EP0242875A1 - Multiple switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiple switch has a switching actuator manually or automatically movable and a predetermined number of switching contacts controlled by corresponding movements of the actuator. On a base plate are directly mounted adjacent to each other a predetermined number of in themselves already known sealed single-pole touch control make-break switches (10a-10d) in such a way that a revolving actuator (26) with control cams (28), at least indirectly rotatively held by the support plate, when rotated to predetermined posititions actuates touch controls of the touch control switch mounted on the conductor board (20). The support plate can be a conductor board and bear as a stationary part an intermediate bearing part (24) for the revolving actuator. This intermediate bearing forms single piece pressure transmitting means (31) mounted between the touch controls of the touch control switch and the control cams of the revolving actuator to absorb forces acting laterally upon the touch controls.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a multiple switch according to the preamble of the main claim. Single and multi-pole switches, changeover switches, multiple switches and. The like are known in the most varied of shapes and structures, so that, in particular with regard to the special design of a multiple switch made possible by the present invention, the comprehensive explanation of the prior art known here can be dispensed with. Usually, multiple switches have in any case a manually, possibly also mechanically, for example a stepper motor, movable actuating element which acts on the position of the switching arms or carries contacts directly which move when the Actuate the actuating element with mating contacts depending on the switch position. Springs can provide a corresponding pre-tension, likewise latching means are usually provided for multiple switches, for example if it is a rotary switch, in order to ensure clear switching positions during the adjustment.

Depending on the application, such multiple switches are exposed to different loads and influences, such as pollution, vibrations and the like. Like. That can affect their functions.

In particular, when such multiple switches, as may also apply to the subject matter of the present invention, are used for function or program control, for example in washing machines, dishwashers or similar devices, there are a multitude of problems which can be attributed, among other things, to the fact that, for example, certain contact pairs when using such machines, i.e. the usual standard washing programs in a washing machine, are constantly controlled, while other contacts are only used very rarely or never, but nevertheless the one time at which they must then function, correct contacting and transmission of the control signal is essential must enable. In addition, in many areas of application, in particular due to the use of semiconductors, proper functioning must also be ensured, and in particular when only very low voltages, which are usually in the mV range, have to be switched, and also only at low ones Stream. Such parameters are unable to penetrate any contamination that accumulates on the contacts, so that a malfunction in such multiple switches, program switches in washing machines and the like. The like is practically unavoidable.

Although there is an option here to work with so-called reed switches, these are still too large in their dimensions, so they do not fit, at least not in the desired frequency, as is necessary for a large number of contacts to be switched, on a printed circuit board, they are very sensitive because they have a pair of contacts melted into a glass tube, and they require the action of a magnetic field to operate them. It is therefore also not possible to arrange such reed contacts close to one another in the desired manner, because of the mutual influence; however, in order to achieve reasonably acceptable results, very narrow tolerances must be used both for the switch and for the magnet or magnets acting. Apart from these technical difficulties, the formation of multiple switches or multi-switch keyboards using reed switches is also unusually expensive; It can be expected that, to name a numerical value here for the sake of a better understanding, the construction of a multiple switch based on reed switches with an average number of available switching contacts will cost around 10 to 20 DM or result beyond.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a multiple switch of the type mentioned, in which a large number of switching operations can be carried out in a confined space with extremely high reliability even if some or many of these contacts are only controlled very rarely, that is works with extremely high reliability, but on the other hand is particularly inexpensive and in which the contacts to be switched are sealed against the environment, possibly also hermetically sealed.

Advantages of the invention

The invention solves this actually contradictory task with the characterizing features of the main claim and has the advantage that a large number of single-pole switching contacts, each individually tight or completely tight against any type of aggressive media or environment, and therefore especially dustproof, kept are actuated by a common actuating element for realizing stationary switching positions, both the individual switching contacts and the further mechanical means required for actuating or controlling these switching contacts being arranged directly on a carrier plate, which is preferably a conventional printed circuit board, in the configuration and structure can be, as required by the desired switch design.

The invention is therefore based on the concept of the individual switch contacts, each to close or to are to be made available completely separately, so that a complete electrical isolation between the individual switch contacts is possible and, above all, the common actuating element is potential-free in all its parts. The currents or voltages to be switched flow only on the circuit board from and to the individual contacts stored within their own small housing, a further considerable advantage being that such individual contact bodies, each with its own housing, are known per se and are prefabricated elsewhere are. These switches are so-called miniature buttons in the form of single-pole tap keys, which include a closer and are manufactured with very small dimensions in large numbers and therefore inexpensively. An easy-to-understand field of application for such single-pole typing keys is, for example, use in computing devices which have a keyboard and in which an electrical pulse signal can be generated in each case by depressing the respective keys.

