CA1220806A - Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom - Google Patents
Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefromInfo
- Publication number
- CA1220806A CA1220806A CA000415405A CA415405A CA1220806A CA 1220806 A CA1220806 A CA 1220806A CA 000415405 A CA000415405 A CA 000415405A CA 415405 A CA415405 A CA 415405A CA 1220806 A CA1220806 A CA 1220806A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- members
- movable
- contact members
- electrical contact
- stationary
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
- H01H23/02—Details
- H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
- H01H23/168—Driving mechanisms using cams
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
- H01H23/006—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button adapted for connection with printed circuit boards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
- H01H11/0056—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches comprising a successive blank-stamping, insert-moulding and severing operation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H2001/0005—Redundant contact pairs in one switch for safety reasons
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
A sealed electrical contact assembly comprises a dielectric frame in which a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members are secured as opposing sets of contact members and movable electrical contact members interconnect each set of stationary contact members. One of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and the movable contact members have matable pivot areas at which the movable contact members are mounted so that the movable contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members. A membrane is sealingly secured onto the frame covering each set of stationary and movable contact members associated therewith. A
housing is latchably secured onto the contact assembly and has movable members positioned in housing with spring-biased members engaging movable contact members through membrane to move movable contact members from one position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members to another position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members.
A sealed electrical contact assembly comprises a dielectric frame in which a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members are secured as opposing sets of contact members and movable electrical contact members interconnect each set of stationary contact members. One of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and the movable contact members have matable pivot areas at which the movable contact members are mounted so that the movable contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members. A membrane is sealingly secured onto the frame covering each set of stationary and movable contact members associated therewith. A
housing is latchably secured onto the contact assembly and has movable members positioned in housing with spring-biased members engaging movable contact members through membrane to move movable contact members from one position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members to another position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members.
Description
~Zzvl~6 SEALED ELECTRICAL CONTACT ASSEMBLY AND
.. .. .
ELECTRICAL SWITCH MADE THEREFROM
.
This invention relates to an electrical contact assembly and more particularly to a sealed electrical contact assembly and electrica! switch 5 made therefrom for use on a printed circuit board.
Dual in line package ~DIP) switches have been used for many years.
they are mounted on a printed circuit board and subjected to flow soldering to solder their pins to appropriate circuit paths on the printed circwit board. Thereafter, the soldered printed circuit board is cleaned to 10 remove flux therefrom.
The DIP switches in under!3oing the flow soldering and cleaning operations can become contaminated thereby resulting in switch failures r~quiring them to be replaced which is time-consuming and costly.
According to the present inventiQn, a sealed electrica7 contact 15 assembly comprises a dielectric frame in which a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members are secured as opposing sets of contact members and movable electrical contact members interconnect each set of stationary contact members. One of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and the movable contact members have matable pivot areas 20 at which the movable contact members are mounted so that the movable ., .
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contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact membë-rsi A membrane i5 sealingly secured onto the frame covering each set of stationary and movable contact members associated therewith.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing is latchably secured onto the contact-carrying frame and includes rocker members disposed therein thereby ~rming an electrica7 switch. Each of the rocker members has a spring-biased member engaging a mova~le contact member through the membrane. Sections of ~he rocker members are engageable to move the rocker members from one position moving the movable contact members via the spring-biased members to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members and to another position moving the movable contact members to a position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members.
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts of the switch of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an assembled switch.
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken alons line 3-3 o~ Figure 2 with parts broken away.
FIGURES 4-12 illustrate the various steps in making the sealed electrical contact assembly which is then latched to a housing having contact-actuating members therein thereby completing the making of a switch .
FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts of an alternative switch of the present invention.
FIGURE 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 of an assembled switch.
FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 14 with parts broken away.
FIGURE 16 is an exploded perspective view of the rocker member leaf spring and button.
FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of the elementc; of Figure 16 assemb3ed together and in position in a cavity of the housing.
FIGURE 18 is a view similar to l:hat of Figure 17 showing another embodlment of the invention~
FIGURES 19 through 29 illustrate ~he various steps in making the sealed electrical contact assembly which is then latched to a housing having contact-actuating members therein thereby completing the making of a switch.
Figures 1-3 illustrate the seaied electrical contact assembly 10 and the contact~actuating mechanism 12 that is latchably secured thereto thereby forming Dl P switch S as iilustrated in Figures 2 and 3 . Dielectric frame 14 is molded from a suitable commercially- available plastic material and it ha~ a series of aligned electrical contact members 16 j 18 molded ir~ place therein. Electrical contact members 16 18 are arranged in dielectric frame 14 having opposed stationary electrical contact sections 16A 18A which are exposed in recesses 20 in the top surface of frame 14 Each of electrical contact members 16 18 have electrical terminal sections 22 extending outwardly from frame 14 for electrical connection with electrical sockets 24 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 26 with electrical sockets 24 electrically connected to appropriate circuit paths 28 located thereon. Electrical terminal sections 22 are provided with projections 30 to limit the movement of electrical terminal sections 22 within soclcets 24 in 966~l9735 ~3~
order to space switch S from board 26. Electrical con~act sections 18A are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 32 that have been stamped therefrom.
Moveable electrical contact members 34 ~ave V--shaped embossments 36 5 formed therein which mate with pivot members 32 and the ends are provided with contact fingers 38 to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 34 are moved into electrical contact with stationary contact members 16 as illustrated in Figure 3. V-shaped~
embossments 36 in engagement with pivot members 32 positively pDsition l O movable contact members 34 relative to the respective sets of contact members 16, 18 within recesses 20. Latching lugs 40 having beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides of frame 14 between terminal sections 22.
Membranes 42, 44 of a commercially-available plastic material are 15 sealingly secured on the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 by a commercially-available adhesive material. Membrane 42 covers all of recesses 20 with movable contact members 34 pivotally mounted on pivot members 32 of electrical contact members 18 and membrane 44 covers holes 46 in frame 14. As can be discerned, membrane 42 not only maintains 20 movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20 and on pivot members 32 of stationary contact members 18, but membranes 42, 44 also seal electrical contact assembly 10 from contaminants, especially during which the flow soldering and cleaning operations the sontact assembly will be. subjected and during their operating life. While membrane 44 is 25 disclosed as coveriny the bottom surface of frame 14 to cover holes 46 therein, frame 14 can be molded without holes 46 therein thereby 966919735 I~
~2~ 36 eliminating membrane 44 and using only membrane 42 adhered to the top surface of frame 14, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 12 inc~udes housing 48, rocker members 50, coil springs 52 and buttons 54. Housing 48, r ocker members 50 and 5 buttons 54 are molded from a commercially-available plastic material.
