Multi-function stalk switch with zero backlash drive gear pair
AssigneeValeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
InventorsAllen K. Schwartz, Peter S. Zhou, Dennis J. Fitzpatrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle steering column stalk switch includes a multifunction switch lever having a rotatable actuator which drives a first rotatable gear. Gear teeth on the first gear engage gear teeth on a second gear mounted within a housing with zero backlash. The second gear is biased into compliant engagement with the first gear. The biasing is effected by means of at least one leaf contact resiliently cantilevered from conductive elements carried in the housing into engagement with the second gear.
Claims14
In a vehicle steering column stalk switch having a housing mountable on a vehicle steering column, a lever movably mounted on the housing and an actuator carried on the lever and rotatable with respect to the lever, the improvement comprising:
- a first gear having gear teeth, the first gear coupled to the actuator for rotation with rotation of the actuator;
- a second gear movably mounted in the housing, the second gear having channel-shaped recesses;
- the gear teeth and the channel-shaped recesses normally engaged with zero backlash, wherein movement of the lever slidingly moves the gear teeth out of engagement with the recesses;
- conductive elements carried on one of the second gear and the housing;
- and
- a contact formed on the other of the second gear and the housing, wherein rotation of the actuator causes rotation of the first gear and movement of the second gear to selectively engage the contact with selective conductive elements to open and close electrical circuits therebetween.
A vehicle steering column stalk switch comprising:
- a housing mountable on a vehicle steering column;
- a lever movably mounted on the housing;
- an actuator carried on the lever and rotatable with respect to the lever;
- a first gear having first gear teeth, the first gear coupled to the actuator for rotation with rotation of the actuator;
- a second gear movably mounted in the housing, the second gear having second gear teeth;
- the first and second gear teeth of the first and second gears, respectively, engaged with zero backlash;
- conductive elements carried on one of the second gear and the housing;
- a contact formed on the other of the second gear and the housing, wherein rotation of the actuator causes rotation of the first gear and movement of the second gear to selectively engage the contact with selective conductive elements to open and close electrical circuits therebetween;
- and
- means for biasing the first and second gears into engagement.
A vehicle steering column stalk switch comprising:
- a housing mountable on a vehicle steering column;
- a lever movably mounted on the housing;
- an actuator carried on the lever and rotatable with respect to the lever;
- a first gear having first gear teeth, the first gear coupled to the actuator for rotation with rotation of the actuator;
- a second gear movably mounted in the housing, the second gear having second gear teeth;
- the first and second gear teeth of the first and second gears, respectively, engaged with zero backlash;
- conductive elements carried on second gear and the housing;
- and
- a contact formed on the other of the second gear and the housing, wherein rotation of the actuator causes rotation of the first gear and movement of the second gear to selectively engage the contact with selective conductive elements to open and close electrical circuits therebetween,
- the contact formed as at least one leaf contact resiliently cantilevered from the conductive elements in the housing, the at least one leaf contact biasingly engaged with the second gear to bias the second gear into compliant engagement with the first gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.