Since such single-pole touch keys with their electrical connections, which at the same time represent legs pointing away from the housing, can be used directly in printed circuit boards, so that the assembly is automatically possible without any problems, the invention also sees in an advantageous embodiment adjacent to the individual key switches the storage of a common actuating element which rotates a rotary part acting on cams on the individual touch keys or plunger of the key switches or also a linear one cash actuator can be. In order to store the actuating element, for example as a disk-shaped rotating part with an axis of rotation in the printed circuit board, an intermediate storage part is provided, which is clipped in a suitable manner, for example centrally arranged to the respective key switches, in a hole or opening in the printed circuit board, which itself forms the bearing for the rotating part and further, in a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, simultaneously forms pressure transmission intermediate means (in one piece) which, preferably resiliently, but resiliently, lie between the individual typing buttons and plungers and the cams of the actuating disk, so that an action of transverse forces on the typing buttons is excluded. Such transverse forces, which can occur when the cam disc is rotated, are absorbed by the resilient arms of the intermediate bearing part.

The invention therefore makes it possible, in such a switch, the individual switch contacts of which are completely sealed, also hermetically sealed, with mutual galvanic insulation, to construct the entire switch by directly populating it on a printed circuit board, so that what is known per se in other switch designs is a kind of housing, in any case forms a main part for the switch, so that there is a decisive reduction both in the technical outlay (number of parts required, assembly effort) and in terms of the cost of such a switch.

Another advantage is that the special Ausfüh tion of the multiple switch according to the invention with an intermediate bearing part for the actuating element, any printed circuit board material can be used, even with frequent actuation, no impairments occur, in contrast to those switches in which the moving, i.e. rotating or linearly displacing actuating element for the switch is directly in one Breakthrough of the circuit board is stored, which therefore undergoes changes at the edges, crumbles or is damaged, which can also affect the switch structure and the precision of the switching functions.

Advantageous further developments and improvements of the multiple switch specified in the main claim are possible through the measures listed in the subclaims. In addition to the possibility of automatically populating the circuit board with the key switches, their special design, which, compared to the miniature form of the key switches, comprises relatively high actuation forces, which ensure clear tactile feedback, is particularly advantageous, so that overall all the advantages of a safely switching Contact switch with extremely high switching reliability and long life in combination with a particularly simple structure and cost-effective manufacture.

In a special embodiment of a multiple rotary switch, the intermediate bearing part is a cylindrical basic element which only needs to be snapped into the central bore of the printed circuit board and then at the same time with integral spring arms tig the individual touch keys of the key switches covered to distract the side forces; The last assembly step then consists in inserting the actual actuating element into the intermediate bearing part as a cam-reinforced rotating part and also locking it, for example with a snap ring.

A further preferred embodiment consists in forming the base part in a pot-shaped manner with a raised edge, with a central bore receiving the axis of the actuating element, which usually performs a rotary movement, and tongue-like pressure-transmitting means, which run in an star-shaped manner and run inwardly in a star shape, in particular via film hinges and therefore in one piece, are held, which are located between the tip keys of the key switches and the actuating cams on the encoder disk of the rotary element. In this way, forces acting on the side of the tap keys are safely absorbed, and in a special, 90 ° offset distribution of only four tap key switches, the arrangement of the actuating cams in the coding disk on four mutually concentric circular rings achieves a large number of different coding options for the switch actuation can. Each pressure transmission tongue permanently assigned to its key switch has its own counter cam on its upper part and therefore the respective assigned coding disk ring with the actuating cams, the cams as a whole having inclined lateral rise surfaces for safe switching actuation and for reducing friction. The friction can also be reduced by replacing the cams at least partially by rotating rollers.

