Ignition key switch apparatus with improved snap action mechanism

An ignition key switch apparatus with an improved snap action mechanism, comprising:

• a lock cylinder having an opening and a key slidably received within said lock cylinder;
• a pre-loaded snap spring having a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions, wherein said pre-loaded snap spring generates an instantaneous movement from an open to closed position and vice versa upon application or removal of a load to reduce an effect of arcing on a plurality of contacts;
• a cam associated with said pre-loaded snap spring and said lock cylinder, wherein said cam is capable of converting a rotary motion at a key interface to a linear movement of said plunger for a snap spring actuation, such that said snap spring ensures said movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position other than at least two extreme positions given at any position of said plunger;
• and
• an actuating lever associated with said plunger and said movable contact and at least two stationary contacts, wherein one of said at least two stationary contacts comprises a normally open contact and another of said at least two stationary contacts comprises a normally closed contact.

A method of configuring an ignition key switch apparatus with an improved snap action mechanism, comprising:

• configuring a lock cylinder to include an opening and a key slidably received within said lock cylinder;
• providing a pre-loaded snap spring having a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions, wherein said pre-loaded snap spring generates an instantaneous movement from an open to closed position and vice versa upon application or removal of a load to reduce an effect of arcing on a plurality of contacts;
• and
• associating a cam with said pre-loaded snap spring and said lock cylinder, wherein said cam is capable of converting a rotary motion at a key interface to a linear movement of said plunger for a snap spring actuation, such that said snap spring ensures said movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position other than at least two extreme positions given at any position of said plunger.