Rotary direction detecting sensor

A steering wheel rotary direction sensor comprising:

• a stationary member fixed to a steering column, said stationary member including a flange section and a cylindrical support section, said flange section having a first side and a second side, said cylindrical support section extending centrally from said first side of the flange section to support a steering shaft therethrough, said first side of the flange section carrying a plurality of stationary contacts arranged thereon along a common circle;
• a rotor member rotatable together with the steering wheel, said rotor member being concentrically provided around said cylindrical support section rotatably in first and second directions and having an arcuate extention projecting toward said first side t0 extend along said common circle, said arcuate extension carrying a first movable contact to selectively contact said plurality of stationary contacts;
• and
• a substantially circular follower member concentrically provided around said cylindrical support section, said substantially circular follower member having a cut-out portion to form a first end face and a second end face, said first and second end faces facing each other across a gap therebetween, said gap having a larger angular size than said arcuate extension, said substantially circular follower member carrying a second movable contact to selectively contact said plurality of stationary contacts on the first side of the stationary member, said arcuate extension extending between said first and second end faces of the substantially circular follower member;
• said rotor member actuating the substantially circular follower member in said first and second rotary directions, said first movable contact and second movable contact taking first and second angular positions during said actuation in said respective rotary directions, said plurality of stationary contacts including a common contact and first, second and third selective contacts, said first movable contact being selectively in contact with the second selective contact in said first angular position and with the first selective contact in said second angular position, said second movable contact being selectively in contact with the second selective contact in said second angular position and with the third selective contact in said first angular position, said first and second movable contacts being in constant contact with said common contact.