drawing

• die Fig. 1a und 1b eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines für sich gesehen bekannten Tipp-Tastenschalters als Schließer in dichter Kontaktausbildung, einmal in einer seitlichen Schnittdarstellung (Fig. 1a) und einmal in perspektivischer Dar­stellung (Fig. 1b), etwa drei- bis viermal ver­größert, und
• Fig. 2 schematisiert eine mögliche Ausführungsform eines Mehrfachschalters als Drehschalter, un­mittelbar montiert auf einer Leiterplatte, und
• Fig. 3 als Teildarstellung in Draufsicht die ergänzen­de, vorzugsweise einstückige Ausbildung des Zwischenlagerteils gleichzeitig mit federnden Auslegern zur Überdeckung und Kräfteablenkung der Tipptasten der Tastenschalter;
• Fig. 4 in einer seitlichen Schnittdarstellung schematisch die Grundform einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Basisteils in einstückiger Ausbildung mit den Druckübertragungsmitteln;
• Fig. 5 zeigt das Basisteil der Fig. 4 in Draufsicht, mit gesonderter, jeweils angrenzender Darstellung der einzelnen Gegennocken;
• die Fig. 6 zeigt eine Ansicht von unten auf die Codier­scheibe zur selektiven und aufeinanderfolgenden Betätigung der Tipptasten und
• die Fig. 7 zeigt im Ausschnitt, jedoch im vergrößerten Maß­stab die Darstellung und Zuordnung einer vom Basis­teil gelagerten Druckübertragungs-Zunge zum Tasten­schalter, wobei auf der Druckübertragungs-Zunge auch die von den anderen Druckübertragungs-Zungen getragenen Gegennocken angeordnet sind.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

• 1a and 1b, a preferred embodiment of a known tip key switch as a closer in close contact formation, once in a sectional side view (Fig. 1a) and once in perspective (Fig. 1b), enlarged about three to four times , and
• Fig. 2 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a multiple switch as a rotary switch, directly mounted on a circuit board, and
• 3 is a partial top view of the supplementary, preferably one-piece design of the intermediate bearing part at the same time with resilient cantilevers for overlapping and deflecting the force of the touch keys of the key switches;
• 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the basic shape of a further embodiment of a base part in one-piece construction with the pressure transmission means;
• FIG. 5 shows the base part of FIG. 4 in a top view, with a separate, respectively adjacent representation of the individual counter cams;
• 6 shows a view from below of the coding disk for the selective and sequential actuation of the touch keys and
• 7 shows a detail, but on an enlarged scale, of the representation and assignment of a pressure transmission tongue mounted by the base part to the key switch, the counter cams carried by the other pressure transmission tongues also being arranged on the pressure transmission tongue.

Description of the embodiments

The basic idea of the present invention is to provide for known, prefabricated single-pole toggle switches, each comprising a make contact and, due to a spring which simultaneously forms the switch contact, to provide a momentary change as direct assembly of printed circuit boards in such an arrangement that the additional arrangement of a manually or mechanically movable actuating element with its own storage and a corresponding, by this, quasi-stationary exertion of pressure on the tap keys of the key switches depending on the desired switch positions to be adopted and depending on the predetermined (rotary) position of the actuating element certain switching configurations can be achieved in a stationary manner.

The sectional view shown in Fig. 1 of a known, therefore prefabricated single-pole tip switch 10 includes a, usually made of plastic main carrier part 11, in which in a suitable positioning and shape simultaneously outward electrodes in the form of mounting legs for automatic assembly on circuit boards o. Like. Are inserted, which form the contacts for the single-pole closer inside. A spring 13 is mounted inside the miniature key switch housing so that it, as a movable switching arm and at the same time contact element, is in the open position of the switch and is transferred by a pressure acting in the direction of arrow A into the other switching position, in which the Switch is then closed, from which switching position but due to the bias of the Spring 13 when the pressure is applied, the contacts are immediately transferred back to the starting position (switch open) by the spring preload. The action of pressure from the plunger part 14 on the spring 13 takes place via an interposed, sealing membrane 15, which, as can be seen, sits on a cutting-like annular projection 16 of the main housing part 11, so that, depending on the design and desire, a tightness up to the action against aggressive Media, of course dust tightness u. Like. Is ensured. The construction of this tip switch, which is known per se, is completed by an upper guide and holding part 17, which supports the plunger 14, which switches the spring 13 over the membrane 15 and at the same time with lateral extensions 17a, 17b, which can be seen in FIG. 1b , the main body 11 encloses and thus ensures the cohesion of the key switch. It goes without saying that the touch key switch can, if desired, also be designed as an opener.

Such a key switch is suitable for automatically populating a printed circuit board 20 shown in FIG. 2, the legs protruding downwards being passed directly through corresponding holes 21 in the printed circuit board and then being connected in an electrically conductive manner to the respective printed circuit boards on the rear side of the printed circuit board (printed circuit board side), e.g. Dip soldering.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of such a rotary switch 22 using such a sealed tip switch 10, four individual key switches 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are provided, but it is understood that the number, arrangement and in principle the special design of such a multiple switch is also arbitrary and therefore the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 does not restrict the invention to this form, but is only intended to explain a possible basic design.

The four key switches 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d provided in the multiple rotary switch 22 are arranged along a given straight line such that two of the key switches are arranged on each side of the central axis of rotation of the multiple switch. In the central bore 23 of the circuit board, an intermediate bearing part 24 is now initially seated, which is firmly connected to the circuit board 20, preferably latched, in the manner known per se, by annularly or at certain intervals over the circumference detent lugs, which at 24a, 24b are indicated, reach behind the printed circuit board rear side after inserting the intermediate bearing part and firmly anchor the intermediate bearing part to the printed circuit board 20. In this connection area, the intermediate bearing part is essentially cylindrical with its own inner bore 25, through which the axis of rotation 26 of the actuating element is then again guided, which is generally umbrella-like, at least in the exemplary embodiment shown, and preferably integrally in an upper actuating or Coding disc 26a passes over, which then has projections or cams 28 directed towards the individual tap keys or plungers 27 of the key switches 10a, 10b, which serve to depress the plungers 27 and thus to close the contact of each key switch. this happens then, when the actuating disc 26a, as it will only be called in the following, is in a position in which the respective cams 28 are aligned with the touch keys or plunger 27 and can therefore exert the required switching pressure thereon. The rotating part comprising the rotating axis 26 and the actuating disk 26a is held in the bearing bore 25 formed by the intermediate bearing part 24 in order to prevent it from slipping out in this case, for example by means of a snap ring inserted into an annular recess at 29 of the rotating axis 26. It goes without saying that other latching options are also available here.

A further essential feature of the present invention is that, as can already be seen from the switch structure of FIG. 2, if the actuating disk 26a is rotated, the cams 28 which apply the switching pressure would necessarily each run laterally onto the plunger 27 of the key switches 10a, 10b ... , so that there are lateral forces that can not be absorbed by all such push-button switches or their plungers. Therefore, a pressure transmission intermediate part 31 is provided, which, as is understood, is arranged depending on the arrangement of the key switches between the plunger 27 and the cams 28 and preferably comprises resilient cantilevers covering the plunger 27, which are secured against displacement in the xy plane are, however, in the serving serving and therefore in the drawing plane vertical z-direction are elastically or resiliently displaceable, so that any type of lateral forces are absorbed by these resilient arms. Then this can cause that when the cams 28 of the actuating disc gradually open, when the latter is rotated into a new switching position, the cams slide in a circular manner in the exemplary embodiment along the resilient arms 31a, 31b (see FIG. 3), the plungers 27 being the key switches then be pressed in gradually until the torque is switched when the end position is reached. It is an advantageous embodiment of the present invention to form this pressure transmission intermediate part 31 in one piece with the intermediate bearing part 24, so that it extends from its cylindrical basic shape forming the bearing for the axis of rotation 26 in the plane of the drawing in FIG its structure changes that in any case the mentioned arms 31a, 31b result, which are arranged between the cams 28 and the tappet 27.

A variety of different embodiments are conceivable here; Thus, as shown at 34 in the plan view of FIG. 3, to indicate only one possibility, the key switches can be arranged in a star shape one behind the other starting from the center, from which it can already be seen that when the respective available, available ring surface is completely filled up the circuit board 20, a considerable packing density can be achieved on individual key switches. In this case, it makes sense to also arrange the arm that causes the pressure transmission from the intermediate bearing part in a star shape and following the basic structure of the arrangement of the key switches, starting from the hub area of the intermediate bearing part. So that the cams 28 of the actuating disk can run open, can then be arranged on both sides roof-shaped slopes on the brackets or the entire pressure transmission intermediate part can have the shape of a resilient disc.

It is also possible to arrange additional key switches at different height levels, for example a further circuit board can be arranged above the circuit board 20, the key switches of which are directed downwards with their plungers 27, in which case the actuating disc 26a can have further cams 28 pointing upwards.

It is also possible, in the case of special embodiments of the key switches, in which, as shown in FIG. 2, the assembly is carried out by pushing the connecting pins through the bore 21 of the printed circuit board, but the actuating plunger 27 is attached laterally, the individual key switches via edge edge cams of the actuating disk 26 to switch. Combined structures can also be provided, for example in addition to the key switches 10a, 10b ... the arrangement of further key switches which are switched over by the edge of the actuating disk 26.

The axis of rotation 26 of the actuating element designed as a rotating part in this multiple rotary switch can be extended on both sides, as indicated at 32a, 32b, so that actuation from both sides is possible; it is also possible to flange a gearwheel here on one of the stub axles 32a, 32b, so that the switch is mechanically rotated, for example via a Ge drives with stepper motor, a relay-operated ratchet mechanism or the like is possible.

