# US 4,400,597 A · Axial cam rotary switch

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- Number: US 4,400,597 A
- Document ID: US4400597A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/349,406
- Filed: 1982-02-16
- Granted: 1983-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 1982-02-16
- Assignees: EECO Incorporated
- Inventors: Frank J. Bruder; Robert D. Taylor
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4400597A

## CPC

- H01H 19/63: Contacts actuated by axial cams {(H01H19/6355 takes precedence)}
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

A rotary switch having a multiple throw axial cam rotor and operatively aligned detent teeth. One held stationary contact spring spider has plural radially disposed axially-movable cam follower switch contact arms engaging the axial cam, and also has plural detent springs engaging the axial detent teeth. A base has stationary contacts to be selectively engaged by the switch contacts, and a journal post upon which the rotor is rotatable. An externally accessible shaft upon the rotor has a surrounding resilient "O" ring. A housing sealed to the base and bearing upon the "O" ring seals the switch. The switch may be fabricated in DIP size and contact configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rotary switch, comprising;
(a) a rotor (1), having an axial cam (2) with plural lobes (3-6) at plural radii, and also axial-detent teeth (10) operatively aligned with said lobes,
(b) one stationary electrically-conductive contact spring spider (16), having plural radially outwardly projecting axially-movable cam-follower switch arms (20-23) substantially coplanar with said spider to selectively engage said lobes upon rotation of said rotor,
said one spring spider also having plural integral detent springs (25,26) engaging said axial-detent teeth,
(c) an insulative base (15) having stationary electrically-conductive contacts (28-31) passing through said base in a rectilinear pattern and disposed to be selectively engaged by said switch arms upon axial displacement thereof by said lobes upon rotation of said rotor,
(d) an insulative shaft (12) integral with said rotor,
(e) a resilient "O" ring (33) surrounding said shaft, and
(f) an insulative housing (35) sealed to said base and mechanically bearing upon said "O" ring a substantially constant amount to seal said rotary switch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said base has an integrally-formed journal post (14) upon which said rotor (1) is rotatable.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said axial-detent teeth are disposed at a smaller radius than any of the radii of said lobes of the axial cam.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said axial-detent teeth are disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the rotor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said contact spring spider (16) is clamped to said base below said rotor by pressure from said "O" ring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said contact spring spider (16) has at least one permanent electrical connection passing through said base.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, in which;
(a) said stationary contacts that pass through said base are printed-circuit-board contacts and are disposed in a universal printed-circuit-board spacing pattern.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The rotary switch of claim 1, which additionally includes;
(a) a further-housing (45) symmetrically fastened to said housing (35), and
(b) containing only external connections (28'-31') from said stationary contacts (28-31) that pass through one side of said further-housing at right angles to said stationary contacts.