DE102005031054A1 - Electrical switch e.g. for motor vehicle applications has operating element which is displaceable in additional directions to bring contact elements into contact with conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch has an operating element (1) which is downwardly displaceable with respect to a housing and which has an elastic contact element (8) which makes contacts with contacts of a conductor element (11) . The operating element is additionally displaceable in at least one other direction (Y) with respect to the housing, and comprises an additional elastic contact element (6,7). When displaced in the second direction the contact element is brought into contact with a conductor contact.

Description

The The invention relates to an electrical switch with a housing, in the upper side, an operating element and the underside a plate-shaped conductor element are recorded, with the control down in the direction opposite to the ladder element the housing is movably mounted and over at least one electrical contact having elastic contact element can be brought into electrical contact with conductor contacts on the conductor element is.

electrical Switch of this kind, e.g. be used in the automotive sector, are known. They have an electrical inside the housing Circuit-carrying circuit board, the at least two conductor contacts which, by depressing the operating element of the Switch of the elastic contact element of the control element electrically be connected together, whereby the desired switching signal is triggered. This elastic contact element is preferred as silicone spring or switching element formed, which is designed so that it after the depression almost automatically returns to its rest position, so that the conductor contacts of the circuit board are no longer together are connected.

Such Switches are only suitable if only one switching function is to be executed. However, there is also a need provide electrical switches that have multiple switching function enable should, e.g. in the automotive sector as Spiegelverstell-, Sitzverstell-, Sunroof switch or the like. Available switches of this type are very expensive designed and consist of a variety of items, for example with different leaf and / or spiral springs and other elements.

task The invention is to provide an electrical switch, with it with a single control on structurally simple and as possible inexpensive Way with clearer quieter Haptic possible is, several independent To realize switching functions.

These Task is at an electrical switch designated at the outset Type according to the invention thereby solved, that the control additionally at least in a second direction relative to the housing is displaceable and at least one second, electrical contacts having elastic contact element which, upon displacement in the second direction in electrical contact can be brought with second conductor contacts on the conductor element.

The Control of the switch is thus not only to press down, but in at least one second direction, preferably transversely thereto, parallel to the ladder element movable and seen in this direction inside provided with a second elastic contact element with second contacts, which on actuation the control element in the second direction, the second conductor contacts connect to each other on the conductor element and the second switching functions trigger. The control element can be made in one piece, additional Elements are not required, the control is merely provided with the elastic contact elements. By the elastic Contact elements ensure a clear, low-noise feel.

Especially Preferably, it is provided that the operating element in a opposite third direction the housing is displaceable and at least a third electrical contacts Having exhibiting contact element, which when moving in the third displacement direction in electrical contact with third conductor contacts can be brought on the conductor element. The third direction is here preferably chosen that it is transverse to the first and second directions, a shift of the control element in the third direction of displacement thus takes place parallel to the bottom of the case located plate-shaped conductor element.

All particularly preferably it is provided that the operating element respectively seen on both sides in the second and third direction of displacement second or has third elastic contact elements. Depending on which Direction shifted the control element in the second or third direction of displacement Thus, for example, an opposite switching function be realized in order to facilitate the operation of the user especially. In this design can be the provision of the Realize operating element in zero position particularly easy since after releasing the actuator the elastic contact elements at the two associated ends of the control element for a provision in a nearly exactly defined zero position, if they are accordingly are designed.

Further it is also possible at the respective end of the control by appropriately trained Contact elements to realize multi-stage circuits by the elastic contact elements with several suitable, from each other independent Equipped contacts which are succesive when in contact with the displacement Ladder element come.

In In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the Ladder element on the floor surface and at least one side wall surface of the housing is arranged. At this Design of the conductor element is the structural design of the switch particularly simple, since the elastic contact elements in the second or third direction directly to the respective conductor element the associated side wall surface to press can.

The elastic contact elements are preferred as silicone, switching or spring elements formed, as they are known per se. They preferably have contact pills or additional sliding contact springs, Tactile switch or the like., With which they on the conductor contacts to press.

The disc-shaped Conductor element can be designed as a printed circuit board or as a conductor foil be.

The The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing by way of example. These shows in:

1 a perspective view of the switch,

2 a longitudinal section through the switch and

3 a section along line B - B in 2 ,

An electrical switch has a 5 designated housing on, in which a control element on top 1 is included, which one outside the case 5 arranged handle 2 , a leadership approach 3 and a Actuate supply plate 4 having, wherein the operating element 1 is preferably formed in one piece. The operating element 1 is in the X direction ( 1 ) in the interior of the housing 5 can be pushed in downwards and at right angles to it in the Y direction and at right angles in the Z direction in the housing 5 guided, by means of guides 15 . 16 which only over part of the length or width of the top of the housing 5 are recessed and thus double-sided stops for the displacement of the control 1 in the Y or Z direction. In the X direction is the shift of the operating element 1 characterized in that the handle 2 rests against the outside of the housing.

The underside is on the actuator plate 4 the control element is an elastic contact element, preferably in the form of a silicone switching element 11 , Provided, which freiendseitig not shown electrical contacts (contact pills) has. This free end of the silicone switching element 8th is opposite to a plate-shaped conductor element 11 on the bottom of the case 5 arranged, this conductor element 11 has associated conductor contacts or printed conductors, which are connected to each other, if by depressing the operating element 1 the contact pills of the switching element 8th with the conductor contacts of the conductor element 11 get in touch. This triggers the desired circuit for actuating an electrical device. On the underside, the switch points 1 one with 12 indicated plug-in connection.

The actuator plate 4 of the operating element 1 is also seen in the Y direction on both sides with corresponding silicone switching elements 6 . 7 provided opposite to the corresponding side walls of the housing 5 arranged plate-shaped conductor elements 9 . 10 are provided. With displacement of the operating element 1 In the Y direction, either the silicone switching element is thus 6 or in the opposite direction of displacement, the silicone switching element 7 in contact with the conductor contacts of the conductor element 9 respectively. 10 brought and given the appropriate switching signal.

How best 3 recognizable, is preferably the actuator plate 4 Also in Z-direction on both sides with silicone switching elements 13 . 14 provided opposite to the plate-shaped conductor elements on the associated side walls of the housing 5 are arranged, these conductor elements are not shown.

Recognizable it is thus possible in the illustrated design of the electrical switch, with a single control 1 by actuating in X-direction (single) or Y- or Z-direction (two times each) to trigger five different switching signals.

Instead of the illustrated silicone switching elements 6 . 7 . 8th . 13 and 14 with contact pills wholly or partially only silicone spring elements can be used without contact pills, wherein the electrical contact is then triggered by another not shown component, such as sliding contact spring or push-button.

One such electrical switch is not used in particular for control illustrated servomotors for Adjustments in any multi-function controls, such as Sliding roofs, seats, Mirroring and the like of motor vehicles or even keyboards, joysticks etc. as accessories of electronic devices.

Basically, it is also possible, which is not shown in the drawing, that in every Rich tion more than one switching signal can be triggered when the silicone switching elements are designed so that they bring different contact pills in contact with corresponding conductor contacts depending on the displacement.

Claims (7)

Electric switch with a housing ( 5 ), in which a control element ( 1 ) and underside a plate-shaped conductor element ( 11 ), wherein the operating element ( 1 ) down towards the conductor element ( 11 ) towards the housing ( 5 ) is movably mounted and via at least one electrical contacts exhibiting elastic contact element ( 8th ) in electrical contact with conductor contacts on the conductor element ( 11 ), characterized in that the operating element ( 1 ) in addition at least in a second direction (Y) relative to the housing ( 5 ) is displaceable and at least a second, electrical contacts having elastic contact element ( 6 . 7 ), which in displacement in the second direction (Y) in electrical contact with second conductor contacts on the conductor element ( 9 . 10 ) can be brought. Electric switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element ( 1 ) in a third direction (Z) relative to the housing ( 5 ) is displaceable and at least a third electrical contacts exhibiting contact element ( 13 . 14 ), which can be brought into electrical contact with third conductor contacts on the conductor element during movement in the third displacement direction (Z). Electric switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating element ( 1 ) seen at both ends in the second and third direction of displacement second or third elastic contact elements ( 6 . 7 ; 13 . 14 ) having. Electric switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the conductor element ( 11 . 9 ) is arranged on the bottom surface and at least one side wall surface of the housing. Electric switch according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the elastic contact elements ( 6 . 7 . 8th . 13 . 14 ) are designed as silicone switching or spring elements. Electrical switch according to claim 5, characterized in that that the silicone switching or spring elements contact pills or additional sliding contact springs, Tastschalter or the like. Have, with which they on the conductor contacts to press. Electrical switch according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conductor element ( 9 . 10 . 11 ) is designed as a printed circuit board or foil.