Automotive steering column switches

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one switching lever, the switching lever being an operating lever arm (2), pivotably mounted in a steering column switch housing (1), which can be pivoted from a stable neutral position to at least one functional position against a return force, each of which causes a changeover to one of the assigned functions, the return force being generated by a spring-loaded locking pin (4) guided in a switching gate (3), the switching lever being configured as a one-arm lever, the switching gate (3) and the locking pin (4) being arranged inside the operating lever arm (2). According to the invention, the spring-loaded locking pin (4) is accommodated in a locking pin sleeve (5) fixedly connected to the operating lever arm (2), and the switching gate (3) is fixedly connected to a carrier part (6) fixed to the steering column switch housing (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a steering column switch for a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one switching lever pivotably mounted in a steering column switch housing, the switching lever being an operating lever arm, which can be pivoted from a stable neutral position against a restoring force into at least one functional position, each of which is capable of switching over to one of the assigned functions, the restoring force being generated by a spring-loaded locking pin guided in a switching gate, the switching lever being configured as a one-arm lever, the switching gate and the locking pin being arranged inside the operating lever arm. [Background technology]

[0002] Such steering column switches have a wide range of functional requirements, so that, for example, the wiper function, the indicator function, the flashing lights or the high beam switching can be activated and deactivated by multiple pivoting movements of the switch lever in different directions.

[0003] There are steering column switches that can be brought into their functional positions in a latching or non-latching manner. The switch lever automatically returns to its neutral position after leaving the respective functional position. The definition of the neutral and functional positions is achieved by the cooperation of a spring-loaded locking pin and a corresponding switch gate, which exerts a return force on the switch lever.

[0004] Thus, for example, from DE 10 05 04 14 A1 a steering column switch for a motor vehicle is known, which corresponds to the preamble of the main claim. In this switch, the operating button of the switch is connected to a stationary lever section via a cross-shaped universal joint. In this arrangement, the switching gate is fixedly connected to the operating button.

[0005] There is an increasing market demand for significantly reducing the structural space required for so-called recessed switch components, i.e., switch components located inside the steering column switch housing, so that the space saved can be used for other functions, such as a driver monitoring camera or another sensor. However, at the same time, smaller operating angles for lever movement are also required. In conventional steering column switches, a good tactile feel is achieved, among other things, by the locking pin traveling a sufficiently large distance within the switching gate when the lever is operated. If the operating angle is reduced, the distance between the switching gate and the lever rotation point remains the same, but this distance decreases, and the tactile feel becomes noticeably worse. However, increasing this distance would also require more structural space inside the steering column switch housing, which is not available. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE 19744088 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The steering column switch according to the present invention has the object of resolving exactly this dilemma in comparison with conventionally known steering column switches. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This is achieved according to the invention in that the spring-loaded locking pin is accommodated in a locking pin sleeve which is fixedly connected to the operating lever arm, and the switching gate is fixedly connected to a support part which is fixed to the steering column switch housing.

[0009] The pivotability of the steering column switch according to the invention about two axes arranged perpendicular to one another is made possible by the fact that the switching lever is supported in the steering column switch housing by means of a Cardan joint.

[0010] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, each of which is shown in assembled and exploded view. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first embodiment of a steering column switch according to the present invention, with a locking pin sleeve fixedly connected to an operating lever arm; FIG. [Figure 2] 10 shows a second embodiment of a steering column switch according to the present invention, with a locking pin sleeve fixedly connected to the operating lever arm. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As can be seen from the drawings, the steering column switch for a motor vehicle according to the invention in all the illustrated embodiments comprises a switching lever which is pivotally mounted in a steering column switch housing 1. The switching lever is designed as a one-arm lever, only one arm of which forms the operating lever arm 2 of the switching lever.

[0013] The operating lever arm 2 is pivotably mounted by a Cardan joint 7 about two axes arranged perpendicular to one another, so that starting from a stable neutral position, it can be brought into several functional positions against a return force. Reaching each functional position electrically switches on one of the assigned functions. The return force for the operating lever arm 2 is generated by a spring-loaded locking pin 4 guided in the swivel gate 3. The individual functional positions can each be designed as latching or non-latching, which is realized by a corresponding design of the swivel gate 3 in a known manner.

[0014] In the embodiments of the steering column switch according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a locking pin sleeve 5 is present in each case for accommodating a locking pin 4, which is fixedly connected to the operating lever arm 2. Each switching gate 3 is fixedly connected to a support part 6 fixed to the steering column switch housing 1. The two embodiments differ from each other in that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tip of the locking pin 4 points towards the distal end of the operating lever arm 2, whereas in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the locking pin 4 points towards the support part 6. This means that there is a design margin available here, which can be used in accordance with different requirements, particularly with respect to the often predefined outer shape of the operating lever arm 2.

[0015] For electrical switching of the functions respectively assigned to the function positions of the switch lever, a contact- or sensor-acting, i.e. optically or magnetically acting, switching element is present, which, although not shown in the drawings, can likewise be arranged inside the operating lever arm 2, so that no additional construction space is necessarily required inside the steering column switch housing 1 for this switching element either.

Claims

1. A steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one switching lever pivotably mounted in a steering column switch housing (1), the switching lever being an operating lever arm (2), the operating lever arm (2) being pivotable from a stable neutral position to at least one functional position against a return force, the reaching of each functional position causing a changeover of a respective assigned function, the return force being caused by a spring-loaded locking pin (4) guided in a switching gate (3), the switching lever being configured as a one-arm lever, the switching gate (3) and the locking pin (4) being arranged inside the operating lever arm (2), 1. A steering column switch comprising: a spring-loaded locking pin (4) housed in a locking pin sleeve (5) fixedly connected to the operating lever arm (2); and a switching gate (3) fixedly connected to a support part (6) fixed to the steering column switch housing (1).

2. 2. A steering column switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivotable support of the switching lever in the steering column switch housing (1) is realized by a Cardan joint (7), which allows the switching lever to pivot about two axes arranged perpendicular to one another.

3. 3. A steering column switch according to claim 1, wherein a contact- or sensor-acting switching element is likewise arranged in the operating lever arm (2) for electrically switching between the functions respectively assigned to the functional positions of the switching lever.

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