Rotary looking toggle switch

Abstract

A toggle switch includes a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the second portion, such that it appears that the toggle switch actuates in one way but actuates in a different way.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001ROTARY LOOKING TOGGLE SWITCHCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 717,412, filed November 7, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to a toggle switch, and more specifically to a toggle switch for use in a motor vehicle.SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a toggle switch having a first portion and a second portion at least partially movable relative to the second portion, such that it appears that the toggle switch actuates in one way but actuates in a different way.

[0004] Other embodiments and aspects of various embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. l is a perspective view of a schematically illustrated steering wheel and a toggle switch according to one example, the toggle switch resembling a rotary switch.

[0006] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the toggle switch.

[0007] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the toggle switch, with a back cover removed.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the toggle switch.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front portion of the toggle switch being coupled to a steering wheel armature, the front portion including a main housing and a front cover.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a back portion of the toggle switch being coupled to the front portion of the toggle switch, the back portion including a back cover.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, illustrating how the back portion of the toggle switch may snap onto the main housing of the front portion of the toggle switch.

[0012] FIGS. 7A-E are schematic illustrations of various rotational positions of the front cover of the toggle switch.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a centering spring for centering the front cover of the toggle switch.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of detent springs for the front portion of the toggle switch.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the use of a Hall effect sensor and magnet on the toggle switch.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a printed circuit board, shown in the form of a high-level block diagram.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a method of using the Hall effect sensor, and sensing whether the user is pushing up or down on the toggle switch.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the toggle switch, in which the Hall effect sensor is located remotely from the toggle switch.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Other embodiments are possible, and embodiments described and illustrated are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001

[0020] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a steering wheel 110 (e.g., for use with a motor vehicle) having a center console 114 and an outer ring 118. In the illustrated example, at least one toggle switch 122 is positioned between the center console 114 and the outer ring 118. In some examples, the toggle switch or switches 122 may be considered to form part of the overall steering wheel 110. In the illustrated example, each toggle switch 122 occupies and completely fills a space between the center console 114 and the outer ring 118. Each toggle switch 122 may be used, for example, to control a vehicle setting, and / or toggle between two different settings (e.g., on / off), and / or increase or decrease a setting (e.g., increase volume or temperature or cruise control speed, etc.), or may be used for different purposes. In some examples, the steering wheel 110 may further include one or more buttons (e.g., push buttons), switches, levers, and / or other elements positioned on or alongside the center console 114, and / or on or alongside the outer ring 118, for controlling one or more additional vehicle features (e.g., volume, temperature, cruise control, etc.).

[0021] While the toggle switches 122 described herein are described in the context of being used with the steering wheel 110 of FIG. 1, the toggle switches 122 described herein may instead be used with various other types of steering wheels than that illustrated, or with other vehicle components or non-vehicle components (e.g., with a center display on a vehicle dashboard, or on a door of a vehicle, etc ). Additionally, while two toggle switches 122 are illustrated in FIG. 1 (one on either side of the center console 114), other examples may include other numbers and arrangements of toggle switches 122 (e.g., just a single toggle switch 122 on one side of the center console 114, or more than two toggle switches including for example multiple toggle switches located between the center console 114 and the outer ring 118 on one side of the center console 114, or one or more toggle switches 122 located along another portion of the steering wheel 110 than that illustrated (e.g., other than an area between the center console 114 and the outer ring 118).

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in some examples the toggle switch 122 generally includes a first portion 130 and a second portion 134 at least partially movable relative to the first portion 130 (e.g., rotationally movable and / or translationally movable, etc ), such that it appears that the toggle switch 122 actuates in one way (e.g., as a rotary switch) but instead actuates in a different way (e.g., as a toggle switch).Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001

[0023] In the illustrated example, the first portion 130 includes a back cover 138 formed for example from metal, although in other examples the back cover 138 is formed from plastic or other suitable material. While the term “back” is used, the back cover 138 may be orientated or positioned any way as desired, and in some examples may face forward toward a user rather than away from a user. During use, the back cover 138 is stationary, and fixed for example relative to the center console 114 and the outer ring 118 of the steering wheel 110. The back cover 138, however, includes a plurality of ribs 142 that project radially outwardly, giving the appearance that the back cover 138 is rotatable, and part of an overall generally circular rotary switch that rotates (e.g., relative to the center console 114 and / or the outer ring 118 and / or about a rotation axis that passes centrally through the toggle switch 122).

