DE4426350C2 - Switch system with a system housing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switch system according to the features the preamble of claim 1.

Such switch systems are from a variety of Components built, such as housing, buttons, Contact bridges, slide, plug connection, base plate, Conductor tracks, lamp housings etc. It is also known to simplify the construction of contact connections and Grinding systems, such as sliding contacts and touch contacts to apply flat printed conductor tracks. This sets however, that such a trace in one surrounding housing must be installed. Through the Items used and the assembly costs are such Switch systems are therefore complex.

The research association for spatial electronic assemblies 3-D MID e. V. in Erlangen, on the other hand, has published a transfer in which it is proposed to use spatial structures, such as plastic housings, for the direct reception and fastening of conductor tracks and electronic components at the same time. In particular, a method has become known for pouring injection-molded molded conductor bodies into the housing. These molded conductor bodies, which are cast in a "two-shot" injection molding technology with the plastic housing, have the property that their surface can be provided with conductor tracks by metallization (in a process comparable to the production of printed circuit boards). Hoechst AG names Vectra C 810 or Vectra 820 as suitable plastics for this purpose. B. Vectra C 115 or LCX 364 , can be encapsulated in such a way that surfaces of the metallizable conductor molded body remain on the surface of the entire cast part, which can later be metallized and can serve as conductor tracks or contact surfaces.

DE 195 12 277 A1 also includes a switch system a system housing known in which at least one switch is arranged, the first and a second Has switch contact and a conductor track leading to the Switch contacts is guided, the conductor track by means of at least one molded conductor body are formed, which in the housing is molded by an injection molding process. The DE 41 29 555 A1 shows a rocker switch around the center of gravity of a housing projection tilts. From DE 40 17 673 A1 Known conductor tracks, at the contacts of the movable Switch piece is connectable. DE 39 31 188 A1 shows Switch combinations with push button and spring and sliding rocker button. US 5266,949 shows that Sections of the form guide body serve as light guides. The DE 37 26 744 C2 discloses a method for producing a with a metal pattern on its surface Plastic object. From DE 39 38 362 C1 is a Process for applying a metallic coating to the Threaded sections screwed together Plastic pipes known. Finally, the DE 41 16 641 a method for coating a fiber-reinforced plastic body.

The object of the invention is therefore a switch system specify where the technology described can be used and which by integrating the above Components are easy to assemble in large quantities.

This object is achieved with a switch system solved, which has the features of claim 1.  

In principle, the invention therefore consists in the housing the connecting conductor tracks by means of the molded conductor body to form immediately. This can include parts of the conductor tracks can be used directly as switch contacts, so that in the housing according to the teaching of the invention essential parts of the switch system are molded directly. While teaching according to claim 1 indirectly indicates the possibility of fixed contacts of a switch directly into the housing It is advisable to mold in with regard to the movable Contact the combination of features according to claim 2. After that also the  moveable che contact by one of the molded conductor body end at its end movable leg or tongue forms, so that the movable switch contact directly is integrated in the housing. In the context of Invention one or more molded conductor body molded his. However, it is advisable to use only one if possible single molded body to use, the surface by a second injection molding into the corresponding one Conductor tracks is divided. The combination of features according to Claim 2 can also multiple times in a switch system be turned, with several on one leg electrically separated conductor tracks and contacts can be provided. It can be ent speaking arrangement and storage of the actuator determine its direction of movement leading to a contact hand over the thigh. For example, the springy thighs by a pressing, but also by a pushing or rotating movement of the actuation member brought into contact with the housing-fixed contact become.

According to the combination of features according to claim 3 it is also possible to use the switch system according to the invention To provide rocker contacts or snap contacts. Terms Lich the storage for the switching beam is not Cutting contact chosen because the very thin aufmetalli based conductor layer would be destroyed relatively quickly. A lot the control bar rolls more on the curved surface surface of the housing projection, so that a grinding movement is avoided on a linear contact surface. The basic design of the actuator is on  known. The switching principle according to claim 3 can ver both for on-off switch, but also for changeover switch turn.

The one that forms the bearing for the rocking switch beam Head start can be according to the combinations of features Claim 4 over the molded conductor body also in the Ge housing of the switch system. The Shaped conductor body designed so that it with its front jump protrudes over the surface of the housing. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the protrusion is parallel to the surface che surface of the housing.

To make a point contact with those described above to reach different switches is recommended in Development of the invention according to the combination of features Claim 5. Thereafter, the conductor tracks have contacts, for example, hemispherical protrusions for a good essentially point-like contact even then worry if the assigned, opposite contact has a flat contact surface.

