CA1227515A - Electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor - Google Patents
Electrical switch and actuating mechanism thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1227515A CA1227515A CA000441671A CA441671A CA1227515A CA 1227515 A CA1227515 A CA 1227515A CA 000441671 A CA000441671 A CA 000441671A CA 441671 A CA441671 A CA 441671A CA 1227515 A CA1227515 A CA 1227515A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- section
- contact
- switch
- spring
- actuating
- 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
- H01H15/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
- H01H15/005—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch adapted for connection with printed circuit boards
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H15/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
- H01H15/02—Details
- H01H15/06—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Slide Switches (AREA)
- Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
- Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
- Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Organic Insulating Materials (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
An electrical switch comprises an electrical contact assembly which includes a dielectric frame in which a series of aligned stationary contact members are disposed. Electrical contact sections of the stationary contact members are exposed in recesses in a top surface of the dielectric frame.
A movable electrical contact member is pivotally mounted on one of the contact sections in each of the recesses to electrically connect the stationary contact sections in one position and to disconnect the contact sections in another position. A housing is latchably secured onto the dielectric frame and has linearly-movable actuating members mounted therein in operative association with respective movable contact members.
Each of the linearly-movable actuating members comprises a slide member in which a spring is disposed. The slide member is movable to one position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to the one position electrically connecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this one position.
The slide member is movable to another position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to another position disconnecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this other position.
An electrical switch comprises an electrical contact assembly which includes a dielectric frame in which a series of aligned stationary contact members are disposed. Electrical contact sections of the stationary contact members are exposed in recesses in a top surface of the dielectric frame.
A movable electrical contact member is pivotally mounted on one of the contact sections in each of the recesses to electrically connect the stationary contact sections in one position and to disconnect the contact sections in another position. A housing is latchably secured onto the dielectric frame and has linearly-movable actuating members mounted therein in operative association with respective movable contact members.
Each of the linearly-movable actuating members comprises a slide member in which a spring is disposed. The slide member is movable to one position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to the one position electrically connecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this one position.
The slide member is movable to another position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to another position disconnecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this other position.
Description
~75~
ELECTRICAL SY~ITCH AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR
This invention relates to an electrical switch and more particularly to an electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor for use with an electrical contact assembly or for operating a movable member.
Electrical switches of the dual in-line package DIP) type are extensively used, especially on printed circuit boards. Some of these switches are of a size so as to conform to the size of DIP integrated circuits so that they can be automatically inserted by automatic application machinery into selected positions on printed circuit boards. Such switches must also have contact assemblies that will not be affected when the printed circuit boards on which they are mounted are flow soldered. The parts of these DIP switches must be structured so as to be readily assembled into DIP switches.
According to the present invention, an electrical switch somprises an electrical contact assembly which includes a dielectric frame in which a series of aligned stationary contact members are disposed. Electrical contact sections of the stationary contact members are exposed in recesses in a top surface of the dielectric frame. A movable electrical contact member is pivotal!y mounted on one of the contact sections in each of the recesses to electrically connect the stationary contact sections in one 5~LS
position and to disconnect the contact sections in another posi-- tion. A housing is latchably secured onto the dielectric frame and has linearly-movable actuating members mounted therein in operative association with respective movable contact members.
Each of the linearly-movable actuating members comprises a slide member in which a spring is disposed. The slide member is movable to one position in the housing so that the spring moves the mov-able contact member to the one position electrically connecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this one position. The slide member is movable to another position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to another position disconnecting the stationaxy contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this other position.
According to another embodiment of the present inven-tion, a membrane sealingly covers the recesses and the exposed contact sectlons along with the respective movable contact members therein thereby worming a sealed electrical contact assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the spring member within the actuating member has a sinuous con-iguration, and in one actuating position is slightly compressed between an inside housing surface and one end of a movable contact member holding it against one of the stationary contact members, and is further compressed during sliding of the actuating member until another actuating position is obtained, at which point the spring member is slightly compressed against the other end of the
ELECTRICAL SY~ITCH AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR
This invention relates to an electrical switch and more particularly to an electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor for use with an electrical contact assembly or for operating a movable member.
