Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a direction of travel indicator of a vehicle having the following steps: receiving a signal for the chronologically limited activation of the direction of travel indicator, chronologically limited activation of the direction of travel indicator after reception of the signal for the chronologically limited activation of the direction of travel indicator, starting a timer for a measurement interval after reception of the signal for the chronologically limited activation of the direction of travel indicator, checking a steering angle measurement signal during the measurement interval, and deactivation of the direction of travel indicator as a function of the checking of the steering angle measurement signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part (7) to which an actuating lever (2) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (11) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part (7) has an arm (20) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis (11), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body (16) of the driver part (7), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element (8) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device (6) with a triggering element (10) which is designed for resetting the driver part (7), and thus the actuating lever (2), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element (10) is arranged on a side of the arm (20) situated opposite the electrical contact element (8).

Abstract: A turn signal switch device includes an operation lever, a holding member configured to support a base portion of the operation lever and to be turnable together with the operation lever, a housing configured to support the holding member such that the holding member is turnable, a cancel lever provided in the housing and configured to be advanceable, retractable, and turnable along with the turning of the holding member, and a cam member provided in the housing and facing the base portion of the operation lever. The housing holds a third elastic member configured to elastically urge the cancel lever toward a turning locus of a cancel projection. The third elastic member is a coil spring.

Abstract: The turn signal switch device is provided with: a housing; an operating lever rotatably supported by the housing; a first cancel lever which is rotated by abutting a cancel protrusion on a steering wheel side; and a second cancel lever rotatable in interlock with the first cancel lever, wherein a protrusion shaft or an elongated hole of the second cancel lever is inserted in an elongated hole or the protrusion shaft provided in a bottom plate of the housing, and wherein in order that both ends may be exposed in the elongated hole, the protrusion shaft is caught between both ends of the second spring mounted to the bottom plate or the second cancel lever to be held at a central position of the elongated hole.

Abstract: A lighting system for an off-road vehicle includes one or more exit lights that are activated upon operator demand and that are automatically deactivated a designated period of time after exit lights activation, thereby facilitating the operator's departure from the vehicle. The lighting system includes an electrical power source, at least one running light, at least one exit light, and a control system that is coupled to the power source and to the lights and that controls operation of the running light and the exit light. The control system includes a manually operated switch movable between (1) an OFF position in which neither the running light nor the exit light is coupled to the power source, (2) a running light activation position in which at least the running light is coupled to the power source, and (3) an exit light activation position.

Abstract: A lever switch for a vehicle which is easy to assemble is disclosed, which includes a control lever 50 having switches at the end, a swing block 24 rotatably retaining the control lever, and a casing 1 rotatably retaining the swing block together with the control lever, for allowing the control lever 50 to be rotatably retained in two intersecting planes, a rotating shaft 24a is formed on the lower end face 24f of the swing block 24, the rotating shaft is fitted in a shaft hole 1c formed in a support surface A of the casing to retain the swing block 24 rotatably, a recessed portion 24b communicating with the control lever is formed in the outer peripheral face of the rotating shaft 24a through the lower end face supporting the rotating shaft. Wire leads 11 jutting from the switches are led to the lower part of the casing 1 through the recessed portion 24b, thus facilitating assembly as compared with a structure of wiring through a through-hole 24c at the center of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A canceling ratchet consists of ratchet body portion 31, ratchet movable portion 32 enabled to move in a forward and backward direction in ratchet body portion 31, and a movable portion pushing spring 40 provided between these portions. When a grabby brake phenomenon occurs in turn lever 24, ratchet movable portion 32 moves in direction of arrow G1 against a spring force of movable portion pushing spring 40. When a cancel operation is performed, the direction of vector F1 differs by nearly 90 degrees from the direction of movement of ratchet movable portion 32, and from the direction of expansion and contraction of movable portion pushing spring 40. Thus, the magnitude of a vector F4 representing a force acting on movable portion spring 40 is relatively small, exerting a small influence on the movable portion pushing spring.

Abstract: The operation is silent when manipulating the lever switch. Further, a lever switch having a favorable sensation of manipulation is obtained. The lever switch includes a sliding element, an operation lever, a moderator pin, a moderator plate, and a switch contact point. The moderator plate is disposed at a position where the leading end of the moderator pin elastically contacts with the moderator plate. The moderator plate has a moderation ditch in a concave shape, moderation protrusions positioned at both ends of the moderation ditch, and a sliding surface linking the moderation ditch and moderation protrusions. The sliding surface has a thin portion so as to be deflected by pressure of the moderator pin.

Abstract: A turn signal switch includes a housing having a cam portion; a control lever turnably supported in the housing; a driving element for holding the control lever at three positions, first and second operating positions and a neutral position, in cooperation with the cam portion; a lever member turnably supported in the housing so as to return the control lever from the first and second operating positions to the neutral position; and a spring member for elastically urging the lever member toward a canceling projection that turns together with the steering wheel. The lever member is retracted outside the locus of turning of the canceling projection by the control lever when the control lever is in the neutral position, and is advanced inside the locus of turning of the canceling projection by the urging force of the spring member so that the spring member is in elastic contact with the lever member at one point when the control lever is in the first or second operating position.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing an excess load with a simple construction when the excess load is applied during a cancel operation for automatically restoring an operating lever. A movable member is swingably supported by a holder mounted to an operating lever, and a spring is provided between the movable member and a driving member, whereby the movable member is biased toward the stable position of the holder, and the driving member is brought into press contact with a cam surface of a case. When the operating lever is rotated from the neutral position to the operating position, the driving member slides on the cam surface and is held in the operating position, and a first lever member comes into the rotation path of a cancel protrusion. When in this condition the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction, the cancel protrusion abuts the first lever member to rotate during the return operation thereof, and with that, a second lever member rotates.