In some cases, the size of the lei to be transferred leaves power or the frequency of switching movements to one or both communicating with each other Contacts are made of electroplated metal because the resulting metal layer is too thin. In In these cases, the use of the combination of features recommend according to claim 6. In doing so, the crit the current through a known con baffle plate passed through the interior of the housing. The Kon baffle plate can be used during the first casting process  be molded into the molded conductor body, so that one can conduct the conductor not only on the top galvanized layer holds, but also in a deeper through the housing body per walking shift. Contact plates can also be used poured into the housing in superimposed levels his. Because of the great mechanical strength of such Sheets can also be used as cutting bearings for Rocker contacts or as fixed contacts for larger lei serve to transfer messages.

In many cases it is necessary to switch the Currents or the lighting indicator in one of the Ge to lead away from the floor of the house, for example, for the switching of a contact a stroke of the key allow or to open a window in the button by a na to light up the button arranged light bulb. In the In these cases, it is advisable to use the combination of features nation according to claim 7. With the use of the description A pedestal-shaped approach is possible, which is represented by Gal vanize the conductor surface of the applied conductor track not only in the plane of the case bottom, but also the conductor tracks perpendicular to this plane to lead. The approaches can claim several wear parallel traces. This can be done by doing that during the second Injection molding the approach of the molded conductor body by opening inject corresponding webs into individual metallizable Areas divided. On these (parallel) conductor tracks can then, according to the combination of features according to An Say 9 attack a moving contact that the parallel paths in the switching state with each other short closes. However, an incandescent lamp can also be switched on  which indicates the switching status of the switch or the position of the operating button of a switch. Such Approaches can be according to the features of claim 10 also serve to store actuation buttons and caps, but then they do not have to be metallized. Therefore, you can also from the during the second spray cast plastic material used, wel ches can not be metallized.

The combination of features according to claim 10 further shows the possibility of moving the button at the same time to form the switching contact directly. In this case the actuating cap, however, made of metallizable Plastic is made, you do not want a separate Attach the contact rivet or similar to the extension.

The approach of claim 10 can be according to the features according to claim 11 as a holder for an incandescent lamp evaluate that a suitable window in the cap shines. In this case, the approach must be made of metallized barem material, that is, a Lei approach Represent terformkörper. In terms of lighting but also exists, as will be explained below, the possibility of a through the molded body to take the leader, so that at the same time can act as a light guide. So there is the possibility speed, the shaped conductor body at the same time for light conduction and to use for power line. The power line takes place taking place on the surface of the light guide body, wäh rend the light guide over the cross section of the conductor shape body takes place. So that with an elongated Conductor body also both forms of energy at the same time and  are transmitted parallel to each other. Finally, can the light energy also to the surface of a window of the Light guide body are guided, which, however, neither with the housing plastic of the second plastic casting may still be covered with the metallized metal.

To the one that can be transferred via the electroplated conductor track To make energy as large as possible, the conductor track must be removed be kept speaking over a large area. She can do it too serve as a cooling surface. Finally, it is also possible to use the applied metal layer as a reflector, where they also serve as a conductor track can. In the case of switches, this is particularly possible where the light energy is concentrated on a viewing window shall be.

The use of the metallized conductor tracks and possibly (Additional) of the cast contact sheet create the Possibility of connecting the connector directly to the housing of the To form switch system. The Features according to claim 12. In an advantageous development the actuating cap can also be removed at the same time speaking the features of claim 13 in the housing la gladly. It can be both perpendicular to the cap Bottom pushing movement as well as a parallel pushing movement possible his.

According to the combination of features according to claim 14 can the housing of the switch system also in one piece with the  Housing of another electrical circuit, for example a car interior light. As part of the Er according to claim 15, it is also not necessary dig that the conductor tracks run at the bottom of the housing. The shaped conductor body can also be designed such that the conductor tracks laterally on the inner surface and / or The outer surface of the side walls of the housing run. This can apply, for example, to the conductor tracks that according to Claim 12 are led to the terminal block, so that the corresponding conductor tracks not through the lateral Ge house walls are guided, but over their surface.

According to the combination of features according to the claims 16 and 17, the form guide body in addition to the bil Formation of conductor tracks on the housing surface, how already explained above, also for the light conduction within of the housing material can be used. At the same time he additionally or exclusively to form a Re serve or take over the task of a cooling surface men by the heat radiation ability of the applied Metal surface and its reflectivity used becomes.

An embodiment of the invention is described below hand of the drawing explained. In it shows

Fig. 1 in sketched form a cross-section through an inventive switch system,

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the switch system in height of section AA and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the housing base of FIG. 1.