Electrical switches of the dual in-line package DIP) type are extensively used, especially on printed circuit boards. Some of these switches are of a size so as to conform to the size of DIP integrated circuits so that they can be automatically inserted by automatic application machinery into selected positions on printed circuit boards. Such switches must also have contact assemblies that will not be affected when the printed circuit boards on which they are mounted are flow soldered. The parts of these DIP switches must be structured so as to be readily assembled into DIP switches.
According to the present invention, an electrical switch somprises an electrical contact assembly which includes a dielectric frame in which a series of aligned stationary contact members are disposed. Electrical contact sections of the stationary contact members are exposed in recesses in a top surface of the dielectric frame. A movable electrical contact member is pivotal!y mounted on one of the contact sections in each of the recesses to electrically connect the stationary contact sections in one 5~LS
position and to disconnect the contact sections in another posi-- tion. A housing is latchably secured onto the dielectric frame and has linearly-movable actuating members mounted therein in operative association with respective movable contact members.
Each of the linearly-movable actuating members comprises a slide member in which a spring is disposed. The slide member is movable to one position in the housing so that the spring moves the mov-able contact member to the one position electrically connecting the stationary contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this one position. The slide member is movable to another position in the housing so that the spring moves the movable contact member to another position disconnecting the stationaxy contact sections and the spring and the housing maintain the slide member in this other position.
According to another embodiment of the present inven-tion, a membrane sealingly covers the recesses and the exposed contact sectlons along with the respective movable contact members therein thereby worming a sealed electrical contact assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the spring member within the actuating member has a sinuous con-iguration, and in one actuating position is slightly compressed between an inside housing surface and one end of a movable contact member holding it against one of the stationary contact members, and is further compressed during sliding of the actuating member until another actuating position is obtained, at which point the spring member is slightly compressed against the other end of the
-2-`` ~22~
movable contact member holding it against the other stationary contact member. Preferably, the spring member has an arcuate section on its cover section compressed against the movable con-tact, an arcuate section on its upper section compressed into one of two recesses in the housing surface defining an actuating position, and an E-shaped configuration between the upper and lower sections.
The invention will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE l is a perspective and exploded view of parts of an electrical switch.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the assembled switch.
FIGIJRE 3 is a perspective and exploded view with parts in cross section of the housing and the slide member.
FIGURE 4 iS a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figures 1 through 4 illustrate the sealed electrical contact assembly lO and the contact-actuating mechanism 12 that is latchably secured thereto thereby forming DIP switch S as illus-trated in Figures l and 2.
-2a-s Sealed electrical contact assembly 10 includes dielectric frame 14 which is molded from a suitable commercially-available plastic material and, as shown in Figure 4, a series of aligned electrical contact members 16, 18 are molded in place therein . Electrical contact members 16, 18 are arranged in dielectric frame 14 having opposed and aligned stationary electrical contact sections 16A, 18A which are exposed in recesses 20 in the top surface of frame 14 and spaced from each other thereby. Mach of electrical contact members 16, 18 has an electrical terminal section 22 extending outwardly from frame 14 for electrical connection with electrical holes 24 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 26 with electrical holes 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 holes 24 in order to space switch S from board 26. Electrical contact members 18 are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 32 that have been stamped therefrom.
Electrical contact members 16, 1 are stamped and formed from suitable metal stock in lead frame form. The lead frame acts as a carrier to carry the contact members into position in a mold enabling dielectric frames 14 to be molded thereon . These assemblies can then be carried to other assembly locations to form completed switches.
Movable electrical contact members 34 have V-shaped embossments 36 formed therein which mate with pivot members 32 and the ends are provicled with contact fingers to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 34 are rnoved into electrical contact with stationary contact sections 16A as illustrated in Figure 4. V-shaped embossments 36 in 9~59 -3-engagement with pivot members 32 positively position movable contact members 34 relative to the respective sets of stationary contact sections 16A, 18A within recesses 20. Latching lugs 40 having upper beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides of frame 14 between terminal sections 22.
