Turn indicator switch with electromagnetic latching device

A turn indicator switch for a vehicle, comprising:

• a lever movable between a starting position deactivating a turn signal and a switching position activating the turn signal and having a permanent magnet thereon;
• an electromagnet having a ferromagnetic core attracting the permanent magnet to hold the lever in the switching position, and energizable to repel the permanent magnet;
• and
• a control unit energizing the electromagnet to release the lever to the starting position.

A turn indicator switch for a vehicle, comprising:

• a lever movable from a central position in a first direction to a first switching position and in an opposite second direction to a second switching position;
• a permanent magnet attached to the lever;
• a first electromagnet located such that movement of the lever to the first switching position moves the permanent magnet sufficiently close to a core of the first electromagnet to hold the lever in the first switching position when the first electromagnet is de-energized;
• a second electromagnet located such that movement of the lever to the second switching position moves the permanent magnet sufficiently close to a core of the second electromagnet to hold the lever in the second switching position when the second electromagnet is de-energized;
• and
• a control unit operative to energize the first electromagnet to repel the permanent magnet such that the lever returns to the central position from the first switching position, and to energize the second electromagnet to repel the permanent magnet such that the lever returns to the starting position from the second switching position.