[0024] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second portion 134 includes both a main housing 146 and a front cover 150 (e.g., toggle cover). While the term “front” is used, the front cover 150 may be oriented or positioned any way as desired, and in some examples may face away from the user rather than toward the user. In the illustrated example, the main housing 146 is formed from plastic, although in other examples the main housing 146 may be formed from metal or other suitable material. Additionally, in the illustrated example the front cover 150 is formed from metal, although in other examples the front cover 150 is formed from plastic other suitable material.

[0025] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the front cover 150 is rotatable relative to the main housing 146 and to the back cover 138. The front cover 150 includes a plurality of ribs 154 that project radially outwardly, giving the appearance that the front cover 150 and the back cover 138 are one overall rotary dial that may be rotated as a rotary switch. For example, the ribs 154 and the ribs 142 may each have a similar size and / or shape, and / or may be spaced equally apart from one another or have other spacing. Other examples include different ribs, protrusions, recesses, and / or other structures than that illustrated. In some examples, the toggle switch 122 does not include any ribs or other protruding structures.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example of the toggle switch 122. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the back cover 138 may include one or more guides 158 (e.g., flanges) and / or one more surfaces (e.g., curved, flat surfaces) 162 that guide and / or otherwise facilitate rotation of the frontAttorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001 cover 150 relative to the back cover 138, and / or facilitate retention of the front cover 150 on the back cover 138. Other examples include different numbers and / or arrangements of guides and / or surfaces. In the illustrated example, the surface 162 is an outer surface on the back cover 138, and the front cover 150 slides and rotates over the surface 162. In other examples, the front cover 150 may instead slide and rotate underneath a surface of the back cover 138.

[0027] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the main housing 146 includes an outer housing 166 and an inner housing 170 that sits within at least a portion of the outer housing 166 and is coupled (e.g., fixed) to the outer housing 166 with one or more fasteners 174 (e.g., screws). In other examples, the main housing 146 includes just a single housing, or is formed from more than two housings that are coupled (e g., fixed together).

[0028] With continued reference to FIG. 3, in the illustrated example the outer housing 166 includes a protrusion defining a recess 178, and the toggle switch 122 includes a printed circuit board 182 that is sized and shaped to fit into the recess 178. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the printed circuit board 182 includes a header connector 186 with a plurality of pins 190 (e.g., four pins with a 2mm pitch). Other examples may include other numbers, sizes, and / or pitches for the pins 190. The printed circuit board 182 is fixed to the outer housing 166 via a plurality of fasteners 194. The header connector 186 may be used, for example, to couple the printed circuit board 182 to a different circuit board (e.g., a larger, or base circuit board positioned in the steering wheel center console 114). Other examples do not include the recess 178, the printed circuit board 182, and / or the header connector 186. In some examples, the printed circuit board 182 is coupled directly on an outer surface of the outer housing 166, or is otherwise coupled to the outer housing 166 or the inner housing 170.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 10, in some examples the toggle switch 122 further includes a Hall effect sensor 198 (FIG. 10) coupled for example to the printed circuit board 182 (e.g., on a side opposite that of the header connector 186), and a magnet 202 (FIGS. 3 and 10) coupled (e.g., fixed) to the rotatable front cover 150. As described further below, the Hall effect sensor 198 may be used to sense rotation of the front cover 150 (and its magnet 202) relative to the main housing 146 and the back cover 138. Other examples do not include the Hall effect sensor 198.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001

[0030] With continued reference to FIG. 3, in some examples the toggle switch 122 further includes a spring holder body 206 coupled to the inner housing 170, and at least one spring coupled to the spring holder body 206. In other examples, the inner housing 170 itself, or the main housing 146 itself, acts as a spring holder body. In the illustrated example, the toggle switch 122 includes a centering spring 210 (e.g., torsional spring) and at least one detent spring 214 each coupled to the spring holder body 206. Each of the detent springs 214 is further coupled to a detent element 216 (e.g., a detent ball). As described further below, the centering spring 210 may be used to center and / or otherwise reset a rotational position of the front cover 150, and the detent springs 214 and detent element 216 may be used to provide a tactile feedback to the user as the user rotates the front cover 150 (e.g., to provide an indication of how far the front cover 150 has been rotated).

