Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a support; a plurality of switches connected to the support. An encoder rotatable about an axis of a shaft; an actuator rotatable with the shaft and tiltable relative to the shaft; and a connector assembly interconnecting the actuator and the shaft to transmit rotational movement of the actuator to the shaft and permits tilting of the actuator. Each of the switches has a central axis and an upper surface to actuate the switch. A lever engages the upper surface at a first location on the central axis and pivotably engages actuator at a second location. The pivot axis is spaced from the first location a first vertical distance parallel to the central axis. The second location is spaced from the first location a second vertical distance parallel to the central axis 52. The first distance D1 is smaller than the second distance D2.

Abstract: A switch mechanism 10, 110, 210 includes a support 24 and a plurality of switches 50 connected to the support 24. An encoder 26 connected to the support 24 has a shaft 28 rotatable about an axis 18 of the shaft relative to the support. The encoder 26 sends a signal in response to a sensed rotational position of the shaft 28 about the axis 18 relative to the support 24. An actuator 12 is rotatable with the shaft 28 about the axis 18 of the shaft relative to the support 24 and tiltable relative to the axis of the shaft to actuate any of the plurality of switches 50 when the shaft is in any rotational position relative to the support. A connector assembly 30, 130, 230 interconnects the actuator 12 and the shaft 28. The connector assembly 30, 130, 230 transmits rotational movement of the actuator 12 to the shaft 28 and permits tilting movement of the actuator relative to the axis 18. Each of the switches 50 has a central axis 52 and an upper surface 54 that moves to actuate the switch.