CH713130B1 - Switching device and device for consumption measurements with such a switching device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a switching device (1), in particular a sabotage contact for a measuring device and the like, which has a contact element (2) and a mating contact element (3) which contact each other in a closed state (C) of the switching device (1) and which are shown in an open state (O) of the switching device (1) are spaced apart from one another, and an actuator (10) which is designed to actuate at least one of the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) in order to move them relative to one another, so that they are transferred from the closed state (C) to the open state (O) and vice versa. For improved switching reliability, the actuator (10) is designed to operate on a glide path (P 2, P 3), which extends along at least one switching section (18), which mechanically connects at least one of the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) contacted, to be connected while it rests on the switching portion (18) in order to keep the switching device (1) in the open state (O) or closed state (C), and that at least a part of the surface of the actuator (10) is abrasive .

Description

The present invention relates to a switching device, in particular a sabotage contact for a measuring device, which comprises: a contact element and a mating contact element which contact one another in a closed state of the switching device and which are spaced apart from one another in an open state of the switching device, and an actuator which is designed to actuate at least one of the contact element and the counter-contact element in order to move them relative to one another, so that they are transferred from the closed state to the open state and vice versa.

In addition, the present invention relates to a device for consumption measurements, which comprises at least one switching device according to the present invention,

BACKGROUND

Switching devices described above are known from the prior art. The switching devices are usually used as mechanical switches for triggering tamper alarms in order to indicate electronically that a sabotage attempt is being made. Such sabotage contacts are in particular installed in or on the housings of measuring devices, such as measuring meters for measuring energy, electricity, gas and / or water consumption. The housings must be protected against attempts at sabotage by the switches in order to prevent measuring functions and / or results from being changed without the corresponding authorization. Thus, the sabotage contact helps to detect whether the housing of the measuring device is opened while the device is installed and in use.

According to the prior art, an actuator in the form of a projection or knob is mounted, for example, on a part of the housing, such as a cover of the housing, and other parts of the switch, in particular miniature switching arrangements or leaf springs, are mounted on a box of the housing . When the cover is placed on the box in such a way that the housing is properly closed, the actuator acts on the switching arrangement or the leaf spring, whereby the switching device is kept in the open state. Accordingly, an electrical circuit which comprises the switching device is interrupted, which signals that the housing is correctly closed.

In the event of an attempted sabotage, for example when the cover is removed from the housing, the position of the actuator is changed so that the switching device is closed, which means that the contact element and the mating contact element are brought into contact with each other, for example to the effect that that the contact formed as a leaf spring automatically moves towards the counter-contact due to its inherent spring forces, which can be a simple contact surface, which makes the switching device an opener (normally closed - NC). Therefore, the sabotage attempt puts the switching device in the closed state. A corresponding electrical circuit is thus closed and an alarm is triggered. A corresponding sabotage attempt alarm is then issued by the measuring device.

This type of switching solutions according to the prior art for displaying attempts at sabotage have several disadvantages. First, the open state cannot be reliably maintained mechanically due to tolerance fluctuations of the actuator. If, for example, switching arrangements used in a sabotage contact according to the prior art have an actuation distance of 0.2 to 0.5 mm for the miniature switching arrangements or 2 to 3 mm for leaf springs, the dimensions and / or the orientation of the actuator only need slightly different to deviate from the desired values in order to change its movement path in such a way that the switching arrangement may not be able to be operated reliably.

In addition to these disadvantages due to manufacturing tolerances, the switching devices can be exposed to mechanical vibrations or shocks. This can bring about relative movements between the actuator and the switching arrangement, which lead to the switching device being at least temporarily put into the closed state. Such unintentional actuation of the switching device leads to a false sabotage alarm.

In addition, corresponding contact points or surfaces of the contact element and the mating contact element can corrode over time.

In particular, since measuring meters can be installed for 20 years or longer, corrosion can occur to such an extent that the contact elements can actually be brought into mechanical contact with one another in the event of an attempt at sabotage. However, a layer of corrosion covering them can prevent them from actually contacting one another in an electrically conductive manner sufficient to complete a tamper alarm circuit. The sabotage alarm would then fail.

SHORT SUMMARY

It is an object of this invention to provide a switching device, in particular a sabotage contact, which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages encountered in the prior art, as described above.