[0031] With reference to FIG. 4, in some examples the steering wheel 110 includes a steering wheel armature 218 (e.g., steering wheel rod) that extends between the center console 114 and the outer ring 118 of the steering wheel 110. The steering wheel armature 218 is a solid, rigid bar having a flat face 222, although other examples may include other shapes than that illustrated, including shapes having more than one flat face, or no flat faces.

[0032] During assembly of the toggle switch 122 to the steering wheel 110, the main housing 146 may first be aligned with the flat face 222 (or other face). With reference to FIGS. 2B and 3, in the illustrated example the main housing 146 may include a corresponding flat face 226, and at least one aperture 230 (e.g., threaded aperture) that extends into the flat face 226. The flat face 226 of the main housing 146 may be pressed against, or otherwise brought in proximity to, the flat face 222 of the steering wheel armature 218. One or more fasteners (e.g., screws) may then be inserted through the steering wheel armature 218 (e.g., from a back side of the steering wheel armature 218) and into the apertures 230, to secure and fix the main housing 146 to the steering wheel armature 218.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the back cover 138 may then be moved forward, from behind the steering wheel armature 218, and may be coupled to (e.g., snapped onto) the main housing 146, to fix the back cover 138 to the main housing 146. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some examples the back cover 138 includes snap protrusions 234 positioned along an interiorAttorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001 surface 238 of the back cover 138. Each snap protrusion 234 includes a guide surface 240 (e.g., inclined surface). The main housing 146 may include at least one corresponding guide surface 242 (e.g., an inclined surface) that is sized and shaped to slide along and over the snap protrusion 234, such that the back cover 138 may be pressed onto the main housing 146 and may partially deflect before snapping back onto the main housing 146. Once snapped on, the back cover 138 is inhibited or prevented from being removed from the main housing 146. Other examples may include various other ways of coupling (e.g., snapping or otherwise) the back cover 138 to the main housing 146, including with the use of other snap protrusions, or the use of threading, bayonet connections, fasteners, etc.

[0034] With continued reference to FIG. 6, the front cover 150 may additionally be coupled to the back cover 138. For example, portions of the front cover 150 may slide under and / or along one or more of the guides 158 (e.g., flanges) and surfaces 162 on the back cover 138, as described above. Accordingly, once assembled, the front cover 150 may slide and rotate relative to both the back cover 138 and also the main housing 146. Additionally, and with reference to FIG. 1, once the toggle switch 122 is assembled onto the steering wheel armature 218, the toggle switch 122 may surround the steering wheel armature 218, such that the steering wheel armature 218 is hidden within the toggle switch 122.

[0035] With reference to FIGS. 7A-7E, the front cover 150 is rotatable between various positions. In the illustrated example, the front cover 150 may initially have a default, center return position (FIG. 7C). The front cover 150 may be rotated in a first direction (counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B) to one, two, or more different rotational positions. FIG. 7A illustrates a maximum rotational extension of the front cover 150 in the first direction, and FIG. 7B illustrates a partial rotational extension of the front cover 150 in the first direction.

[0036] The front cover 150 may also be rotated in a second, opposite direction (clockwise as seen in FIGS. 7D and 7E) to one, two, or more different rotational positions. FIG. 7D illustrates a first rotational position along the second direction, and FIG. 7E illustrates a second rotational position along the second direction. Other examples include other numbers of rotational positions than that illustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E, the back cover 138 and the mainAttorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001 housing 146 do not rotate during the movement of the front cover 150. Rather, they remain stationary. The open space illustrated to the left of the main housing 146 in FIGS. 7A-7E is sized and shaped to receive the steering wheel armature 218.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, and as described above, the toggle switch 122 may include a centering spring 210. In the illustrated example, the centering spring 210 returns the front cover 150 to the default, center return position (FIG. 7C). The centering spring 210 is a torsional spring. In some examples, the centering spring 210 is directly (or indirectly) coupled to both the main housing 146 and the front cover 150. The centering spring 210 may include, for example, a first spring pivot and contact point 246 (FIG. 8) and a second spring pivot and contact point 250 (FIG. 8), located for example on the front cover 150 (or extensions from the front cover 150), such that when the front cover 150 is rotated away from the default, center return position, the centering spring 210 naturally pulls the front cover 150 back toward the center return position. Other examples may include various other types and arrangements of centering springs than that illustrated, including torsion springs, compression springs, tension springs, etc. In some examples, multiple centering springs are provided for centering the front cover 150. In yet other examples, no centering springs are provided. In yet other examples, a spring or springs may be provided that return the toggle switch 122 to a position other than a centered position (e.g., return the toggle switch 122 instead to a full counterclockwise rotational position or a full clockwise rotational position).

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 9, and as described above, the toggle switch 122 may include at least one detent spring 214, and each of the detent springs 214 may further be coupled to a detent element 216 (e.g., a detent ball). In the illustrated example, the toggle switch 122 includes two detent springs 214, each coupled to one detent element 216. The detent springs may be positioned at least partially within the main housing 146. The front cover 150 additionally includes indentations (e.g., grooves or rounded indentations) 254 that are sized and shaped to receive (e.g., temporarily receive) the detent elements 216. Accordingly, when the front cover 150 is rotated (e.g., relative to the main housing 146), the detent springs 214 may press the detent elements 216 into the indentations 254. This provides a tactile, noticeable feedback to the user. In some examples, the user may need to apply a predetermined force to continue rotating the front cover 150, and to overcome the detent springs 214 and move theAttomey Docket No. 087801-0015-W001 detent elements 216 out of the indentations 254. In other examples, other numbers and types of detent springs 214 and detent elements 216 are provided. For example, the toggle switch 122 may include only a single detent spring 214 and detent element 216. In the illustrated example, each of the detent springs 214 is a compression spring. In yet other examples, one or more of the detent springs 214 may instead be a living hinge, or other type of spring. Additionally, in some examples the detent element 216 are not provided, and instead the detent spring 214 itself (e.g., an end of the detent spring) is moved into one or more of the indentations 254. In yet other examples, the toggle switch 122 does not include any detent springs 214 or detent elements 216.

[0039] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 10, and as described above, the toggle switch 122 may include a Hall effect sensor 198 coupled (e g., fixed) to the printed circuit board 182 and / or another part of the main housing 146. The toggle switch 122 may further include a magnet 202 coupled (e.g., fixed) to the rotatable front cover 150. In the illustrated example, the Hall effect sensor 198 is located approximately 8mm above the magnet 202 when the front cover 150 is in the default, centered position (FIG. 7C). In other examples, the Hall effect sensor 198 is located between 7mm and 9mm above the magnet 202, or between 6mm and 10mm above the magnet 202 in the default, centered position. Other examples include other values and ranges of values. In some examples, no Hall effect sensor 198 is provided.

[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 10, in some examples, when the front cover 150 is rotated, a distance DI between the Hall effect sensor 198 and the magnet 202 may change. In the illustrated example, the distance DI increases as the magnet 202 and the front cover 150 are rotated away in either direction from the default, centered position. In the illustrated example, the distance DI is between 8mm and 9mm (e.g., 8.19mm) while in a home (rest) position such as that seen in FIG. 10. Other examples, however, may include various other distances when in a home or rest position (e.g., between 7mm and 10mm, between 6mm and 11mm, or other values and ranges of values).

[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 10, in the illustrated example the front cover 150 is rotatable 40 degrees in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise), and 40 degrees in the opposite direction (e.g., clockwise), for a total range of 80 degrees. In other examples, the front cover 150 is rotatable within a range of between 70-90 degrees, or between 60-100 degrees, or between 50-Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001110 degrees, or other values and ranges of values. If the toggle switch 122 includes detent components (e.g., one or more detent springs 214, one or more detent elements 216, and one or more indentations 254), the detents may be spaced apart. For example, the indentations 254 may be spaced apart by 20 degrees, or between 18-22 degrees, or between 16-24 degrees, or other values and ranges of values.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 11, the printed circuit board 182 may include, for example, an electronic processor 256 (e.g., at least one electronic processor 256) communicatively connected to, for example, the Hall effect sensor 198, a memory 258 (e.g., at least one memory 258), and a communication interface 260 (e.g., at least one communication interface 260). The printed circuit board 182 may include more or fewer components than those illustrated in FIG. 11. In the illustrated example, and during operation, the electronic processor 256 receives sensor signals from the Hall effect sensor 198, processes the sensor signals, and outputs commands or other data (e.g., via the communication interface 260) based on the processed sensor signals. In some instances, the electronic processor 256 is implemented in a distributed manner such that some or all processing is performed by, for example, the Hall effect sensor 198 or another component of the printed circuit board 182.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 12, as the front cover 150 is rotated and the distance between the Hall effect sensor 198 and the magnet 202 changes, the Hall effect sensor 198 generates a sensor signal (e.g., signal 262) based on that change. The signal 262 represents, for example, the position of the magnet 202 relative to a phase angle. The electronic processor 256 determines a direction of movement of the toggle switch 122 (e.g., of the rotatable front cover 150) based on a slope “m” of the signal 262. For example, when the slope m of the signal 262 is positive, the electronic processor 256 may determine that the toggle switch 122 is being moved in a first direction (e.g., an upward direction, a downward direction, a clockwise rotational direction, a counterclockwise rotational direction, etc.). When the slope m of the signal 262 is negative, the electronic processor may determine that the toggle switch 122 is being moved in a second direction opposite the first direction (e g., a downward direction, an upward direction, a counterclockwise rotational direction, a clockwise rotational direction, etc ). In some examples, a slope calculation (m = (y2 - yl) / (x2 - xl)) may be used to determine which direction theAttorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001 sensor is moving (from left to right (+m) or from right to left (-m)). In some examples, based on an actual magnetism sensor reading, the exact position versus phase angle can be characterized.

[0044] The electronic processor 256 may reference a lookup table or other data structure to determine the position of the toggle switch 122 based on the slope m of the signal 262. For example, the Hall effect sensor 198 may be calibrated or otherwise tested using test magnets 264 and 266. The test magnets 264 and 266 may be used to characterize, with the electronic processor 256, key points P0-P4 relative to the curve of the signal 262. These key points P1-P4 may correspond to specific detent positions of the toggle switch 122. In some example, the electronic processor 256 maps the key points P1-P4 based on the signal 262 corresponding to the sensed position of the magnet 202 and based on signals 268 and 270 that respectively correspond to sensed positions of the test magnets 264 and 266. During operation, the electronic processor 256 identifies when the magnet 202 reaches each key point P1-P4 based on the mapped data.While two test magnets 264 and 266 are illustrated by way of example in FIG. 12, more than two or less than two test magnets may be used to characterize the slope m of the signal 262.Additionally, the test magnets 264 and 266 may not be present in the toggle switch 122 after installation or completed manufacturing of the toggle switch 122. For example, the test magnets 264 and 266 may be used for calibration and test purposes only.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 13, in some examples the main housing 146 of the toggle switch 122 does not include the recess 178 (FIG. 3), and the toggle switch 122 further does not include the printed circuit board 182 (FIG. 3), the header connector 186 with pins 190 (FIG. 3), and / or the Hall effect sensor 198 located on the printed circuit board 182 or the main housing 146. Instead, the Hall effect sensor 198 is located remotely away from the toggle switch 122, on a different printed circuit board (e.g., a circuit board located within the center console 114 of the steering wheel 110). The rotating front cover 150, however, may still include the magnet 202. Accordingly, the remote Hall effect sensor 198 may still sense a relative positioning of the magnet 202, and thereby sense if and to what degree the front cover 150 has been rotated.

[0046] Some of the examples may be further described by reference to the following numbered clauses:Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W0011. A toggle switch comprising: a first portion; and a second portion at least partially movable relative to the first portion, such that it appears that the toggle switch actuates in one way but actuates in a different way.2. The toggle switch of clause 1, wherein the second portion rotates relative to the first portion, such that it appears the toggle switch is a rotary switch instead of a toggle switch.3. The toggle switch of clause 2, wherein the first portion includes a back cover, and the second portion includes a main housing and a front cover.4. The toggle switch of clause 3, wherein the back cover is coupled to the main housing, and wherein the front cover is configured to rotate relative to both the back cover and the main housing.5. The toggle switch of clause 4, further comprising a Hall effect sensor coupled to the main housing, and a magnet coupled to the front cover.6. The toggle switch of clause 5, further comprising a printed circuit board coupled to the main housing, wherein the Hall effect sensor is coupled to the printed circuit board.7. The toggle switch of clause 6, wherein the printed circuit board includes a header connector.8. The toggle switch of any of clauses 4-7, wherein the main housing includes apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten the main housing to a vehicle component.9. The toggle switch of any of clauses 4-7, further comprising a centering spring coupled to both the main housing and the front cover, to center a position of the front cover relative to the main housing.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W00110. The toggle switch of clause 9, wherein the centering spring is a torsional spring.11. The toggle switch of clause 9 or clause 10, further comprising a detent spring coupled to the main housing, and a detent element coupled to the detent spring, wherein the front cover includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive the detent element.12. The toggle switch of any of clauses 4-11, further comprising a detent spring coupled to the main housing, and a detent element coupled to the detent spring, wherein the front cover includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive the detent element.13. The toggle switch of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second portion includes ribs configured to resemble a rotary switch.14. A steering wheel comprising: a steering wheel armature; and the toggle switch of clause 1 coupled to the steering wheel armature.15. The steering wheel of clause 14, wherein the steering wheel armature is positioned between a center console of the steering wheel and an outer ring of the steering wheel.16. The steering wheel of clause 15, wherein the toggle switch surrounds the steering wheel armature, such that the steering wheel armature is hidden within the toggle switch.17. The steering wheel of clause 16, wherein the first portion includes a back cover, and the second portion includes a main housing and a front cover.18. The steering wheel of clause 17, wherein the back cover is coupled to the main housing, and wherein the front cover is configured to rotate relative to both the back cover and the main housing.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W00119. The steering wheel of clause 18, wherein the main housing is fixed to the steering wheel armature with fasteners.20. The steering wheel of clause 19, further comprising a Hall effect sensor coupled to the main housing, and a magnet coupled to the front cover, wherein the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of the front cover and is configured to sense whether a user has rotated the front cover in a first direction or a second, opposite direction.

[0047] Although various embodiments have been described in detail with reference to certain examples illustrated in the drawings, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects described and illustrated.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W001CLAIMS1. A toggle switch comprising: a first portion; and a second portion at least partially movable relative to the first portion, such that it appears that the toggle switch actuates in one way but actuates in a different way.

2. The toggle switch of claim 1, wherein the second portion rotates relative to the first portion, such that it appears the toggle switch is a rotary switch instead of a toggle switch.

3. The toggle switch of claim 2, wherein the first portion includes a back cover, and the second portion includes a main housing and a front cover.

4. The toggle switch of claim 3, wherein the back cover is coupled to the main housing, and wherein the front cover is configured to rotate relative to both the back cover and the main housing.

5. The toggle switch of claim 4, further comprising a Hall effect sensor coupled to the main housing, and a magnet coupled to the front cover.

6. The toggle switch of claim 5, further comprising a printed circuit board coupled to the main housing, wherein the Hall effect sensor is coupled to the printed circuit board.

7. The toggle switch of claim 6, wherein the printed circuit board includes a header connector.

8. The toggle switch of claim 4, wherein the main housing includes apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten the main housing to a vehicle component.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W0019. The toggle switch of claim 4, further comprising a centering spring coupled to both the main housing and the front cover, to center a position of the front cover relative to the main housing.

10. The toggle switch of claim 9, wherein the centering spring is a torsional spring.

11. The toggle switch of claim 9, further comprising a detent spring coupled to the main housing, and a detent element coupled to the detent spring, wherein the front cover includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive the detent element.

12. The toggle switch of claim 4, further comprising a detent spring coupled to the main housing, and a detent element coupled to the detent spring, wherein the front cover includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive the detent element.

13. The toggle switch of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes ribs configured to resemble a rotary switch.

14. A steering wheel comprising: a steering wheel armature; and the toggle switch of claim 1 coupled to the steering wheel armature.

15. The steering wheel of claim 14, wherein the steering wheel armature is positioned between a center console of the steering wheel and an outer ring of the steering wheel.

16. The steering wheel of claim 15, wherein the toggle switch surrounds the steering wheel armature, such that the steering wheel armature is hidden within the toggle switch.

17. The steering wheel of claim 16, wherein the first portion includes a back cover, and the second portion includes a main housing and a front cover.Attorney Docket No. 087801-0015-W00118. The steering wheel of claim 17, wherein the back cover is coupled to the main housing, and wherein the front cover is configured to rotate relative to both the back cover and the main housing.

19. The steering wheel of claim 18, wherein the main housing is fixed to the steering wheel armature with fasteners.

20. The steering wheel of claim 19, further comprising a Hall effect sensor coupled to the main housing, and a magnet coupled to the front cover, wherein the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a rotational position of the front cover and is configured to sense whether a user has rotated the front cover in a first direction or a second, opposite direction.

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