Membrane 42 of a commercially-available plastic material is sealingly secured on the top surface 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 sections 18A. Another membrane can be adhesively secured onto a bottom surface of frame 42 if holes are formed in frame 14 hy the use of hold-down members. As can be discerned, membrane 42 not only maintains movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20 and on pivot members 32 of stationary contact sections 18A, but membrane 42 also seals electrical contact assembly 10 from contaminants, especially during the flow soldering and cleaning operations to which the contact assembly will be subjected and during the operating life thereof. While a membrane has been disclosed to cover the bottom surface of frame 1L~ to cover holes therein, frame 14 can be molded as shown without holes therein thereby eliminating the bottom membrane and using only membrane 42 adhered to the top surface of frame 14, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 12 includes housing 48, slide members 50, and springs 52. Housing 4~ and slide members 50 are molded from a commercially-available plastic material.
Housing 48 has separate cavities 56 which receive therein contact-actuating members comprising slide members 50 and springs 52 ~LX275~;
therein as illustrated in Figure 4. Openings 58 are located in sidewalls 45 of housing 48 and terminate in top wall 47 of housing 48; opposing openings 58 communicate with respective cavities 56. 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-actuating members in position in cavities 56 thereby forming switch S as illustratad in Figures 2 and 4.
Each of cavities 56 is bounded by inner surfaces 51 of sidewalls 45 and top wall 47. Dividers 53 extend downwardly from top wall 47 and along sidewalls L~5 to about midway thereof. Spaced arcuate recesses 57 are located on an inner surface 59 of top wall 47 in each of cavities 56.
Slide members 50 have rectangular openings 62 extending therethrough and projections 64 extending outwardly from end walls of the slide members 50. Thus, slide members 50 fit within respective cavities 56 anci with springs 52 in openlngs 62 are slidably movable therein when housing L~8 is latchably mounted on contact assembly 10. Projections 64 are posltioned in openings 58 dependlng on the position slide members 50 have been moved to.
Each of sprlngs 52 is stamped and formed from suitable metal stock having the necessary spring characteristics ancl has an E-shape configuration. A central section 65 of springs 52 has a U-shape configuration. Contact-actuating section 66 extends outwardly from the bottom leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate section 68 while detent section 70 extends outwardly from the upper leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate section 72. The free ends of sections 66 and 70 are curved inwardly toward the bight of central section 65. As shown ~2;~:~5~
in figure 3, sections 66 and 70 along which arcuate sections 68 and 72 are located are narrower. The widths of central section 65, the ends of sections 66 and 70 are the same and are just slightly less than the widths of openings 62 in slide members 50 to enable springs 52 to freely move within openings 62 and to stabilize their movements therein as slide members 50 move back and forth in respective cavities 56 of housing 48.
Arcuate sections 68 and 72 extend outwardly from the top and bottom surfaces of slide members 50.
The bottom inside edges of the sides of openings 62 are beveled to facilitate insertion of springs 52 into openings 62 of slide members 50 when slide members 50 are in position in cavities 56 of housings 48 in their inverted positions during the assembling of the sealed contact assemblies 10 to housings 48 to form the switches. After contact assemblies 10 have been made but are still attached to their carrier strips, they are latched onto respective housings 48, terminal sections 22 are sheared from their carrier strips along with sections connecting the terminal sections together between projections 30 whereafter terminal sections 22 are bent to their appropriate angle for insertion into holes 24 of board 26. The board can now be subjected to a flow soldering operation to solder the terminal sections to the holes and the sealed contact assembly is protected from being contaminated during and after such operation. If desired, sockets can be disposed in holes 24 and soldered thereto so that terminal sections 22 can be electrically connected thereto.
As can be discerned, the nature of the parts of the switches lends them to automatic assembling practices that enables the manufacture of the switches to be substantially increased.
s As shown in Figure I, slide member 50 is in a contact-operated position with arcuate section 68 maintaining movable contact 34 in electrical engagement with contact section 16A through membrane 42 and arcuate section 72 is disposed in the left-handed recess 57. The spring characteristics of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52 coupled with the detent arrangement of arcuate section 72 in recess 57 and arcuate section 68 located on the left side of embossment 36 maintain slide member 50 in this contact-operated position.
