Switch device for vehicle-speed control

A switch unit for a vehicle-speed control device for automatic running of a vehicle detachably mounted on a base supporting a turn-signal switch lever, which base is fixed to the steering column tube of vehicle, comprising:

• (a) an insulator provided with a connecting portion detachably mounted on the base;
• (b) a switch body for covering the insulator, fixed thereto;
• (c) an operation lever including a lever portion for operation by the occupant and a holder member formed at one end of the lever portion integrally therewith, the operation lever being supported at an axial portion of the holder member by the insulator and the switch body rotatably between a first position and a second position;
• (d) an automatic restoring means disposed between the forward end portion of the holder member and the switch body, for forcing the operation lever in a neutral position between the first position and the second position;
• (e) a set switch mounted on the lever portion of the operation lever, for forming a set circuit of the vehicle-speed control device for setting the vehicle-speed of the automobile at a value selected by the occupant operating the set switch;
• and
• (f) a switch mechanism including a movable contact supported on a face of the holder portion opposite the insulator and three fixed contacts fixed to the insulator about the rotation axis of the operation lever, the movable contact bridging two of the three fixed contacts to form a coast circuit of the vehicle-speed control device for restoring the set vehicle-speed when the operation lever is rotated to the first position and to form a resume circuit thereof for reducing the set vehicle-speed when the operation lever is rotated to the second position.