It is another object of the invention to provide electrical equipment that overcomes at least some of these disadvantages.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by the features of a switching device as defined in independent claim 1. For a device, in particular a measuring device, these objects are achieved in that the device comprises at least one switching device according to the present invention. In addition, further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the description.

According to the present invention, the objects described above are achieved in particular in that the actuator is designed to be displaced on a glide path that extends along at least one switching section that is mechanically connected to at least one of the contact element and the mating contact element while abutting the switching portion to keep the switching device in the open state or the closed state, at least a part of the surface of the actuator being abrasive.

This solution has the advantage over the prior art that a movement distance of the actuator, which is provided by the glide path while the switching device is held in the closed state or in the open state as desired, is sufficiently long to avoid manufacturing tolerances, deviations to compensate for setpoints and / or vibrations and shocks. In addition, the sliding movement can help to remove or at least break up any corrosion layers that cover the contact elements. Thus, the solution based on the prior art helps to ensure that correct electrical switching takes place; that is, the switching device is placed in the closed state or the open state as necessary to signal an attempted sabotage.

The glide path can be formed on or provided by at least one of the contact elements themselves. At least one of the contact elements can define the glide path by its own shape and arrangement. In other words, when actuated, the actuator can slide along at least one of the contact elements while pressure is exerted on the contact element, so that during the sliding movement the at least one contact element is held in such a way that the switching device is held in the closed state or in the open state, depending according to which one is required to carry out a desired switching function.

The solution according to the invention can be combined and improved by the following further embodiments, each of which is advantageous in itself.

In some embodiments, the actuator is designed to slide in a translatory and / or curved motion along the glide path. The translational and / or curved movement can result from the fact that the actuator is mounted or attached to a part of a housing of an electrical device, such as a measuring device, and the contact elements are mounted or attached to another part of the housing. If the part of the housing that carries the actuator, such as a cover of the housing, is simply placed on a box of the housing that carries the contact element and is fastened to the box by screws or other fastening means, the actuator can possibly be attached to a Move translationally when the lid is removed from the box. Alternatively, the lid can be fastened to the box by means of a hinge, which most likely causes the actuator to perform a curved movement with respect to the box and thus the contact elements.

In some embodiments, at least one actuation section of the actuator, which is designed to bear against the at least one switching section, extends essentially parallel and / or at an acute angle to the glide path. The actuation section of the actuator can be a particular section of the actuator which is arranged and shaped such that, after it has been brought into contact with at least one of the contact elements, it moves along the glide path and / or defines at least part of the glide path. In particular, a movement parallel and / or at an acute angle to the glide path helps to provide a sufficient actuator movement path, i.e. actuation length, while it is in contact with at least one of the contact elements and thereby keeps the switching device in the open or closed state as desired.

In addition, the acute angle can help to introduce the actuator in the manner of an insertion bevel in the glide path. The acute angle can help increase or decrease pressure exerted by the actuator on at least one of the contact elements as it moves along the glide path. Thereby, a contact pressure or a distance between the contact elements can be gradually increased or decreased as the actuator moves along the glide path.

In some embodiments, the at least one actuator section has an actuation length between 1 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 75 mm and most preferably between 5 mm and 50 mm, measured along the glide path. The appropriate length of the actuator section helps provide a switching device with a switching distance required by a particular application. In particular, switching differences up to and beyond 50 mm help to compensate for adverse effects that arise from manufacturing differences or with regard to other desired values as well as vibrations and shocks.

In some embodiments, the actuator is formed at least in sections from a dielectric material. In other words, the actuator can be formed from an electrically insulating material or comprise this at least in sections. As a result, the actuator itself can be used as an interrupter which prevents electrical contact, although it mechanically makes contact with at least one of the contact elements. In addition, electrical insulation of the actuator or on the actuator can be used for galvanic insulation of corresponding parts of the switching device and thus of a device that includes the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is in the open state between the contact element and the mating contact element in order to keep them spaced from one another. When moving along the glide path, the actuator can slide directly between the contact elements. As a result, the contact elements are safely spaced from one another and thus kept in the open state while the actuator is in contact with at least one of them.

In some embodiments, the actuator is shaped substantially symmetrically with respect to a central axis of the actuator that extends parallel to the glide path or a tangent away. A symmetrical shape of the actuator can help to evenly distribute switching forces between the contact elements that are exerted on them by the actuator while it is moving along the glide path. In addition, a symmetrical shape helps to correctly insert the actuator into the glide path, in particular if the glide path is formed between the contact elements and / or by the contact elements themselves.

In some embodiments, the actuator is tipped that points along the glide path. The tip can also provide a lead-in chamfer which aids in inserting the actuator into the glide path. In particular, when the actuator acts on at least one of the contact elements when it reaches the beginning of the end of the glide path, the tip can provide smooth insertion and removal of the actuator.

In some embodiments, the actuator is shaped as a pin or tenon. As such, the actuator may, for example, be attached to a cover of a housing so that it protrudes therefrom in a direction that is oriented along the glide path or at least towards a starting point of the glide path. This aids in properly inserting or removing the actuator from the glide path as an actuating pin or stud, along at least one of the sides from which the actuating portion can be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact element and the mating contact element contact each other in the closed state in a contact direction which extends substantially at right angles to the glide path. Thus, the contact elements can be slightly spaced from one another by the actuator sliding between them, or they can be brought into contact with one another in a sliding movement by removing the actuator from a distance between them. Either way, the sliding movement further helps to remove any corrosion layers with which the contact elements, in particular contact surfaces or points, may be covered.

In some embodiments, the contact element and the mating contact element contact each other in the closed state in a contact section of the contact element or the mating contact element. These contact sections can be arranged and shaped in such a way that they at least partially provide the glide path. As a result, on the other hand, the contact elements can be held securely in the open state by the actuator when the actuator is in contact with at least one of the contact elements along the glide path. On the other hand, removal of corrosion from the contact elements is facilitated by sliding the actuator along the sliding path.

At least part of the surface of the actuator is abrasive. Abrasiveness can be brought about, for example, by forming depressions and / or elevations on the actuator, in particular its actuation section. The actuator thus has a predefined surface roughness. The abrasiveness helps to remove layers of corrosion from at least one of the contact elements.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the contact element and the mating contact element is shaped as a leaf spring contact. As such, the contact elements can be easily displaced by the actuator and at the same time have sufficient spring forces to keep the switching device in an open or a closed state as desired. Both contact elements can be designed as leaf spring contacts, which are arranged symmetrically opposite one another with reference to the glide path or an axis of symmetry and / or the actuator in between, in particular a central or longitudinal direction of the actuator, when they are in a receiving space and / or a receptacle are introduced, which are formed between the two contact elements or is.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more detailed description of the principles briefly described above will now be given with reference to specific embodiments thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings. These drawings show the embodiments of the present disclosure only by way of example and are therefore not intended to restrict their scope. FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state; FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the switching device shown in FIG. 1 in an open state; FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the switching device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the closed state; and FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the switching device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the open state.

DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a switching device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state C. The switching device 1 extends along a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y and a height direction Z, which together form a Cartesian coordinate system. The switching device 1 comprises a contact element 2 and a mating contact element 3, which are formed as leaf spring contacts and electrically contact one another in the closed state C in a contact area 4 which is provided between corresponding contact sections 5 of each of the contact elements 2, 3.

Each of the contact elements 2, 3 has a base 6 and a spring portion 7. On the base 6, the contact elements 2, 3 are on a substrate 8, for example a printed circuit board (PCB), in an area of a through hole 9 formed therein attached. From their respective base sections 6, the contact elements 2, 3 extend through the through hole 9 and counter to the vertical direction Z through the through hole 9 beyond the through hole 9 into a space below the substrate 8. The spring section 7 extends from the base section 6 to the contact section 5, so that at their contact sections 5 the contact elements 2, 3 rest against one another under corresponding spring forces exerted by the spring sections 7 and are held on the substrate 8 by means of the corresponding bases 6.

The switching device 1 further comprises an actuator 10 in the form of a pin or pin. In the closed state C, the actuator 10 is spaced apart from the contact elements 2, 3. As shown in FIG. 1, in the closed state C the actuator 10 can be located above the substrate 8 in the height direction Z. The actuator 10 has an actuation section 11 which is arranged at least essentially in or against the longitudinal direction X. A tip 12 of the actuator 10 points towards the through hole 9

Figure 2 shows the switching device 1 in a schematic perspective view in an open state O. In the open state O, the contact elements 2, 3 by means of the actuator 10 are spaced apart by a contact opening distance d2,3, C (see Figure 4). In order to move the switching device 1 from the closed state C to the open state O, the actuator 10 was inserted into the through hole 9 of the substrate 8 between the contact elements 2, 3 and was shifted along their contact sections 5, while mainly using their spring sections 7 bends in or against the longitudinal direction X, whereby they move away from each other.

FIG. 3 shows the switching device 1 in a schematic side view in the closed state C. It becomes clear here that the bases 6 of the contact elements 2, 3 each comprise a clamping element 6a and a carrier section 6b. The clamping element 6a protrudes through the through hole 9 to the upper side of the substrate 8, while the carrier section 6b is held on the lower side of the substrate 8, whereby the contact elements 2, 3 are attached to the substrate 8 and supported thereon. The contact elements 2, 3 are arranged and shaped symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry S, which also forms a central axis of the switching device 1.

The spring sections 7 are shaped and arranged in such a way that they form a funnel-like receiving space 13 for the actuator 10. In other words, the receiving space 13 is delimited by the spring sections 7 of the contact elements 2, 3 and tapers along an insertion direction I for inserting the actuator 10 into the receiving space 13 towards the contact area 4. As a result, the receiving space 13 has a triangular cross section that tapers at the contact area 4, where the contact elements 2, 3 contact each other under corresponding contact forces which are directed in a contact direction D2 and a mating contact direction D3, which each extend essentially at right angles to the insertion direction I.

The actuator 10 has a central axis M, which extends essentially parallel to the insertion direction I and to the height direction Z, and the axis of symmetry S is superimposed. The actuation section 11 has an actuation length I11 measured parallel to the central axis M. An upper width w11, U of the actuating section 11 is greater than a lower width w11, L of the actuating section 11. As a result, the actuator 10, in particular its actuating section 11, tapers along the central axis M and thus the insertion direction I towards the tip 12. At the tip 12 itself, the actuator 10 is provided with a bevel 14 which is brought together with an actuating surface 15 which is oriented essentially in or against the longitudinal direction X on each side of the actuator.

The tip 12 with the slope 14 and the funnel-like shape of the receiving space 13 help to guide the actuator 10 in the insertion direction I down between the contact elements 2, 3 when it is inserted between them. After the actuator 10 hits the contact elements 2, 3 upon insertion, the actuator 10 slides with the actuating surfaces 15 along the contact sections 5, thereby forcing the contact elements 2, 3 apart and thus moving the switching device 1 from the closed state C to the open state O.

FIG. 4 shows the switching device 1 in a schematic side view in the open state O. The actuator 10 is displaced along the insertion direction I along a glide path P2 and a mating sliding path P3, which is predetermined by the contact element 2 and mating contact element 3, respectively. In particular, the sliding paths P2, P3 in the contact section 5 of each of the contact elements 2, 3 are predetermined in such a way that the actuating surfaces 15 of the actuator 10 slide along a corresponding contact surface 16 of each of the contact elements 2, 3. The contact surfaces 16 are arranged opposite one another on the previous contact area 4, which now forms at least part of a receptacle 17 for the actuator 10, in particular its actuation section 11.

Thus, the contact section 5 of each of the contact elements 2, 3 itself becomes a switching section 18, which forms the glide paths P2, P3, which abut the actuator 10 along the actuation section 11 over the actuation length L11. In the open state O, the contact elements 2, 3 are held by means of the actuator 10 at a contact distance d23, Osicher. The sliding movement of the actuating surfaces 15 along the contact surfaces 16 help remove any corrosion layers when the switching device 1 is actuated, in particular when the switching device 1 is switched from the open state O to the closed state C again by pulling the actuator 10 out of the receptacle against the direction of insertion I. 17 is pulled. To improve this cleaning effect, the actuating surfaces 15 are provided in such a way that they have grooves or corrugations or any other type of roughness R that improves their abrasiveness.

In addition, each of the contact elements 2, 3 has a free end 19 which points away from the contact section 5 at an acute angle with respect to the insertion direction I and thus with respect to the axis S of symmetry. These free ends 19 can also help to predetermine the contact surfaces 16 in such a way that in the closed state C they lie precisely against one another. In addition, the shape of the free ends 19 helps guide the actuator 10 when it is pulled out of the receiving device 17. Deviations from the embodiments described above are possible within the scope of the present invention. The switching device 1 can be provided with contact elements 2, mating contact elements 3, which provide contact areas 4 when they rest against one another, and thus contact sections 5, bases 6 with clamping elements 6a and support sections 6b, spring sections and free ends 19 in any number and shape that is desired for a specific application to provide receiving spaces 13, contact surfaces 16, receiving devices 17 and switching sections 18, in any number and form that is required to enable a switching process that comprises at least one glide path P2, P3 according to the present invention.

Accordingly, the substrate 8, as desired for implementing the contact elements 2, 3 and / or for providing a through hole 9 for the actuator 10, can be formed and shaped as required by a particular application. The actuator 10 can have corresponding actuation sections 11 with upper widths w11, U and lower widths w11, L, tips 12, bevels 14, actuation surfaces 15 and / or a certain roughness R in any desired number and can also be formed, shaped and / or dimensioned, as required by a particular application.

List of reference symbols

1 switching device 2 contact element 3 mating contact element 4 contact area 5 contact section 6 base 6a clamping element 6b carrier section 7 spring section 8 substrate 9 through hole 10 actuator 11 actuating section 12 tip 13 receiving space 14 bevel 15 actuating surface 16 contact surface 17 receptacle 18 switching section 19 free end d2,3, C Contact spacing I11 Operating length w11, upper width w11, lower width C closed state D2 contact direction D3 opposite contact direction O open state I insertion direction M central axis P2 sliding path P3 opposing sliding path R roughness X longitudinal direction Y transverse direction Z height direction

Claims (15)

1. Switching device (1), in particular a sabotage contact for a measuring device, comprising: a contact element (2) and a mating contact element (3) which contact one another in a closed state (C) of the switching device (1) and which are spaced apart from one another in an open state (O) of the switching device (1), and an actuator (10) which is designed to actuate at least one of the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) in order to move them relative to one another so that they are from the closed state (C) to the open state (O ) are convicted and vice versa, characterized in that the actuator (10) is designed to be displaced on a glide path (P2, P3) which extends along at least one switching section (18) which mechanically contacts at least one of the contact elements (2, 3), while it is on the switching section (18) is applied in order to keep the switching device (1) in the open state (O) or closed state (C), and that at least part of the surface of the actuator (10) is abrasive. 2. Switching device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (10) is designed to slide in a translational and / or curved movement along the glide path (P2, P3). 3. Switching device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one actuating section (11) of the actuator (10), which is designed to rest against at least one switching section (18), is substantially parallel or at an acute angle to the glide path (P2, P3). 4. Switching device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one actuation section (11) has an actuation length (I11) measured along the glide path (P2, P3) of between 1 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 75 mm and most preferably between 5 mm and 50 mm. 5. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuator (10) is formed at least in sections from a dielectric material. 6. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuator (10) is in the open state (O) between the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) in order to keep them spaced from one another . 7. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuator (10) with respect to a central axis (M) of the actuator (10) which is parallel to the glide path (P2, P3) or a tangent thereof extends, is shaped substantially symmetrically. 8. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuator (10) is provided with a tip (12) which points along the glide path (P2, P3). 9. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuator (10) is shaped as a pin. 10. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) in the closed state (C) contact each other in a contact direction (D2, D3) which essentially contact each other extends perpendicular to the glide path (P2, P3). 11. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) each other in the closed state (C) in a contact section (5) of the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) contact. 12. Switching device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the actuator (10) rests against at least one contact section (5) at at least one point on the glide path (P2, P3). 13. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the actuator (10) comprises actuating surfaces (15) which have grooves or corrugations. 14. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the contact element (2) and the mating contact element (3) is shaped as a leaf spring contact. 15. Device for consumption measurements, in particular of energy, electricity, gas and / or water consumption, comprising at least one switching device (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14.