Housing 48 has separate cavities 56 which receive therein contact-operating members comprising rocker members 50, coil springs 52 and buttons 54 therein as illustrated in Figure 3. Rectangular openings 58 are located in housing 48 which communicate respectively with cavities 56.
10 Latches 60 extend outwardly from the bottom surface of housing 48 to mate with latching lugs 40 on frame 14 to latchably secure housing member 48 onto frame 14 with the contact-operating members in position in cavities 56 thereby forming switch S as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
Rocker members 50 have projections 62 on the top surfaces thereof 15 which extend through rectangular openings 58 and they have V-shaped notches 64 therein which are engaged by a probe to move rocker members 50 from a contact-actuated position as illustrated in Figure 3 to a non-contact-actuated position opposite to that illustrated in Figure 3.
Projections 62 are profiled so as not to extend above the top surface of ~ housing 48 in either one of its operated positions. Inclined surfaces 66 of rocker members 50 engage the inside top surfaces of housing 48 to limit movement of rocker members 50 within cavities 56. Pie-shaped or rectangular-shaped members 68 extend outwardly from each side of rocker members 50 and they along with the apex of inclined surfaces 66 define 25 pivot members to enable rocker members 50 to operate in a reciprocal manner within cavities 56 to operate contact assembly 10~ 1 he apexes of 9669l9735 5~
6 /`f members 68 and surfaces 66 engage the upper inside surface of housing 48 to define a pivot point therefor and the~ tom arcuate surfaces of members 68 rock along the membrane-covered top surface of frame 14 when rocker members 50 are moved from one position to another.
Rocker members 50 have cavities 70 therein in which coil springs 52 and buttons 5~ are disposed. Buttons 54 have a beveled shaft 72 disposed within coil springs 52 and a semi-spherical contact-operating member 74 that operates movable contact members 34 as illustrated in Figure 3 through mernbrane 42. Coil springs 52 extend between contact-oper3ting members 74 and the bottom of cavities 70 thereby exerting pressure on contact-operating members 74 causing members 74 to springably engage movable contact members 34 through membrane 42 and to urge rocker members 50 against the upper inside surface of housing 48~
Actuating mechanism 12 can be used to move a movable member 34 via rocker member 50 from one position to another with spring-biased button 54 being maintained in one or the other positions by engagement with either side of embossment 36 to maintain movable member 34 at such position and inclined surfaces 66 limit movement of the rocker member.
In operation with reference to Figure 3, a probe (not shown) is inserted into the left-sided notch 54 for applying a force to rocke-r member 50. This causes the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 68 to engage the top surface of frame 14 through membrane 42 thereby causing rocker member 50 to rock about such arcuate surfaces with contact-operating member 74 being depressed inwardly against the action of coil spring 52 as it rides along V-shaped embossment 36. So long as the force applied to rocker member 50 does not enable contact-operating member 74 to extend 9669 I g735 -6-~2~
slightly beyond tile center thereof, rocker member 50 will move back to its originai position. If the opera~ing force exer~ed by t~e probe is sufficient to move contact-operating member 74 via rocker member 50 beyond the center of contact~operating member 74, the configuration of embossmen1: 36 5 on pivot member 32 and that of contact-operating member 74 plus the action of coil spring 52 will move rocker member 50 ~o the other position from where it was located thereby providing snap action operation Fingers 38 of movable contact members 34 are wipingly moved along stationary contact section 1 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation l 0 of the section of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 36.
~ he construction of DIP switch S with membrane 42 in sealed engagement with the top surface of frame 14 or with membrar es 42, 44 in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 provides a 15 DIP switch having a sealed eiectrical contact assembly that will protect the contact assembly frorn contaminants when the board 26 i5 subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switch. The DIP switch S is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling it to be used in 20 greater density at a lower profile.
Figures 4-12 illustrate the method of making the sealed electrical contact assembly and the switch. Electrical contact members 16, 18 are stamped and formed from a suitable metal such as, ~or example, brass or the like in the form of a lead frame as illustrated in Figure ~I with terminal 25 sections 22 being connected together by sections 76 and their ends connected to the sides of carrier strip 78. Only one carrier strip 78 96691g735 7 ~2~
having the lead frame therein is shown, but the carrier strip is a continuous strip of stamped and formecl lèà~ frames with the carrier strip 78 providing a means for carrying the lead frames through goid or other precious metal plating and the manufacturing s-teps of making the sealecl 5 electrical contact assembiy and switch made therefrom.
T he lead frame is placed in a conventional mold and dielectric frame 14 is molded thereon with recesses 23 formed therein to expose exposed contact sections 16A, 18A of contact members 16, 18 as shown in Figure 5.
Another carrier strip 80 has the ends of gold or other precious metal lO plated movable contact members 34 connected thereto as shown in Figure 6 which are sheared from carrier strip 80 and then transferred into recesses 20 of frame 14 as shown in Figure 7 so that V-shaped embossments 36 are positioned onto pivot members 32 of contact members 18. The transferring can be done by transferring members connected to a vacuum. The lead frame 78 and strip 80 of movable contact members 34 can be chemically milled or made in any other conventional manner.
Membranes 42, 44 are then adhesively and sealingly secured onto the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 as shown in Figure 8. Membrane 42 maintains movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20. Figure 8 20 illustrates the completed sealed electrical contac~ assembly 10 which is inverted as shown in Figure 9 and latchably secured onto housing l~8 having the cvntact-operating members positioned in cavities 56 thereof via latches 60 latchably engaging latching lugs 40 as shown in Figure 10.
Sections 76 are sheared from between terrninal sections 22 and the ends of 25 terminal sections 22 are sheared from carrier strip 78 as shown in Figure 11 and then bent into a proper orientation for matable engagement with 9669l9735 -8-... .. ....... ... . . . ... . .. .
~2~
sockets 24 of board 26. The completed electrical DIP switch S, as illustrated in Figure 12, can then be tested and packaged in tubes in the same manner as integrated circuits and they can be loaded into printed circuit boards by automa~ed insertion equipment. Adjacent members 68 can 5 be interconnected when formed or via a suitable adhesive and cavities 55 so profiled to enable gang switching if desired.
