DE19541380A1 - Switches with switch modules snapped onto the circuit board - Google Patents

Description

Motor vehicles are growing with electric workers Aids such as window regulators, seat adjusters, mirror adjusters adjustable, switchable and switchable display devices and the like fitted. These tools must be switched on or be switched off. As a result, there is an awake sender need for reliable working switches in force vehicles that are also cheaply manufactured or can be assembled. Another requirement exists in simply matching the individual vehicles to the specific ge to be able to adjust the desired number of switches without larger advance payments have to be made here. Example Vehicles are wise with either two or four windows sold, so that here only two or four switches to operate the individual window regulators.

In the known switches, the switching modules were regular held by a base plate. The were to be actuated tig fixed contacts and the connector plug many times potted with the base plate. Another way be was to insert a circuit board into the base plate zen, the fixed contacts and other suitable switching took over functions.

The invention is therefore based on a switch the preamble of claim 1 resulting genus. task The invention is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture casual and easily adaptable to the need for individual switches to describe their switch.

The task is characterized by the characteristic part of the combination of features resulting from claim 1. The In principle, the invention therefore consists in the switch in one to dissolve individual assemblies and place them directly on the conductors plate on to rest. The invention requires that the PCB itself carries the fixed contacts and one sufficient stability to lock the modules points. The particular advantage of the invention is that only the areas of the circuit board are populated in which a switch is actually needed later. Another The aim of the invention may lie in light assembly availability of the circuit board to be fully used and the circuit board later according to the number of for to assign a switch combination required switches. Man achieves the advantage here that large circuit boards in full Benefits can be assembled and soldered, so that also then result in relatively low manufacturing costs if single switches are manufactured.

To also look at the PCB on the individual clickable assemblies to come to an inexpensive solution, is recommended for the connector which is the claim 2 resulting combination of features. After that is the snap on Connector plug even with a commercially available standard pin header provided, which snapped into the connector is so that the connector by snapping together  an intermediate link with a pin header results. Hereby you get an inexpensive and small size de Assembly with which the circuit board is automatically fitted can be.

To ensure a safe guidance of the pins of the pin header in the Getting a pontic is recommended in further training the invention, the combination of features according to claim 3 is the pin header by inserting the pins in the box member held in this, so that later on the Pins exerted by a connector forces through the Zwi link can be reliably picked up. Protrude at the same time the donor ends so far out of the exits that they too can still penetrate the circuit board and ver are solderable.

For a good use of the space required for the switch and to limit this in particular in terms of its height, the feature is recommended in a further development of the invention combination according to claim 4. Then the pins are Pin header each bent 90 degrees, the kink in each case on the side of the Pin header is provided. The pin header can also be in rotated form are used, in which the not turned project through the outlets and the printed circuit board. Soldering the short ends of the pins results in one further reducing the mounting depth of the switch.

To ensure a mechanically stable connection between the connection to reach the connector and the circuit board is recommended in Development of the invention, the combination of features according to Proverb 5. This may be related to the type  locking pins of the connector via a connector intercept the applied torque and so the connector pins relieve, which in turn leads to better electrical ver binding of the pins on the circuit board contributes.

A further increase in the mechanical stability of the An circuit connector can be by the measures according to claim 6 to reach. The base plate is accordingly out shapes that it supports with its walls and webs for the connector or the intermediate link and if necessary ge aims the bar of the pin header forms. To improve the Support of the connector is recommended in particular the measures according to claim 7.

Better to connect the connector to one parallel to the conductor to prevent plate-level movement and its location center when fitting the connector, emp is the combination of features in further training Claim 8. Another important feature of the connector is described in connection with claim 12.

