DE1198440B - Push button switch - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

int. α .:

HO2c

German class: 21c-39/02

Number: 1198 440

File number: G 32681 VIII d / 21 c

Filing date: July 10, 1961

Opening day: August 12, 1965

The present invention relates to a push button switch having a number of manually operable ones Push buttons each connected to control levers that interact with slide rails.

The known push button switches generally contain as many slide strips as there are switching functions are to be carried out. In the known constructions, this leads to complex and voluminous Constructions when a large number of switching functions is to be controlled. By the friction, which increases with the number of sliding strips, will soon reach a limit the correct operation of the switch is no longer guaranteed.

Push button switches may contain interlocking devices to ensure that only one key remains in the pressed state and the previously pressed key is released when a new key is pressed. A friend Pushbutton switch with several pushbuttons, into which one pawl when pressed Locking in the locking bar, which is stationary and can be moved along its length, contains for everyone The key slide has its own locking bar to lock in place, and each key slide has one of the Number of the remaining key slide provided with the corresponding number of unlatching cams the locking rails, which are decisive for the latching of the remaining key slide, interact.

The present invention does not relate to the latch assembly, rather, it aims to provide a push button switch that is essential contains fewer slide rails than executable switching functions and therefore simple and is economically under construction.

A push button switch with a number of manually operable push buttons, each with Control levers are connected, which cooperate with slide rails, is according to the invention characterized in that the control levers on control cams of slide rails, the number of which is smaller is as that of the pushbuttons, acting and selecting these slide rails according to the training to move the control cams assigned to the relevant pushbutton against a spring force allow; that the slide rails are also provided with further control cams on which Switching arms for actuating a group of normally closed contacts and normally open contacts are present, and that the last-mentioned control cams are designed so that when a push button is pressed at least Push button switch

Applicant:

General Electric Company, Schenectady, N.Y.

(V. St. A.)

Representative:

Dr.-Ing. E. Sommerfeld

and Dr. D. v. Bezold, patent attorneys,

Munich 23, Dunantstr. 6th

Named as inventor:

Philip Hutt, Milford, Conn. (V. StA.)

Claimed priority:

V. St. v. America July 14, 1960 (42 875)

a contact pair of the contact groups uniquely assigned to the pushbutton by releasing the corresponding one Shift arm is operated.

When using normally open and normally open contacts, there is a large number of switching functions. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, it shows

F i g. 1 is a partially sectioned and partially broken away plan view of an embodiment of a push button switch according to the invention;

F i g. 2 is a side view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 with one shown in section and a key shown completely depressed,

F i g. 3 is a sectional view in a plane 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the movable control levers of a Switch unit, the contacts of which are open, Fig. 4 shows a sectional view in a plane 4-4 of

Fig. 2 by a switch unit, the contacts of which are closed,

F i g. 5 is a side view of the switch of FIG. 1, 6 is a perspective view of the switch of Fig. 1, in which the mounting bracket, cover plate and buttons are shown pulled apart,

F i g. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of the switch of FIG. 1 that the movable Switch arms and the two types of fixed mating contacts can be recognized,

509 630/347

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Fig. 8 is a view of the switch of Fig. 1 from the other attached to the bracket 10, facilitates the bottom, in which the largest part of a cover plate and compliance with the dimensional tolerances of the switch of the switch arms are broken away to individual housing and manufacture ,
to show the construction of the switch, around the open bottom of the hollow sockets 6, 8

F i g. 9 to close a cross-sectional view in a plane 9-9 5 of the switch 2 and a compact design

of Fig. 8, to form the housing structure for the switch mechanism.

10 is an exploded perspective view of the elongated cover plate 12 at the bottom view of a fixed contact and the underside of the base (see FIGS. 2 and 5) by means of connecting terminals for a contact pair at a distance, and connecting terminals arranged opposite Actuation of the sliding strips is closed io 36 (36 a to 36 s), 37 (37 a to 37 s) of fixed (working contact), the or movable contacts attached, which is in

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of two of the following will be described in more detail. These

Switching arms that are connected to a through-connected double terminals, which as the terminal 37 a

connecting terminal are attached, a movable contact in Figs. 2, 6 and 8

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the 15 formed extending through slots 38 in the

fixed contacts of the switch with the pulling cover plate (Fig. 8) and through aligned above

belonging terminal for a normally closed contact, lying slots 39 (Fig. 3) in the upper

13 shows an example of the design of the wall of the lower parts of the base,

different slide strips of the push button switch, and engage in a known manner over, so that they

14 to 17 are schematic representations for 20 and the cover plate and the base

Explanation of the operation of pushbutton holding together (Fig. 2).

switch when actuating various pushbuttons, To actuate the various contacts of the

18 and 19 a simplified representation of the push button switch 2 are used in pairs next to each other.

Explanation of the actuation of a normally closed contact on the control lever 41 to 50 arranged on the other (Fig. 9),

by the associated slide strip, 25 through slots in the bracket section 30 and the

20 with 22 are schematic representations of the upper walls 52, 54 of the base 6, 8 downwards

Actuation of make contacts with certain in the hollow parts 53, 55 of the base range. the

Slide bar positions and control levers can be moved in pairs and wear

Fig. 23 is a circuit diagram of a contact arrangement at its inner ends integral, cylindrical

for a push button switch according to the invention. 30 drical actuation parts 56, which are used for contact actuation

1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment, each with a pair of assigned

Approximate example of a push button switch 2 according to the inclined upper control cams 1 to 10, which from

Invention. A switch housing 4 comprises a Mn sliding strips A to E are formed, together-

ken and right hollow base 6, 8 (Fig. 2) that work. The sliding strips A to E are parallel

by a mounting bracket 10 and a relative 35 arranged side by side (Fig. 8) and in

nismäßig thin elongated cover plate 12 together- longitudinal direction corresponding to the actuated

being held. The sockets 6, 8 are similarly displaceable from a pair of control levers, the position of

formed and have opposite switching arms or tongues 60 a to 60 h and 60 / bis

closed outer end walls 14, 16, with one another 60q of the movable contacts is controlled

communicating open inner end walls 18 4 ° (Fig. 8). On the lower edges of the sliding strips A.

or 20 and an open bottom. The bracket 10 to E are one or more control cams formed,

is shaped like a channel and extends upwards as shown in FIG. 13. These lower control curves α

Pointing parts 22, 24 of the base 6, 8, at which it is marked with to h and j to q are shown in FIG. 13 by under the

Screws 26 is attached, so that the two base sliding strips denotes standing lower case letters,

are firmly connected to each other. The screws 26 45 which correspond to the letter of Schaltann, the

reach through openings 28 in the horizontal part actuated by the relevant lower cam

30 of the bracket 10 and are in threaded holes 32 of the will. The control curve Aa is for example

upward-reaching parts 22, 24 screwed in at the lower edge of the sliding strip A and

(Fig. 6). The one extending in the longitudinal direction controls the switch arm 60a. The ones with underlined

Parts 31 engage on the opposite and actuate 50 letters designated control cams

longitudinally extending sides 22 a, 22 δ, normally open contacts, the other normally closed contacts.

24 a, 24 & the parts 22, 24 that reach upwards.

the base on, so that it is immovable on the switch written, in particular the sliding strips

Brackets are attached and any lateral movement and the control cams formed by them, closer

the base is prevented (Figs. 3 and 4). As will be described on 55. The lower control cams a

best of fig. 1 and 2 can be seen, the up to h and 7 to q are designed in such a way that they

on the bracket 10 attached base 6, 8 a small alternately on certain movable contact

Distance from each other and form a narrow arm attack and thereby certain

Actuate gap 34 between the opposing pairs of contacts.

open inner ends 18, 20 of the lower * parts 33, 35 60 In the illustrated embodiment, the base, the gap 34 also extends on the upper control cams 1 to 10 of the sliding strips A sides of the housing 4 up to the bottom to E. each present in pairs, and the two edges of the bracket sides 31 (Fig, 2), where the somewhat control cams of a pair are provided in Fig. 13 with equally spaced bases 6, 8 chen reference numerals. The two control by the bracket 10 and the cover plate 12 over- 65 curves of a pair work with which are also bridged in pairs (FIG. 6). Corresponding control cams of the verschiekernö, 8, which are located next to each other in the switch with a small distance from each other,

i 198 440

5 6

so that they are all operated by the same control lever gripping surface for the lower control cams of the slide. To form the arrangement of the sloping strips. The shorter part 78 of the L-shaped control cams 1-1 to 10-10 of the sliding strips A to E switch arms is bent over, it is used for fastening and is chosen so that there is only one and is provided with a recess 80 for this purpose. Pair of control levers 41 to 50 in the fully imprinted 5, which can be in the connected state carrying the movable switching arms. Sliding strips F, G are clamped with one or two pairs to ensure that a pressed key is provided with punched, protruding fingers 82 released, as on, and returns to its unpressed rest position when another key is pressed. klemme37no is shown in Fig. 6. The fastening

The operating arrangement of the switch 2 is on the 10 supply part 78 of the individual tongues is by Umbesten can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 7. The pairs bend the ones inserted through the recess 80 The control levers 41 to 50 that may be present have forked fingers 82 on the associated connection terminal outer ends 64 on which a key 62 is fixed.

is placed in a press fit. The buttons 62 are on the To hold the movable switch arms and

Underside with inwardly extending recesses 15 for performing various switching functions are provided 62 a, 62 δ, 62 c, of which the recesses are four different forms of terminals 37 gen 62 a, 626 the forked ends 64 of the associated, provided on hand the Doppelanschlussklemrne take control lever. The recess 62c 37no (Fig. 11) will be described. The one in Fig. 11 is between the recesses 62 a and 626, it includes a long connector takes one end 66 a of a compression spring 66 and 20 tongue-shaped part 83 with a latch is therefore approximately cylindrical. The other end of a quick connection terminal serving hole and 66 b of the spring 66 sits on a projection 68 or a short part 86 which is connected to the part 83 via a head of one of the screws 26 and presses bridge 88. There is also one against the bracket 10. The arrangement described, another embodiment of a double connection ensures proper lateral guidance of the 25 terminal for movable contacts, such as. B. the AnFeder 66 when compressing. In the bracket part 30 terminal clamp 37 hj (FIG. 8), which are essentially suitable recesses, so that in front of the connection terminal shown in FIG between the bracket slots through which the control lever is shortened, as indicated by the dotted line, protrudes outwards from the bracket, so that no part of the clamp jumps outwards. Between the horizontal part 30 of the strap and the underside of the keys, which are connected by the bridge 88, there is also a cover plate or a light shield 69 made of a third type of connector for moving a dark material, as shown in Fig 1 borrowed contacts corresponds, for example, to terminal 37α. 35 (Fig. 8) and contains a single long part, the

The press fit on the forked ends of two such as the part 83 of the terminal 37 no (Fig. 11), a parallel control lever fastened buttons 62 are finally the outer tongue part 84, so formed by the compression spring 66 in its upper rest position. A fourth type of terminal, e.g. B. pressed by the. The control lever pairs range from the terminal 37 k represented in Fig. 8, has only slots in the bracket 10 and the upper base walls, 40 a single short part similar to the part 86 in so that the actuating parts 56 of the control lever on Fig. 11 and thus has no outward riding associated pairs of inclined control cams of the corresponding tongue.

Wear strips A to E lie. The in the invention Fig. 8 leaves an important feature of the invention

Detect duplicate control levers according to the switch. This figure shows that the switch 2 advantageously has two more secure and 45 types of fixed contacts. The connection more even operation of the buttons and a clamp of the fixed contacts like the Kiem more accurate control, also the reliability and men 36 a, 366, 36 g, 36 h, 36 j and 36 q have the service life of the switch are increased. in the form shown in FIG. They contain one

In the following, on the basis of FIG. 8 long tongue-shaped part 90 with a part 92 which extends to the outside for opening and closing the contact arrangement 50 and in which a hole for the parts used for voltage is explained in more detail. The latching of a quick connect terminal is formed. Switching arms or tongues 60 α to 60 h, 60 / to 60 q On one side of the part 90 is a twice reversed movable contacts are all similarly curved connecting part, which is formed first. The tongues 6Or, 6Oj, which are likewise designed in the same way at the front and then transversely in front of the center of the part 90, serve special purposes and 55 stretches and a contact board there at the end 102 will therefore only be described later. The switching 100 carries. The piece 96 runs so perpendicular to the arms are on one side of the switch housing the parts 90 and 94 (with top 98) so that the arranged terminals work together in a self-supporting manner can. The fixedly arranged housing, they each carry a 60 standing contact terminals of the switch, movable contact board 70, which is pressed into an opening formed on the free which carry the contact boards 100 in the rich end74 of the switch arms on the inside of a lower wall of the ( Fig. 11). The switching arms, for which the housing 4 in FIG. 11, which adjoins the wall on which the switching arms 6On and 6Oo shown are typical, clamp for the movable contacts, are L-shaped and have a raised central part 65 opposite, as shown in FIG. 8 shows. The parts 90 of this 76 in the longer part that carries the contact board. Clamps lie at least approximately in one of the sections of portion 76 is V-shaped, about the plane. The movable contact arms of the switch to stiffen the contact arms and a narrow connection are each pushed upwards by a spring

presses, so that the contact board 70 carrying gene 121 is provided. The sliding strip G contains a free end that is pressed away from the cover plate 12. The corresponding number of recesses 123 which form the fixed contact plates 100 thus have the same shape as the recess 121, but are directed in opposite directions with the respective movable contact plates 70. The sliding strips F, G normally closed contacts, so rest 5 are contacts with longitudinal projections. 124 and 126, respectively, which bear against one end of Um with a relatively small number of sliding compression springs 128, 130. The other ends provide a relatively large number of moving compression springs 128, 130 are to be able to control a cross bracket Licher contact tongues, the 132, 132 a attached, which is attached to the base. The push button switch 2 according to the invention and a 10 sliding strips F, G are thereby permanently according to the second type of fixed contacts, in which on the right (F i g. 8), fixed connection terminals 36 c to 36 / and are resiliently biased. 36 k according to the invention, a flexible contact 104 lungsgleitträger is shown in Fig. 14, in which (Fig. 8, 10) is provided. The contacts 104 wir- a part of these two slide strips is shown, the ken with the contacts of the movable contact 15 slide strip G is located in front of the slide arms 60c to 60 / or 60 k together. As on the last jF. The control levers 41, 50 can only be seen schematically and most clearly from FIGS. 7 and 10. Which is connected to the control levers 41, the flexible contact 104 consists of a button 62 is in its central, locked position of the flat support part 106 with a rectangular display. The control levers of the other keys are recessed 108 and a flexible contact part 110. 20 are then held in their upper position by the respective springs 66. The contact part 110 is held away from the support part 106. The non-actuated keys are angled and at the end with a curved condenser additionally provided upwards tact surface 111, which presses on the underside of the that inclined edge parts 121a of the extractable movable contact board 70 (Fig. 4) savings 121 by the force of the Flexible cooperation. The attachment of the contact 25 bar F acting compression spring 128 to the actuator 104 on the clamping part 114 is carried out by engaging the control lever 50 with fitting parts 56 and punching protruding fingers 112 which, when bent, press them upwards.

are as explained in connection with Fig. 11 when the control lever 50 has been associated with the. The parts 114 of the terminals 36 c to 36 / and key 62 are pressed down, that is, of the 36 k are on the inside of the same lower 30 in Fig. 14 shown in the position shown in Fig. 15 wall of the housing 4 as If the parts 90 are brought into the engaged position, their fixed contact terminals must first be overcome, as can be seen from the force shown by the spring 128 in FIG. The curved contact surface over the sliding strip F on the actuating parts 56 111 of the individual contacts 104 is therefore below the one exerted. This counterforce causes the free ends of the associated movable contact control lever to become arms at the start of their downward movement (see FIG. 9). The movable contact arms are safely guided. When the key 60 c to 60 / and 60 k is pressed further, like all the others, the sliding strip F is then shifted to the left into the position normally shown in movable contact arms upward in FIG. 15. When pushed wide and away from the cover plate 12, as in _re n impressions, the actuating parts 56 FIG. 4, for example for the contact arm 60 k, then overrun the projecting lugs 121 & the slide is shown. strip F, and the sliding strip F then snaps under

The flexible contacts 104 thus form with the action of the spring 128 to the right into the FIG

movable contacts working contacts, which are shown in FIG. 16 position shown. The control levers 50 grasp

The rest state can be kept open by spring force when the in Fig. 1 is pressed in. 15 illustrated

the. When closing, the flexible contact 104 is 45 th position in the lowest position shown in FIG

through the attacking, movable contact with their actuating parts 56, moreover

pivots, this oversizing of the contact stroke of the slide bar G and move it against the

ensures perfect contact also the force of the spring 130 into that shown in FIG. 16

in the case of dimensional fluctuations due to the position being shifted _{to i m} k _s. The control levers 41

Position tolerances. 50 are released and return to their upper one

The push button switch 2 according to the invention ent- rest position back. In the processes described, two different types of cooperate also keep the cam part r of the contact pairs, namely break contacts (z. B. slide bar G to the left, so that the to a contact arm 60 α, which is normally on the fixed break contact The associated contact arm 6Or is applied to the stationary mating contact board 100 of the terminal 36 a 55 corresponding stationary mating contact) and working contacts (e.g. contact arm 60 k . If the button connected to the control levers 50 is released in the idle state by the flexible mating contact , the contact 104 of the contact terminal 36 shifts k pushed away sliding strip G to the right in which is shown in Fig. 17). By combining these two contact positions and the control levers 50 are types, a very large number of movable 60 can be forced through the inclined edges 123 towards borrowed contact arms with a much smaller one on the outside. The control levers 50 take reliable control of the closing number of sliding strips. lent her middle position, in which she was supported by the

Referring to FIG. 13, reference is made to FIG. 13 for a description of the operation of the pressure projections 121 & the slide bar F being locked. Due to the interaction of the wear strips F, G The already mentioned above wearstrips F, G are used as the control levers 41 to 50 are guided during their so to lock or release the shift operating lever in a very convenient way 65, the push buttons. The sliding strip F is for this purpose on its. The sliding strip G is used to release the previously upper edge 122 with a number of recessed buttons and also ensures a

Immediate contact of the switching arm R when any pair of control levers is depressed.

The mode of operation of a normally closed contact of the push button switch 2 will now be explained in connection with the contact arm 60 α , which is controlled by the sliding strip A. The control levers 41 shown only schematically in FIG. 18 are in the middle (locked) position. In Fig. 18, for the sake of simplicity, only part of the sliding strip A is shown, since this is solely responsible for the actuation of the switching arm 60 a. When the slide bar A is in the position shown, an outwardly projecting piece of the cam surface Aa is located above the movable contact arm 60a, which prevents contact with the associated mating contact, against which the switching arm is normally pressed by a spring. If the actuating lever 45 of a button located further to the right is now in the position shown in FIG. 19 are depressed, they attack the inclined edges of the cam surfaces 5 and move the slide bar A to the left. The inclined edges 1 of the sliding strip A press the actuating parts 56 of the key pressed first upwards into their rest position. The contact arm 60 α enters a recess α 'of the control curve A -a and can make contact with the associated mating contact, not shown. All other movable contact arms of the switch 2 that are opened are actuated in a similar manner to that described in connection with the contact arms 41.

FIG. 20 shows how a normally open contact is actuated, that is to say a contact which is normally open and is closed by actuating the switch. The sliding strips C, E , which are only shown in part, control a contact arm in such a way that the associated contacts are only open in position 1. When the button with the control levers 42 is depressed, as shown in FIG. 20 shows, the left ends of the sliding strips C, E, and an outwardly reaching piece of the control curve Ec at the bottom of the sliding strip E holds the contact arm 60c in the position corresponding to the closed contacts.

When the control levers 41 are pressed down into the middle position shown in FIG. 21, the actuating parts 56 engage the inclined cam surfaces 1 of the slide bar E and press them to the left. At the same time, the control levers 42 are pushed outward into their rest position by the inclined control cam surfaces 2 of the slide bar E. The lower cam surface Ec also moves to the left and comes into cover with the cam surface Cc, forming a continuous recess which allows the movable contact arm 60 c to move upwards and to open the contact pair belonging to the switch position c. It should be noted that the control cams Cc and Ec enable the switching arm 60c to open the associated contacts only when the first key is pressed, because the shifting of the sliding strips C, E required for this only occurs in this switching position.

22 shows the mutual position of the sliding strips B, C, D when the control levers 43 cooperating with the control cams 3 are pressed down. The sliding strips B, C and D control the switching position in which the switching arm6Oe assumes a position corresponding to the open contacts. In Fig. 22 the slide strips are in the order B, C, D one behind the other. When the control levers are pressed down, the lower control cams Be, Ce and De (see also FIG. 13) assume such a mutual position that a continuous recess is formed into which the switching arm 60e is pressed, so that the associated contacts can open. In all other layers except the switch position 3 of the switching arm 60 is prevented from e emigration to above, and remain closed, the associated contacts.

Fig. 23 shows how the terminals of the Key switch 2 are switched. Only the terminals intended for the connection of external lines are provided with reference symbols. The circuit shown is due to the arrangement of the different connection terminals and by correspondingly selected bridging elements 140 (Fig. 2) formed. The switch arm 60s is blind because it is not actuated.

Claims (5)

Patent claims: 1. Push button switch with a number of manually operable push buttons which are each connected to control levers which interact with slide rails, characterized in that the control levers (41 to 45) on control cams (1-1 to 10-10j of slide rails, the number of which is smaller is to act as that of the pushbuttons and allow these slide rails to be shifted selectively according to the design of the control cams assigned to the relevant pushbutton against a spring force, so that the slide rails are also provided with further control cams (A to q) on which switching arms (60) for actuation each have a group of normally closed contacts and normally open contacts, and that the last-mentioned control cams (A to q) are designed so that when a pushbutton is pressed, at least one contact pair of the contact groups that is uniquely assigned to the pushbutton is actuated by releasing the corresponding switching arm. 2. Push button switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the control cams (1-1 to 10-10) cooperating with the control levers (41 to 45) of the slide rails (A to E) arranged side by side in a switch housing (4) extend diagonally, and that corresponding control curves of the slide rails are essentially aligned, but run diagonally in different directions. 3. Push button switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the control levers (62) each have an inner part (56) which extends across a substantially aligned group of associated control cams (1-1 to 10-10) of the slide rails (A. to E) extends so that the slide rails are pushed into certain positions when the control lever is operated. 4. Push button switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner parts (56) the control levers (41 to 50) are present in pairs and arranged in a row next to one another are and that at the outer ends of each pair of control levers a push button (62) for Actuation of the slide rails is attached. 509 63047 5. Push button switch according to claim 4, characterized by at least one fixed Counter contact (104, Fig. 7) with a flexible, approximately V-shaped contact member (110) and a curved free end (111) at which a movable one can. 12th Attack Schaltann (60) Documents considered: German Auslegeschrift No. 1 080 189. In addition 3 sheets of drawings S09 630/347 8.65 © Bundesdruckerei Berlin