Figures 13 through 15 illustrate the sealed electrical contact assembly 110 and the contact-actuatin~ mechanism 112 that is latchably securéd thereto thereby forming DIP switch SA as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
10 Dielectric frame 114 is molded from a suitable commercially-available plastic material and it has a series of aligned electrical contact members 116, 118 molded in place therein. Electrical contact members 116, 118 are arranged in dielectric frame 114 having opposed stationary electrical contact sections 116A, 118A which are exposed in recesses 120 in the top surface of frame 114. Each of electrical contact members 116, 118 has an electrical terminal section 122 extending outwardly from frame 114 for electricai connection with plated through holes 124 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 126 with holes 124 electrically connected to appropriate circuit paths 128 located thereon. Plated through holes 124 can be sockets if desired. Electrical terminai sections 122 are provided with projections 130 to limit the movement of electrical terminal sections 122 within holes 124 in order to space switch SA from board 126 to facilitate cleaning after soldering operation . Electrical contact sections 11 8A are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 132 that have been stamped therefrom.
Movable electrical contact members 134 have V-shaped embossments 136 formed therein which mate with pivot members 132 and the ends are 9669l9735 ~9 provided with contact fingers 138 to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 134 are moved ~into electrical contact with stationary contact sections 116A as illustrated in IFi~3ure 15. V-shaped embossments 136 in engagement with pivot members 132 positively position 5 movable contact members 134 relative to the respective sets of stationary contact sections 116A, 118A within recesses 120. Latching lugs 140 having beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides ~f frame 114 between terminal sections 122. v Membranes 142, 144 of a commercially-available plastic material are 10 sealingly secured on the top and bottom surfaces of frame 114 by a commercially-available adhesive material . Membrane 142 covers all of recesses 120 with movable contact members 134 pivotally mounted via V-shaped embossments 136 on pivot members 132 of electrical contact members 118 and membrane 144 covers holes 146 in frame 114. As can be discerned, membrane 142 not only maintains movable contact members 134 in position in recesses 120 and on pivot members 132 s)f stationary contact members 118, but membranes 14~, 144 also seal electrical contact assembly 110 from contaminants, especially during the flow soldering and cleaning operations to which the contact assembly will be subjected and during their operat;ng life. While membrane 144 is disclosed as covering the bottom surface of frame 114 to cover holes 146 therein, frame 114 can be molded without ho3es 146 therein thereby eliminating membrane 144 and usin~ only membrane 142 aclhered to the top surface of frame lt4, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 112 includes housin~ 148, roclcer members 150, leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 ~ Housing 148, rocker members 1 S0 and buttons 154 are molcled from a commercially-available ~2~
plastic material . Leaf springs 152 are stamped and formecl From a suitable metal having the necessary spring characterist;cs.
Housing 148 has separate cavities 156 which receive therein ~,~
contact--operating members comprising rocker members 150, leaf springs 152 5 and buttons 154 therein as iliustrated in Figure 15. Rectangular openings 158 are located in housing 148 which communicate respectively with cavities 156. Latches 160 extend outwardly from the bottom surface of housing 148 tv mate with latching lugs 140 on frame 114 to latchably secure housing member 11S8 onto frame 114 with the contact-operating members in position in cavities 156 thereby forming switch SA as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
Rocker members 150 have actuating members 162 which extend through rectangular openings 158 and they have V-shaped notches 16~1, 165 therein which are engaged by a probe to move rocker members 150 from a contact-actuated position as illustrated in Figure 15 to a non-contact-actuated position opposite to that illustrated in Figure 15.
Actuating members 162 are profiled so as not to extend above the top surface of housing 148 in either one of its operated positions . Notches 164 enable operation of rocker members 150 from above whereas notches 165 enable operation of rocker members 150 from the sides. Inclined surfaces 166 of rocker members 150 engage the inside top surface 167 of housing 1 l~8 to limit movement of rocker members 150 within cavities 156.
Pie-shaped or rectangular-shaped members 168 extencl outwardly from each side oF rocker members 150 and the apexes thereof along with the apex of inclined surfaces 166 define a pivot to enable rocker members 150 to operate thereaboul in a reciprocal manner within cavities 156 to operate 3V~ /`J
contact assembly 110. The apexes of members 168 and surfaces 166 engage the upper inside surface of housing 148 ~`cl~efine a pivot point therefor and the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 168 rock alony the d~
membrane-covered top surface oF frame 114 when roclcer members 150 are moved from one position to another.
Rocker members 150 as shown in Figures 16 and 17 have slots 169 and recesses 170 therein in which leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 are disposed. Buttons 154 have rounded ends 172~ 173 and projections ;74 that are disposed in recesses 170 to guide movement of buttons 154 in rocker members 150 and to operate movable contact members 134 as illustrated in Figure 15 through membrane 142. Leaf springs 152 are arcuate shaped and have projections 153 extending outwardly therefrom which are disposed in recesses 170 when the leaf springs are positioned in slots 169. The ends of leaf springs 152 extend along actuating members 162. Buttons 154 enyage leaf springs 152 thereby exerting pressure on buttons 154 causing rounded ends 172 to springably engage movable contact members 134 through membrane 142 and to urge rocker members 150 against the upper inside surface 167 of housing 148.
Figure 18 ;llustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby leaf springs 152A are interconnected at necked-down sections 155 between projections 153A of adjacent leaf springs. In this way, lea1F
sprinys 152A are interconnected and they are readi Iy positioned wi~hin slots 169A of rocker members 150A . The necked-down sections 155 do not effect the operation of rocker members 150A and, after a nùmber of actuations of the rocker members, the neclced-down sections are susceptible to breaking which will not affect the opera~ions of the rocker members .
Actuating mechanism 112 can be used to move a movable member 134 via rocker member 150 from one position to another upon forces being applied to actuating members 162 with spring-biased button 15L~ being maintained in one or the other posi~ions by engagement with either side of embossment 136 to maintain movable member 134 at such position and inclined surfaces 166 limit movement of the rocker member.
In operation with reference to Figure 15, a probe (not shown) is l O inserted into the left-sided notches 1 6LI or 165 for applying a force to rocker member 150. This causes the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 168 to engage the top surface of frame 11 L~ throuyh membrane 1 l~2 thereby causing rocker member 150 to ock about such arcuate surfaces with button 154 being depressed inwardly agalnst the action of leaf spring 152 as it rides along V-shaped embossment 136. So long as the force applied to rocker member 150 does not enable button 154 to extencl slightly beyond the center thereof, rocker member 150 will move back to its original position. If the operating force exerted by the probe is sufficient to move button 154 via rocker member 150 beyond the center of button 154, the configuration of embossment 136 on pivot member 132 and that of rounded end 142 plus the action of leaf spring 152 will move rocker member 150 to the other position from where it was located thereby providing snap action operation. Fingers 138 of movable contact members 134 are wipingly moved - along stationary contact section 11 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation of the section of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 1 3G .
