Eaton Corporation

Hans-Gunter Weiss

Gerd Rudolph

Peter Leng

Holger Besier

Paul Junker

Thomas Reuter

The invention herein relates to an automobile steering wheel switch assembly with several individual switches (3) and a support housing (1) located inside the steering wheel for the accommodation of an airbag module, by means of which at least one horn switch (15) can be activated. Inside the steering wheel is a stationary support plate (7), which supports the support housing (1) in a spring-biased, wobbling manner, whereby the support housing (1) has mounted on its side (12) facing the support plate (7) a contact unit (10) with connector contacts (32), the unit having switch guides (20) that contact individual switches (3) by way of connecting lines (35) and the horn switch (15) located on the connecting lines (35, 35a).

Automobile steering wheel switch

A steering column switch (1) comprises a carrier (2) with coordinated plug-in fastening (3), which is secured on a holder of the casing tube of the steering column of a motor vehicle, surrounded by a steering column housing, and keys (26, 30, 39) provided with switch elements. On the carrier (2) a plurality of keys (26, 30, 39) acting in different directions of activation are mounted, and these act on contact elements (13, 14) arranged in the carrier (2). The steering column switch (1) has a compact design and at the same time is capable of transmitting a plurality of switch functions, in particular, those of an electronic entertainment system present in a motor vehicle, and furthermore it is comfortable to operate and can be almost completely preassembled

Steering column switch

A lever switch, in particular a steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprises a housing (1) with connector contacts (5), a switch lever (10) supported in the housing (1), a switch element (30 and 32, respectively) actuated by the switch lever (10) and acting on switch contact paths (24), and comprises a switch gate (14), which resets the switch lever (10) or locks it in position. In order to provide a lever switch offering variable switching functions while permitting an economical and cost-effective manufacture at the same time, a predetermined layout of switch contact paths (14) is used for the implementation of different lever switching functions in that the division of the switch contact paths (24) is different, that the association and/or values of the resistors (25) relative to the switch contact paths (24) is different, and that different, interchangeable switch gates (14) are used.

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Worms, Germany

Hans-Gunter Weiss