A probe ( not shown) is used to engage the left projection 64 through opening 58 and pushes slide member 50 toward the right within cavity 56 of housing 48. This causes arcuate sections 68 and 72 to move inwardly against the spring forces of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52. Arcuate section 68 slides along membrane 42, the left side of movable contact member 34, over embossment 36 and onto the right side of contact member 34 which moves the left side of contact member 34 out of electrical engagement with contact section 16A thereby disconnecting contact sections 16A, 18A . Arcuate section 72 is moved into right recess 57 and this detent arrangement under the spring forces of spring 52 coupled with arcuate section 68 being on the right side of embossment 36 maintains slide member 50 in the non-contact-operated position.
If the force exerted by the probe on slide member 50 is not enough to move the center of arcuate section 68 beyond the center of embossment 36, slide member 50 will move back to its original position. If the operating force exerted by the probe is sufficient to move arcuate section 68 beyond the center of arcuate section 68, the configuration of embossment 36 on pivot member 32 and that of arcuate section 6a plus the .
~27~
action of spring 52 will move slide member 50 to the position opposite to where it was located thereby providing snap action operation. The fingers of movable contact members 34 are wipingly moved along stationary contact section 1 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 36.
The construction of DIP switch S with membrane 42 in sealed engagement with the top surface of frame 14 or with membranes in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 provides a DIP
switch having a sealed electrical contact assembly that will protect the contact assembly from contaminants when the board 26 is subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switch. This eliminates the need to remove a tape seal which is currently used to protect switches during wave soldering operations. The sealed DIP switch S is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling it to be used in greater density at a lower profile. Switches S can be packaged in tubes in the manner of integrated circuits and subjected to automated insertion equipment. The construction of switch S minimizes parts, molds to make them, and inventory.
movable contact member holding it against the other stationary contact member. Preferably, the spring member has an arcuate section on its cover section compressed against the movable con-tact, an arcuate section on its upper section compressed into one of two recesses in the housing surface defining an actuating position, and an E-shaped configuration between the upper and lower sections.
The invention will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE l is a perspective and exploded view of parts of an electrical switch.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the assembled switch.
FIGIJRE 3 is a perspective and exploded view with parts in cross section of the housing and the slide member.
FIGURE 4 iS a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figures 1 through 4 illustrate the sealed electrical contact assembly lO and the contact-actuating mechanism 12 that is latchably secured thereto thereby forming DIP switch S as illus-trated in Figures l and 2.
-2a-s Sealed electrical contact assembly 10 includes dielectric frame 14 which is molded from a suitable commercially-available plastic material and, as shown in Figure 4, a series of aligned electrical contact members 16, 18 are molded in place therein . Electrical contact members 16, 18 are arranged in dielectric frame 14 having opposed and aligned stationary electrical contact sections 16A, 18A which are exposed in recesses 20 in the top surface of frame 14 and spaced from each other thereby. Mach of electrical contact members 16, 18 has an electrical terminal section 22 extending outwardly from frame 14 for electrical connection with electrical holes 24 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 26 with electrical holes 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 holes 24 in order to space switch S from board 26. Electrical contact members 18 are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 32 that have been stamped therefrom.
Electrical contact members 16, 1 are stamped and formed from suitable metal stock in lead frame form. The lead frame acts as a carrier to carry the contact members into position in a mold enabling dielectric frames 14 to be molded thereon . These assemblies can then be carried to other assembly locations to form completed switches.
Movable electrical contact members 34 have V-shaped embossments 36 formed therein which mate with pivot members 32 and the ends are provicled with contact fingers to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 34 are rnoved into electrical contact with stationary contact sections 16A as illustrated in Figure 4. V-shaped embossments 36 in 9~59 -3-engagement with pivot members 32 positively position movable contact members 34 relative to the respective sets of stationary contact sections 16A, 18A within recesses 20. Latching lugs 40 having upper beveled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides of frame 14 between terminal sections 22.
Membrane 42 of a commercially-available plastic material is sealingly secured on the top surface 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 sections 18A. Another membrane can be adhesively secured onto a bottom surface of frame 42 if holes are formed in frame 14 hy the use of hold-down members. As can be discerned, membrane 42 not only maintains movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20 and on pivot members 32 of stationary contact sections 18A, but membrane 42 also seals electrical contact assembly 10 from contaminants, especially during the flow soldering and cleaning operations to which the contact assembly will be subjected and during the operating life thereof. While a membrane has been disclosed to cover the bottom surface of frame 1L~ to cover holes therein, frame 14 can be molded as shown without holes therein thereby eliminating the bottom membrane and using only membrane 42 adhered to the top surface of frame 14, if desired.