The construction of DIP switch SA with membrane 142 in sealed engagèment with the top surface of frame ~4~ or with membranes 142, 144 in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of Frame 114 provides a DIP switch having a sealed electrical contact assernbly that will 5 protect the contact assembly from contaminants when the board 126 is subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switchO The DIP switch SA is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling tt to be used in greater density at a lower profile.
Figures 19 through 29 illustrate the method of making the sealed electrical contact assembly and the switch. Electrical contact members 116, 11~ are stamped and formed from a suitable metal such as, for example, brass or the like in the form of a lead frame as illustrated in Figure 19 with terminal sections 122 being connected together by sections 176 and 15 their encds connected to the sides of carrier strip 178. Only one carrier strip 178 having the lead frame therein iâ shown, but the carrier strip is a continuous strip of stamped and formed lead frames with the carrier strip 178 providing a means for carrying the lead frames through gold or other precious metal plating and the manufacturing steps of making the 20 sealed electrical contact assembly and switch made therefrom.
The lead frame is placed in a conventional mold and dielectric frame 114 is molded thereon with recesses 120 formed therein to expose exposed contact sections 11 6A, 11 8A of contact members 116, 118 as shown in Figure 20. Another carrier strip 180 has the ends of gold or other 25 precious metal plated movable contact members 134 connected thereto as shown in Figure 21 which are sheared from carrier strip î80 and then 966919735 ~1 4-transferred into recesses 120 of frame 114 as shown in ~igure 22 so that V-shaped embossments 136 are positioned onto pivot rnembers 132 of contact sections 11 8A . The transferring can be done by transferring members connected to a vacuum. The lead frame 17û and strip 180 of movable 5 contact members 134 can be chemically milled or made in any other conventional manner.
Membranes 142, 144 are then adhesively and sealingly secured onto the top and bottom surfaces of frame 114 as shown in Figure 23.
Membrane 142 maintains movable contact members 134 in position in recesses 120.
Figures 23 through 25 illustrate loading rocker members 150 with leaf springs 152 and buttons 154. Rocker members 15û are positioned within aligned carrier members 182. The leading carrier member 182 is moved to a station as shown in Figure 24 so that carrier strip 184 nn which leaf springs 152 are located can position leaf springs 152 in slots 169 of rocker members 150. Leaf springs 152 are then severed from carrier strip 184.
Carrier member 182 is then moved to another station as shown in Figure 25 so that buttons 154 in tubes 186 are serially inserted therefrom into slots 169 of rocker members 150. Carrier member 182 with fully 20 assembled rocker members 150 is then moved to a further station as shown in Figure 26 whereat carrier member 182 is tilted to slide assembled rocker members 150 in cavities 156 in housing 148.
An alternative approach would be that in molding the rocker members 150, they can be molded to a carrier member at spaced intervals 25 ~herealong. Leaf springs are then inserted in slots 169 and severed from carrier strip 184 whereafter buttons 15L~ are inserted in slots 169. Then 9669/~735 -1 5-the loaded rocker me,nbers 150 can be positioned within cavities 156 of housing 148 whereafter they are severed from the carrier member.
Fiyure 23 illustrates the completed sealed electrical con~act assembiy 110 which is inverted as shown in Figure 27 and latchably secured onto housing 148 having the rocker members 150 positioned in cavities 156 thereof via latches 160 latchably enyaging latching lugs 140 as shown in Figure 27. Sections 176 are sheared from between terminal sections 122 ancl the ends of terminal sections 122 are sheared from carrier strip 178 as shown in Figure 28 and then bent into a proper orientation for matable l O engagement with holes 124 of board 126 . The completed electrical Dl P
switch SA, as illustrated in Figure 29, can then be ~ested and packaged in tubes in the same manner as integrated circuits and they can be loaded into printed circuit boards by automated insertion equipment. Adjacent members 168 can be interconnected when formed or via a suitable adhesive and cavities 156 so profiled to enable gang switching if desiredO
The configuration of leaf springs 152 on carrier strip 184 and of buttons 154 enables them to be easily positioned within rocker members 150, and fully-loaded rocker members 150 are easily dropped into the respective cavities 156 of housing 148O This enables actuating mechanism 112 to be readily secured onto sealed contact assembly 110 which itseif is readily assembled as illustrated in Figures 19 through 23.
The projections 153 of leaf springs 152 and projections 174 of buttons 154 in recesses 170 of rocker members 150 maintain leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 in position in rocker members 150 and guide the movements of springs 1 S2 and buttons 154 during opera~ion of rocker members 150 .
.. .. .
ELECTRICAL SWITCH MADE THEREFROM
.
This invention relates to an electrical contact assembly and more particularly to a sealed electrical contact assembly and electrica! switch 5 made therefrom for use on a printed circuit board.
Dual in line package ~DIP) switches have been used for many years.
they are mounted on a printed circuit board and subjected to flow soldering to solder their pins to appropriate circuit paths on the printed circwit board. Thereafter, the soldered printed circuit board is cleaned to 10 remove flux therefrom.
The DIP switches in under!3oing the flow soldering and cleaning operations can become contaminated thereby resulting in switch failures r~quiring them to be replaced which is time-consuming and costly.
According to the present inventiQn, a sealed electrica7 contact 15 assembly comprises a dielectric frame in which a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members are secured as opposing sets of contact members and movable electrical contact members interconnect each set of stationary contact members. One of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and the movable contact members have matable pivot areas 20 at which the movable contact members are mounted so that the movable ., .
, I ..
...... ....... .. . . ................. . . .. .. .. ....... ..
~2~130~
contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact membë-rsi A membrane i5 sealingly secured onto the frame covering each set of stationary and movable contact members associated therewith.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing is latchably secured onto the contact-carrying frame and includes rocker members disposed therein thereby ~rming an electrica7 switch. Each of the rocker members has a spring-biased member engaging a mova~le contact member through the membrane. Sections of ~he rocker members are engageable to move the rocker members from one position moving the movable contact members via the spring-biased members to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members and to another position moving the movable contact members to a position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members.
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts of the switch of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an assembled switch.
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken alons line 3-3 o~ Figure 2 with parts broken away.
