DE2515972A1 - POSITION OR OPERATING MODE INDICATOR FOR A PRESSURE SWITCH - Google Patents

Description

? 51 5972

PATENT LAWYERS ^A ^

HENKEL ₃ KERN ₅ FETLER & HÄNZEL

BAVARIAN MORTGAGE AND TELEX: 05 29 · ..! HNKL D EDUARD-SCHMID-STRASSE 2 DlE _S ^H DN « ^A BiNK ^L M ^ ™ 3 ^ TCt cm ", in a" IU 11 el 4 * "· 1" ■ · DRESDNER BANK MÜNCHEN 3 "1" PHONE. LOWJ M 31 7. 6 * 30 * 1 - »~ D-8000 MÜNCHEN 90 POSTSCHECK: MUNICH ICl 47- TELEGRAMS ₁ ELLIPSDIDMONCHEn " ^ouuu mu« wii-n

Globe-Union Inc. ItAPR. 1975

Milwaukee, Wise, V.St.A.

Position or operating mode indicator for a pressure switch

The invention relates to a position or operating mode indicator for a slide element, in particular one Push-button or push-button switch, whereby the free ends of a flexible aterial layer under preload so in a key housing are performed that they act as a device for indicating the movement of the pushbutton switch on each other move towards and away from each other.

In the manufacture of pushbutton switches, it is desirable to provide an indication of the position or mode of operation of the switch, since this directly indicates the current operating status of the circuits controlled by the switches in question. In many such switches such as those disclosed in US Patent 3,691,985, a lamp is provided which is intended to illuminate a portion of the switch. Such illuminated operating mode indicators are expensive to manufacture because they require a special internal construction of the switch body, are not fail-safe when the lamp is burned out, and the lamp must be replaced. According to US patent specification 5 715 5 ^ 8, attempts have recently been made to bypass the illuminated operating mode indicators for push or button switches and to:

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to bypass type indicators for push or button switches and to use an operating mode indicator that is attached to the Outside of a finished switch can be attached. In these devices, however, is the manufacture numerous moving parts required. As a result, these devices are subject to interference, while they also do not have a particularly long service life and are expensive to manufacture. Other Devices, such as that according to US Pat. No. 3,237,59 "U, do not ensure absolutely secure entry and exit Switch-off state.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a position or operating mode indicator for a slide element to create that can be produced easily and economically. In particular, the invention aims to provide a such an indicator for a push or button switch, the indicator being easily attached to a completed Attach the switch unit and easily either parallel or across an existing switch leaves. In this operating mode indicator for a push button switch or button switch, different colors or labels should also be used be attachable in or on the display device.

This task is performed on a position or mode display key for a slider element movably mounted in a housing member, according to the invention, solved by a connectable and movable, detachable with the slide element Housing, a lens element arranged in the housing on the side facing away from the point of contact with the slide element, a holding member arranged in the interior of the housing and carried in a fixed position by the switch housing attached to the support member and moving in the direction of the

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Flexible mode indicating means extending lens element, biasing means cooperating with the holding member defining the display means between the holding member and the lens element and one within of the lens element together with the lens element a guide track for a section of the flexible display means fixing device, wherein a displacement of the housing on the holding member and away from it a Movement of the slide element and the flexible display means within the guideway result.

In the position or operating mode indicator according to the invention a movable housing element with a form fit can be placed on the slide element of a push button switch. A retaining member for fastening a layer of flexible material is on the pressure switch body can be held and placed in the movable housing. The housing carries a lens and a preload device cooperates with the retaining member to define the flexible material between the retaining member and the lens. A guide member cooperates with the lens to overlap the flexible sheet between the lens and the Guide member to guide when the movable .Gehäuse moves in the direction of the holding member for the flexible position will. In a preferred embodiment, a corrugated lens is provided to cover the line of overlap.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view showing three of the invention Operating mode display buttons that are operationally assigned to the three switch modules and are attached to them in different positions,

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FIG. 2 shows an end view of the device according to FIG. 1,

3 shows a perspective illustration, on an enlarged scale, of an intermediate piece for attaching a Operating mode display button in transverse position relative to the pressure switch housing,

Fig. 4- is a horizontal sectional view, held on an enlarged scale, of one of the parallel to the switch housing mounted operating mode display keys, in which the components arranged inside the key body are shown,

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, 6 shows a section along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4,

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the main components the display key according to the invention,

Fig. 8. a vertical section of the flexible operating mode display means in the dismantled state from its holding and guide elements to illustrate his one position,

FIG. 9 is an illustration similar to FIG. 8 showing the flexible Display means in a second position ;; shows

Fig. 1o is a partially sectioned perspective Representation of the common mode mechanism of the push button or key switch according to FIGS. 1 to 9 and 12 to 14,

11 is a partial view of the common mode mechanism according to FIG Fig. 1o used cam actuation mechanism,

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12 shows a representation similar to FIG. 7 of a modified one Embodiment of the invention,

13 shows an illustration of the modified embodiment similar to FIG. 4 and FIG

FIG. 14 shows a section along the line 14-14 in FIG. 13.

