DE102006003891A1 - Push-button switch for use as window control switch in motor vehicle, has multiple switching contact elements, arranged in housing, which are operated by shift actuator with actuating force into multiple switching positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The push-button switch has multiple switching contact elements (9c,9d) arranged in a housing (1), which are operated by a shift actuator with an actuating force into multiple switching positions. The mobility of contact elements are controlled by a housing component (10). The housing has an outward marking, which indicates limitation of the mobility of the contact elements by a housing component. The housing component is identified from outside. The housing component is formed by a projection at the housing.

Description

The The invention relates to a push button switch for a motor vehicle, with several arranged in a housing Switching contact elements by a switching operation successively with a operating force can be acted upon or with a arranged in a housing switching contact element, the by a switching operation can be successively brought into several switching positions.

From the DE 198 12 249 C1 For example, a switch is known in which an actuating plate transmits an actuating force to switching domes of a switching mat. For this purpose, the two end portions of the actuating plate are each on a switching dome. The force acting on an actuator operating force is transmitted off-center on the actuating plate, so that the operating force unevenly divided on the switching dome of the switching mat. As a result, the two switching domes are actuated sequentially in a defined manner; This results in a two-stage switch operation.

The DE 102 05 581 A1 discloses a membrane switch, in which a front foil is provided as a switching contact element. The front foil can be brought in a snap-action manner from one starting position in succession into two switching positions, wherein switching contacts are closed in each switching position.

such Multi-stage push-button switch are preferred in motor vehicles as Power window switch used.

A common execution a power window switch has two contact points for the window startup control and two contact points each for the window drain control. The first contact point is always for the manual window operation there; on actuation the second contact point moves the window automatically until the end stop.

The Possibility, to close a vehicle window automatically, however, is not in desired in each case there is always a risk of entrapment. To create is Therefore, a switch variant in which this switching function is excluded.

For this can be provided for the closing direction the vehicle window only one-stage acting switch mechanism be provided. But this requires a relatively expensive Redesign of the switch. Also, the production costs are relative high, since parts of the switch mechanism specifically for the newly created Switch variant can be used.

A single-stage acting switch mechanism can in particular by a change of parts of an already known two-stage switch mechanism will be realized. Since the changes suitable for this purpose are usually on parts inside of the housing be made, there is a further danger that externally same-looking switch variants in the control or in the Assembly can be confused.

Easier and cheaper is to maintain the two-stage switch mechanism and for the second Switching stage no electrical wiring or simply no triggering switching function to provide in the control electronics. This is also disadvantageous because the functionless second switching stage haptic when actuated remains perceptible, thereby giving the user the appearance a missing function, if not a malfunction of the Window regulator control results.

Of the Invention was based on the object, starting from a push button with at least a two-stage switching function while avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages to provide a switch variant, instead at least a two-stage switching function a one-step switching function having.

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that the Mobility of a or the contact element by a housing part limited is.

The solution Consequently, the problem mentioned above is largely the case same switch construction, a switching stage of an actually two-stage Mechanically lock the pushbutton.

The Blocking can be done by a dome-shaped housing be formed, which is guided by a breakthrough in the circuit board and mechanically fixes a switching dome of a switching mat. Furthermore specially shaped housing part and the possibly provided breakthrough in the circuit board needs the Switch variant according to the invention no other distinguishing features over a conventional two-stage push-button. The required development and tooling costs for the realization such a switch variant is relatively low.

In the production control or when installed in a motor vehicle, however, it is advantageous if the two switch variants are clearly distinguishable by an externally recognizable feature. In particular, it is advantageous if this distinguishing feature also by a automatic device can be detected, for example, to allow a fully automatic production control, which takes into account both switch variants.

There the two switch variants differ mainly slightly trained housing differ, one of which is about a special Gehäuseanformung to block a switching function and the other not, it is advantageous to use one of the housing variants an external one To provide marking. This labeling can be in a lightweight Variation of the outer housing shape, a special color of the housing or the like exist.

Especially is advantageous if the serving to block a switching function Gehäuseanformung from the outside is recognizable. This allows the Gehäuseanformung itself as a label serve to distinguish the switch variants that a final tester after the Mounting can be detected very easily. Additionally advantageous here is that in this case no additional Marked on a housing must be provided and also that that the switch variants externally distinguishing feature directly with the function of the so marked Switch variant is connected.

at the production control asks the final tester to distinguish the switch variants, whether a base with the basic version, ie without a block the second switching stage or whether a base as a variant with the Blocking is present. This means, the area that creates the second stage blockage is the same area which is checked by the final tester to distinguish the switch variants. As a result, interchanges or incorrect combinations of socket and Printed circuit boards practically excluded.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described below closer to the drawing explained. Show it

1 a first sectional drawing,

2 a second sectional drawing,

3 a side view and the

4 an exploded view of a push-button.

The 4 shows a push button in an exploded view. The pushbutton consists of a housing ( 1 ) into which a contact surfaces ( 12 ) supporting circuit board ( 8th ) is used. With the circuit board ( 8th ) are connected to the electrical connection of the key switch several pins ( 13 ) passing through the bottom of the housing ( 1 ) are passed and in electrical connection to the on the circuit board ( 8th ) arranged contact surfaces ( 12 ) stand.

A safety mat ( 7 ) forms on four dome-like projections each movable contact elements ( 9 ), which electrical connections to those on the circuit board ( 8th ) arranged contact surfaces ( 12 ) can produce. The holder of the safety mat ( 7 ) and an actuation of the switching domes ( 9 ) via a control frame ( 6 ). A pestle ( 3 ) and a control rocker ( 5 ) transmit a pressure or a pulling operation of a rocker switch ( 4 ) on the drive frame ( 6 ) and above on the safety mat ( 7 ). The rocker switch ( 4 ) is in an aperture ( 2 ) stored in the housing ( 1 ) is used.

A side view of the mounted pushbutton is in the 3 shown. Based on 3 are two cutting planes CC and DD defined by the switch whose views the 1 and 2 demonstrate.

From the 2 are the parts of the push-button switch visible, which via a pressure actuation of the rocker switch ( 4 ) Trigger switching functions. Here is the on the rocker switch ( 4 ) acting actuating force on the plunger ( 3 ) on the double pressure bar ( 11a ) transfer. The end sections of the double pressure beam ( 11a ) lie on a respective switching dome ( 9a . 9b ) of the safety mat ( 7 ) on. Since the ram ( 3 ) off-center on the double pressure bar ( 11a ), the actuating force is distributed unevenly on the two switching domes ( 9a . 9b ); specifically here is the right dome ( 9b ) acted upon by a larger proportion of the actuating force, so that this rather than the switching dome ( 9a ) against a contact surface ( 12b ) of the printed circuit board ( 8a ) is pressed and there closes a switch contact.

Only at a higher actuation force and thus in the sequence after the switching dome ( 9b ) also closes the switching dome ( 9a ) the associated switching contact on the circuit board ( 8a ), in which he is at the contact surface ( 12a ) comes to the plant. In reverse order, the two switching domes ( 9a . 9b ) after elimination of the actuating force on the rocker switch ( 4 ) by the elastic restoring forces of the switching mat ( 7 ) returned to their original position. As far as a pressure-operated two-stage push-button switch is realized.

In an application of the key switch as a power window switch with the first switching stage is generally a manual window operation and with the second switching stage automatic window adjustment connected to an end position. The pressure actuation of the rocker switch is also associated mostly with the shutdown of the window.

Corresponding be at a train operation the rocker Switching functions for raising the window triggered.

The elements provided for this purpose of the key switch are in the 1 shown. A pulling operation of the rocker switch, which is not visible in this sectional view, is via the Ansteuerwippe ( 5 ), so that via a further double pressure bar ( 11b ) also asymmetric pressurization of the switching dome ( 9c . 9d ) results.

In principle, the arrangement of double pressure bars ( 11a ), Switching domes ( 9c . 9d ) and PCB here completely analogous to the arrangement of in the 2 be formed switch section shown. In this case, this would result in two successive triggering switching functions, which can be used for example for manual and automatic startup of the window.

When in the 1 illustrated embodiment of a power window switch is, however, especially for protection against dangerous operating errors, the automatic window start-up control excluded. For this purpose, a specially shaped housing part ( 10 ), which determines the mobility of a contact element, here in particular one of the switching domes ( 9c ).

This is realized by a U-shaped housing part ( 10 ), which extends into the interior of the housing ( 1 ) and the originally intended for a second switching stage switching dome ( 9c ) in its basic position. As a result, the second switching stage is not only functionally disabled but also haptically no longer perceptible.

The only other adaptation is below the blocked switching dome ( 9c ) in place of a contact surface a recess ( 14 ) in the printed circuit board ( 8b ) provided by the U-shaped housing part ( 10 ) is passed.

It is advantageous if the blocking of the contact element ( 9c ), as shown here, by a housing part ( 10 ), which is recognizable from the outside. In contrast to changes in the switch mechanism inside the housing, so the possible switch variants are directly distinguishable by the external shape. This prevents confusion of the switch variants when installed in a motor vehicle and also allows for the switch production fully automatic distinctness of the switch variants in the tape end control solely on the basis of external housing features.

Of course you can are also provided in the context of the invention, in a complex executed push-button several originally two-stage Switching functions by blocking contact elements to to modify one-stage switching functions.

1

casing

2

cover

3

tappet

4

rocker

5

Ansteuerwippe

6

Ansteuerrahmen

7

Safety mat

8th, 8a, 8b

circuit board

9 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d

contact elements (Switch domes)

10

housing part

11a, 11b

Double pressure beam

12 12a, 12b, 12d

contact surfaces

13

contact pins

14

recess

Claims (6)

Tactile switch for a motor vehicle, with a plurality of arranged in a housing switching contact elements, which are acted upon by a switching operation successively with an actuating force, characterized in that the mobility of a contact element ( 9 ) by a housing part ( 10 ) is restricted. Push-button for a motor vehicle, with a switch contact element arranged in a housing, that by a switching operation can be successively brought into multiple switching positions, thereby characterized in that Mobility of the contact element is limited by a housing part. Push-button switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 1 ) has an external marking, the restriction of the mobility of a or the contact element by a housing part ( 10 ). Push-button switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing part ( 10 ) is recognizable from the outside. Push-button switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing part ( 10 ) by an Anformung on the housing ( 1 ) is formed. Push-button switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that Tactile switch used as a power window switch in a motor vehicle becomes.