Electrical switch having interlocked blower and air conditioner switch

Abstract

A combination blower and air conditioner switch for vehicles, comprising a blower speed control switch component including a blower control member movable from an OFF position to a series of ON positions to provide different blower speeds, an air conditioner switch component including a push button control member movable between OFF and ON positions against the biasing action of a return spring, latching means including a latching element for latching the push button control member in its ON position, and an interlock member movable by the blower control member to a disabling position for disabling the latching means when said blower control member is in its OFF position, such interlock member being movable to an enabling position for enabling such latching means when the blower control member is moved away from its OFF position to any of its ON positions, whereby the push button air conditioner control member cannot be latched in its ON position when the blower control member is in its OFF position. The latching means may be of the alternate latching type for alternately latching and unlatching the push button air conditioner control member in response to successive pushes thereof. The latch disabling action of the interlock member prevents the build-up of frost on the cooling coil of the air conditioner by preventing operation of the air conditioner unless the blower is energized to circulate air through the cooling coil.