In the case of manual actuation in particular, it is advisable to latch the positions for the various switching positions between the base part formed by the intermediate bearing part 24 and the rotating part, that is to say the axis of rotation 26; As indicated at 35, this can be done by holding a spring-loaded ball in a transverse bore of the axis of rotation 26, which snaps into a recess 35a on the inside of the bore of the intermediate bearing part at each switching position of the rotating part, and so does the respective switching position fixed manually in a clearly noticeable manner when the spring-loaded ball is locked in place. Other locking means, as is known per se, can also be used here. A particularly preferred embodiment, which is also simple in terms of construction, for a detent still consists in the fact that by appropriately designing the cams 28 and the arms 31, 31a, 31b, for example by forming beads in the arm area, in front of and behind a detent position of the cams, a correspondingly designed cam track detent position finds and intervenes in this. This makes additional locking parts unnecessary.

If one only starts from the arrangement, as shown in FIG. 2, in which four contacts are provided, which are formed by four individual single-position tip switch switches 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, then only one embodiment of FIG to specify many possible, hereby at ten different locking positions, distributed over a complete 360 ° rotation angle, for example realizing a BCD code as given below:

The respective switching positions of the key switches 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d specified in this table are achieved by a corresponding distribution of the switching cams 28 over the lower annular disc surface of the actuating disc, it being understood that at the same time, additional switches of the same cams 28 which are not shown in the drawing, can be operated, insofar as this fits into the respective switching program sequence. These additional switches can then be arranged in a corresponding offset angular position, as already mentioned, on the same printed circuit board 20 or on additional printed circuit boards.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention that has been proven in practical operation is shown in FIGS. 4-7 and is explained in more detail below.

In this embodiment, contrary to the illustration in FIG. 2, four key switches are also (only) provided, but these are not offset along a straight line but rather in a circular shape by 90 ° to one another, but are preferably arranged at the same distance from the center point. Such a design has been found to be preferred in practical operation, the cantilevers of the pressure transmission intermediate part not forming tongue projections running in the direction of rotation, but starting from an outer peripheral edge of the intermediate bearing part or base part that is raised in the illustrated embodiment.

The one-piece base part is shown in cross-section in side view in FIG. 4 and in plan view in FIG. 5 and is designated by 40. The base part 40 comprises a central hub 41, a base 42 and a raised outer edge 43 which merges upwards into a distinct, undulating curve shape 44. The elevations and depressions formed by this curve form locking cams, in which one or more radially protruding from the actuating element, for example spring-loaded pressure pins, engage and thus lock and also define the angular position of the rotary switch in each switching position.

The pot-shaped basic shape of the intermediate storage part is also one-piece for the one again met here Formation of the pressure transmission intermediate part is advantageous, which, as can best be seen from the illustration in FIG. 4 with the top view of FIG. 5, in this exemplary embodiment consisting of four inwardly projecting tongues 45, each offset by 90 °, 46, 47 and 48 is or is formed, which run from the upwardly raised edge 43 of the intermediate bearing part 40 in a star shape inwards.

These tongues 45 to 48 are articulated in the transition to the edge, that is in their articulation area at 49, via a film hinge formed by the material of the intermediate bearing or base part itself; this transition joint zone is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5 and also provided with the reference number 49.

In the larger detailed view of FIG. 7 for a better understanding, it can be seen that under each of the four pressure transmission tongues 45, 46, 47, 48 there is a key switch 10ʹ, the plunger 27 of which enables safe, selective, force concentration actuation of each a partially spherical lower projection 50 is applied to each pressure transmission tongue.

The construction of the base part is completed in accordance with FIG. 5 by radial webs 51 connecting the hub 41 to the outer ring edge 43 in a star shape, wherein reinforcing ribs 52 which also extend radially on the bottom can also be provided in order to give the whole a correspondingly stable hold.

