Abstract: An electric switch (1) having digital switch position detection includes a switching device (2) for contacting switch contacts associated with individual code tracks (A, B, C), different switch contacts being contacted by the switching device in different switch positions in totality and the tap off of the switch contacts contacted by the switching device (2) being applied to an evaluation unit (9). Depending on the position of the switching device (2) in at least some switch positions the voltage level has a different value to additionally distinguish this switch position.

Abstract: An improved multiturn potentiometer consists of a rotor assembly including a wiper in electrical contact with an output terminal and an annular resistance strip. The annular resistance strip is electrically connected to a source of potential through one or more potentiometric rotary switches which are activated periodically change the magnitude of potential to the annular resistance strip. Movement of the wiper along the annular resistance strip varies the potential to the output terminal. Activation of the rotary switches is effected by rotation of the rotor assembly and increases or decreases the potential to the annular resistance strip depending on the direction of rotation. Each potentiometric rotary switch is capable of multiple variations of potential so that each revolution of the rotor assembly effects movement of the rotary switch to supply a new potential to the annular resistance strip.

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 rotary switch for controlling electrical circuitry in ranges, ovens, etc., to be manually adjusted for control of function cycles. Included with the manually operated function selector are means for determining the position of the function selector providing at the same time via a low voltage DC communication link, with a solid state microprocessor or similar unit as used for control of ranges, ovens, etc.

Abstract: A lever switch for a vehicle windshield wiper having a base for attaching to a steering column, a rotational shaft rotatably connected to the base, a first switch knob connected to the rotational shaft, and a second switch knob rotatable mounted around a portion of the rotational shaft. The lever switch includes mounting the switch mechanisms for the first and second switch knobs around a portion of the rotational shaft, thereby allowing the rotational shaft to be shortened and the lever switch to be connected at an angle to the base.

Abstract: A composite headlight switch with buzzer circuit for use in a vehicle with, for example, a dome light, the dome light switch being located in line with the remaining switch elements in a front area of the overall switch structure, which front area was previously occupied by a spacer, rather than having the dome light switch located outboard on the exterior side of the overall switch structure as in the prior art. The dome light switch structure comprises front and back elements which include sandwiched between them a centrally located driver having a laterally extending peripheral cam.

Abstract: An endstopless incremental control provided by parallely connecting and ganging at least two potentiometer wipers without mechanical endstops, selectively switching, converting and sampling the individual output on the potentiometer wipers and utilizing only the valid outputs for feeding to a control system.

Abstract: A dimmer switch which includes a rotary potentiometer mounted on a board secured to, and projecting normal from, a switch arm support bracket. The support bracket is secured to a face plate. A cover housing cooperates with the face plate to enclose the bracket and board and any circuit components, including the potentiometer, which are mounted on the board. A switch arm assembly carries trunnion studs pivotally supported in receiving trunnion sleeves forming part of the support bracket, and the switch arm assembly further includes a pivot lever projecting through an aperture in the face plate, and a toggle end to which is adjustably secured an arcuate gear segment. A projecting operating shaft of the rotary potentiometer carries a gear drivingly engaged by the gear segment on the switch arm.

Abstract: A switch for controlling wiper delay includes a housing, a circuit board having a contact pattern of several parts on a surface thereof positioned in the housing, some of the contact pattern parts being arranged in a closely-spaced, radially-extending array, a carriage rotatable in the housing, electrical contacts mounted on the carriage and disposed for engagement with selected parts of the contact pattern as a function of the position of the carriage, a discrete resistive element having at least three conductive leads extending therefrom and subdividing the resistive element into a resistor network having a plurality of resistive values, each conductive lead of the resistive element being conductively affixed to a respective one of the contact pattern parts in the array, and wherein the carriage is manually actuatable to place the electrical contact into contact with successive ones of the contact pattern parts in the array to vary the interval between sweeps of a wiper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination type rotary variable resistor, in which a hollow shaft rotatable and displacable in the thrust direction and is coupled to a rotatable knob, in which a photo-conductive element is disposed within the hollow shaft and the knob, in which one end of the photo-conductive element is exposed at an end surface of the knob, in which a light source is provided close to the other end of the photo-conductive element, in which a driver member is placed in contact with a forward end of the hollow shaft to cause a switch to perform its switching operation, and in which a reflex surface is formed on the driver member to reflect light from the light source towards the photo-conductive element.

Abstract: In an electronic component of rotary type comprising a bearing sheath which has a front portion and a rear portion and is to be fixedly mounted on a frame of an electric appliance, an operation shaft disposed in the bearing sheath, a substrate fixed at a rear part of the bearing sheath, a brush holder mounted on an end portion of the operation shaft in a manner to be rotated by rotation of the operation shaft, and at least one sliding contact brush mounted on the brush holder for sliding on a contacting member formed on a surface of the substrate, the improvement is that a central portion of the operation shaft is disposed in the bearing sheath and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the bearing sheath, and that the electronic component is free from irregular rotation during the rotation of the operation shaft.

Abstract: A pivoted power controller in its limit positions engages a switch operating element to shunt or open a power control circuit through switch contacts mounted on a circuit board. A resistive element mounted in the same circuit board is engaged by a wiper on the controller during travel between its limit positions to vary the power supplied to a load. The resistance of the resistive element may be adjustably varied by a trimmer mounted on the circuit board adjacent one end of the resistive element.

Abstract: Conductive and resistive tracks mounted on a circuit board are slidingly engaged by a bridging contact carried by the actuator arm of a controller that is operative to open or close switch contacts at the limit positions of its travel. The controller is pivotally supported in a non-conductive box within which the circuit board is releasably positioned. A manual control arm projects from the controller through a slot formed in a mounting plate covering the open end of the box.

Abstract: A control unit, for example, a light dimming unit for controlling the intensity of brightness of a lamp load connected in series with the unit, includes a switching potentiometer for serially connecting the unit between a supply line and the load and for selectively adjusting the current delivered to the load. The switching potentiometer in the unit includes a shaft mounted for both rectilinear and rotary movement. The shaft is normally urged by a spring in a first axial direction, to urge a wiper mounted on the shaft resiliently into electrical contact with a resistive strip. A ratchet means carried on one end of the shaft actuates a snap-action switch which includes an armature, movable between first and second stable positions by the ratchet means when the shaft is moved in a second opposite axial direction to disengage the wiper from the resistive strip.