Rotating multicontact switch for vehicle ignition locks - has sprung barrel roller contacts and fixed contacts inside cup-shaped insulating block

contacteras The invention relates to multi-contact rotation driven in particular for security of motor vehicles.

Such contactors are used to close various electrical circuits depending on the angular position of a rotary control element. In the case of a vehicle anti-theft, the control member is the lock of the anti-theft device.

In general, these contactors comprise a stationary portion supporting fixed contacts and a rotating part, carrying movable contacts, integral in rotation of the control member.

The contactors known have the disadvantage of requiring a lot of space and raise further delicate cleaning problems contacts which entrain the use of solutions such as the use of expensive silver contacts.

The present invention aims to reduce the size of such contactors while allowing the use of economical contacts.

To this end, the invention relates to a multi-contact contactor controlled by a rotary member, comprising a plurality of fixed contacts integral with a support and a plurality of movable contacts for cooperation with said fixed contacts, characterized in that said movable contacts are each mounted on a carriage movable parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotatable member and each of the carriages is controlled by a cam rotationally fixed to said rotary member and is subjected to the action of elastic means, tending to draw said movable contacts said fixed contacts.

In a preferred embodiment, said cams are provided in a single plate integral in rotation of said rotatable member.

Preferably, the movable contacts are constituted by rotating rollers elastically returned to said fixed contacts.

The invention will be clearly understood upon reading of the following description made with reference to the attached drawing wherein:

-figure 1 is a view in axial section of a contactor according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and

-figure 2 is a radial sectional view of a portion of the contactor of Figure 1.

The contactor comprises a support 1 on which are mounted flat plugs 2 constituting the fixed contacts of the contactor. Bond wires 3 are attached to the ends of the outer plug 2 to the support 1. A housing 4 is adjusted on the support 1 and has a êpaulement 5 which holds the inner ends of the plug 2.

The housing 4 comprises four cells 6 in each of which a carriage 7. Each of the carriages 7 is subjected to the action of a spring 8 which tends to push it toward the support 1. Each carriage 7 has a pin 9 projecting axially towards the support 1 and cooperating with a cam path 10 provided in a tray 11. The tray 11, which carries the four cam tracks corresponding to the four carriages, is integral with a shaft 12, itself driven in rotation by a rotating member (not shown), for example a cylinder lock in the case of roof motor.

Each of the carriages 7 carries a roller 13 sliding radially outwardly and subjected to the action of a spring 14 presses it against the tracks formed by the end of the tabs 2. The friction generated by translation of the trolleys allows a good cleaning of the contacts, preventing the use of expensive materials for their manufacture.