The first and second contacts  410  and  412  are inserted into the housing  440  until their respective latch portions  450  “snap” into place. 
     The side actuated switch assembly  402  of the third embodiment allows for actuation of the contacts  404  by an actuating member (not shown) positioned adjacent the side wall  444  of the housing  440 . Such an actuator may be a linear actuator or a rotary actuator, as described above in regard to the first and second embodiments. 
     From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.