The operating mode display buttons generally designated 1o, hereinafter referred to as buttons for short, are each attached to the usual slide element 11 guided in a pressure switch housing or block 12. Slider element 11 and switch housing 12 form the usual pushbutton or pushbutton switch, generally designated 13. Since the mode indicator of the present invention is applicable to any common mode switch mechanism, only a brief explanation of the push switch is required. The pressure switch 1j5 has, as mentioned, the usual housing or block 12 with fixed contact lugs I5. Movable contacts (not shown) can be brought into contact with the fixed contact lugs 15 in the interior of the housing or block 12.

The main components of the display key are shown most clearly in FIG. An inserted into a housing 18 holding member 19 has two legs 2o and 21, which engage the end face 14 of the S _c haltergehauses 12th Two projections 23 and 24 protrude from the legs at their other ends, which projections 25 and 26 pass through in a flexible operating mode display means 3o. As a result of this engagement, the end section 31 of the display means 3o comes to rest against the wall 3o of the holding member 19 and between its side walls 34 and 35. Two coil springs 38 and 39 serving as biasing means are on the projections

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23 and 24 placed and inserted into corresponding recesses 4o and 41 in a spring holding member 43, as this can best be seen from FIG.

Two 8JE leather retaining link 43 formed side flanges 4-4 engage in internal transverse grooves 4-5 in the housing 18. A from the center of the holding member 4-3 protruding, U-shaped projection 4-7 penetrates a rectangular opening 4-8 in the flexible display means 3o and is in a rectangular Opening 49 of the holding member 19 is guided displaceably. A curved lens element 52 is central in housing 18 a flange 53 engaging in its transverse grooves 16 and 17 is held or locked in a form-fitting manner. Simultaneously are the inner surfaces 33 and 34 of the lens element 52 to Ensuring a firm fit on a mating surface 55 at.

According to FIG. 4, the key housing 18 is provided with a base part 22 which has two opposing inner walls Has 5o and 5's. Stand from walls 5o and 51 Shoulder flanges 27 and 28, which engage in an annular groove 29 of the slide 11. A conventional retaining or locking washer 42 holds a slide spring 71 on the slide 11 and by means of a spring seat 7o in contact with the end face 14 of the switch block.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the convex Surface 57 of the holding member 43 in cooperation with the smooth, complementary, concave inner surface 58 of the lens 52 in the case of parts built into the housing 18, a guide track 60 to enable the free end sections to overlap 83 and 84 of the flexible display means 3o.

As specifically illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is

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the flexible operating mode display means 3o is provided with a section 54- which is separated from the remaining sections of the üßxiblen layer material is formed differently. In a preferred embodiment, the section 54 is black colored while the remaining portion 56 of the out flexible sheet material existing display means is colored red. When the free ends 83 and 84 are in the Overlap to the extent shown in FIG. 9, only a red section is visible behind the lens 52. This feature is used in Connection with the operation of the device will be explained in more detail.

A device to enable common mode operation of the slide element 11 is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. This particular mechanism is in the United States patent 3,229,548 disclosed. According to this patent specification the slide element 11 has a curved recess 61 with a closed, either symmetrical or asymmetrical contour that defines two peaks or end points 62 and 63. The depth of the cam recess 61 changes by defining various inclined surfaces and stops 64, 65 and 66, which have a holding finger or pin 67 always move in the direction of arrow 69 along the guide profile permit. This holding or curve tracing pen is through formed a simple pen. which by a leaf spring 7o held elastically against the bottom of the curve recess will. In short, this cam control mechanism works as follows: When the slide element 11 is in a depressed position in which the spring 71 is compressed, is the end of the Pin 67 in position 74 in cam recess 61. Here, the slide element against the force of the spring 71 by engaging in the recessed part of a central

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Bar 75, which is opposite the tip 63 of the heart curve, held in this position. In this position, the pin is supported on the edges of a retaining opening (not shown) in the frame ^r / 6 . When the slide element 11 is pressed again, the end of the pin 67 is prevented from moving backwards by the inclined surface 63, so that it is displaced in the direction of the arrow 69 to the position 77. When the slide element 11 is released, it is guided in the reverse direction under the influence of the spring 71, this spring running the end of the pin 67 the entire upper section of the curved recess 61 and settling in the recess formed by the tip 68 in the position 78, whereby the second position of the slide element is determined. If the slide element 11 is pressed again, the pin 67 runs downward to position 79 as a result of the beveling of the inclined surface 64 and finally over the inclined surfaces and stops 66 and 63 into position 74-.

