US4417468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching device for detecting rotational positions of rotary shaft
Assignee: Denso Corp
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Filing: 1981-09-11
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2001-09-11
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Keiichi Yasuda
- 👤 Takaaki Ori
- 👤 Kazumasa Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/18; H01H21/22; H01H21/30; H01H21/34; G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/25; G01D5/252; H01H19/00; H01H19/54; H01H19/56; H01H19/58; H01H19/585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A switching device for detecting the rotational position of a rotary shaft, comprising: a lever provided for rotating with the rotary shaft; a rotor rotated by the lever with a certain amount of hysteresis between the rotor and the lever; an electrically conductive plate spring which is bent and mounted on the lever, said plate spring including a central portion which is fixed on said lever and two side portions each disposed on one side of the central portion; projections formed on the lever for holding the side portions of the plate spring in position in fixed condition; first and second movable electrical contacts each mounted on one of the side portions of the plate spring; a first electrical contact formed on a fixed member for cooperation with said first movable electrical contact for detecting a first rotational position of the rotary shaft; and a second electrical contact formed on the rotor for cooperation with said second movable electrical contact for detecting a second rotational position of the rotary shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A switching device for detecting the rotational position of a rotary shaft, comprising: a lever provided for rotating with the rotary shaft; a rotor rotated by the lever with a certain amount of hysteresis between the rotor and the lever; an electrically conductive plate spring which is bent and mounted on the lever, said plate spring including a central portion which is fixed on said lever and two side portions each disposed on one side of the central portion; projections formed on the lever for holding the side portions of the plate spring in position in fixed condition; first and second movable electrical contacts each mounted on one of the side portions of the plate spring; a first electrical contact formed on a fixed member for cooperation with said first movable electrical contact for detecting a first rotational position of the rotary shaft; and a second electrical contact formed on the rotor for cooperation with said second movable electrical contact for detecting a second rotational position of the rotary shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate spring is bent substantially in the form of a letter W.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate spring is formed by connecting in back-to-back relation two plate spring pieces each bent in the form of a letter U.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
A switching device for detecting the rotational position of a rotary shaft, comprising: a lever provided for rotating with the rotary shaft; a rotor rotated by the lever with a certain amount of hysteresis between the rotor and the lever; an electrically conductive plate spring which is bent and mounted on the lever, said plate spring including a central portion and two side portions each disposed on one side of the central portion; projections formed on the lever for holding the side portions of the plate spring in position in fixed condition; first and second movable electrical contacts each mounted on one of the side portions of the plate spring; a first electrical contact formed on a fixed member for cooperation with said first movable electrical contact for detecting a first rotational position of the rotary shaft; a second electrical contact formed on the rotor for cooperation with said second movable electrical contact for detecting a second rotational position of the rotary shaft; a printed board on which conductors are printed in the form of a comb; and a plurality of contacts mounted on the rotor for engagement with the conductors on the printed board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
A switching device for detecting the rotational position of a rotary shaft, comprising: a lever provided for rotating with the rotary shaft; a rotor rotated by the lever with a certain amount of hysteresis between the rotor and the lever; an electrically conductive plate spring which is bent and mounted on the lever, said plate spring including a central portion and two side portions each disposed on one side of the central portion; projections formed on the lever for holding the side portions of the plate spring in position in fixed condition; first and second movable electrical contacts each mounted on one of the side portions of the plate spring; a first electrical contact formed on a fixed member for cooperation with said first movable electrical contact for detecting a first rotational position of the rotary shaft; a second electrical contact formed on the rotor for cooperation with said second movable electrical contact for detecting a second rotational position of the rotary shaft; a printed board on which conductors are printed in the form of a comb; and a plurality of contacts mounted on the rotor for engagement with the conductors on the printed board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |