Slide switch actuator e.g. for vehicular steering column - uses energy storage spring for abrupt reversal of direction of rotation of distal shaft section through angular dead zone between shaft sections

摘要

The switch (8) is operated by a tubular shaft (2) having two sections (3,4) rotatable about a common axis (14) with a dead zone (21) which must be traversed by the proximal section (4) before the distal section (3) begins to rotate. Energy is stored in a spring compressed between two plungers in a diametral plane (III) while the dead zone is traversed. Thereafter spring-loaded rollers (43) are rotated out of recesses (38) in the housing (1). From the unstable position the storage spring drives the distal section abruptly through the dead zone in the reverse direction. ADVANTAGE - Compact structure, operates with high precision, renewing spring tension at each switching operation.