United Technologies Automotive Inc.

United Technologies Automotive Systems Inc.

James B Wright

LeRoy A Poleschuk

Laverne R Newman

Daniel T Lau

Dale R Jesselson

Robert P Javery

Ernest Peter Valade

Thomas H Proctor

An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes a rotary carrier rotatable in response to engagement of a finger projecting from a movable main carrier. A detent structure is provided within a switch housing for engagement by a projection extending from the rotary carrier. The rotary carrier supports a conductive rotary contactor which is selectively actuable to conduct electrical current to a high beam headlamp conductive trace or a low beam headlamp conductive trace. The present invention provides a method for operating the electrical switch having a rotary mechanism. A channel is disposed between a plurality of conductive traces and the switch housing.

Electrical switch having a rotary mechanism for use in an automotive

An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes an actuator and a carrier movable to electrically actuate a steering column tilting device and a steering column telescoping device. A post and a receptacle assist to align the carrier during its linear switching movement. An actuator assembly is provided which includes a shaft, a partially spherical ball, a first set of crossed arms and a second set of crossed arms while a centering spring biases an actuator toward a centralized neutral position. A modularized electrical switch is also mechanically and electrically connected to a second circuit and housing in a single assembly motion.

Electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle

A method for assembling a multifunctional switch stalk includes the steps of providing a handle having an inner end and an outer end, the handle including a base portion at the inner end for being mounted on a vehicle steering column, mounting a shaft having an axis and an outer end on the outer end of the handle, mounting a control ring on the shaft, the control ring being rotatable to selectively actuate a first predetermined vehicle function, mounting a control knob on the shaft, said control knob being rotatable to selectively actuate a second predetermined vehicle function, and mounting a push button on an outer end of the control knob, the push button being axially compressible to selectively actuate a third predetermined vehicle function.

Method for making a multi-function switch stalk assembly

A turn signal cancellation mechanism has an actuator and a pawl engagably interfacing therewith. In one aspect of the present invention, the pawl is disposed on an opposite side of a steering shaft from a handle interfacing segment of the actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, a unique pawl movably engages with a modified T-shaped slot within an actuator. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modularized system wherein a common housing interchangeably retains differing circuit boards, pivoting actuators coupled to handles, and various switches, depending on the specific options desired. In still another aspect of the present invention, a detent plunger has a shaft with a quadrilateral cross sectional shape along a portion thereof and an integrally formed semi-spherical cap. An improved fastening means is also employed to attach the present invention turn signal cancellation mechanism onto the steering column.

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Warren, MI, United States of America

James B Wright