Fig. 1 shows the housing 1 with the housing base 2 and the housing walls 3. The housing is manufactured in a "two-shot" injection molding process, ie the housing is manufactured by two successive injection molding processes. In a first casting, a so-called. Molded conductor body made of a metallizable plastic, such as the material Vectra C 810 / C 820 from Hoechst AG. The molding thus obtained is constructed in such a way that when the casting is finished after the second injection molding, all the surface sections of the molding in the housing are still freely accessible and are later to be metallized. Thus, in the second casting section, the shaped conductor body is coated with easily flowing material, for example Vectra 115 or LCX 364, in such a way that the later conductor surfaces of the shaped conductor body are exposed. In a subsequent galvanizing process, the metal settles only on the accessible surface of the molded conductor body, but not on the easy-flowing Vectra material of the second cast. In this way, the later conductive tracks can be precisely defined on the housing surface by an appropriate configuration of the cast part.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the visible and thus accessible sections of the molded conductor body and the non-metallizable remaining part of the housing. In this case, the conductor tracks 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 and 9 can be seen, while the conductor track 10 indicated in dashed lines in plan view essentially extends within the housing base 2 and represents a cast-in contact sheet. The contour of the molded conductor body within the Ge housing bottom is not shown. It is also within the framework of the invention to form the individual conductor tracks 5 to 9 from a plurality of contact moldings. The conductor track 4 has a contact protrusion 11 , which can be a contact rivet applied to the plastic of the housing base 2 , but can also be molded out of the associated molded conductor body, which, like the surrounding conductor track 4, has been metallized.

The conductor track 5 shows a roller-shaped housing jump 12 , which is also part of the molded conductor body and is metallized. The housing projection has the shape of a halved circular cylinder. Above the housing projection 12 , as can be seen from FIG. 1, there is a switch bar 13 which , depending on the position of an actuator 14 , can tilt in two switch positions, which occurs suddenly in the form of a snap operation.

The actuator 14 is guided in its longitudinal direction under spring tension in a rocker switch 15 , which wall in opposite openings 16 in the housing 3 is rotatably mounted by means of its latched bearing pins 17 ( Fig. 2).

The toggle switch 18 has next to the contact protrusion 11 is a second housing-fixed contact 20, which is the superior to the surface of the housing bottom end 2 of the contact plate 10 degrees.

A second toggle switch 21 has essentially the same structure as the first toggle switch 18 . The main difference is that a switching bar 22 is not mounted on a housing projection, but at the other end of the contact plate 10 protruding flat above, which forms in a manner known per se as a cutting bearing 23 .

The pressure switch 24 be seated from the housing base 2 substantially vertically upwardly projecting first approach 25 , which is part of the molded conductor body molded into the housing and can thus be metallized. The first approach is covered during the second spraying process with casting compound in such a way that during the electroplating two electrically separate conductor tracks 26 , 27 run up on the outer walls of the first approach 25 , where they each end up at the level of a contact bridge 28 of the pressure switch 24 . In this case, the conductor track 26 is led up only on the right wall of the first attachment 25 in FIG. 1, while the conductor track 27, starting from the left wall of the attachment 25 via the attachment itself, leads the right wall of the attachment 25 back down a bit. So that there are two current-carrying contacts in one of the contact bridge 28 ge opposite level, in the position shown, the two contacts are connected to each other via the contact bridge 28 .

The contact bridge 28 itself is located at the end of an extension 29 , the resilient extension 29 being cast onto a button 30 . Assuming that, in the position shown in FIG. 1, the two conductor tracks 26 , 27 are connected to one another via the contact bridge 28 , the switch shown is a normally closed contact. If you press the button 30 down, the contact bridge 28 leaves the conductor track 27 guided around the end of the first extension 25 and the connection is interrupted.

Of course, within the scope of the invention, the course of the two conductor tracks 26 , 27 can easily be designed in such a way that the pressure switch 24 can also be configured as a work contact or as a switch. The present description is only intended to show the basic possibility of being able to integrate the contacts directly into the housing wall with a pressure switch. Another possibility with respect to the conductor track guide on the first shoulder 25 is part of the two conductor tracks 6, 7 to each other pull at the right in Fig. 1 wall parallel to about half the height of the first projection 25 and to dispense with the conductor track 27. In this case, the above-mentioned work contact arises, in which the contact bridge 28 connects the conductor tracks 6 and 7 to one another when the button 30 is depressed. The configuration described last can also be combined with the conductor track 27 , so that there is a changeover switch.

The pressure limiter 24 also includes a second extension 31 , which has the shape of a circular cylinder and can also be metallized as part of a molded conductor body, two separate metallizable surface areas being formed in the second injection molding by sections of the surface of the second extension 31 with non-metallizable plastic be covered. This results in two conductor tracks 32 , 33 , onto which the connecting lines of an incandescent lamp 34 are soldered or contacted in some other way. In conjunction with a corresponding window 35 in the button 30 , there is functional lighting of the pressure switch or search lighting.