In this embodiment, some peculiarities have to be considered; since here too the actuation of each of the key switches 10ʹ located below a pressure transmission tongue 45, 46, 47, 48 can take place in the manner of a BCD code, as already stated above, means are to be provided for each of the switches independently of each other to be able to operate others. It goes without saying that the special embodiment explained below for such an actuation can also relate to other code forms, for example the so-called Aiken code, but moreover the key switches are arranged in a completely different way, as already explained in detail above and can be actuated in their sequence, the number of key switches and the associated tongues or other aids which enable the pressure transmission being also arbitrary.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the actuation again takes place via the lower annular disk surface of the actuating disk 26aʹ of the rotary actuating element 26 shown in FIG. 6, the actuating cams 28ʹ being arranged in four separate, concentric circular paths A, B, C and D on the actuating disk 26aʹ and are distributed. In the assembled state, these actuating cams 28ʹ look down and come into operative connection with respectively assigned, separate counter cams 53, 54, 55, 56, which, opposite the actuating cams 28ʹ of the actuating disk 26aʹ and looking at them, each on one of the pressure transmission tongues 45 , 46, 47 and 48 are located. The arrangement of these counter cams 53, 54, 55, 56 is at a radial distance from the center seen differently as necessary, so that one of the opposing cams can be depressed by the or all actuating cams 28ʹ, which lie on the assigned concentric circular ring of the coding disk of FIG. 6, as this can also be referred to only from these assigned actuation cams.

The shape of the individual counter cams 53, 54, 55, 56 is shown outside the circular structure of FIG. 5, and it can be seen that these counter cams, depending on their radial distance from the center, have a different height, which is shown below with reference to the illustration 7, in which, in the compilation, but only presumably, all counter cams are shown arranged on one of the pressure transmission tongues, namely the tongue 48, so that it can also be seen that they each have a different radial position relative to one another .

Since the pressure transmission tongues 45, 46, 47, 48 are each the same, but the opposing cam on them is approached by an actuating cam from a different radial position corresponding to the different concentric rings A, B, C, D on the actuating disk 26aʹ and also is depressed, it has proven to make sense to make the different counter cams on the different pressure transmission tongues different in height, so that each time the tappet is actuated for each key switch despite different lever arm and different elasticity stress of the different pressure transmission tongues, the same and therefore to achieve safe button pressures and forces. For example, the closer you move the actuating cam 28ʹ on the coding disc to the center, the less force to be applied, but the path / lever arm becomes larger or vice versa - the pressure transmission tongue 48 carrying its counter cam 53 on its outermost inner peripheral edge also has a certain tendency to avoid the switching pressure by the actuating cams due to their elasticity, which can be compensated for by a higher counter-cam.

It goes without saying that the shape and design of the cams, that is to say the counter cams and the actuating cams, is approximately the same; the cams each have a rising surface and a falling surface, as seen in the direction of rotation, so that, as can be seen in the small drawing to the right of the base part in FIG. 5, an actuating cam 28ʺ running on the counter-cam 55 with a front, flattened rising edge 28aʺ strikes a corresponding front, gently rising edge 55a of the counter cam, the counter cam 55 and with it the associated pressure transmission tongue 46 gradually presses in the direction of arrow X during its own movement in the direction of arrow X and the rotary element 26 then experiences its angular locking via the edge catch 44 when the two cams are diametrically opposite and the button switch has responded.

It is also not excluded that, depending on the angular position and the type and number of key switches to be depressed in this area, the friction seen over the angle of rotation varies (slightly) is what could be noticed, for example, when operated manually, even if only slightly. This is the reason why, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, a rather "hard" detent is sought via the edge edge angular detent.

In Fig. 6, the oblique rising and falling flanks of the actuating cams, which are distributed over the circumference of the associated circular ring in accordance with the respectively desired code, are edged, but not colored, while the actual raised cam surface is kept dark. It can therefore also be seen that, depending on the code selected, certain of the key switches 10ʹ are activated over larger angles of rotation, for example are kept switched on, while others are also activated when turning further, others are switched off on other circular rings and immediately.

To reduce the mutual friction influences during cam actuation, it can also be advantageous to replace the cams with rollers so that the sliding friction is converted into a substantially lower roller friction; if it is impractical to design the actuating cams of the coding disk or actuating disk 26aʹ in the form of rollers, then the counter-cams which are used to actuate the respective key switches 10ʹ and whose number is usually smaller can also be designed in a roll form, simply by, for example, small ones Rollers mounted on their own axis form the raised counter or actuating cam, onto which the other cam then slides when the roller rotates.

It is emphasized again that the exemplary embodiments shown are only certain possibilities for arranging the key switches in a circular shape, from which there can be any deviations, depending on the requirements and the type of code selected.

It is also possible to link the respective pressure transmission tongues or surfaces to their holding parts, that is to say in particular the base part, by means of, for example, extruded, resilient, metallic leaf springs. It can also be advantageous, as is also indicated in the small drawings surrounding the representation of FIG. 5, which also show the shapes of the counter-cams as partial sections, the angle of rise of the front and rear inclined surfaces, each seen in the direction of rotation, different for the individual cams to be designed so that the forces to be applied per angle of rotation are as equal as possible due to the different inclines, that is to say the resulting frictional influences are reduced. The illustration in FIG. 4 also shows that, in order to securely anchor the base or intermediate bearing part, locking pins 57 directed downward from this, more precisely from the bottom 42 thereof, can engage, which engage in corresponding counter-bores in the carrier plate supporting the base or intermediate bearing part 24 and a perfect centering, but in particular also to secure against rotation.