As can be seen from the drawing and in particular from FIG. 2, the switch block 12 is rather narrow in the longitudinal direction. If the operating mode display buttons 1o are arranged parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the switch block, the legs 2o and 21 engage without difficulty on the upper side or end face. However, if the display keys 1o, as shown in the lowest position in FIG. 2, are to be installed transversely to this longitudinal dimension, certain supporting means must be provided for the legs. This is shown in Fig. 3 by a block. part 8o guaranteed, which rests on the top or end face 14 of the S _c halt erb locks 12 and receives the flanged end sections 81 and 82 of the legs 2o and 21 in a form-fitting manner, ie with a snap-in effect in recesses 85 and 86, respectively.

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In FIGS. 12 to 14, an operating mode indicator 11o is shown, which differs from the mode indicator 1o in that the spring holding member 43 is omitted. At the Indicators 11o are denoted by the same parts that correspond to the parts of the indicator 1o, only increased by 100. Instead of the spring holding member 43 are Lateral guide members 19o and 191 formed in one piece therewith in the housing 118 and a central guide part 194 provided. Obviously, the lateral ones have Guide links 19o and I9I slots or grooves 192 or 193, with extensions of these slots in conjunction with Extensions 195 and 196 include the insertion of the retaining member 119 enable that is provided with external spring retaining blocks 136, 198 and spring retaining extensions 137 »199. in the In contrast to the previously described operating mode indicator 1o, the device 11o is clearly located in the housing 118 Guides 14o and 141 for receiving springs 138 and 139, respectively on. As best seen in Figure 13, the housing is 118 on retaining member 119 by engagement with shoulder portions 172 and 175 with retaining member 119 for the flexible mode display means 130 provided shoulder parts 146 or 159 when the parts are held by springs 138 and 139 are preloaded. It should also be noted that the end sections of the lateral guide members 19o, 191 and des middle guide part 194 rounded or curved at 197 to facilitate movement and guidance of the flexible display means 130 around these parts, such as this will be explained in more detail below with reference to the mode of operation of the device.

In the following, for a better understanding, the mode of operation and the assembly of the operating mode display key according to the invention are described explained. The display button 1o is essentially on assembled in the manner illustrated in FIG. Included

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- 1ο -

is the flexible mode display means Jo with his Openings 25 and 26 placed on the holding member 19 and aligned on the projections 23 and 24, respectively. Be on it the springs 38 and 39 are placed on the projections 23 and 24 and into the recesses 4o and 41 of the spring retainer

43 used. Then the holding member 19 is inserted together with the spring holding member 43 in the housing 18, wherein

the legs 2o and 21 of the holding member 19, the openings. 88 or 8 « enforce in the base or in the base 22 of the housing 18. The spring holding member 43 is in the housing 18 by the flanges

44 held, which engage in the grooves 45. When the spring retainer 43 has been inserted into the housing 18, the open ends of the flexible mode indicator are brought to overlap each other around the convex surface 57. The lens 52 is then snapped into the housing 18 so that it is retained in the housing by the flanges 53 and the grooves 16 and 17. If the operating mode indicator is to be used, it only needs to be placed on the end of a slide element 11 with a friction fit or form fit ^{with the aid of the shoulder flanges engaging in the groove 29 of the slide element 11 before 27 and 28.} In this arrangement or in this engagement, the holding member 19 is provided with the legs 2o and 21 so that it is in contact with the end face 14 of the switch block.

When the button 1o is connected to the slide element 11 and the latter is in the non-depressed state, the display means 3o is in the position shown in FIG. 8. Here, the black section 54 is through the lens 52 visible through it, which indicates a not pushed in or not actuated state. When the operating condition of the switch is changed and the slide element 11 is to be moved into the switch block 12, the housing 18 is switched on the lens 52 printed, which in connection with the movement of the Sliding element 11 a displacement of the housing 18 along the Leg 2o and 21 has the consequence, so that the spring holding

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member 43 moves in the direction of the fixed support member 19 for the flexible display means. During this displacement, the free end sections 83, 84 of the flexible display means continue to overlap with one another, being guided by the guide 6o during the joint movement of lens 52 and Eeder holding member 43 in the direction of holding member 19. This movement continues until the pin 67 of the common mode mechanism hits the tip 63 of the cam recess 61 and comes to a standstill in position 74. The overlap of the operating mode display element then corresponds to the status according to Pig. 9, wherein the free end portions overlap so far that only a red portion is visible in the lens, which indicates that the switch is now in the actuated state. When the slider element and thus the switch is reset by subsequent pressing and releasing, the G _e 2o of the legs 21 and housing 18 moved from the end face 14 away and longitudinally in the reverse direction. At the same time, as a result of the displacement of the spring holding element 43 and the lens 52 away from the holding element 19, the operating mode display means 3o is in its starting position according to Ifig. 8 reset.

If the display button is to be placed in a transverse position relative to a narrow switch block, the fixed Legs 2o and 21 are inserted into the block part 80, which is then supported on the end face 14. Through this arrangement becomes the legs, which would otherwise grip the switch block 12 or the end face 14, a support commanded.

The following is the operation of the modified embodiment of the invention described.

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The mode of operation and assembly of the operating mode indicator 11o are largely similar to those of the indicator 1o. However, there is a difference with regard to the installation of the holding member 119 in the housing 118. The flexible operating mode display means 13o is attached to the holding member 119 by ultrasonic welding of the projections 123 and 124 passing through the openings 125 and 126, and the latter is then inserted into the housing 118 inserted by the blocks 198 and 136 are pushed through the slots or grooves 192 and 193 in the guides 19o and 191, respectively. The free ends 183, 184f of the display means 13o are placed around the curved ends 197 of the guide parts 19o, 191 and of the central guide part 194. The lens 152 is then snapped into the housing 118. With retaining blocks held at a sufficient distance from the rear of the housing 118, the springs are inserted into the guides 14o and 141 which are located in the slots 192 and 193 and effectively constitute partial extensions thereof and form abutment end walls 14oa and 141a. The springs 138 and 139 are compressed in the guides and placed on the spring retainer projections 137 and 199. The operation of the mode indicator Ho is the same as that of the indicator 1o, in that a displacement of the housing 118 along the fixed legs 12o, 121 results in a greater overlap of the free ends 183 and 184 of the flexible mode indicator means 130, the black section 154 is moved out of the field of view in the lens 152. The concave inner surface 158 of the lens I52 forms together with the adjacent convex surfaces 197 ^{of the} guide parts 190, 191 and the middle guide member 194, the movable guide track I60.

The mode indicator has the advantage of fewer parts due to the omission of the spring retainer 43 Ho also has the advantage that if, for example, the

Spring 138 can also be actuated with only one spring, etv; a of the spring 139 is. This preferred from the manufacturing point of view construction is realized in that a spring with strong spring force or identification is used and the distance between the wall surfaces 12oa, 121a of the legs 12o or 121 and the adjacent walls 172a, 173a of the shoulder sections 172 and 173, respectively, is adjusted accordingly.

Although the mode display buttons 1o and Ho protrude in connection with their use in slide elements 11 or 111 of a push or button switch 13 are, they can advantageously also be used in conjunction with any other slide element with a temporary holding function can be used, for example, with a resettable ballpoint pen or with a mechanical pencil.

The preferred material for making the flexible loading. drive type display means 5o and 13o is a ^ age made of polyester plastic, as sold under the trade name Mylar by the company du Pont de Nemours & Co. Instead of This preferred material, however, other flexible and semi-rigid plastics can also be used, for example Polyethylene, or metals such as thin sheet steel. All components of the operating mode display button, with the exception of the springs 38, 138, 39 and 139 are made of synthetic resin made, preferably from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. However, other malleable and platable Thermoplastics, e.g. the material sold by the General Electric Company under the trade name HORIL, Nylon, etc. can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible operating mode display means 3o or 13o is blackened Section 54 or 154 provided, which when actuated by a

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red section 56 or 156 is overlapped. If so desired numbers or word labels can be provided on the black and red sections, see above that in one pail the inscription on the black Section and in the other, overlapped the lettering of the red section through the lens 52 or 152 is visible through it. Of course you can also combinations other than black for section 54 or 154 · and red for section 56 or I56 of the Display means are applied. Furthermore, the lens surface can wear an imprint that becomes visible when the contrasting one with this imprint Material existing display means is in the overlapping state according to FIG. 9. It can also be on the convex surface 57 of the spring holding member 43 an imprint or other marking may be provided, which or by one or several matching openings in the display means 3o therethrough becomes visible.

As indicated at 68 and 16S, the lenses 52 and 152 corrugated by parallel lines with greater material thickness, which run parallel to the housing ends 83, 84 and 183, 184, respectively. This creates the line of overlap of the respective Section 56 or 156 covered.

As can be seen, the invention thus provides an operating mode display device created for a push-button or push-button mechanism that has a minimum of Has parts and which can be moved without the need for complicated mechanical interlocking between the parts can be operated. The display device according to the invention avoids the need for a light source and enables at the same time the arrangement of a great variety

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of display markings on the flexible operating mode display means. The display button can be quickly attached to a push-button or key switch and easily transversely or Align the parallel position relative to the switch block. The display device can be independent of the pressure switch, with which it is ultimately to be connected, economically, quickly and without the need for close Tolerances are made.

Although only two preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described above, the Various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

In summary, the invention thus provides a position or operating mode indicator for a slide mechanism, in particular a slide which forms part of a key or push button switch is created. A button-like one Housing encloses a layer made of a flexible material, which is preloaded between a stationary holding member and a diaphragmatic lens is arranged. Two free end sections of the flexible layer are between the opposing surfaces of a lens and guided by a guide member. The said housing is movable, and when it is attached to a slide element of a pushbutton switch assembly and in the direction of the fixed holding member is moved, it causes a movement of the open or free ends of the flexible layer against each other, thereby providing an indication of the movement of the key body.

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Claims (1)

Claims Position or operating mode display key for a slide element movably mounted in a housing member, characterized by a removable housing that can be connected and moved to the slide element, one in the housing arranged on the side facing away from the point of contact with the slide element, a lens element inside the Housing arranged and carried in a fixed position by the switch housing holding member, a fixed to the holding member and flexible mode indicator means extending toward the lens element, with the holding member cooperating biasing means for defining the indicating means between the holding member and the lens element and a guideway for a section within the lens element together with the lens element of the flexible display means fixing device, wherein a displacement of the housing on the holding member to and away from him a movement of the slide element and the flexible display means within the guideway to Consequence. 2. Display key according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible operating mode display means from a position a flexible or pliable material, which is at least one around the inside of the lens element around having extending open end portion. j5. Display key according to Claim 1, characterized in that that the switch housing member is a switch body of an electrical key or push button switch. 509848/0334 2515S72 4. display key according to claim 2, characterized in that the Linseneleiaent together with a guide track fixing device is a spring holding member for ane spring of the Yorbelastmittel, which is from the holding member for the indicating means is biased off, and that the spring holding member has a smooth convex surface and the lens element has a smooth, complementary concave surface between which a portion of the flexible Location is located. 5. display button according to claim 2, characterized in that that the device forming a guideway together with the lens element has at least one convex, rounded, is smooth surface which is arranged next to the lens element in the housing, and that the lens element is a has smooth, complementary, concave surface, with a portion of the flexible layer between them Faces. 6. display button according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding member for the flexible operating mode display means also part of a holder for at least one spring member the biasing means forms and that the housing forms an opposing support or abutment for the spring link. 7 · display key according to claim 6, characterized in that the convex, rounded, smooth surface by two auer arranged in the housing guide parts and a central portion also arranged in the housing is formed. 8. display button according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide members have slots or grooves for receiving of the spring holding member have on the holding member. 5098Λ8 / 033Α 9. display button according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding member for the display means has legs, which pass through associated openings in a base or base section of the housing and on the body or housing of the electrical switch. 10. display key according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible mode display means is a flexible sheet with two open end portions, and that the guideway is formed by concave and ko-niFex surfaces, where said end sections in one position of the slide element overlap one another between them Surfaces are located. 11. Display button according to claim Io, characterized in that the flexible layer consists of a single piece of sheet material. 12. Display key according to claim 11, characterized in that the flexible layer is located at one between its open ends Place is attached in the holding member. ι * 13. Display key according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible layer is made of a flexible or pliable plastic. 14. Display key according to claim 1o, characterized in that the lens element is corrugated, the corrugations being parallel are arranged at the ends of the flexible sheet. 15. Display key according to claim 3, characterized in that an intermediate piece of such construction and arrangement is provided that it engages the retaining member outside the housing and is supported on the switch housing. 16. Display button according to claim 3, characterized in that the pushbutton or pushbutton switch having a slide element is a common mode push button switch. 609848/0334