However, it is also possible to design the second attachment 31 as a light guide without the incandescent lamp 34 . In this case, the molded conductor body also takes on the task of light conduction in addition to forming the conductor tracks. A corresponding light source can then be installed at the other end of the light guide, whereby several switches or search lights can be operated simultaneously by a single light bulb.

In the context of the invention, it is not absolutely necessary that the spatially running conductor tracks with the help of cast-in Molded conductor body can be produced. Rather, they can Conductor tracks also through a known semi-additive Method or by another etching method based on a copper layer acts. It can also Copper layer using an evaporation process such as such as laser evaporation Methods are particularly suitable if the Conductors should only run on the surface.

In contrast, the use of molded conductor bodies is in particular then suitable if these shaped conductor bodies also at the same time no can be used as an optocoupler or the molded conductor body due to a different than the rest of the housing Coloring also serve for display purposes at the same time. Closer Details on this are explained in DE 44 15 885 A1.

Claims (17)

1. Switch system with a system housing ( 1 ), in which at least one switch ( 18 , 21 , 24 ) is arranged, which has at least one first switch contact ( 11 , 20 , 26 , 27 ) fixed to the housing, a second switch contact ( 13 , 28 , 22 ) and conductor tracks ( 4 to 9 ) which are guided to the switch contacts, the conductor tracks ( 4 to 9 ) being formed by means of at least one molded conductor body which is cast into the housing ( 1 ) by an injection molding process, thereby characterized in that the molded conductor body is a metallizable plastic. 2. Switch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable switch contact on one of one Conductor body outgoing resilient legs arranged is, the associated switch contact fixed to the housing the trace sits, preferably by the same Conductor body is formed. 3. Switch system according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable contact is arranged on a switching bar ( 13 , 22 ) which tilts in the form of a rocker around the curved outer surface of a cylindrical housing projection ( 12 ) while it is moved from one along the switching bar ( 13 ) sliding actuator ( 14 ) is resiliently loaded. 4. Switch system according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing projection ( 12 ) provided with an electrically conductive layer is part of a shaped conductor body which at the same time carries the conductor track ( 5 ) extending to the housing projection ( 12 ). 5. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact points ( 11 ) of the switch on the molded conductor body, metallized contact projections of the molded conductor body. 6. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the shaped conductor body, a contact plate ( 10 ) is cast into the housing ( 1 , 2 ), the end projecting above the surface as a switch contact ( 20 ) fixed to the housing, as a bearing ( 23 ) for a rocker switch ( 22 ), as a connector or as a connection point for connection to a conductor track ( 27 ). 7. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped conductor body has lugs ( 25 , 31 ) which project substantially perpendicularly from a housing wall ( 1 , 2 ), the lug ( 25 , 31 ) having at least one as a conductor track ( 27 , 26 , 31 , 33 ) carried out metallized coating. 8. Switch system according to claim 7, characterized in that the approach ( 25 , 33 ) is provided with two substantially parallel conductor tracks ( 27 , 26 , 6 and 32 , 33 ). 9. Switch system according to claim 8, characterized in that the conductor tracks ( 32 , 33 ) open to the free end of the extension ( 31 ) in contacts to which the connections of an incandescent lamp ( 34 ) are connected or to which the movable contact piece ( 28 ) a switch ( 24 ) can be connected. 10. Switch system according to claim 9, characterized in that a further approach is provided, on which an actuating button (cap) ( 30 ) is pressed in against the force of a spring, the button ( 30 ) pointing towards the housing wall ( 2 ) Has extension ( 29 ) which carries the movable contact ( 28 ). 11. Switch system according to claim 9, characterized in that the button covers the approach ( 31 ) carrying the light bulb ( 34 ) and is provided with a window ( 35 ) which can be illuminated by the light bulb ( 34 ). 12. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the Conductor tracks of a molded on the housing Terminal strip is guided, on which a plug on the parallel tracks can be plugged. 13. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a toggle button ( 15 ) is rotatably or displaceably guided in openings ( 16 ) laterally opposite housing walls which engage bearing pins ( 17 ) which are cast on resilient side walls of the button. 14. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in an automotive interior light is integrated. 15. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to the terminal block running conductor tracks partly over the inner and / or outer side wall of the housing are guided. 16. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sections of the form guide body serve as light guides which indicate the functional state and / or the position of the actuating elements ( 15 , 30 ) of the switch system. 17. Switch system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that metallized sections a form guide body as a cooling surface and / or reflector serve.