In connection with the simplification of the switch belonging assemblies claim 9 describes a particular important combination of features according to which the chamber tion of the moving contacts in the form of an open frame snapped directly onto the circuit board. This leaves not only the chamber itself by simply snapping it on Mount on the circuit board. Beyond that, too the movable contact bridge in the same mounting direction insert mechanically into the frame. The invention is also for Rotary switch and slide switch suitable. A special one important application of the invention arises, however  from the combination of features according to claim 10, by the Switch is designed as a toggle switch. Another ver simplification of the switch according to the invention results from the features of claim 11 by the contact rocker directly rests on a contacting area of the circuit board. Because with a toggle switch by a resilient and by a button swiveled pin changed the tilt position is changed that the pin in the tilt area on the contact rocker acts, is recommended to improve the stability of the Switch the combination of features according to claim 12. Then become the vertically directed forces of the switching pin through the abutment located below the circuit board taken so that the printed circuit board prints at this point is burdensome.

For many applications it is advisable to use the swiveling one Actuating pin and the contact rocker according to claim 13 in such a way that the switch to Loslas the actuation button back to its original position poses. This is the case with window regulators, for example, which the disc in by pressing the switch set position. Shall the slices go through a correspondingly long operation of the key completely can be closed or opened, this can be done by a suitable neat time element happen, which is a bistable actuation link triggers a trigger or a relay.

Parallel to the contact rocker against unwanted movement Securing to the PCB level is recommended in Next education of the invention, the combination of features according to claim 14. The contact rocker can certainly have a certain loading movement in the PCB level, for example to Reini  purposes.

To the frame against movement in the circuit boards to secure level and at the same time the position of the frame Centering the circuit board is recommended in Weiterbil extension of the invention, the combination of features according to claim 15. It can be according to the combination of features according to claim 16 the centering projection through the circuit board opening protrude through a centering opening of another component, for example the base plate or the intermediate part of the An final connector. This means that there are several assemblies at the same time secured in position relative to the circuit board and mutually supportive. To this The structure snapped onto the circuit board can be wise groups mechanically together again via the printed circuit board unite.

The combination of features gives a particularly favorable latching tion according to claim 17. This can snap the chamber reach through assigned openings in the circuit board and so reach behind the circuit board from the other side. This not only results in an additional layer of security tion of the chamber on the circuit board, but also a me Chan positional security in all three directions of movement. It is entirely possible in the context of the invention that the frame or a group of frames according to claim 18 engages in lateral recesses in the circuit board, so that this on opposite sides of the locking hook of the Framework is included.

According to the invention, in addition to the connector and Chamber also a holder for a switch lamp (light diode) directly on  the circuit board can be snapped on. For this purpose we recommend in Further development of the invention as a further simplification Feature combination according to claim 19, according to the bracket is united in one piece with the chamber and a single art can be part of fabric.

If you want the switch according to the invention as a switch for loading use of window regulators, it is recommended worth it against moisture penetrating into the interior of the housing to protect the through the open window in the In area of the vehicle doors. Recommends this the combination of features in a development of the invention according to claim 20, by the from the vicinity of the switch visible switch lamp through an annular sealing lip is secured against moisture penetrating from outside. A This can be done, for example, by using the Feature combination according to claim 21 exist. Here is the Sealing lip directly on the holder for receiving the light molded on diode. However, measures must then be taken be taken, which prevent liquid to the side of the Bracket can enter the inside of the switch. Another way to prevent moisture from entering long to prevent the filament of the diode has the Feature combination according to claim 22. After that it owns Housing in the area of the passage opening of the diode a Sealing lip that when fitting the housing and passage of the filament of the diode is warped to the outside and so forms a drainage edge.

Another measure to protect the switch against intrusion moisture can from the features of claim 23 consist. The button then covers the opening areas in  the housing like an umbrella. Additionally or for yourself but other measures can also be taken will remove the moisture that already covering housing wall has passed. The Wei suggests terbildung according to claim 24, the side wall of the housing penetrating outlet channels for moisture hen, through which moisture collected within the housing speed can be guided out of the housing. According to An saying 24 especially for those that can be inserted into the housing Side walls of the key, with a Sam Melraum is provided, which with the the housing surrounding space is connected. It did according to the combination of features according to claim 25 ins especially an outwardly inclined scraper edge that is spatially connected to the outlet channels. In Further training for this suggests claim 26 that the edge ge even in their course compared to the circuit board level is inclined so that the stripped moisture along the Edge runs to the lower edge area and there can be led out of the housing via the outlet channel.