Contact-actuating mechanism 12 includes housing 48, slide members 50, and springs 52. Housing 4~ and slide members 50 are molded from a commercially-available plastic material.
Housing 48 has separate cavities 56 which receive therein contact-actuating members comprising slide members 50 and springs 52 ~LX275~;
therein as illustrated in Figure 4. Openings 58 are located in sidewalls 45 of housing 48 and terminate in top wall 47 of housing 48; opposing openings 58 communicate with respective cavities 56. 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-actuating members in position in cavities 56 thereby forming switch S as illustratad in Figures 2 and 4.
Each of cavities 56 is bounded by inner surfaces 51 of sidewalls 45 and top wall 47. Dividers 53 extend downwardly from top wall 47 and along sidewalls L~5 to about midway thereof. Spaced arcuate recesses 57 are located on an inner surface 59 of top wall 47 in each of cavities 56.
Slide members 50 have rectangular openings 62 extending therethrough and projections 64 extending outwardly from end walls of the slide members 50. Thus, slide members 50 fit within respective cavities 56 anci with springs 52 in openlngs 62 are slidably movable therein when housing L~8 is latchably mounted on contact assembly 10. Projections 64 are posltioned in openings 58 dependlng on the position slide members 50 have been moved to.
Each of sprlngs 52 is stamped and formed from suitable metal stock having the necessary spring characteristics ancl has an E-shape configuration. A central section 65 of springs 52 has a U-shape configuration. Contact-actuating section 66 extends outwardly from the bottom leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate section 68 while detent section 70 extends outwardly from the upper leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate section 72. The free ends of sections 66 and 70 are curved inwardly toward the bight of central section 65. As shown ~2;~:~5~
in figure 3, sections 66 and 70 along which arcuate sections 68 and 72 are located are narrower. The widths of central section 65, the ends of sections 66 and 70 are the same and are just slightly less than the widths of openings 62 in slide members 50 to enable springs 52 to freely move within openings 62 and to stabilize their movements therein as slide members 50 move back and forth in respective cavities 56 of housing 48.
Arcuate sections 68 and 72 extend outwardly from the top and bottom surfaces of slide members 50.
The bottom inside edges of the sides of openings 62 are beveled to facilitate insertion of springs 52 into openings 62 of slide members 50 when slide members 50 are in position in cavities 56 of housings 48 in their inverted positions during the assembling of the sealed contact assemblies 10 to housings 48 to form the switches. After contact assemblies 10 have been made but are still attached to their carrier strips, they are latched onto respective housings 48, terminal sections 22 are sheared from their carrier strips along with sections connecting the terminal sections together between projections 30 whereafter terminal sections 22 are bent to their appropriate angle for insertion into holes 24 of board 26. The board can now be subjected to a flow soldering operation to solder the terminal sections to the holes and the sealed contact assembly is protected from being contaminated during and after such operation. If desired, sockets can be disposed in holes 24 and soldered thereto so that terminal sections 22 can be electrically connected thereto.
As can be discerned, the nature of the parts of the switches lends them to automatic assembling practices that enables the manufacture of the switches to be substantially increased.
s As shown in Figure I, slide member 50 is in a contact-operated position with arcuate section 68 maintaining movable contact 34 in electrical engagement with contact section 16A through membrane 42 and arcuate section 72 is disposed in the left-handed recess 57. The spring characteristics of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52 coupled with the detent arrangement of arcuate section 72 in recess 57 and arcuate section 68 located on the left side of embossment 36 maintain slide member 50 in this contact-operated position.
A probe ( not shown) is used to engage the left projection 64 through opening 58 and pushes slide member 50 toward the right within cavity 56 of housing 48. This causes arcuate sections 68 and 72 to move inwardly against the spring forces of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52. Arcuate section 68 slides along membrane 42, the left side of movable contact member 34, over embossment 36 and onto the right side of contact member 34 which moves the left side of contact member 34 out of electrical engagement with contact section 16A thereby disconnecting contact sections 16A, 18A . Arcuate section 72 is moved into right recess 57 and this detent arrangement under the spring forces of spring 52 coupled with arcuate section 68 being on the right side of embossment 36 maintains slide member 50 in the non-contact-operated position.
