Modular switch stalk assemblable in different orientations to provide different rotation features
AssigneeUT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey K. Wiersing, Owen D. Winkler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switch stalk includes a stalk lever comprising a knob mounted on a base portion. The knob is mountable on the base portion in one of a plurality of orientations. A different set of rotational stops are provided in each orientation in which the knob can be mounted on the base portion. Therefore, the knob is rotatable through a different displacement in each of the orientations in which it is mounted. Further, a different set of detents is provided in each orientation in which the knob is mounted on the base portion.
Claims18
A stalk switch assembly comprising:
- a stalk lever having an axis;
- a knob mountable on said stalk lever, said knob being mountable on said stalk lever in a first orientation and being mountable in a second orientation rotationally displaced from said first orientation, said knob being rotatable a first rotational displacement when mounted in said first orientation and a second rotational displacement greater than said first displacement when mounted in said second orientation.
A method for assembling a switch including the steps of:
- forming an axially-extending stop in a lever having an axis;
- biasing a plunger outwardly from said stop;
- rotationally orienting a knob having an axially-extending first wall relative to said lever to selectively place said stop in either a first rotational position relative to said first wall when said knob is in a first orientation or a second rotational position relative to said first wall when said knob is in a second orientation, said knob being mountable on said lever in said first orientation and said second orientation;
- mounting said knob on said lever in one of first and second orientations, said stop and said first wall limiting rotational displacement of said knob relative to said lever.
A knob having an aperture for rotatably mounting on a switch stalk, said knob being mountable in a first orientation and a second orientation rotatably displaced from said first orientation, said knob further including a plurality of walls circumferentially spaced and extending axially from a first axial end, said plurality of walls defining a first interval and a second interval said first interval including a first set of detents and said second interval including a second set of detents having a different configuration from said first set of detents.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.