STEERING COLUMN SWITCH FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A steering column switch for a motor vehicle includes a steering column switch housing, a switch lever, a switch gate, a spring-loaded locking pin, a locking pin sleeve, and a support part. The switch lever is pivotably mounted on the housing. The switch lever is a one-armed lever having an actuating lever arm that is pivotable against a restoring force from a stable neutral position into functional positions. A switch function is enabled upon reaching each functional position. The switch gate and the spring-loaded locking pin are inside the actuating lever arm. The spring-loaded locking pin is guided in the switch gate and brings about the restoring force. The locking pin sleeve is fixedly connected to the actuating lever arm. The support part is affixed to the housing. The spring-loaded locking pin is accommodated in the locking pin sleeve and the switch gate is fixedly connected to the support part.

Claims

1. A steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprising: a steering column switch housing; a switch lever pivotably mounted on the steering column switch housing, the switch lever being a one-armed lever having an actuating lever arm, the actuating lever arm being pivotable against a restoring force from a stable neutral position into at least one functional position, wherein a respective associated function is enabled upon the actuating lever arm reaching each functional position; a switch gate; a spring-loaded locking pin; the switch gate and the spring-loaded locking pin being situated inside the actuating lever arm; the spring-loaded locking pin being guided in the switch gate and bringing about the restoring force; a locking pin sleeve fixedly connected to the actuating lever arm; a support part that is affixed to the steering column switch housing; the spring-loaded locking pin being accommodated in the locking pin sleeve and the switch gate being fixedly connected to the support part.

2. The steering column switch according to claim 1 wherein: the switch lever is pivotably mounted on the steering column switch housing by a cardan joint which allows the switch lever to pivot about two mutually perpendicular axes.

3. The steering column switch according to claim 1 wherein: switching elements which provide contacting or operate by sensor are situated inside the actuating lever arm for electrically switching the functions associated with the functional positions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The figures show the following (in each case in an assembled state and in an exploded illustration):

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a steering column switch according to the present invention, with a locking pin sleeve that is fixedly connected to the actuating lever arm; and

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a steering column switch according to the present invention, with a locking pin sleeve that is fixedly connected to the actuating lever arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering column switch for a motor vehicle in accordance with first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively, are shown. In each of FIGS. 1 and 2, an assembled state of the steering column switch and an exploded view of the steering column switch are shown.

[0016] As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, in all illustrated embodiments, the steering column switch includes a steering column switch housing 1, at least one switch lever, a switch gate 3, a spring-loaded locking pin 4, a locking pin sleeve 5, and a support part 6. The switch lever is pivotably supported on steering column switch housing 1. The switch lever is designed as a one-armed lever whose single arm forms an actuating lever arm 2 of the switch lever. Switch gate 3 and locking pin 4 are situated inside actuating lever arm 2 with the locking pin being guided in switch gate 3.

[0017] Actuating lever arm 2 is supported to be pivotable about two mutually perpendicular axes by means of a cardan joint 7. Starting from a stable neutral position, actuating lever arm 2 may thus be brought, against a restoring force, into multiple functional positions. Upon reaching each functional position, a respective associated function is electrically switched. The restoring force for actuating lever arm 2 is brought about by a spring-loaded locking pin 4 that is guided in a switch gate 3. The individual functional positions may in each case have a latching or touch-activated design, which is implemented in a known manner via an appropriate design of switch gate 3.

[0018] Locking pin sleeve 5 is fixedly connected to actuating lever arm 2. Support part 6 is affixed to steering column switch housing 1. Locking pin 4 is accommodated by locking pin sleeve 5. Switch gate 3 is fixedly connected to support part 6.

[0019] These two embodiments differ in that in the design according to FIG. 1, the tip of locking pin 4 points in the direction of the distal end of actuating lever arm 2, whereas in the design according to FIG. 2, the tip of locking pin 4 points in the direction of support part 6. This shows that freedom of design depending on the other requirements, such as the often-specified external shape of actuating lever arm 2, is provided.

[0020] Switching elements which provide contacting or operate by sensor, for example which operate optically or magnetically, are present for electrically switching the functions associated in each case with the functional positions of the switch lever. These switching elements are not illustrated in the drawings but may likewise be situated inside actuating lever arm 2, so that for these as well, additional installation space inside steering column switch housing 1 is not necessary.

[0021] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the present invention.