If the force exerted by the probe on slide member 50 is not enough to move the center of arcuate section 68 beyond the center of embossment 36, slide member 50 will move back to its original position. If the operating force exerted by the probe is sufficient to move arcuate section 68 beyond the center of arcuate section 68, the configuration of embossment 36 on pivot member 32 and that of arcuate section 6a plus the .
~27~
action of spring 52 will move slide member 50 to the position opposite to where it was located thereby providing snap action operation. The fingers of movable contact members 34 are wipingly moved along stationary contact section 1 6A because of the downwardly bent orientation of the movable contact members that begins at a location spaced outwardly from embossments 36.
The construction of DIP switch S with membrane 42 in sealed engagement with the top surface of frame 14 or with membranes in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 provides a DIP
switch having a sealed electrical contact assembly that will protect the contact assembly from contaminants when the board 26 is subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switch. This eliminates the need to remove a tape seal which is currently used to protect switches during wave soldering operations. The sealed DIP switch S is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling it to be used in greater density at a lower profile. Switches S can be packaged in tubes in the manner of integrated circuits and subjected to automated insertion equipment. The construction of switch S minimizes parts, molds to make them, and inventory.
Claims (15)
1. An electrical switch comprising:
dielectric frame means having aligned electrical contact means including opposed stationary electrical contact section means disposed in recess means of said frame means;
movable electrical contact means pivotally mounted onto one of said opposed stationary electrical contact section means;
housing means secured onto said frame means and including opening means in side means which terminate at top means thereof;
actuating means movably mounted in said housing means including slide means linearly movable in said housing means relative to said frame means, spring means disposed in said slide means and extending between said top means and said movable contact means for actuating said movable contact means to an actuated position or to a non-actuated position upon movement of said slide means from one position to another position;
actuating-member means of said actuating means disposed in said opening means which, when force is applied to one of said actuating-member means, moves said actuating means from one of the actuated or non-actuated positions to the other of the actuated or non-actuated positions.
dielectric frame means having aligned electrical contact means including opposed stationary electrical contact section means disposed in recess means of said frame means;
movable electrical contact means pivotally mounted onto one of said opposed stationary electrical contact section means;
housing means secured onto said frame means and including opening means in side means which terminate at top means thereof;
actuating means movably mounted in said housing means including slide means linearly movable in said housing means relative to said frame means, spring means disposed in said slide means and extending between said top means and said movable contact means for actuating said movable contact means to an actuated position or to a non-actuated position upon movement of said slide means from one position to another position;
actuating-member means of said actuating means disposed in said opening means which, when force is applied to one of said actuating-member means, moves said actuating means from one of the actuated or non-actuated positions to the other of the actuated or non-actuated positions.
2, An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one of said opposed stationary electrical contact section means includes pivot member means and said movable electrical contact means comprises embossment means mounted onto said pivot member means to positively position said movable electrical contact means relative to said opposed stationary electrical contact section means and against which a contact-actuating section of said spring means engages to maintain said slide means in one of said actuated or non-actuated positions.
3. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising membrane means sealingly secured to said frame means covering said movable electrical contact means and said stationary electrical contact section means and along which said section of said spring means moves.
4. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slide means have an opening extending therethrough in which said spring means is movably disposed.
5. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring means has an E-shape configuration and includes a U-shape central section, an upper section engaging said top means, and said contact-actuating section.
6. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 5 wherein an inside surface of said top means has spaced recess means, said upper section of said spring means has an arcuate section disposable in either of said spaced recess means thereby defining a detent arrangement to maintain said slide means In the one or other position.
7. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 5 wherein said contact-actuating section of said spring means has an arcuate section that moves along said movable contact means.
8. A switch-actuating assembly attachable to a switch for moving the contact members of the switch from an open posi-tion to a closed position, comprising: a housing member attach-able to the switch, said housing member being generally box-like and open at the bottom, an actuator member movably mounted in the housing member; a sheet metal spring member of sinuous configuration associated with said actuator member and having a height in a relaxed condition that is higher than the side-walls of the housing member, and, when the housing member is attached onto the switch, the spring member extends between an inside surface of the housing member and one of the contact members and is placed in a compressive state so that when the actuator member is moved from one position to another, a sec-tion of the spring member engaging the one of the contact mem-bers moves the contact members from an open to a closed position.