FIGURES 4-12 illustrate the various steps in making the sealed electrical contact assembly which is then latched to a housing having contact-actuating members therein thereby completing the making of a switch .
FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts of an alternative switch of the present invention.
FIGURE 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 of an assembled switch.
FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 14 with parts broken away.
FIGURE 16 is an exploded perspective view of the rocker member leaf spring and button.
FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of the elementc; of Figure 16 assemb3ed together and in position in a cavity of the housing.
FIGURE 18 is a view similar to l:hat of Figure 17 showing another embodlment of the invention~
FIGURES 19 through 29 illustrate ~he various steps in making the sealed electrical contact assembly which is then latched to a housing having contact-actuating members therein thereby completing the making of a switch.
Figures 1-3 illustrate the seaied electrical contact assembly 10 and the contact~actuating mechanism 12 that is latchably secured thereto thereby forming Dl P switch S as iilustrated in Figures 2 and 3 . Dielectric frame 14 is molded from a suitable commercially- available plastic material and it ha~ a series of aligned electrical contact members 16 j 18 molded ir~ place therein. Electrical contact members 16 18 are arranged in dielectric frame 14 having opposed stationary electrical contact sections 16A 18A which are exposed in recesses 20 in the top surface of frame 14 Each of electrical contact members 16 18 have electrical terminal sections 22 extending outwardly from frame 14 for electrical connection with electrical sockets 24 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 26 with electrical sockets 24 electrically connected to appropriate circuit paths 28 located thereon. Electrical terminal sections 22 are provided with projections 30 to limit the movement of electrical terminal sections 22 within soclcets 24 in 966~l9735 ~3~
order to space switch S from board 26. Electrical con~act sections 18A are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 32 that have been stamped therefrom.
Moveable electrical contact members 34 ~ave V--shaped embossments 36 5 formed therein which mate with pivot members 32 and the ends are provided with contact fingers 38 to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 34 are moved into electrical contact with stationary contact members 16 as illustrated in Figure 3. V-shaped~
embossments 36 in engagement with pivot members 32 positively pDsition l O movable contact members 34 relative to the respective sets of contact members 16, 18 within recesses 20. Latching lugs 40 having beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides of frame 14 between terminal sections 22.
Membranes 42, 44 of a commercially-available plastic material are 15 sealingly secured on the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 by a commercially-available adhesive material. Membrane 42 covers all of recesses 20 with movable contact members 34 pivotally mounted on pivot members 32 of electrical contact members 18 and membrane 44 covers holes 46 in frame 14. As can be discerned, membrane 42 not only maintains 20 movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20 and on pivot members 32 of stationary contact members 18, but membranes 42, 44 also seal electrical contact assembly 10 from contaminants, especially during which the flow soldering and cleaning operations the sontact assembly will be. subjected and during their operating life. While membrane 44 is 25 disclosed as coveriny the bottom surface of frame 14 to cover holes 46 therein, frame 14 can be molded without holes 46 therein thereby 966919735 I~
~2~ 36 eliminating membrane 44 and using only membrane 42 adhered to the top surface of frame 14, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 12 inc~udes housing 48, rocker members 50, coil springs 52 and buttons 54. Housing 48, r ocker members 50 and 5 buttons 54 are molded from a commercially-available plastic material.
Housing 48 has separate cavities 56 which receive therein contact-operating members comprising rocker members 50, coil springs 52 and buttons 54 therein as illustrated in Figure 3. Rectangular openings 58 are located in housing 48 which communicate respectively with cavities 56.
10 Latches 60 extend outwardly from the bottom surface of housing 48 to mate with latching lugs 40 on frame 14 to latchably secure housing member 48 onto frame 14 with the contact-operating members in position in cavities 56 thereby forming switch S as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
Rocker members 50 have projections 62 on the top surfaces thereof 15 which extend through rectangular openings 58 and they have V-shaped notches 64 therein which are engaged by a probe to move rocker members 50 from a contact-actuated position as illustrated in Figure 3 to a non-contact-actuated position opposite to that illustrated in Figure 3.
Projections 62 are profiled so as not to extend above the top surface of ~ housing 48 in either one of its operated positions. Inclined surfaces 66 of rocker members 50 engage the inside top surfaces of housing 48 to limit movement of rocker members 50 within cavities 56. Pie-shaped or rectangular-shaped members 68 extend outwardly from each side of rocker members 50 and they along with the apex of inclined surfaces 66 define 25 pivot members to enable rocker members 50 to operate in a reciprocal manner within cavities 56 to operate contact assembly 10~ 1 he apexes of 9669l9735 5~
6 /`f members 68 and surfaces 66 engage the upper inside surface of housing 48 to define a pivot point therefor and the~ tom arcuate surfaces of members 68 rock along the membrane-covered top surface of frame 14 when rocker members 50 are moved from one position to another.
Rocker members 50 have cavities 70 therein in which coil springs 52 and buttons 5~ are disposed. Buttons 54 have a beveled shaft 72 disposed within coil springs 52 and a semi-spherical contact-operating member 74 that operates movable contact members 34 as illustrated in Figure 3 through mernbrane 42. Coil springs 52 extend between contact-oper3ting members 74 and the bottom of cavities 70 thereby exerting pressure on contact-operating members 74 causing members 74 to springably engage movable contact members 34 through membrane 42 and to urge rocker members 50 against the upper inside surface of housing 48~
Actuating mechanism 12 can be used to move a movable member 34 via rocker member 50 from one position to another with spring-biased button 54 being maintained in one or the other positions by engagement with either side of embossment 36 to maintain movable member 34 at such position and inclined surfaces 66 limit movement of the rocker member.
In operation with reference to Figure 3, a probe (not shown) is inserted into the left-sided notch 54 for applying a force to rocke-r member 50. This causes the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 68 to engage the top surface of frame 14 through membrane 42 thereby causing rocker member 50 to rock about such arcuate surfaces with contact-operating member 74 being depressed inwardly against the action of coil spring 52 as it rides along V-shaped embossment 36. So long as the force applied to rocker member 50 does not enable contact-operating member 74 to extend 9669 I g735 -6-~2~
slightly beyond tile center thereof, rocker member 50 will move back to its originai position. If the opera~ing force exer~ed by t~e probe is sufficient to move contact-operating member 74 via rocker member 50 beyond the center of contact~operating member 74, the configuration of embossmen1: 36 5 on pivot member 32 and that of contact-operating member 74 plus the action of coil spring 52 will move rocker member 50 ~o the other position from where it was located thereby providing snap action operation Fingers 38 of movable contact members 34 are wipingly moved along stationary contact section 1 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation l 0 of the section of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 36.
~ he construction of DIP switch S with membrane 42 in sealed engagement with the top surface of frame 14 or with membrar es 42, 44 in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 provides a 15 DIP switch having a sealed eiectrical contact assembly that will protect the contact assembly frorn contaminants when the board 26 i5 subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switch. The DIP switch S is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling it to be used in 20 greater density at a lower profile.
Figures 4-12 illustrate the method of making the sealed electrical contact assembly and the switch. Electrical contact members 16, 18 are stamped and formed from a suitable metal such as, ~or example, brass or the like in the form of a lead frame as illustrated in Figure ~I with terminal 25 sections 22 being connected together by sections 76 and their ends connected to the sides of carrier strip 78. Only one carrier strip 78 96691g735 7 ~2~
having the lead frame therein is shown, but the carrier strip is a continuous strip of stamped and formecl lèà~ frames with the carrier strip 78 providing a means for carrying the lead frames through goid or other precious metal plating and the manufacturing s-teps of making the sealecl 5 electrical contact assembiy and switch made therefrom.
T he lead frame is placed in a conventional mold and dielectric frame 14 is molded thereon with recesses 23 formed therein to expose exposed contact sections 16A, 18A of contact members 16, 18 as shown in Figure 5.
Another carrier strip 80 has the ends of gold or other precious metal lO plated movable contact members 34 connected thereto as shown in Figure 6 which are sheared from carrier strip 80 and then transferred into recesses 20 of frame 14 as shown in Figure 7 so that V-shaped embossments 36 are positioned onto pivot members 32 of contact members 18. The transferring can be done by transferring members connected to a vacuum. The lead frame 78 and strip 80 of movable contact members 34 can be chemically milled or made in any other conventional manner.
Membranes 42, 44 are then adhesively and sealingly secured onto the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 as shown in Figure 8. Membrane 42 maintains movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20. Figure 8 20 illustrates the completed sealed electrical contac~ assembly 10 which is inverted as shown in Figure 9 and latchably secured onto housing l~8 having the cvntact-operating members positioned in cavities 56 thereof via latches 60 latchably engaging latching lugs 40 as shown in Figure 10.
Sections 76 are sheared from between terrninal sections 22 and the ends of 25 terminal sections 22 are sheared from carrier strip 78 as shown in Figure 11 and then bent into a proper orientation for matable engagement with 9669l9735 -8-... .. ....... ... . . . ... . .. .
~2~
sockets 24 of board 26. The completed electrical DIP switch S, as illustrated in Figure 12, can then be tested and packaged in tubes in the same manner as integrated circuits and they can be loaded into printed circuit boards by automa~ed insertion equipment. Adjacent members 68 can 5 be interconnected when formed or via a suitable adhesive and cavities 55 so profiled to enable gang switching if desired.
Figures 13 through 15 illustrate the sealed electrical contact assembly 110 and the contact-actuatin~ mechanism 112 that is latchably securéd thereto thereby forming DIP switch SA as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
10 Dielectric frame 114 is molded from a suitable commercially-available plastic material and it has a series of aligned electrical contact members 116, 118 molded in place therein. Electrical contact members 116, 118 are arranged in dielectric frame 114 having opposed stationary electrical contact sections 116A, 118A which are exposed in recesses 120 in the top surface of frame 114. Each of electrical contact members 116, 118 has an electrical terminal section 122 extending outwardly from frame 114 for electricai connection with plated through holes 124 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 126 with holes 124 electrically connected to appropriate circuit paths 128 located thereon. Plated through holes 124 can be sockets if desired. Electrical terminai sections 122 are provided with projections 130 to limit the movement of electrical terminal sections 122 within holes 124 in order to space switch SA from board 126 to facilitate cleaning after soldering operation . Electrical contact sections 11 8A are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 132 that have been stamped therefrom.
Movable electrical contact members 134 have V-shaped embossments 136 formed therein which mate with pivot members 132 and the ends are 9669l9735 ~9 provided with contact fingers 138 to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 134 are moved ~into electrical contact with stationary contact sections 116A as illustrated in IFi~3ure 15. V-shaped embossments 136 in engagement with pivot members 132 positively position 5 movable contact members 134 relative to the respective sets of stationary contact sections 116A, 118A within recesses 120. Latching lugs 140 having beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides ~f frame 114 between terminal sections 122. v Membranes 142, 144 of a commercially-available plastic material are 10 sealingly secured on the top and bottom surfaces of frame 114 by a commercially-available adhesive material . Membrane 142 covers all of recesses 120 with movable contact members 134 pivotally mounted via V-shaped embossments 136 on pivot members 132 of electrical contact members 118 and membrane 144 covers holes 146 in frame 114. As can be discerned, membrane 142 not only maintains movable contact members 134 in position in recesses 120 and on pivot members 132 s)f stationary contact members 118, but membranes 14~, 144 also seal electrical contact assembly 110 from contaminants, especially during the flow soldering and cleaning operations to which the contact assembly will be subjected and during their operat;ng life. While membrane 144 is disclosed as covering the bottom surface of frame 114 to cover holes 146 therein, frame 114 can be molded without ho3es 146 therein thereby eliminating membrane 144 and usin~ only membrane 142 aclhered to the top surface of frame lt4, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 112 includes housin~ 148, roclcer members 150, leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 ~ Housing 148, rocker members 1 S0 and buttons 154 are molcled from a commercially-available ~2~
plastic material . Leaf springs 152 are stamped and formecl From a suitable metal having the necessary spring characterist;cs.
Housing 148 has separate cavities 156 which receive therein ~,~
contact--operating members comprising rocker members 150, leaf springs 152 5 and buttons 154 therein as iliustrated in Figure 15. Rectangular openings 158 are located in housing 148 which communicate respectively with cavities 156. Latches 160 extend outwardly from the bottom surface of housing 148 tv mate with latching lugs 140 on frame 114 to latchably secure housing member 11S8 onto frame 114 with the contact-operating members in position in cavities 156 thereby forming switch SA as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.
Rocker members 150 have actuating members 162 which extend through rectangular openings 158 and they have V-shaped notches 16~1, 165 therein which are engaged by a probe to move rocker members 150 from a contact-actuated position as illustrated in Figure 15 to a non-contact-actuated position opposite to that illustrated in Figure 15.
