EP0221030B1

EP0221030B1 - A switch structure, particularly for motor vehicle electric window winders

Info

Publication number: EP0221030B1
Application number: EP19860830274
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Codrino
Original assignee: Cavis Cavetti Isolati SpA
Current assignee: Cavis Cavetti Isolati SpA
Priority date: 1985-10-03
Filing date: 1986-10-01
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2006-10-01
Also published as: IT8523320V0; IT207494Z2; EP0221030A2; ES2033690T3; DE3684407D1; EP0221030A3

Description

The present invention relates to a switch structure, particularly for motor vehicle electric window winders.
As is known, electric window winders currently used on motor vehicles and the like have an actuating motor which is controlled by means of switches which are provided within the motor vehicle.
Actuation can be either manual or automatic according to the fact that the complete raising, or closure, of the window may be effected by maintaining the switch actuated, or possibly by means of a single pulse, exerted on the switch itself.
With switches of the known art, currently available on the market, there are encountered considerable problems both as far as their constructional complexity is concerned and as far as their operating reliability is concerned, and in particular, there are encountered difficulties because of the inevitable infiltration of dust and water which, with the passage of time, can create defects in making contacts.
Another disadvantage, attributable to the solutions of the known art, is moreover, constituted by the fact that the known switches are generally very complicated and, consequently, expensive as far as their assembly is concerned.
The document DE-A-2 649 944 discloses a switch structure, suitable for motor vehicle electric window winders, said switch structure comprising a box-like body closed at the top by a frame which defines seatings for housing a plurality of push buttons.
The document DE-B-1 111 705 discloses a push-button contacting a rigid movable conductive blade pivoted, at one end, about a fixed contact, and at the other end movable between two fixed contacts both biased by springs.
The object of the invention is that of eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a switch structure particularly for motor vehicle electrical window winders, which will allow a simplified structure to be obtained with a limited number of component elements whilst having an operation which is always correct and precise.
Within the scope of the above explained object, a particular object of the invention is that of providing a switch structure particularly designed for electrical window winders, in which there will be the possibility of having a perfect sealed isolation between the interior of the body of the switch and the exterior, thus preventing damage to the contacts because of infiltrations of any type.
Another object of the invention is that of providing a switch which, because of its constructional simplicity, can be utilised both for automatic control and for manual control of the windows, thus being extremely practical and versatile in use.
A further object of the present invention is that of providing a switch structure, particularly for electrical window winders, which because of its constructional characteristics, is able to offer the widest gaurantees of reliability and security in use.
The above explained object, as well as the objects listed and others which will become more clearly apparent hereinbelow, are achieved, according to the invention by a switch structure, particularly for motor vehicle electrical window winders having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the subject of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from a study of the detailed description of a switch structure particularly for motor vehicle electrical window winders illustrated by way of indicative, but non-limitative, example, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically represents, in section and in elevation, the structure of the switch according to the invention;
Figure 2 represents the switch seen in plan;
Figure 3 represents a detail of the illumination lamp within the box-like body.

With particular reference to the numerical symbols of the said Figures, the switch structure particularly for electrical window winders, which is indicated generally with the reference numeral 1 comprises a box-like body 2, preferably, but not necessarily, of rectangular shape, which is closed at the top by a small frame 3 which, advantageously, is snap engaged thereon.
The small frame 3 defines a plurality of seatings 4 for housing a plurality of push buttons 5 for the actuation of the windows.
The push buttons 5 preferably, but not necessarily, have in their upper part a small plate 6 where there are provided illuminated ideograms which can be made either with polycarbonate or by co-moulding.
An important peculiarity of the invention is constituted by the fact that the said push buttons 5 are connected to the box-like body 2 with the interposition of sealing means constituted by a seal generally indicated with the reference numeral 7.
The seal 7 has a central portion 8 shaped like a bellows with a perimetral outer border 9 which is clamped between the frame 3 and the box-like body 2.
Within the interior portions, facing the keys, the rubber seal 7 has an annular enlargement 10 which is lodged in seatings 11 correspondingly provided on the keys 5 in such a way as to create a fixed connection to each key.
The rubber seal 7 thus defines a membrane which connects together the push buttons and the box-like casing, forming a diaphragm to prevent the passage of impurities of any type.
Internally the key 5 has a tail 15 which acts on the median portion of a rigid movable blade, generally indicated with the reference numeral 16, which at its end is pivoted to a fixed contact 17 which is supported by a rigid printed circuit 18 and which is connected to the motor.
On the blade 16 acts a first spring 19, acting at the other end against the printed circuit, and a second spring 20 which interacts between the blade and the push button 5 in the region of the tail 15, thus creating a resilient thrust element for return movements of the push button itself.
At its free end the movable rigid blade 16 which is made of conductive material has a contact body 21 which is movable between a fixed negative contact 22 and a movable positive contact 23 constituted by a resiliently yieldable bridge which opposes the action of a spring 24 which acts between the bridge 23 and the printed circuit.
The bridge, which in practice constitutes an end stop for the descent of the rigid movable blade, is connected to the window winder motor.
Under the printed circuit 18 there is housed an electro magnet 35 if the switch is utilized for automatic actuation.
For completeness of the description, within the box-like body 1 there is advantageously provided an electric lamp 40 which creates an internal illumination within the switch, which makes it easier to see the ideograms provided on the push buttons.
The presence of the seal 7, as well as preventing the infiltration of water and dust, also prevents outward escape of light, thus eliminating the unaesthetic frame of light which is encountered with switches in the prior art.
From what has been described it will be seen how the invention achieves the proposed objects.
In particular, it is desired to emphasize the extreme structural simplicity of the switch described hereinabove, together with its great functionality and precision of operation.
In practice, any materials may be used and likewise, any dimensions and contingent forms according to requirements as long as they are compatible with the specific use.

Claims

A switch structure particularly for a motor vehicle electric window winder, comprising a box-like body (2) closed at the top by a frame (3) which defines seatings (4) for housing a plurality of push buttons (5), characterized in that each push-button contacts a respective rigid movable electrically conductive blade (16) having a free end movable between a negative fixed contact (22) and a positive movable contact (23) said movable contact (23) being biased by a spring (24), in that sealing means (7) are arranged between said push buttons (5) and said frame (3), said sealing means (7) including a rubber seal having a central bellows portion (8) surrounded by a rim (9) clamped between the frame (3) and the said box-like body (2), and an annul ar enlargement (10) which can be housed in annular grooves (11) defined by the push buttons (5), in that said rigid movable blade (16) is pivoted about a fixed contact (17), securely fixed to a printed circuit (18) and connected to an electric motor, in that said movable blade (16) is actuated between its two ends by a tail portion extending from a lower part of its respective push button (5) and in that a spring (19) acts between said printed circuit (18) and the pivoted end of said blade (16).
A switch structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that said positive movable contact (23) comprises a guided bridge member slidably supported by said printed circuit (18) and resiliently yieldable against said spring (24) encompassed by said bridge member and abutting with the other end thereof against said printed circuit (18).
A switch structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that said frame (3) is snap engaged to said box-like body (2).