9. A switch-actuating assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the section of the spring member engaging the one of the contact members is in the form of an arcuate section that moves along the one of the contact members.
10. A switch-actuating assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the arcuate section operates as a detent to maintain the contact members in the open or the closed position until suf-ficient force is applied to the actuator member to move the spring member from the open to the closed position.
11. A switch-actuating mechanism set forth in claim 8 wherein the other end of the spring member in engagement with the inside surface of the housing member has an arcuate section that moves along the inside surface when the actuator member moves from the one position to the other position.
12. A switch-actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 11 wherein the inside surface of the housing member has spaced recesses with the arcuate section being disposed in one or the other of the recesses depending on the position of the actuator member, said recesses and said arcuate section defining a detent arrangement.
13. A switch-actuating assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring member has a generally E-shape configura-tion and includes a U-shape central section, an upper section engaging said inside surface of said housing member and a lower section which is the section engaging the one of the contact members.
14. A switch-actuating assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the actuator member is a slide member having an opening extending therethrough in which said spring member is movably disposed, said upper section having an arcuate section engaging said inside surface and said section engaging the one of the contact members is in the form of another arcuate section.
15. A switch-actuating assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the widths of the central section and the ends of the upper and lower sections are the same but just slightly less than the width of said opening in said slide member so that said spring member is freely movable therein and is stabilized during its movement therein.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US45200282A | 1982-12-21 | 1982-12-21 | |
| US452,002 | 1982-12-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1227515A true CA1227515A (en) | 1987-09-29 |
Family
ID=23794601
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000441671A Expired CA1227515A (en) | 1982-12-21 | 1983-11-22 | Electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0112651B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS59138029A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE20628T1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8306950A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1227515A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3364391D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES285056Y (en) |
| HK (1) | HK7192A (en) |
| IE (1) | IE54946B1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX153921A (en) |
| MY (1) | MY8800078A (en) |
| SG (1) | SG33289G (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4839483A (en) * | 1986-10-22 | 1989-06-13 | Conair Corporation | Modular watertight switch for use in personal care appliances |
| DE4218535C1 (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1993-09-09 | Merit-Elektrik Gmbh, 5270 Gummersbach, De |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS4918693U (en) * | 1972-05-20 | 1974-02-16 | ||
| 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 |
| CA1220806A (en) * | 1981-12-02 | 1987-04-21 | David J. Gingerich | Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom |
-
1983
- 1983-11-22 AT AT83307135T patent/ATE20628T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-11-22 EP EP83307135A patent/EP0112651B1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-11-22 DE DE8383307135T patent/DE3364391D1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-11-22 CA CA000441671A patent/CA1227515A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-12 ES ES1983285056U patent/ES285056Y/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-14 MX MX199750A patent/MX153921A/en unknown
- 1983-12-14 JP JP58234455A patent/JPS59138029A/en active Pending
- 1983-12-15 IE IE2959/83A patent/IE54946B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-19 BR BR8306950A patent/BR8306950A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1988
- 1988-12-30 MY MY78/88A patent/MY8800078A/en unknown
-
1989
- 1989-05-23 SG SG332/89A patent/SG33289G/en unknown
-
1992
- 1992-01-23 HK HK71/92A patent/HK7192A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0112651B1 (en) | 1986-07-02 |
| JPS59138029A (en) | 1984-08-08 |
| IE54946B1 (en) | 1990-03-28 |
| EP0112651A1 (en) | 1984-07-04 |
| MX153921A (en) | 1987-02-19 |
| BR8306950A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
| ES285056U (en) | 1985-08-01 |
| ES285056Y (en) | 1986-05-01 |
| SG33289G (en) | 1989-09-22 |
| ATE20628T1 (en) | 1986-07-15 |
| DE3364391D1 (en) | 1986-08-07 |
| IE832959L (en) | 1984-06-21 |
| HK7192A (en) | 1992-01-31 |
| MY8800078A (en) | 1988-12-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |