DE2251676A1 - SOLID STATE SWITCHING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

85OI West Higgins Road

Chicago. Illinois 60631 / ITSA Hamburg, October 20, 1972

"Solid state switching device"

The invention relates generally to a solid state scarf tvorricbtung and in particular on a switching device, which is suitable for use in keypads, such as they are used to input information into a data processing unit System can be used.

The use of keypads in a data processing system for entering signal information according to a special code is known. Such keypads are available in various embodiments, with either electronic or mechanical switching elements are provided. One known type of keypad includes a plurality electrical switching contacts that are mechanically operated by pressing a button. The button can do this have an end face encoded with a letter or number or the like. In this respect, these devices have many disadvantages when they are subject to wear and tear and the contacts develop as a result of light bottom formation or oxidation tend to have a high resistance. Atmospheric conditions can also be unreliable if dust penetrates the keypad Effect switching these components.

Solid-state switches have recently been developed for keypads that do not have the disadvantages of mechanically operated electrical switching contacts described above. One embodiment of a solid state switch includes a permanent magnet and a core connected thereto. The I ^j t erraanentmagne or the core is attached to a button or actuator, so that the core and the Hagnet are movable relative to each other. The core is generally provided with a read line passed through it. An alternating current signal is fed to the control circuit. When the switching element is not depressed, the permanent magnets are on both sides of the core,

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and the effective impedance is relatively low, and between the control line and the read line can · none transformer coupling take place. When the switching element is depressed, however, the magnets move away from the core v / eg to desaturate it and the ac impedance to enlarge significantly and bring about a transformative Coupling between the control line and the Reading management. Although this type of switching device suffers from the disadvantages of previous keypads for data processing systems overcomes, he still suffers from mechanical failures of the switch body and the magnetic cores within the Switch body cannot simply be taken out or gone out can be swapped without changing wiring or disconnecting the wires from the circuit to which they are connected will.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved solid-state device in which the magnetic core within the switch body can be easily removed without severing or removing the wires wound around the cores or passing through them, and in which a new switch body and actuating mechanism can be easily connected to the existing magnetic core _t during this remains connected to the keypad.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pest body switching device, the switch body thereof can be easily inserted into large data processing equipment keypad assemblies and is a replacement of broken switches is easily done without the wiring change the wires that are routed through the magnetic core inside the switch body.

Another object of the invention is a solid state switching device to specify »which is inexpensive to distinguish and in which a replacement of components is easily carried out ία t.

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BAD ORlGfNAL

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The pest body switching device of this invention is an improvement over that disclosed in U.S. application (Serial No. 879,220, filed November 24, 1969) des design specified by the same applicant. Like in this one Application carried out, is a relatively large number of switches in a housing to form a keypad built in for a data processing system. Such keypads are commonly used to add information to the electronic circuit of the computer to enter. Such computers require pulse signal information with high input speed and over a longer period of time in order to carry out the necessary processing of the data and that to deliver desired result. Hence, keypad switches are essentially continued for an extended period of time Operated over a period of time and often need to be repaired. Line error type isiy & abei the failure of the switch body components, be it the actuating mechanism itself or the arms that hold the permanent magnets inside the switch body wear. Since there is no movement of the magnetic core or the lines passed through it, a Errors in these components are really rare. Therefore, the replacement of a defective switch requires only that of the switch body or the operating mechanism is removed and a new switch body and operating mechanism over de ^ i existing magnetic core is positioned.

In short, the solid-state switching device according to the invention includes a magnetic core which is relatively loose is received within the switch body and fixed by a small metal clip in it but can be removed is held. The switch body is then passed through a wall of the keypad for assembly in the usual manner inserted, and the lines led through the magnetic core are wired to the computer circuit. If the Should switch body components fail, they can be removed from the keypad housing without the Wiring of the lines leading through the magnetic core changed wen-rii must. For removing the switch body

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BATH ORIGINAL "

the underside of the keypad must be accessible from the keypad housing. That allows the removal of the little ones Metal clip within the switch body and allows the switch body to be pulled up from the top wall of the housing out and from the magnetic core, the one with the connected cables inside the keypad housing remain. A new switch body is then inserted through the keypad over the magnetic core, and the narrow metal mammer is then inserted into the new switch body to assemble the switch body and magnetic core.

A further improvement of the switch device according to the invention is that the locking clip from consists of paramagnetic material and serves as a magnetic short circuit between the permanent magnets, so the Support desaturation of the magnetic core, so that an AC signal coupling between the control and the Read wires around and through the core acting as a transformer coupled device can take place.

Further possibilities, properties and advantages are linked from the following detailed description with the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are similar throughout the several views of the drawing Should designate elements or components.

Fig. 1 shows in an exploded view the View of a solid-state key switch according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a keypad showing four key switches following therefrom protrude above to be operated for the purpose of inputting a signal into a data processing machine;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a solid state switch; which protrudes through the cover plate of a keypad housing and shows this in broken lines Bending of the switch body for the purpose of removing the locking clip to dismantle the magnetic core

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limb of the switch body;

Pig »4 shows in elevation a side view of a solid state switch, which protrudes through the cover plate of a keypad housing and shows the magnetic core member, its Leads extend outwardly for connection to a circuit;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that taken out of the keypad and shows of the switch body remaining below the cover plate of the keypad;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom view of the switching device according to Fig. 1, which shows the relative position of the locking chamber and of the magnetic core;

Figure 7 is a section taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6; and the

Figs. 8 and 9 show the relative position of the permanent magnet inside the switch body with respect to the magnetic crane for saturation and desaturation of the core for the purpose of executing a switching process.

Fig. 1 leaves a bent apart representation of a solid-state switch according to the invention, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The solid-state switch 10 is formed by the switch body 12, in the a button 14 is inserted via a coil spring 16 which in the assembled state pushes the button 14 resiliently upwards into a non-actuated position. The key 14 is on upper end bounded by a cover plate member 18 which can be made by ultrasonic welding or other suitable means is fastened in a recess 19dfes switching body 12.

A pair of permanent magnets 20 and 22 become immovable held by spaced legs 2i and 23 of the Key 14 and are movable with this. The magnets 20 and 22 can be pressed into the key. Inside the switch

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body 12, on its underside, a magnetic core member 24 is attached to a control line 26 and a Reading line 28, which extends from there through in the bezel walls of the switch body formed recesses 30 extend.

With particular advantage, however, the magnetic core becomes immovable removably held within the switch body by a removable bracket 32 which, when installed, is in frictional engagement with the inner sides of the switch body. Subject to the removal of the bracket 32, the entire switch body assembly can be removed from the magnetic core 24 and its associated Lines 26 and 28 are removed without removing the lines from the electrical circuit to which they are connected. need to be separated.

2 shows a part of a top wall 34 that is like a bridge piece a keypad 36 with four solid-state switches, of each of which is designated by the reference numeral 10. The switches 10 can be part of a switch matrix in a ten χ ten or any other suitable XY configuration be and can have attached to the top of the key 14 identification caps so that letters or Numbers can be displayed.

3 illustrates the switch 10 attached to the top plate 34 and further illustrates the sideways bending of the leg parts 38 and 40 in diametrically opposite directions, as indicated in broken lines * in order to enable the clamp 32 to be easily removed from the interior of the recess 30. If once the bracket is removed, the holding projections 33 are compressed to remove the switch body 12 upward, and the Magnetic core 24 can be removed from its position within the switch body 12 without separation of the Lines 26 and 28 from the circuits would be needed. This can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

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Pig. 4 shows the switch 10 with the one between the permanent magnets 20 unö 22 arranged magnetic core 24 within the switch body 12, wherein the magnetic core is through the removable bracket 32 is held in place. The leads 26 and 28 extend from the switch body. 12 through Recesses 30 out, as can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Pig. 5 shows the completely from the cover plate 34 of the Keypad removed switch body 12 together with its key 14 and other associated components, so that the magnetic core and the lines 26 and 28 connected to it below the keypad wall 34 in constant electrical Remain connected to the electrical circuit connected to it. Hence, none of the electrical Circuits of the data processing system are disturbed and little or no downtime has to be accepted.

Pig. 6 shows the bottom view of the switch 10 and shows that the leg parts 38 and 40 of the switch body are hollow to the permanent magnets 20 and 22 ι movable therein to record. The magnetic core 24 is arranged centrally within the switch body 12 and forms a widespread one Section 41 of bracket 32 which is substantially in the center of the bracket. On the bracket 32 are outward protruding clamping portions 42 and 44 formed, which are to penetrate into the. Material of the switch body and on this Way to be held immovably in place. This is most evident in Pig. 3 illustrates the clamping portions 42 being lightly embedded in the material of the switch body embedded shows. Therefore, bending the leg portions 38 and '' 40 upward makes it easier to remove the clip to remove the magnetic core. Alternatively, the clamping sections 42 and 44 cooperate with recesses 43 and 45, respectively, which are formed within the switch body, such as shown in FIG. In this case, the bracket 32 is held in position by having it on its underside

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through the recesses and on its top through the Presence of the core 24 is pinched.

The Fig. Ö and 9 represent the working position of the key 14 relative to the magnetic core 24. In Fig. 8 is the key in an unactuated upper position, and the permanent magnets 20 and 22 are located directly adjacent to the magnetic core 24 »in order to completely saturate its material. The locking clip 32 has little or no effect on the leakage flux passing through the magnetic core 24. However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the Button 14 moves the permanent magnets 2G and 22 downward, and the magnetic core 24 is substantially separated from the entire magnetic Freed the flow, so that an alternating current coupling can take place to trigger a switching process.

The locking clip 32 is particularly advantageous produced paramagnetic material, and now acts as a magnetic short circuit between the permanent magnets 20 and 22 and the magnetic core 24, so that the switching process takes place even more safely. Some magnetic flux leakage that could enforce the magnetic core 24 is short-circuited by the metal clip 32. With this property, a Limited switching position or switching position of the solid-state switching device can be reached when the button is depressed d, i.e. the button 14 moves down to a defined position, whereupon the magnetic Flux is quickly diverted from the magnetic core 24 and a quick switching by instantaneous transformer Coupling between the control and read lines 26 and takes place.

A simple and effective solid state switching device has been described which is entirely mechanical and electrical can be connected to a keypad assembly and in the event of any failure the complete removal of the Allow switch body without being in the circuit

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Lines wired within the keypad arrangement must be separated or unsoldered. Therefore are changes and modifications of this invention are practicable without the spirit and scope of what is disclosed and claimed herein Invention to leave.

PATENT CLAIMS:

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Claims (9)

- ίο - PATENT CLAIMS: (Iy solid-state switching device, characterized by a switch body with a recess, a core made of magnetic material arranged in this recess, at least two lines leading through the core, the ends of which when the switch body is installed in a keypad Can be electrically connected to a circuit, movably mounted permanent magnets, which are in one position within of the switch body are arranged close to the core for saturation of the same and which can be moved away from the core for the purpose of desaturation of the same in the other position, and detachably secured over the recess on the switch body Clamping means which hold the core firmly but removably within the recess and which are used when the switch body is removed from the keypad a separation of core and switch body without separating the lines from the circuit, with to which they are connected. 2. Solid-state switching device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the clamping means are made of paramagnetic material and that permanent magnets upon removal are movable from the core to the clamping means for the purpose of facilitating desaturation of the core through formation a short circuit path between the permanent magnets around the core. 3. Solid-state switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic core has the shape of a circle Has. 4. Solid-state switching device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the clamping means consist of a flat piece of paramagnetic material, which according to has externally protruding clamping portions for embedding in the recess in the switch body, and <feß the clamp means through - 11 309821/1007 Bending up the switch body for additional opening of the Recess are removable. 5. keypad switch, characterized in that it has a saturable magnetic core, a depressible Key having first and second legs extending on opposite sides of the core, first and second permanent magnets attached to the legs, each permanent magnet on the leg assigned to it between the leg and the magnetic core is attached and, wherein the permanent magnets are arranged on the legs so that they are opposite the core when the key is not depressed, providing a path for the magnetic plus from the one through the core to the other permanent magnet is formed in order to saturate the core, and with Pressing the button this carries the permanent magnets out of the saturation relation to the core, and with the magnetic core has cooperating clamp means which hold the magnetic core within the keypad switch and the removal of the magnetic core without separating the core from the associated electronic circuit. 6. keypad, characterized in that there are a plurality of keypad switches, each of which has an active and an inactive position, a saturable one Magnetic core with a closed path for the magnetic flux, a movable key with leg parts on opposite sides Sides of the magnetic core, first and second permanent magnets arranged on the legs and movable with the button for saturation of the core when the switch is in the one position in which the plus through the magnetic core occurs, and to desaturate the magnetic core when the switch is in the other position to the Coupling windings arranged around the core and to be connected to a network with a connected circuit, and the magnetic core and the associated windings are detachable in the keypad - 12 - 309821 H-QO-I :: i V Switch holding clip means for enabling removal of the keypad switch from the magnetic core and the windings connected to it, without separating the windings from the circuit. 7. Keypad according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping means consist of a flat piece of paramagnetic There are material to allow a magnetic short circuit path around the core to deflect the magnetic flux from the Permanent magnet is formed when the switch is in its active position. β. Keypad according to Claim 6, characterized in that that the magnet core has the shape of a circle. 9. Keypad according to claim 6, characterized in that that the clip means by a flat piece of a material with outwardly projecting end portions for attachment exist in the recesses formed in the switch body. 309821/1007 Hamburg, October 20, 1972 A solid-state switching device that has a saturable Magnetic core switch "used. The switch has a button off Magnetic material to change the magnetic property of the saturable magnetic core in order to switch the signal information through transformer coupling cause. The key has a pair of legs extending on opposite sides of the magnetic core with two thereon fixed permanent magnets. When the button is not depressed, the permanent magnets are on opposite sides Sides of the magnetic core so that the path for the magnetic flux is formed through the magnetic core, the key and the two permanent magnets, so that the magnetic core is saturated and a transformer coupling is prevented. When the button is depressed, the permanent magnets are moved away from the magnetic core, so that it desaturates and changes in the magnetic field cause the signal information to switch. The magnetic core can be easily removed the key structure can be removed without the wires having to be electrically disconnected from the circuit, to which they are connected when the switch body or button fails. The magnetic core is held by a metal bracket firmly but releasably held within the switch body. 309821/1 007