Switching device for detecting rotational positions of rotary shaft

Abstract

A switching device for detecting the rotational positions of a rotary shaft including a lever rotating with the rotary shaft as a unit, and an electrically conductive plate spring having a central portion and two side portions which is bent and mounted on the lever. The two side portions of the plate spring are each formed with a movable electrical contact, and electrical contacts each juxtaposed against one of the movable electrical contacts on the plate spring are formed in fixed members respectively. Rotation of the lever brings one set of movable and fixed contacts into and out of engagement with each other to detect one rotational position, and further rotation thereof brings the other set of movable and fixed contacts into and out of engagement with each other to detect another rotational position. The plate spring is held in position in flexed condition on the lever by retaining means which has the effect of positively keeping the two contacts with each other. A rotor rotated by the lever with a certain amount of hysteresis may be provided, and the contact cooperating with one of the movable contacts on the plate spring for detecting the second rotational position may be mounted on the rotor. The rotor may further have a plurality of contacts for engaging conductors printed in the form of a comb on a printed board.