The switch buttons are regularly under tension the key from its operating position to the starting position returned. A stop is thus provided, which limits the return of the key from the housing. In next education of the invention is proposed according to claim 27, to design the key projection screen-like, so that at the Press liquid along the side of the button Key is directed away and against the inner wall of the housing running.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below the drawing explained. It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a section through a consecutive two toggle switches,

Fig. 2 is a view of a connector plug th sped up on a printed circuit board,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a double frame with two inserted contact rockers, which is snapped onto the printed circuit board,

Fig. 4 is an outgoing from the housing, seated on the filament sealing lip,

Fig. 5 measures for moisture removal in an inventive pressure switch,

Fig. 6, in a sectional view a side view of the switch according to Fig. 5

Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of the switch of Fig. 7 and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a switch combination with four toggle switches and at least one pressure switch ter.

Fig. 1 shows a toggle switch 1 , in which an upper housing seteil 2 is snapped onto a base plate 3 . A printed circuit board 4 is held on the base plate 3 , on which a plurality of switch assemblies are snapped on. One of these switch assemblies is a connector 5 , which is formed in that a commercially available standard pin bar 6 is engaged in an intermediate member 7 . This engi fen locking arms 8 of the intermediate member 7 on the bar 9 of the pin header 6 . The pins 10 occur on its circuit board 4 facing the end perpendicularly therethrough and are provided on the terminal connector 5 side facing away from the circuit board 4 are soldered to the pins associated conductor tracks with conductor tracks, which are not shown in FIG. 1. The pins 10 are bent in their associated end portion of the circuit board 4 at an angle of 90 degrees, so that the free end portions 11 of the pins 10 go parallel to the circuit board.

The connector is with its side surfaces 12 or the strip 9 on side walls 13 or projections 14 of the base plate 3 and thereby receives a secure locking within the switch and thus a strain relief when the free end portions 11 are acted upon by a connector plug. Furthermore, the pins 10 are held in gears 15 of the intermediate link 7 . Of particular importance for the invention is an abutment 16 , which extends from the intermediate member 7 as a cantilever and which supports the printed circuit board 4 .

In Fig. 2 is shown in part and on a somewhat enlarged scale, the connector 5 , which jumps over Rastvor 17 is locked to the circuit board 4 . For the He invention is particularly important is an indicated in Fig. 2 Zen trier recess 18 into which a corresponding centering approach of the connector 5 protrudes. As a result, a secure Ar retention of the connector against lateral displacement ben relative to the circuit board 4 is achieved and at the same time the connector 5 is centered in the desired position relative to the circuit board 4 .

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the circuit board 4 , which is bordered by the upper housing part 2 and the base plate 3 . On the left side of the circuit board, openings can be seen through which the pins 10 pass, the visible ends being soldered to the contact points on the circuit board facing the viewer. On the circuit board 4 , two frames 19 are snapped, which are integrally connected to each other and form open chambers towards the viewer for receiving contact rockers 20 . The con tact rockers sit with their central area directly on the circuit board 4 , as can also be seen in Fig. 1 in ge sectional side view. The frame 19 bear upwardly open lateral bays 22, in which the contact bounce with lateral wings 23 protrude, whereby the contact rockers 20 against displacement on the circuit board 4 are chert gesi, but the wings 23 (see Fig. 1) pivoted can be. The frames are latched to the printed circuit board 4 by means of latching noses 24 indicated in FIG. 3. The locking lugs 24 engage through side openings in the printed circuit board ter ter this, whereby the one or more frames 19 are held on the Lei terplatte 4 . The frame 19 is also provided with a centering projection 25 which protrudes through a corresponding opening in the printed circuit board 4 and thus secures the frame 19 against lateral displacement on the printed circuit board and at the same time centers it with respect to the printed circuit board 4 . An additional longitudinal fixation of the frame can be done by ribs in the housing. The exact longitudinal fixation is particularly important in order to ensure an exact middle position of the button. Fixing the housing has the advantage that the fi xation takes place directly from the key positions and tolerance addition across several components. The printed circuit board 4 itself can be locked by means of locking lugs 26 with the base plate 3 . It is also important for the invention that a holder 27 for receiving a switch lamp 28 is integrally connected to the frame 19 , so that the holder 27 is simultaneously held by the frame 19 on the circuit board 4 ge. The connecting lines for the diode 28 designed as a switch lamp are guided in a slot-shaped recess 29 from the holder 27 . The holder 27 can also be a switch assembly that can be snapped onto the circuit board 4 . Connection lines 30 connect contact points on the circuit board to the diode 28 .

A resiliently biased actuating pin 31 acts on the central region 21 of the contact rocker 20 in such a way that it is pivoted about the central region 21 and can thus be brought into contact with stationary contact surfaces on the printed circuit board with its movable contact surfaces 32 . Shape and position of the contact rocker 20 and the Confirmierungsstif tes 31 are chosen so that after releasing the Ta ste 33 of the actuating pin 31 brings the contact rocker back to its neutral position, in which none of the actuating surfaces 32 rests on the circuit board.

The actuating pin 31 is pivoted together with a sleeve 35 which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 34 which is perpendicular to the viewer plane in FIG. 1 by a tilting movement of the button 33 . The moisture-proof pivot bearing of the keys on the outer housing part is known per se and is shown in the drawing in a self-explanatory manner. To move the contact rocker is to be added that this can also be made such that the contact rocker with the angrei fenden actuating pin remain in a stable switching position until a second switching state is assumed by pivoting the switching pin 31 in the opposite direction, in which the switch remains stable until it is switched again.

It is also important for the invention that the abutment 16 engages in an area on the printed circuit board 4 in which the central area 21 of the contact rocker is also located.

To remove moisture from the interior of the switch housing keep 2,3 Remote CLOSE, as shown more precisely in Fig. 4, a sealing lip 36 of the diode 38 is injection-molded in the region of the passage opening 37 through the housing part 2 on the housing part. The sealing lip is moved upward when the upper housing part 2 is placed on the diode 28 , so that it lies tightly against the lamp body of the diode 28 .

Further measures for keeping away or removing moisture from the interior of the switch are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 using a pressure switch, which can also be seated on the circuit board 4 . However, the measures described here can also be used with other types of switches, such as the toggle switches described above or with rotary switches. As seen from Fig. 5 and 6, the push button of the Fe leaves the press 41 in the housing 40 against the bias. A housing side surface 43 slides on a key side surface 42 . The housing wall 44 with the side surface 43 has a scraper edge 45 which is inclined outwards. The liquid stripped from the key side wall 42 thus flows over the edge 45 and the outer surface of the side wall 44 and thereby the outer side surface merges into an outlet channel 46 through which the collected moisture is conducted out of the housing.

A further improvement against the ingress of water can be achieved with the aid of the circumferential extension 60 attached to the obliquely running umbrella-like projection 48 , which in connection with the projection 48 forms a channel which is open at the bottom. In the pushed-out position of the button, the screen seals the inside of the switch against the ingress of moisture, in that it lies under a resilient pretension against an inward extension of the housing 2 .

If the button 40 is pressed in, the extension 60 moves downward and finally covers the section of the side wall 44 which carries the scraper edge 45 . In this way, the scraper edge is enclosed by the trough, so that there is a shielding of the assembly that penetrates the water directly from above into the outlet channel 46 . In Fig. 5 and 6 consisting provides Darge the housing wall of two walls by an outer side wall of the housing part is pushed over the inner side wall 2 of the switch. However, this is not important for the present invention. Rather, the two housing walls pushed into one another can also be formed in one piece. It is also important for the invention that the space 47 existing between the inner wall of the housing and the key side wall 42 is closed by an umbrella-like projection 48 of the key, which also serves as a stop for the upward movement of the key in FIGS. 5 and 6 serves. Due to the downward inclination of the projection 48 , the liquid which possibly penetrates along the touch wall from above can be drained outwards away from the button, so that it can run off along the inner surface of the outer housing wall via the channel 46 as shown in FIG. 6 . In this way, not only are a number of measures taken to prevent the ingress of liquid into the interior of the housing, but at the same time measures are also introduced which remove the moisture which may have penetrated from the interior of the housing.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the inventive principle applied to a multiple switches switch combination. In this case, a single printed circuit board 4 is provided, on which the switches described above are applied as a switch combination. These are four switches 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 in the form of toggle switches and a pressure switch 54 . The toggle switches are used to open and close the four side windows of a vehicle, while the pressure switch 54 serves as a child lock and not only secures the rear door lock from the inside, but also prevents the rear windows from opening. Such a set of a switch combination can serve as a console switch in a center console of a car. As indicated in Fig. 8, four of the four frames provided (see double frame 19 in Fig. 3) are equipped with contact rockers 20 , where one frame is provided for each switch. The frame 19 can also be equipped with two contact rockers, so that using a correspondingly small housing, double switches with small dimensions result, which can be installed below the windows in the door upholstery. The sealing measures described above are aimed in particular at this purpose.

Claims (29)

1. Switch with a on a stationary plate ( 4 ) ge holding movable contact bridge ( 20 ), which changes its position under the influence of a manually movable button ( 33 ) and thereby arranged with at least one fixed on a housing fixed plate ( 4 ) fixed contact ver connected and with a to the housing-fixed plate ( 4 ) attached connector ( 5 ), the plug contacts te ( 10 ) are connected to the fixed contact and the contact bridge ( 20 ), characterized in that the housing-fixed plate is a printed circuit board ( 4 ) which carries the fixed contact and that the connector ( 5 ) and / or a chamber ( 19 ) supporting the contact bridge ( 20 ) and / or a holder for a switch lamp ( 28 ) by snap connection ( 17 , 21 ) to the circuit board ( 4 ) are connected. 2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector ( 5 ) has a latchable receptacle for a standard pin header ( 6 ). 3. Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the pins ( 10 ) of the pin strip ( 6 ) through connector outlets ( 15 ) in an intermediate member ( 7 ) of the connector ( 5 ) and through this associated passage openings in the circuit board ( 4 ) and are preferably soldered to the circuit board ( 4 ) facing away from the connector ( 6 ). 4. Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the pins ( 10 ) with their circuit board-side Endab cut ( 10 ) vertically through the circuit board ( 4 ) tre th and with their from the pin strip ( 9 ) emerging free end portions ( 11 ) parallel to PCB ( 4 ) run. 5. Switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the connector ( 5 ) on the side of the printed circuit board end sections ( 10 ) facing away, preferably in the region of the connection level of the free pin ends ( 11 ) a abutment on the printed circuit board ( 4 ) ( 16 ). 6. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector ( 5 ) with at least one of its side surfaces ( 12 ) on the scarf tergehäuse ( 3 ) is supported. 7. Switch according to claim 6, characterized in that the base plate ( 3 ) of the housing ( 2 , 3 ) has support surfaces ( 13 ) for the connector ( 5 ) and that preferably walls ( 13 ) of the base plate guide walls ( 58 , 59 ) form for a connector housing. 8. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, through in that the plug (5) has at least one centering insert (18) which projects into an allocated centering recess (18) of the printed circuit board (4). 9. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber ( 19 ) is formed by a to the actuation button ( 33 ) open frame, which receives the movable contact bridge ( 20 ). 10. Switch according to claim 9, characterized in that the contact bridge ( 20 ) is a contact rocker for a toggle switch. 11. Switch according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact rocker ( 20 ) in its tilting area ( 21 ) is supported directly on the circuit board ( 4 ) in a preferably electrically conductive area. 12. Switch according to claim 5 and claim 10, characterized in that the abutment ( 16 ) supports the circuit board ( 4 ) in the tilting region ( 21 ) of the contact rocker ( 20 ). 13. Switch according to claim 12, characterized in that the contact rocker ( 20 ) is shaped and with egg nem pivotable, spring-loaded actuating pin ( 31 ) cooperates in such a way that it automatically after releasing the actuating button ( 33 ) from its tilted position into it Starting position is postponed. 14. Switch according to claim 9 to 13, characterized in that the frame ( 19 ) has upwardly open side bays ( 22 ), on the side walls of side wings ( 23 ) of the contact rocker ( 20 ) in the plane of the conductor plate ( 4 ) support. 15. Switch according to claim 9 to 14, characterized in that from the walls of the frame ( 19 ) at least one Zen trier projection ( 25 ) which projects into an associated Zen trier opening of the circuit board ( 4 ). 16. Switch according to claim 15, characterized in that the centering projection ( 25 ) through the circuit board ( 4 ) in a centering receptacle of the base plate ( 3 ) or of the connector plug ( 5 ) protrudes. 17. Switch according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that at least two latching hooks ( 24 ) extend from the chamber ( 19 ) which engage behind the corresponding latching recesses on the printed circuit board ( 4 ). 18. Switch according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that at least two frames ( 19 ) adjoining each other, preferably in one piece with one another, are arranged on the printed circuit board ( 4 ). 19. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder ( 29 ) for the switch lamp ( 28 ), which is preferably designed as a diode, is combined in one piece with the chamber ( 19 ). 20. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, carried in that a circumferential sealing lip (36) engages with the switch lamp (28) which circumferentially abuts against the lamp body of the lamp (28) and seals the Darun terliegenden space. 21. Switch according to claim 20, characterized in that the sealing lip ( 36 ) integrally connected to the holder ( 29 ) is preferably cast on this. 22. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed circuit board ( 4 ) is covered by an upper housing part ( 2 ) which is latched to the base plate ( 3 ) and which preferably has a sealing lip ( 36 ) acting on the switch lamp. wearing. 23. Switch according to claim 21, characterized in that the key ( 33 ) spans the opening areas of the upper Ge housing part ( 2 ), which preferably serve for the passage of the diode ( 28 ) and / or the actuating pin ( 31 ), like a screen. 24. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, carried in that side walls (42) of the key (33) of the switch housing (2, 3) are sealingly guided by side walls (44) and that the housing (2, 3) takes channels from ( 46 ) is provided, which lead out of the housing ( 2 , 3 ) from a space located above the sealing housing surface. 25. Switch according to claim 24, characterized in that the guide surface ( 42 ) of the housing is provided with a wiping edge ( 45 ) which strips off the moisture on the side surface ( 42 ) of the key ( 40 ) when the key surface ( 42 ) moves and leads out of the housing via the channel ( 46 ). 26. Switch according to claim 25, characterized in that the scraper edge ( 45 ) is inclined and that the exit channel ( 46 ) in the lower edge region passes through the housing wall. 27. Switch according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the space ( 42 ) above the channel ( 46 ) by an umbrella-like projection ( 48 ) of the Ta stengehäuses ( 40 ) is limited, which at an essentially parallel we Housing stop is present, which sealingly limits the movement of the button ( 40 ) from the switch housing ( 2, 3 ). 28. Switch according to claim 24, characterized in that the screen-like projection ( 48 ) is provided with a circumferential, extending in the actuating direction of the button to set. 29. Switch according to claim 28, characterized in that in the pressed-in state of the button the extension ( 60 ) which surrounds the area of the sealing edge ( 45 ) in a protective manner.