Actuating members 162 are profiled so as not to extend above the top surface of housing 148 in either one of its operated positions . Notches 164 enable operation of rocker members 150 from above whereas notches 165 enable operation of rocker members 150 from the sides. Inclined surfaces 166 of rocker members 150 engage the inside top surface 167 of housing 1 l~8 to limit movement of rocker members 150 within cavities 156.
Pie-shaped or rectangular-shaped members 168 extencl outwardly from each side oF rocker members 150 and the apexes thereof along with the apex of inclined surfaces 166 define a pivot to enable rocker members 150 to operate thereaboul in a reciprocal manner within cavities 156 to operate 3V~ /`J
contact assembly 110. The apexes of members 168 and surfaces 166 engage the upper inside surface of housing 148 ~`cl~efine a pivot point therefor and the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 168 rock alony the d~
membrane-covered top surface oF frame 114 when roclcer members 150 are moved from one position to another.
Rocker members 150 as shown in Figures 16 and 17 have slots 169 and recesses 170 therein in which leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 are disposed. Buttons 154 have rounded ends 172~ 173 and projections ;74 that are disposed in recesses 170 to guide movement of buttons 154 in rocker members 150 and to operate movable contact members 134 as illustrated in Figure 15 through membrane 142. Leaf springs 152 are arcuate shaped and have projections 153 extending outwardly therefrom which are disposed in recesses 170 when the leaf springs are positioned in slots 169. The ends of leaf springs 152 extend along actuating members 162. Buttons 154 enyage leaf springs 152 thereby exerting pressure on buttons 154 causing rounded ends 172 to springably engage movable contact members 134 through membrane 142 and to urge rocker members 150 against the upper inside surface 167 of housing 148.
Figure 18 ;llustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby leaf springs 152A are interconnected at necked-down sections 155 between projections 153A of adjacent leaf springs. In this way, lea1F
sprinys 152A are interconnected and they are readi Iy positioned wi~hin slots 169A of rocker members 150A . The necked-down sections 155 do not effect the operation of rocker members 150A and, after a nùmber of actuations of the rocker members, the neclced-down sections are susceptible to breaking which will not affect the opera~ions of the rocker members .
Actuating mechanism 112 can be used to move a movable member 134 via rocker member 150 from one position to another upon forces being applied to actuating members 162 with spring-biased button 15L~ being maintained in one or the other posi~ions by engagement with either side of embossment 136 to maintain movable member 134 at such position and inclined surfaces 166 limit movement of the rocker member.
In operation with reference to Figure 15, a probe (not shown) is l O inserted into the left-sided notches 1 6LI or 165 for applying a force to rocker member 150. This causes the bottom arcuate surfaces of members 168 to engage the top surface of frame 11 L~ throuyh membrane 1 l~2 thereby causing rocker member 150 to ock about such arcuate surfaces with button 154 being depressed inwardly agalnst the action of leaf spring 152 as it rides along V-shaped embossment 136. So long as the force applied to rocker member 150 does not enable button 154 to extencl slightly beyond the center thereof, rocker member 150 will move back to its original position. If the operating force exerted by the probe is sufficient to move button 154 via rocker member 150 beyond the center of button 154, the configuration of embossment 136 on pivot member 132 and that of rounded end 142 plus the action of leaf spring 152 will move rocker member 150 to the other position from where it was located thereby providing snap action operation. Fingers 138 of movable contact members 134 are wipingly moved - along stationary contact section 11 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation of the section of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 1 3G .
The construction of DIP switch SA with membrane 142 in sealed engagèment with the top surface of frame ~4~ or with membranes 142, 144 in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of Frame 114 provides a DIP switch having a sealed electrical contact assernbly that will 5 protect the contact assembly from contaminants when the board 126 is subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switchO The DIP switch SA is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling tt to be used in greater density at a lower profile.
Figures 19 through 29 illustrate the method of making the sealed electrical contact assembly and the switch. Electrical contact members 116, 11~ are stamped and formed from a suitable metal such as, for example, brass or the like in the form of a lead frame as illustrated in Figure 19 with terminal sections 122 being connected together by sections 176 and 15 their encds connected to the sides of carrier strip 178. Only one carrier strip 178 having the lead frame therein iâ shown, but the carrier strip is a continuous strip of stamped and formed lead frames with the carrier strip 178 providing a means for carrying the lead frames through gold or other precious metal plating and the manufacturing steps of making the 20 sealed electrical contact assembly and switch made therefrom.
The lead frame is placed in a conventional mold and dielectric frame 114 is molded thereon with recesses 120 formed therein to expose exposed contact sections 11 6A, 11 8A of contact members 116, 118 as shown in Figure 20. Another carrier strip 180 has the ends of gold or other 25 precious metal plated movable contact members 134 connected thereto as shown in Figure 21 which are sheared from carrier strip î80 and then 966919735 ~1 4-transferred into recesses 120 of frame 114 as shown in ~igure 22 so that V-shaped embossments 136 are positioned onto pivot rnembers 132 of contact sections 11 8A . The transferring can be done by transferring members connected to a vacuum. The lead frame 17û and strip 180 of movable 5 contact members 134 can be chemically milled or made in any other conventional manner.
Membranes 142, 144 are then adhesively and sealingly secured onto the top and bottom surfaces of frame 114 as shown in Figure 23.
Membrane 142 maintains movable contact members 134 in position in recesses 120.
Figures 23 through 25 illustrate loading rocker members 150 with leaf springs 152 and buttons 154. Rocker members 15û are positioned within aligned carrier members 182. The leading carrier member 182 is moved to a station as shown in Figure 24 so that carrier strip 184 nn which leaf springs 152 are located can position leaf springs 152 in slots 169 of rocker members 150. Leaf springs 152 are then severed from carrier strip 184.
Carrier member 182 is then moved to another station as shown in Figure 25 so that buttons 154 in tubes 186 are serially inserted therefrom into slots 169 of rocker members 150. Carrier member 182 with fully 20 assembled rocker members 150 is then moved to a further station as shown in Figure 26 whereat carrier member 182 is tilted to slide assembled rocker members 150 in cavities 156 in housing 148.
An alternative approach would be that in molding the rocker members 150, they can be molded to a carrier member at spaced intervals 25 ~herealong. Leaf springs are then inserted in slots 169 and severed from carrier strip 184 whereafter buttons 15L~ are inserted in slots 169. Then 9669/~735 -1 5-the loaded rocker me,nbers 150 can be positioned within cavities 156 of housing 148 whereafter they are severed from the carrier member.