Finally, it is possible for certain applications in which the possibility of direct continuation of the electrical contacts of the key switches Is not a priority over a printed circuit board or printed circuit board as a load-bearing component or the electrical connections can also be made in another way, to dispense entirely with the carrier plate and the base part as an independent rotary switch unit with the possibility of storing the rotary actuating element 26 as a unit to train self-supporting component. In this case, the key switches are arranged on the bottom 42 of the intermediate storage part or base part 24, which of course can then itself be designed again with corresponding electrical lines, usually in the form of copper cladding on the opposite side, in order to easily and in appropriate contact connections to the push-button switches to be able to carry out one work step by soldering the tip switch switch legs. This would mean that the carrier plate as printed circuit board and printed circuit board on the one hand and the intermediate storage or base part 24 on the other hand merge and form a common component with both functions.

Another possible application of the multiple switch according to the invention should be pointed out; With continuous rotation, such a multiple switch can also be used with particular advantage as a pulse generator, also for different directions of rotation, because by the running and running of the respective cams relative to one another, the key switches generate output voltages with a pulse-like character with continued rotary movement, with successive pulse trains for different directions of rotation, for example have a phase shift of 90 °. Such a pulse switch is suitable, for example, as an angle encoder.

All features shown in the description, the following claims and the drawing can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another.

Claims (26)

1.Multiple switch, with an actuating element which can be moved by manual or mechanical action to switch over and a predetermined number of switching contacts which are actuated in accordance with the movement, characterized in that on a carrier plate a number of the switching contacts to be actuated corresponding number of known single-pole push-button switches ( 10, 10ʹ, closer 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are directly mounted and arranged adjacent to each other, that seen next to and in the direction of their actuation above the individual tip buttons (plunger 27) the tip key switch (10, 10ʹ, closer 10a, 10b , 10c, 10d) a pressure transmission intermediate part (31; pressure transmission tongues 45, 46, 47, 48) is arranged and that the movable actuating element common to all the pushbuttons has a pressure surface acting (selectively) on the individual pushbuttons, which at according to the switching position of the actuating element reached the jew hast assigned button switch actuated. 2. Multiple switch according to claim 1, characterized in that an intermediate bearing part (base part 24) is provided for mounting the common actuating element, which in a breakthrough (25) of the tip key switch (10, 10ʹ, closer 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d ) supporting plate is fixed and the axis of rotation (26b) of the actuating element (26). 3. Multiple switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier plate for the tip key switch (10, 10ʹ, normally open 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is a printed circuit board (printed circuit board 20) on which the individual tip key switch with their electrical connections for these forming legs are stored in openings or bores (21) and are held by electrical contact-making connection with the respective conductor tracks (soldering). 4. Multiple switch according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the common actuating element carried by the intermediate bearing part (24) with cam-like projections (28) in the region of the pressure transmission intermediate part (31) and arranged below the touch keys (27) of the key switches achieved that, depending on the position reached by the movement of the actuating element (26), predetermined key switches maintain a predetermined switching state until the next movement of the actuating element. 5. Multiple switch according to claim 3 or 4, characterized characterized in that the intermediate bearing part (24) in one piece and widening outwards from the fastening area on the printed circuit board (20), the pressure transmission intermediate part (31, 31) arranged between the individual tip keys (plunger 27) of the tip key switch and the actuating cams (28) of the actuating element. Pressure transmission tongues 45-48) forms. 6. Multiple switch according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the disc-like pressure transmission intermediate part (31) of the intermediate bearing part (base part 24) forms resilient arms (31a, 31b), along which the actuating cams (28) of the actuating element slide as it moves . 7. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the intermediate part (24) forming the base part consists of plastic and is clipped into a central through bore (25) of the printed circuit board (20) and locked in place therewith and that the resilient Booms (31a, 31b) in the disc shape of the intermediate bearing part (31) are produced by forming slots on both sides in the rigid disc (31) of the intermediate bearing part. 8. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the intermediate bearing part in the latching area with the circuit board (20) has a cylindrical basic shape with an inner bore (25) which forms the pivot bearing for the axis of rotation (26b) of the actuating element. 9. Multi-switch according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the actuating element with an overall circular structure of the multi-switch starting from its axis of rotation (26) is screen-shaped with an upper coding or actuating disc (26 a), on the underside of which the respective impression the push buttons (plunger 27) in the respective switching positions causing plunger (28). 10. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that each individual, forming a contact key switch as to the other independent, self-contained and sealed component and formed by its connecting legs in bores (31) of the circuit board (20 ) is held, the connecting legs of each touch key switch passing through to the other side of the circuit board being directly electrically connected on this side to assigned conductor tracks of the circuit board. 11. Multiple switch according to claim 10, characterized in that each independent and self-contained tip key switch forms a spring contact, the bias in the unloaded state determines the off position of the tip key switch, and that the spring contact via a sealing membrane (15) can be actuated by the push button designed as a plunger (27). 12. Multiple switch according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the internal contacts each touch key switch are (hermetically) sealed. 13. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that in any arrangement (line-shaped, star-shaped, in several planes, surrounding an operating disk edge circumference) arranged on the printed circuit board (20), push-button switches (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d ) the axis of the intermediate bearing part by receiving the bore (23) of the circuit board (20) are assigned so that they are located with their touch buttons adjacent to the actuating plunger (28) of the actuating element supported by the intermediate bearing part (24) as a base part. 14. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the spring arm (31a, 31b) extending from the pressure transmission intermediate part (31) of the intermediate bearing part (24) are designed such that they come into contact with the respective switching cams (28th ) of the actuating element (26, 26a) absorb any lateral forces arising and keep them away from the tip buttons (plunger 27) of the tip button switches. 15. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-14, characterized in that between the base part (intermediate bearing part 24) and the actuating element (26, 26a) a responsive in each predetermined angular positions detent is provided. 16. Multiple switch according to claim 15, characterized net that the detent consists of a ball mounted in a transverse bore of the axis of rotation (26) of the actuating element under spring preload, which engages at predetermined angular intervals in recesses (35a) of the base part arranged over the circumference of the bore. 17. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-16, characterized in that for latching in the respective rotary switching positions cam (28) and pressure transmission intermediate part (31) or their resilient arm (31a, 31b) have latching means. 18. Multiple switch according to claim 17, characterized in that the arms (31a, 31b) have beads in front of and behind the respective latching position in the cam movement direction, which the cam (28) overcomes. 19. Multiple switch according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the base part (intermediate bearing part 40) is pot-shaped with an outer, raised edge, from the star-shaped inwardly and articulated pressure transmission tongues (45, 46, 47th , 48), the undersides of which lie above the touch key switches (10, 10ʹ) and the tops of which are acted upon by the transmission cams (28ʹ) of the coding or actuating disk (26aʹ). 20. Multiple switch according to claim 19, characterized in that the raised edge (43) of the base part (intermediate bearing part 40) successively grid teeth (44) forming elevations and depressions has, engage in the resilient locking pins extending from the actuating element. 21. A multiple switch according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the pressure transmission tongues (45, 46, 47, 48) extending from the base of the edge in a star shape are articulated on the edge via film hinges (49). 22. Multiple switch according to one of claims 19-21, characterized in that on the bottom (42) of the base part (40) or the carrier plate (printed circuit board 20) connected thereto, each arranged at an angle of 90 ° to one another four push-button switches (10ʹ) are radially offset below the four pressure transmission tongues (45, 46, 47, 48) emanating from the edge of the base part and that for receiving the switching pressure required for switching the toggle key switches on the side of the pressure transmission tongues facing the actuating cams (28ʹ) Counter cams (53, 54, 55, 56) are arranged. 23. Multiple switch according to claim 22, characterized in that the counter-cams and the actuating cams (28ʹ) arranged on circular rings of the coding disk (26aʹ) in the distribution corresponding to the respectively selected switching code each have inclined run-up and run-off edges. 24. Multiple switch according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the actuating cams (28ʹ) of the coding disk (26aʹ) and / or the counter-cams (53, 54, 55, 56) on the pressure transmission tongues (45, 46, 47, 48) to compensate for different pressure forces and lever arms have different heights, possibly with different angles of inclination of the cam slopes on both sides. 25. Multiple switch according to one of claims 1-24, characterized in that the actuating cams (28ʹ) or the counter cams are formed to reduce friction of rotatably mounted rollers or rollers. 26. Multiple switch according to claim 19-25, characterized in that the base part (40) mounted on the carrier plate has additional centering and holding cams (57) with which it engages in bores in the carrier plate (printed circuit board 20).

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