Back to results
US 10,090,123 B2Granted
Rotary switch
AssigneeNidec Motor Corporation
InventorsThomas A. Neese, James P. Meagher, Charles V. Edwards, Robert D. O'Neil, Stephen M. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Rotary switches and associated methods. A rotary switch can include one or more arcuate passages which are prone to ingress of particulate or liquid contaminants. A gasket, a rib, and/or a lubricant reservoir can be provided in the arcuate passages for blocking ingress of contaminants to an interior of the switch.
Claims20
A rotary switch comprising:
- an actuator support including a housing, the housing having an interior;
- electrical circuitry in the housing interior for making at least one electrical connection;
- an actuator operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and rotatable with respect to the actuator support for making the at least one electrical connection;
- an arcuate gap between the actuator and the actuator support;
- and
- a gasket in the arcuate gap and in engagement with the actuator and actuator support for blocking ingress of contaminants to the housing interior, the gasket being formed separately from the actuator and the actuator support and comprising resiliently compressible material;
- wherein the actuator support includes a post and the actuator includes a wheel, the wheel being rotatable about the post for making the at least one electrical connection, the wheel and post forming a knob extending from the housing;
- wherein the arcuate gap is between the wheel and the post.
5 more elements
A rotary switch comprising:
- an actuator support including a housing, the housing having an interior;
- electrical circuitry in the housing interior for making at least one electrical connection;
- an actuator operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and rotatable with respect to the actuator support for making the at least one electrical connection;
- an inlet between the actuator support and the actuator;
- an arcuate lubricant reservoir between the actuator and the actuator support configured for holding a lubricant for blocking ingress of contaminants to the housing interior from the inlet;
- an arcuate gap between the actuator support and the actuator;
- and
- a gasket in the arcuate gap between the actuator support and the actuator;
- wherein the actuator support includes a post and the actuator includes a wheel, the wheel being rotatable about the post for making the at least one electrical connection;
- wherein the arcuate gap and gasket are between the wheel and the post.
7 more elements
A rotary transfer case selector switch comprising:
- a housing having an interior;
- electrical circuitry in the housing interior for making at least one electrical connection;
- a knob extending from the housing, the knob including a post and a wheel, the wheel being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and rotatable about the post for making the at least one electrical connection, the knob having an arcuate gap between the post and the wheel;
- and
- a gasket formed separately from the post and the wheel, the gasket positioned between the post and the wheel in the arcuate gap for blocking ingress of contaminants to the housing interior through the arcuate gap, the gasket comprising a resiliently compressible material.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.