Fiyure 23 illustrates the completed sealed electrical con~act assembiy 110 which is inverted as shown in Figure 27 and latchably secured onto housing 148 having the rocker members 150 positioned in cavities 156 thereof via latches 160 latchably enyaging latching lugs 140 as shown in Figure 27. Sections 176 are sheared from between terminal sections 122 ancl the ends of terminal sections 122 are sheared from carrier strip 178 as shown in Figure 28 and then bent into a proper orientation for matable l O engagement with holes 124 of board 126 . The completed electrical Dl P
switch SA, as illustrated in Figure 29, can then be ~ested and packaged in tubes in the same manner as integrated circuits and they can be loaded into printed circuit boards by automated insertion equipment. Adjacent members 168 can be interconnected when formed or via a suitable adhesive and cavities 156 so profiled to enable gang switching if desiredO
The configuration of leaf springs 152 on carrier strip 184 and of buttons 154 enables them to be easily positioned within rocker members 150, and fully-loaded rocker members 150 are easily dropped into the respective cavities 156 of housing 148O This enables actuating mechanism 112 to be readily secured onto sealed contact assembly 110 which itseif is readily assembled as illustrated in Figures 19 through 23.
The projections 153 of leaf springs 152 and projections 174 of buttons 154 in recesses 170 of rocker members 150 maintain leaf springs 152 and buttons 154 in position in rocker members 150 and guide the movements of springs 1 S2 and buttons 154 during opera~ion of rocker members 150 .
Claims (8)
1. A sealed electrical contact assembly comprising a dielectric frame having a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members secured in said dielectric frame as opposing sets of stationary contact members and movable electrical contact members to interconnect each set of stationary contact members said sealed electrical contact assembly characterized in that:
one of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and said movable contact members having matable pivot areas at which said movable contact members are mounted so that said movable contact members are mounted so that said movable contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting said opposing sets of stationary contact members;
a membrane member sealingly secured onto said frame covering each set of stationary contact members and movable contact members associated therewith.
one of the opposing sets of stationary contact members and said movable contact members having matable pivot areas at which said movable contact members are mounted so that said movable contact members are mounted so that said movable contact members can be moved to a position electrically connecting said opposing sets of stationary contact members;
a membrane member sealingly secured onto said frame covering each set of stationary contact members and movable contact members associated therewith.
2. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said frame has membrane members secured onto the top and bottom surfaces thereof.
3. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said stationary contact members have terminal sections for electrical connection with socket members in a printed circuit board.
4. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the free ends of said movable contact members have contact fingers.
5. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that a housing member is latchably secured onto said frame, and movable members disposed in said housing member and including spring-biased members engaging respective movable contact members through said membrane member, sections of said movable members are engagable to move said movable members from one position moving said movable contact members via said spring-biased members to the position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members and to another position moving said movable contact members to a position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members.
6. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 5 characterized in that said spring-biased members include button members and coil springs disposed in openings of said movable members and onto shafts of said button members.
7. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 5 characterized in that said spring-biased members include button members having rounded ends and projections, leaf springs disposed in slots in said movable members and having projections, said projections of said button members and said projections of said leaf springs disposed in recesses in said movable members wish said leaf springs urging said button members in an outward direction relative to said movable members.
8. A sealed electrical contact assembly as set forth in claim 5 characterized in that said movable members are rocker members and have triangular-shaped projections extending outwardly from the sides of the rocker members, with the apexes of the triangular-shaped projections being urged against an inside surface of said housing member by said spring-biased members and the bases of said triangular-shaped projections being radiussed.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US326,723 | 1981-12-02 | ||
| US06/326,723 US4417106A (en) | 1981-12-02 | 1981-12-02 | Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom |
| US06/371,838 US4398069A (en) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-04-26 | Sealed electrical contact assembly and actuating mechanism therefor |
| US371,838 | 1982-04-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1220806A true CA1220806A (en) | 1987-04-21 |
Family
ID=26985537
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415405A Expired CA1220806A (en) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-11-12 | Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0081929B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1220806A (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3278179D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1227515A (en) * | 1982-12-21 | 1987-09-29 | David J. Gingerich | Electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor |
| GB2160366B (en) * | 1984-06-15 | 1987-09-09 | Kenton Lab Limited | A printed circuit board |
| US4839483A (en) * | 1986-10-22 | 1989-06-13 | Conair Corporation | Modular watertight switch for use in personal care appliances |
| US4772761A (en) * | 1987-05-04 | 1988-09-20 | Amp Incorporated | Sealed electrical components and method of making same |
| GB2206735B (en) * | 1987-07-03 | 1991-05-29 | Contactum Ltd | Electrical switch element |
| FR2690781A1 (en) * | 1992-05-04 | 1993-11-05 | Etude Const Mat Electronique | Subminiature switch for printed circuit mounted on surface - has base with conducting grill formed of parallel band with zones of contact at different bands of grill |
| DE4218535C1 (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1993-09-09 | Merit-Elektrik Gmbh, 5270 Gummersbach, De | |
| ES2641583T3 (en) * | 2007-04-16 | 2017-11-10 | Marquardt Gmbh | Procedure for the manufacture of an electromechanical switch |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2432647A (en) * | 1945-12-07 | 1947-12-16 | Standard Mfg Co | Electric snap switch |
| US3219784A (en) * | 1963-12-30 | 1965-11-23 | Gen Motors Corp | Sliding contact switch |
| US3694598A (en) * | 1970-08-13 | 1972-09-26 | Fujisoku Electric | Seesaw switch |
| GB1513300A (en) * | 1975-12-18 | 1978-06-07 | Amp Inc | Electrical slide switch |
| US4344224A (en) * | 1979-01-26 | 1982-08-17 | Molex Incorporated | Method of making hermetically sealed switch assembly |
| US4311884A (en) * | 1979-05-21 | 1982-01-19 | C & K Components, Inc. | Miniature sealed dual-in-line switch |
| JPS55155424A (en) * | 1979-05-24 | 1980-12-03 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Dip switch |
-
1982
- 1982-11-12 CA CA000415405A patent/CA1220806A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-11-23 DE DE8282306233T patent/DE3278179D1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-11-23 EP EP19820306233 patent/EP0081929B1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-12-02 DE DE19828233913 patent/DE8233913U1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0081929A2 (en) | 1983-06-22 |
| EP0081929B1 (en) | 1988-03-02 |
| DE3278179D1 (en) | 1988-04-07 |
| DE8233913U1 (en) | 1983-03-04 |
| EP0081929A3 (en) | 1984-08-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |