Contactless switch with shielded vane

A switch comprising:

• a switch housing;
• an operating member mounted to the switch housing and movable between a plurality of positions responsive to physical actuation thereof by an operator;
• one or more magnet sensors secured relative to the housing;
• a magnet holder mounted to the housing to position one or more magnets included thereon adjacent the one or more magnet sensors, the magnet holder moving responsive to an actuation of the operating member by a user so as to provide for positioning of the one or more magnets;
• and
• a vane interrupter configured to provide selective magnetic shielding about the one or more magnets and to the one or more magnet sensors, the vane interrupter comprising a C-shaped frame including:
• a lengthwise member oriented generally parallel to a direction of movement of the one or more magnets, with a portion of the lengthwise member forming a passage sized to accommodate positioning of a respective magnet of the one or magnets therein;
• and
• a pair of flanges formed on or attached to opposing ends of the lengthwise member and oriented generally perpendicular thereto;
• wherein a respective magnet sensor of the one or more magnet sensors and a respective magnet of the one or more magnets are positioned between the pair of flanges of the C-shaped frame, such that the pair of flanges provide shielding to the respective magnet sensor from external magnetic fields.

A rocker switch comprising:

• a switch housing;
• a rocker button mounted to the switch housing and actuatable between a neutral position, a first position, and a second position;
• a magnet holder mounted to the housing so as to be rotatable relative thereto, with the magnet holder including therein a first magnet and a second magnet;
• and
• a first Hall effect sensor and a second Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent the first magnet and the second magnet, respectively;
• and
• a vane interrupter comprising a C-shaped frame on each of opposing sides thereof such that a first C-shaped frame is positioned adjacent the first magnet sensor and the first magnet and a second C-shaped frame is positioned adjacent the second magnet sensor and the second magnet, wherein each of the C-shaped frames comprises:
• a passage structure positioned proximate to a respective magnet sensor such that a respective magnet is movable at least partially within a passage defined by the passage structure;
• and
• a flange structure positioned adjacent the passage structure and including a first flange and a second flange positioned on opposing ends of the passage structure, with the flange structure positioned to shield its respective Hall effect sensor from external magnetic fields.