Abstract: A motor actuator has a position detector provided with a pulse plate made of resin and a sliding contact. The pulse plate has a first conductive unit and a second conductive unit. The sliding contact has an input contact and an output contact. The first conductive unit makes contact with the input contact and the second conductive unit makes contact with the output contact so that a pulse signal is obtained by rotation of the pulse plate. A plurality of slit portions are formed on the first conductive unit by exposing the resin material of the pulse plate so that grease is collected in a boundary portion of each of the slit portions due to a difference in thickness between the slit portions and a conductive portion of the first conductive unit.

Abstract: An electric device for evaporating substances, comprising a housing, a printed circuit board supported in said housing and used for an electric heating element, and a toggle switch including an operating element which is adapted to be pivoted by a defined angle. The toggle switch is provided with an integral strip-shaped sheet-metal spring serving simultaneously as a switching element for interrupting and for establishing an electrically conductive connection between two contacts and as a resilient element holding the switching element at two stable switching positions. The strip-shaped sheet-metal spring has two end pieces, one end piece being coupled to the operating element and the other end piece abutting directly on one of the two contacts. Furthermore, the strip-shaped sheet-metal spring includes a 3/4-circular bend which is brought into contact with the other contact by pivoting the operating element.

Abstract: A timer for controlling an appliance includes a housing. The timer also includes a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein. The plurality of cam surfaces are positioned within the housing. The timer further includes a switch block which cooperates with the plurality of cam surfaces to provide switching operations for the appliance. Moreover, the timer includes an auxiliary member having a circuit pattern positioned on a side thereof. Rotation of the camstack causes rotation of the auxiliary member. The auxiliary member is positioned outside of the housing. The timer yet further includes a first switch arm positioned in contact with the side of the auxiliary member. Rotation of the auxiliary member causes the circuit pattern to be advanced into contact with the first switch arm. A method of controlling an appliance is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a control knob (3) that is mounted on at least three balls (6) that move, guided by a cage disk (7), in a housing groove (8) formed by a radial wall (9) and an axial wall (10), against which the balls (6) are urged by an outward or inward conical bearing surface (11) or (12). The radial and axial wall bearing surfaces have contact segments and contact paths (13, 14) that are shorted by at least one of the balls (6). The control knob has a stop lug (15), an operational adjustment angle (4) of which is limited by housing lugs (16) and which, during operational adjustment, contacts at least one of two stop lugs (17) of the cage disk, which are positioned at an angle that corresponds approximately to one-half the maximum operational adjustment angle (4) and to a maximum contact adjustment angle (5). This structure results in reduced cost and functional improvement.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a push button switch having a shaft portion and a rotary switch having a rotation operating portion which rotates about the shaft portion of the push button switch. The switch also includes a push button switch contact member and a rotary switch contact member. The push button switch contact member is actuated in accordance with a movement of the shaft portion of the push button switch. The rotary switch contact member is actuated in accordance with rotation of the rotation operating portion. The push button contact member and the rotary switch contact member are spaced from one another along the shaft portion of the push button switch.

Abstract: A double-grid mechanical encoder is provided which includes a wheel mounted around a shaft, a metal spring unit adapted to provide power supply to the wheel and to produce different voltages to an external circuit, enabling it to detect the revolving direction and amount of movement of the wheel. The wheel has two metal cores disposed on opposite sides and electrically connected together. Two annular grids are respectively disposed on opposite sides around the metal core and offset from each other by a predetermined angle. Each of the annular grids has a plurality of electrical conducting portions coupled to the metal core and a plurality of insulative portions radially and alternatively arranged around the corresponding metal core. The metal spring unit includes a first metal spring leaf and a second metal spring leaf of equal size respectively disposed in contact with the two annular grids of the wheel and caused to produce different voltage signals upon the rotary motion of the wheel.

Abstract: A substantially fan-shaped stationary contact base is provided at its pivot of the fan with a shaft hole and at its outer periphery with mounting bosses, each having a through bore. The mounting boss is formed in the middle of the outer periphery of a circular arc to have an enlarged area in the circumferential direction where there is provided an elongated positioning slot which is extended in the radial direction of the shaft hole. A shaft holder supported by a switch case is inserted into the shaft hole and a positioning projection provided on the side of the switch case is then inserted into the elongated positioning slot so that the stationary contact base and the switch case can be assembled together.

Abstract: A rotary dimmer switch assembly for use with a vehicle push-pull switch controls at least one light dimming function. The rotary switch assembly comprises a stationary cam contact assembly, and a rotating carder assembly which carries a circuit element having an exposed circuit trace surface. The cam contact assembly is fixed to a circuit board and has a plurality of contact arms having one end biased against the circuit element circuit trace surfaces and the other end electrically connected to the circuit board. The cam contact assembly guides the rotation of the carrier assembly about the longitudinal axis of the push-pull switch. The circuit element rotates with the carrier assembly, which is rotated by rotation of a push-pull switching component, and the circuit trace surfaces sweep across the contact arms thereby controlling the light dimming function. A method of assembling the rotary potentiometer assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low inductance triaxial semiconductor switching module. The module permits high power semiconductor switching devices to operated at high frequency but with low inductance. The module incorporates compositional, geometrical and electrical symmetry in connection with a triaxial terminal subassembly having coplanar contact areas. The terminal subassembly is readily fabricated and assembled into the module. The module also includes short internal leads, a special circumferential array of substrates subassemblies, and a circular circuit board having gate and Kelvin circuit patterns.

Abstract: A plurality of contacts for rotary switches are concentrically formed on a printed circuit board accommodated in a case. A fixed cylinder is disposed opposite to the concentric arrangement of the contacts. A rotary shaft of a first rotary knob pierces through and supports the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a first rotary switch. A rotary cylinder which functions as a rotary shaft of a second rotary knob is fitted to the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a second rotary switch. Spring coils for the first and second rotary knobs are mounted on the fixed cylinder. The spring coils provide the first and second rotary knobs with tensions for their rotation reference positions. Thus, the positions of slidable contact pieces of the rotary switches are elastically maintained to their reference angle positions.

Abstract: A control device and method of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a rotary switch carried on the component mounting side of a printed circuit board of the control device and having opposed sides with a central opening passing through the opposed sides thereof, and an actuator shaft having a portion thereof disposed in the central opening for operating the rotary switch upon rotation of the shaft, the shaft having structure snap fitting the portion thereof in the central opening of the rotary switch when the portion of the shaft is initially inserted into the central opening by being axially moved from the solder side of the board to the component mounting side of the board.

Abstract: A contact piece for a rotary encoder is an unitary piece having a terminal, a thin plate spring, and a bent-back section on the tip of the thin plate spring. The bent-back section is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees in the plane. The contact brush is located on the bent-back section. In one embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring, bent-back section and contact brush are stamped from the same metal plate. In another embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring and bent-back section are stamped from the same metal plate and a separate contact brush is connected to the bent-back section. The contact piece is pushed in from the bottom side of the rotary encoder housing, and the contact brush is set such that contact is made with an electrode pattern. When a rotating plate turns, a pulse having a low or high signal is generated. This configuration provides the rotary encoder with an adequately long span S, which can be precisely set and easily produced.

Abstract: In an incremental encoder, a common terminal which is required always to be electrically connected to a rotary contact plate comprises a plurality of sliding contacts each having a contact point with the rotary contact plate. Respective sliding contacts are positioned so as to come into contact with the rotary contact plate with a positional shift angle. Due to this feature, even in the case where the common terminal is in contact with a signal pulse-generating region of the rotary contact plate having slits formed therein for generating the signal pulse, it is possible that a portion of at least one of the contact points provided on the plurality of sliding contacts is always in contact with the rotary contact plate. Accordingly, a common contact region which is required in a conventional incremental encoder is not necessary, whereby the miniaturization of the incremental encoder can be realized.

Abstract: An encoder for generating a position signal in accordance with a position of a conductive slider comprises a non-conductive substrate, a first conductive pattern formed on the substrate, and at least three second conductive patterns formed on the substrate. The second patterns are independent from the first pattern. Each of the second patterns has a lead wire extending to an edge of the substrate. The slider is slidable on the substrate, and produces a conductive state signal when it abuts against the first pattern and produces a non-conductive state signal when it abuts against the second pattern or the substrate. The position signal is generated in accordance with the conductive state signal and the non-conductive state signal. One of the second patterns is surrounded by the first pattern, and the lead wire extending therefrom passes between the other two second patterns and extends to the exterior of the first pattern.

Abstract: A switch substrate for a switching device that includes an electrical contact brush, the substrate formed with alternating conductive and insulating portions on its surface and having a groove formed between the conductive and insulating portions to eliminate insulating abrasion powder from the surface of the contact brush. The top of the conducting portions is higher than the bottom of the groove but can be above or below the surface of the insulating portions. To form such a substrate, a conductive layer having projections is formed and is engaged with a mold so that the projections are compressed. After the substrate is removed from the mold, the compressed projections extend to their actual height.

Abstract: A multi-position switch (100), comprises an integral integrated circuit (66) for encoding one of a plurality of switch inputs (66) into a combination of a lesser quantity of switch outputs (57) and a miniaturized rotor (15) and stator (60) arrangement for selecting (50) one (62) of the plurality of switch inputs (53) corresponding to a selected switch position.

Abstract: A solid state rotary entry control system for controlling appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, television sets and other appliances, the control system incorporating a first rotary entry means utilizing the angular displacement of a rotary switch to increment and decrement data, such as desired time, temperature or other data into a microprocessor based appliance control, the control system also incorporating a second rotary entry means for selecting, for example, a desired power level, such as a desired microwave oven magnetron power level, and also providing a power level bar graph display indicative of the power level selected by the user thereof.

Abstract: A unit for adjusting the focusing voltage of a cathode ray tube by controlling the high voltage of a flyback transformer comprising a main body unit (400) consisting of an interior face having a rail (402) extending therefrom, a knob (3) journaled in the main body, a variable shaft means (417) connected to turn with the knob, a contact terminal support (412) having a cylindrical protrusion (414) extending through an elongate opening in the variable shaft means, the protrusion having a rail groove (413) therein for sliding over the rail and a contact pin (411) carried by the contact terminal support.

Abstract: A rotary digital contacting encoder (FIG. 1) including a base (5), comprising - a base epoxy disk (501) with three external, pre-molded in place, connector pins (P.sub.1 -P.sub.3) on its exterior side extending through it, and a conductive layer in the form of two concentric layer rings (502 & 503; FIG. 4); and - an encoder element made of a "Kapton" insulating substrate (510) carrying two, like concentric cog rings (511B & 511A; FIGS. 3 & 7) on its top side. Conductive vias (512 & 513) electrically interconnect each respective cog ring with its respective conductive layer ring and its respective external connector pin, the vias forming conductive paths through the insulating substrate between the conductive layer and the cog rings. The presence of the conductive layer 502/503, which can be screen printed on the base disk, greatly simplifies the relative alignment of the encoder element, conductor pads and terminals.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a housing having a planar electrically insulating interior surface on which is seated a printed circuit terminal board that has at least a pair of electrolytically deposited electrical terminals, and a rotatable contact plate having contacts for electrically connecting and disconnecting said terminals in a predetermined sequence, and a push-button stepping means operatively connected to the contact plate for selective rotation of said contact plate.

Abstract: A rotary switch which cooperates with a printed circuit board employs a knob member having a handle portion that protrudes through an opening in a panel of an equipment housing. The printed circuit board is spaced beneath the panel and has printed wiring contacts that are disposed along a circular path beneath the knob member. Switches which include the printed wiring contacts are opened and closed when the knob member is rotated. In one embodiment, four pairs of printed wiring contacts are disposed on the PCB at 90.degree. intervals and a spacer sheet having openings positioned at the contact pairs rests on the PCB. A contactor sheet rests on the spacer sheet and supports contactor elements that are positioned to protrude through the openings and bridge the contactor pairs when the appropriate region of the contactor sheet is depressed. Such depression is accomplished by contactor legs extending from a contactor member affixed to the underside of the knob member.

Abstract: An encoder device encodes angular position in the form of electrical signals in dependence on the position of a rotatable member in relation to a series of discrete fixed contacts disposed about the axis of rotation of a rotatable member. A series of discrete fixed contacts 2a, 2b, carried by a panel 1, form a first group of contacts of a flexible switch structure which also has a second group of contacts 9 carried by a flexible sheet 7 and arranged such that each contact of the second group is located opposite to, but spaced from, one of the series forming the first group of contacts. An intermediate sheet 8 is sandwiched between the panel 1 and flexible sheet 7 and is apertured at 10 in the region of the contact sets 2a, 2b and 9.

Abstract: An electric data switch, e.g., a rotary switch, that selects data by moving contact portion along tracks of electrodes, in which a contact portion touches two or more electrodes simultaneously, and in which leads between terminals of the electrodes are arranged to avoid touching with the contact portion. This simplifies the switch, allowing it to be smaller and more durable.

Abstract: In a switch for detecting shift positions of an automatic transmission in which a movable contact piece is moved in a linked relationship with the shifting over of shift positions of the transmission so as to effect switching with each of stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, stationary contact pieces for monitoring are disposed in combination with the stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, thereby enabling predetermined combination signasl to be output. In the detection error checking of this invention, auxiliary contact points for monitoring are used together with a plurality of stationary contact points so that combinations of contact pieces are determined with a certain regularity which is monitored by a control unit so as to check detection results.

Abstract: A multiple position rotary switch is disclosed for incorporation into an electrical device. The switch comprises an annular cup that serves as a housing for the switch and which receives a knob for rotation therein. The knob is retained within the cup by a circuit board that is removably secured to the cup. The circuit board includes a first major surface having a switching circuit formed thereon and a second major surface. The circuit board is removably secured to the cup by a plurality of barbed ears which extend from the sidewall of the cup such that the first surface of the board is located between the knob and the second surface of the board. The cup includes an upstanding sidewall and a race against which the knob rotates. The race includes a plurality of protrusions which facilitate the retention of the knob in preselected positions as the knob is rotated. The knob comprises a cylindrical disk having on one surface a handle.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounted rotary electrical switch has a rotatable electrical contact carrier mounted for rotation within a cup-shaped housing and carrying indexing and rotation limiting devices cooperating with the housing. An electrical contact strip is carried by the rotatable carrier for selectively providing a direct electrically conductive bridge between pairs of a plurality of projecting electrical contacts attached to the circuit board and to corresponding printed wiring on the circuit board. The housing is attached to the circuit board by screws threaded into the circuit board through perforated ears projecting from respective sides of the housing. The carrier and the housing are made of an electrically non-conductive material to protect the strip and the contacts from extraneous electrical paths.

Abstract: A motor actuator for an air conditioning system comprising a driving motor and an output shaft rotated by a driving force from the driving motor. At least one moveable contact is mounted on a contact mounting member rotatable together with the output shaft. Fixed contacts are mounted on a fixed circuit board. The movable contact is in sliding contact with the fixed contacts. A hysteresis imparting device is provided for imparting a hysteresis to the rotation of the contact mounting member with respect to the rotation of the output shaft. Further, the circuit board is interposed between an output gear on the output shaft and a switch disc rotatable together with the output gear. A switch device comprised of the movable contact and the fixed contacts is mounted between the circuit board and the output gear and/or between the circuit board and the switch disc.

Abstract: A DIP rotary code switch provided with a plurality of terminals arranged on a circuit board embedded in a base includes a rotor, conductive patterns disposed, on the bottom surface of the rotor the rotor being rotatably mounted in a cavity formed by a housing and a base, a contact member holder having a center boss on the upper surface thereof which rotatably supports the rotor and having slots extending therethrough and a contact member provided with an apex head fitted respectively into a slot extending through the contact member holder, the apex head intermittently contacting conductive patterns of the rotor when rotated and the contact member having two legs fitted respectively into slits extending in a the base to be electrically connected to conductive elements arranged on the surface of the circuit board embedded in the base.

Abstract: An electrical switch suitable for a miniature apparatus such as a wristwatch comprises a resilient contact plate which is mounted on a member capable of rotating about an axis. The contact plate has two arms which extend radially from a rigid or mounted central portion. The outer ends of the arms are supported on a contact member, the arms being elastically deformed by the action of the contact forces. The two arms have different lengths and they are weakened in a different manner by apertures at their mounting location. Consequently, it is possible to achieve ideal compensation for the couples produced by the contact forces. In addition, an ideal deformation of the arms of the contact plate is obtained, as well as a well-defined position for the bearing points of the contacts.

Abstract: A solid state rotary entry control system for controlling appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, television sets and other appliances, the control system incorporating a first rotary entry means utilizing the angular displacement of a rotary switch to increment and decrement data, such as desired time, temperature or other data into a microprocessor based appliance control, the control system also incorporating a second rotary entry means for selecting, for example, a desired power level, such as a desired microwave oven magnetron power level, and also providing a power level bar graph display indicative of the power level selected by the user thereof.

Abstract: A power selector assembly for a loudspeaker includes in one embodiment an audio transformer upon which a printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted via connector strips having pins for both securing the PCB to the transformer, and for individually electrically connecting foil contacts of the PCB to the multi-tapped primary and the secondary windings of the transformer. The transformer is mounted within a housing. An electrical wiper contact is resiliently mounted between the PCB and a knob retained in an access hole through the housing, for permitting the knob to be rotated for positioning the wiper contact to selectively electrically connect a foil terminal receiving an input signal to one of a plurality of contact foils of the PCB, for connecting the input signal to one of the taps of the primary winding associated with a desired power level. Other electrical connections on the printed circuit board provide for connecting a loudspeaker to the secondary winding.

Abstract: A rotor (100,200,300) for a stator (50) of a rotary switch (10) includes a substrate (106,216,302) having a continuous conductive surface over which a profiled dielectric layer (110,218,316) is molded which includes arcuate groove segments (118) along concentric circles which expose portions of the continuous conductive surface and define switch-encoding circuit paths (120,222,322) for brush contact portions (66) of the stator (50). The dielectric material at the ends (122) of each groove segment (118) deflect the brush contact portions (66) away from the conductive surface during rotation of the rotor (100,200,300), and the brush contact portions thus do not engage corner edges of discrete circuit paths.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for an electric iron control circuit includes a control switch assembly having a commutator switch and an on/off switch, including a pair of conductive members mounted on an insulating base. Each of the conductive members includes a plurality of conductive fingers interleaved so as to maintain electrical isolation between the conductive members. A rotary contact geared to the temperature control of an iron includes a contact member which alternately bridges and isolates the conductive fingers such that movement of the temperature select knob creates an interrupting signal between terminals connected to the conductive members. When the movable contact is in a predetermined position, a leaf contact is separated from a fixed contact so as to establish an on/off switch control. The base is pivotally mounted to the housing of the iron.

Abstract: The rotary electrical switch 1 which is mounted on a circuit plate 7 furnished with a printed circuit comprises a switch wheel 4 which is rotatably supported on the circuit plate 7 and whereat a contact bridge 48 is inserted into a pocket 46. On rotation of the rotary switch 1, said contact bridge 48 connects and/or disconnects at least two conducting paths of the printed circuit. Shaped at the switch wheel 4 is a pivot pin 17 which penetrates the circuit plate 7 and which is secured by a base member 5 to the circuit plate 7 on the said's bottom side opposite to the printed circuit. The switch wheel 4 includes catch-type recesses 42, with a resilient switching element 32 engaging into each one recess depending on the position of rotation of the switch wheel 4. The base member 5 urges via the switch wheel 4 the contact lugs 48 resiliently against the circuit plate 7, additionally forms the catch-type element 40 and simultaneously couples the switch wheel 4 and the circuit plate 7.

Abstract: A rotary switch construction and method of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a surface unit having a substantially circular electrically conductive code pattern thereon, an electrically conductive wiper contact unit cooperating with the surface unit for making contact with a selected part of the pattern, and a rotary selector operatively associated with the units for selecting the desired part of the pattern that is to be contacted by the wiper contact unit, the wiper contact unit comprising a first pair of electrically connected wiper contacts disposed to respectively contact the pattern on a first substantially circular path thereof at points thereon that are disposed approximately 180.degree. from each other.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch includes a single support housing (18) for rotation about a base (12). The base (12) is a circuit board which includes an opening (16) through which the housing (18) is secured to the base. A pair of contact pads (14) extend radially away from the opening (16) on the base (12). The housing (18) includes a cavity (34) facing the base (12). A conductive roller (38) is located in the cavity (34) for rolling over the pair of contact pads (14) to establish an electrical connection. The switch is characterized by a fulcrum ridge (40) extending from the housing (18) into the cavity (34) for allowing the roller (38) to rock in case a bump is incurred in the contact pads (14) to ensure an electrical connection.

Abstract: Rotary electrical signal generator includes fixed electric contacts and slider contacts which engage the fixed contacts. To enhance the abrasion resistance and the corrosion resistance, the surface of printed electrodes is coated with an amorphous Ni-P plated layer containing from 15 to 25 atom % of P.

Abstract: A protected switch unit is provided in a cassette tape recorder employing a single motor for driving a power transmission system for transferring a cassette holder and a power transmission system for loading and unloading the tape of the cassette loaded on the cassette tape recorder. The protected switch controls the motor for sequential cassette inserting operation and tape loading operation and for sequential tape unloading operation and cassette ejecting operation. A protective member for protecting the switch unit from dust is interposed between a circuit board having stationary contact terminals and a machine element of the power transmission system, carrying a movable contact terminal so as to seal the switch unit from dust.

Abstract: A connection member between a given number of n distinct parallel paths (V.sub.1 to V.sub.n) and a common path (V.sub.0) comprises, for establishing the 2.sup.n distinct combinations of connections between this common path and the n distinct paths, 2.sup.n-1 connection arms distributed along a circle around the central part of the member in 2.sup.n-1 positions among 2.sup.n possible positions. The 2.sup.n-1 positions are chosen such that the successive switching steps along a circular path of this member establish successively each of these 2.sup.n distinct combinations of possible connections between the common path and the n parallel paths.

Abstract: A rotary switch construction and method of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a surface unit having a substantially circular electrically conductive code pattern thereon, and electrically conductive wiper contact unit cooperating with the surface unit for making contact with a selected part of the pattern, and a rotary selector operatively associated with the units for selecting the desired part of the pattern that is to be contacted by the wiper contact unit, the wiper contact unit comprising a first pair of electrically connected wiper contacts disposed to respectively contact the pattern on a first substantially circular path thereof at points thereon that are disposed approximately 180.degree. from each other.

Abstract: An electrical encoding device for generating a coded input to an electrical apparatus, which coded input can indicate direction and speed of movement of an actuator associated with an electrical encoding device. The device is cheaper to manufacture since the layout of certain aspects of the device is greatly simplified, the simplified layout of certain aspects of the device reducing cost of manufacture of the device. The device is designed to easily accommodate various encoding parameters so that it may be manufactured in a family-program fashion with families of the device being capable of addressing a range of encoding parameters.

Abstract: In a pulse generator with a rotor (7) provided with a conductive pattern and fixed contact springs wiping over the pattern, the latter is formed by a central continuous slip ring (15) which is concentric with the drive shaft (3) of the rotor (7) and has inwardly and outwardly projecting teeth (16; 17), the number of internal teeth (16) being equal to the number of external teeth (17), and the internal and external teeth having the same angular spacing (.alpha.).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a rotor switch. The rotor switch consists of a rotor device positioned between a pair of printed circuit boards. One printed circuit board having conductive pads, coupled to the output of the switch, and the other board having a conductive strip, coupled to the input of the switch. A conductive spring, or similar conductor, is disposed through the rotor to couple one of the conductive pads to the conductive strip. A housing having a retainer that fits into exterior notches located in the printed circuit boards and the rotor acts to secure the rotor in place when rotational forces are exerted on the switch.

Abstract: Electric switches whose fixed contacts (3) are formed by the conductors on a printed circuit board (1), which are coated with a layer of noble metal, the connections between the fixed contacts provided on a contact path (2) and electrically connected among each other, extend outside the contact paths (2) of the movable contacts. Prior to the application of the layer of noble metal the connecting lines are covered and, therefore, a considerable saving of noble metal results.

Abstract: A rotary switch having a plurality of outputs energized according to a prearranged pattern during rotation of a shaft of the switch includes first and second switch boards spaced apart and having respective contact portions formed on the facing surfaces thereof. The contact portions of the first board include an arcuate collector and a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern, and the second board includes a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern. A slider is held rotatively between the switch boards and has two pairs of electrically-connected conductive arms with a respective pair of conductive arms extending towards the contact portions of each board. In this way, each of the fixed contacts can be connected electrically with the arcuate collector in a predetermined pattern as the slider is rotated.

Abstract: An omnidirectional changeover switch includes casing having adjacent sides, at least a pair of switch units mounted respectively on the sides and having rotatable slider supports, respectively, a control lever mounted in the casing, and interlink members disposed in the casing and rotatable about their own axes extending in substantially perpendicular relation to each other, the control lever being operatively connected to the slider supports through the interlink members, each of the slider supports comprising an insulating base and supporting a pair of sliders slidable on the insulating base, the base including a collector held in contact with one of the sliders at all times, and a pair of contacts capable of contacting the other slider and having ends held in confronting relation to each other, the collector and the contacts being printed as patterns on the insulating base.

Abstract: A rotary switch assembly comprises dielectric housing members stacked together, each of the housing members having electrical brush contact members extending into a cavity formed between pairs of housing members. A printed circuit board is disposed in each cavity and has a profiled opening mounting the printed circuit board on a corresponding profiled section of a shaft for rotating the printed circuit boards relative to their respective brush contact members to selected positions for electrical engagement on a selected electrical circuit on the printed circuit boards. Bushing members are located on the printed circuit boards and have profiled bores substantially in coincidence with the profiled openings in the printed circuit boards increasing the area of engagement on the shaft for rotating and accurately positioning the printed circuit boards relative to the brush contact members and adjacent bushing members engage one another to accurately position the printed circuit boards in their respective cavities.

Abstract: A miniature multistage rotary switch having an injection-moulded metal casing and a threaded bushing moulded thereto for serving as the bearing of the switch spindle and for mounting the switch on a panel. Detent balls are supported inside a rotor and are pressed radially towards the outside against a ball-rest unit of the casing provided with detent grooves. In order to avoid the use of a lubricant the casing, within the area of the ball-rest unit, is made from a suitable plastics material and is firmly connected to the remaining metallic part of the casing.An annular groove is formed in the switch metal casing inner surface. The groove includes a circular portion intersected by radial slots equal in number to the detent positions. The slots contain one or more locking pin members extending across the annular groove formation circular portion. A switch rotor stop cam rotates within the annular groove and abuts the locking pin member(s).

Abstract: A structure and a method for manufacturing a contact disk for detection of angular position and direction includes a concentrically-arranged planar slip-ring like conductive layer at the innermost region of the disk, a first gear-pattern like conductive layer, having outer teeth, at its midway region, and a second gear-pattern conductive layer, having internal teeth at the outermost region of the disk, all formed on an insulative substrate; the gear-pattern conductive layers are both printed at the same time to insure high accuracy in the position of the conductive layers; crossing parts of the lead connections are printed with the use of an insulative film therebetween.

Abstract: Membrane switch technology is applied to the more conventional switch construction found in a rotary switch. Specifically, there may be a membrane and a substrate, each having electrical contacts or contact means formed thereon. A spacer having openings or opening means is positioned between the membrane and the substrate. The spacer is rotated between the membrane and substrate to vary the position of the opening which permits membrane contacts to be moved through the opening to form a switch closure.