EP0405079B1 - Kontaktmembrane für Tastschalter - Google Patents

Kontaktmembrane für Tastschalter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0405079B1
EP0405079B1 EP90107215A EP90107215A EP0405079B1 EP 0405079 B1 EP0405079 B1 EP 0405079B1 EP 90107215 A EP90107215 A EP 90107215A EP 90107215 A EP90107215 A EP 90107215A EP 0405079 B1 EP0405079 B1 EP 0405079B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
longitudinal web
central longitudinal
contact
switching element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90107215A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0405079A3 (en
EP0405079A2 (de
Inventor
Hansjörg Portmann
Mikael Torma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
Original Assignee
Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG filed Critical Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
Publication of EP0405079A2 publication Critical patent/EP0405079A2/de
Publication of EP0405079A3 publication Critical patent/EP0405079A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0405079B1 publication Critical patent/EP0405079B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/04—Cases; Covers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/36—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs
    • H01H13/38—Single blade moved across dead-centre position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a contact membrane for a switching element of a push-button switch according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a switching element according to the preamble of claim 10.
  • the contact membrane for the switching element of a push button switch is known.
  • the contact membrane consists of a rectangular frame, which is connected to a central, diametrical longitudinal web or made in one piece.
  • the longitudinal parts are provided with two folded edges.
  • the curved intermediate piece lying in between is shaped into a cone shell so that they form two support points. With these, they are in the installed state on contacts fixed to the housing. This deformation shortens the longitudinal parts compared to the central longitudinal web, so that it is under compressive stress and bulges upwards; the longitudinal parts in turn are under appropriate tension.
  • each longitudinal part of the rectangular frame is shortened in its longitudinal center by a V- or ⁇ -shaped upwardly curved bead, whereby the central longitudinal web is arched upwards with elastic deformation.
  • each outer corner of the rectangular frame is provided with a mandrel which is bent downwards at right angles to the frame parts and is intended to be anchored in the bottom of the switching element and thereby to hold the contact membrane with its four corners on the bottom of the switching element.
  • This gives the contact membrane which is firmly connected to a connection contact tab, the pretension which enables it to spring back into the rest position.
  • a flat or slightly curved contact element is also arranged below the central longitudinal web of the rectangular frame, which serves as the second electrical connection element of the switching element.
  • the contact membrane is attached to the bottom of the switching element in such a way that the central longitudinal web concavely bulges the bottom of the switching element and completely assumes its rest or first jumping position and is therefore stable.
  • the central longitudinal web By exerting pressure on the central longitudinal web of the frame by means of a displaceably mounted button housed in a switch housing fastened to the switching element, the central longitudinal web can be pressed in the direction of the bottom of the switching element via its dead center, so that the longitudinal web strives, its other, the floor take the neighboring jump position.
  • this second jump position of the longitudinal web is not fully reached, that is, it is not stable because the longitudinal web comes to lie on the contact element of the floor before it reaches its end position, as a result of which a conductive connection is established between the connection elements.
  • the button When the button is released, the longitudinal web therefore jumps back to its first, upper jump position, in which the central longitudinal web of the frame is distanced from the contact element on the bottom of the switching element and is therefore electrically isolated.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a contact membrane of the type mentioned, which is mechanically little stressed when it is actuated and conveys a pronounced switching sensation, that is to say in which, for reliable contact, a greater force is only applied over a short distance of the entire switching path central longitudinal web of the frame of the contact membrane must be exercised.
  • the contact membrane according to the invention has the features stated in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a switching element with a contact membrane according to claim 1.
  • the switching element according to the invention is defined in claim 10.
  • a switch housing with a switch button can be placed on the switching element according to the invention in a simple manner, the arrangement of the switch button in the switch housing not being able to influence the switching characteristic of the switching element, and in particular not disadvantageously, since the actuating mechanism of the contact membrane is included in the switching element.
  • the present contact membrane consists of a stamped sheet metal, one-piece frame 1, 1 ', which has two longitudinal parts 2, two transverse parts 3 and a central longitudinal web 4. Furthermore, the two longitudinal parts 2 are provided in the longitudinal direction in the center, each with a laterally outer, with the frame 1, 1 'connected and integrally manufactured fastening tab 5 in the form of an eyelet. Adjacent to the fastening tab 5, the longitudinal parts 2 are provided with beads 6 and 6 '(FIGS. 1 to 3), which are explained in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. From Fig.
  • the frame 1, 1 ' is rounded in its inner and outer corner regions, and that the central longitudinal web 4 is stiffened in its central region by a greater width (or a greater thickness) than in its end regions, in which the longitudinal web 4 merges into the transverse parts 3 .
  • the forces resulting therefrom by pressing down the central longitudinal web 4 are kept within narrow limits in terms of size and direction and are introduced into the transverse parts 3.
  • the two to the flat bottom of the beads 6, 6 'coplanar mounting tab 5 of the frame 1, 1' form a support point 8 on a wall part, for example a floor, a switching element. They can also be used for attachment to the wall part by riveting, soldering or the like. 2 and 3, this wall part is indicated and designated 7. At least one of the fastening tabs 5 also serves as a fixed electrical connection element of the frame 1, 1 '.
  • the beads 6 and 6 'of the longitudinal parts 2 indicated on both sides of the fastening tabs 5 in FIG. 1 are formed according to FIGS. 2 and 3 as bends with two rounded bending edges.
  • the convex shape of the frame 1, 1 '(including the beads 6, 6') with respect to the support point 8 or the straight or concave shape of the central longitudinal web 4 can preferably be achieved by a predominantly plastic shaping such as punching, rolling, pressing, deep-drawing , Injection molding or die casting can be achieved.
  • the preferred goal is for the contact membrane to have as little internal stress as possible in its rest position.
  • the frame 1 is designed with the beads 6 in such a way that the longitudinal parts 2 lie in a plane approximately parallel to the support point 8 or the fastening tabs 5 and have an approximately flat and convex (upward) curve at the ends to have.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 between the transverse parts 3 is bulged relatively strongly upwards relative to the longitudinal parts 2.
  • the frame 1 'with the beads 6' is designed such that the central longitudinal web 4 is only slightly curved upwards, that is, approximately flat or parallel to the mounting tab 5.
  • the longitudinal webs 2 are relatively strongly bent away from the beads 6 upward toward the ends of the central longitudinal web 4.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 can now be exerted by exerting a force P acting vertically on it in its longitudinal center, with elastic deformation of all frame parts be pressed over a dead center, after overcoming the central longitudinal web 4 assumes a second jumping position.
  • the second jump position is unstable if the shape of the frame 1, 1 'and the central longitudinal web 4 in the first jump position is caused by a largely permanent shape.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 thus performs a tactile movement.
  • this tactile movement is used to effect an electrical tactile contact in such a way that a fixed contact element, not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is arranged on the wall part 7 of the switching element below the central region of the longitudinal web 4 which momentarily closes and keeps the circuit with the connecting elements of the eyelets 5 while the force P is being applied (tapping).
  • the contact membrane according to the invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 has the advantages that it lies loosely on a wall part of the switching element or can also be attached at only one or two points (fastening tab 5) and that when pushing through the central longitudinal web 4, the mechanical stress on all frame parts is considerably smaller, because the outer frame regions, including the transverse parts 3 of the frame 1, 1 ', can yield to the stress in the direction of all three spatial axes. Above all, however, the contact membrane according to the invention becomes a cheaper one Switching or keying characteristics achieved, which is explained below with reference to FIG. 4.
  • the force P required to actuate the contact membrane built into a switching element housing is given in approximate curves as a function of the path length L of the central longitudinal web, specifically by curve I for the known one fastened in all four corners of the frame Contact membrane, through curve II for the inventive contact membrane according to FIGS. 1 and 2, and through curve III for the inventive contact membrane according to FIGS. 1 and 3. From this, the following can be seen:
  • the force P to be initially applied from the starting position A is low and only increases with an increasing path length L to an approximately equally large maximum value in the dead center position B.
  • the force P then drops steeply to a low value up to the contact position C.
  • This contact membrane can thus be operated reliably by tapping it much more easily, that is, it conveys a much more favorable tactile sensation.
  • FIGS. 5 to 10 An embodiment of a circuit element according to the invention containing the contact membrane according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 10.
  • the switching element 11 shown is composed of a pot-shaped base part 12 with a base 13 and a collar 14, from the contact membrane attached to the base 12 in the form of the frame 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3, from a movable in the base part 12 and on the central longitudinal web 4 of the frame 1 adjacent plate 15, which is provided with projecting retaining cams 16 for an actuating element, not shown, and from a retaining flange 17 connected to the collar 14 of the base part 12 for the movable plate 15.
  • the frame 1 On the inside of the bottom 13 of the base part 12, the frame 1 is held on its fastening tabs 5 (FIG.
  • buttons 18 and the contact member 19 are connected to band-shaped conductors 20 and 21 embedded in the base 13, which are guided to the outside of the base part 12. 7 and 10, the conductors 20, 21 can be bent at right angles on the outside of the base part 12, for example, to be dashed when the switching element 11 is mounted on one in FIG. 7 shown carrier plate 22, for example a printed circuit board, to penetrate holes 23 of the carrier plate 22.
  • each corner of the base 13 and the collar 14 of the base part 12 there is also a channel 24 which is perpendicular to the base 13 and which carries out the connecting conductors 25 of a display device 26 or 27 (FIGS. 8 to 10) inserted between the holding cams 16, for example a light emitting diode.
  • a display device 26 or 27 FIGS. 8 to 10
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 a first embodiment of such a display device 26 and in FIGS. 9 and 10
  • a second embodiment of a display device 27 of different shape and dimensions are indicated or shown in broken lines.
  • Diametrical projections 28 of the displaceable plate 15 serve to guide the plate 15 in the base part 12, for which purpose the collar 14 is provided with corresponding diametrical grooves 29 (FIG. 10). Furthermore, the holding cams 16 are provided with radially extending end plates 30 (FIGS. 7 and 10) in order to fix the position of the actuating element to be attached.
  • the switching element 11 shown with the contact membrane 1 according to the invention is compact and versatile. It only has to be supplemented by an actuating element of any configuration that can be placed on the holding cams 16.
  • the contact element can consist of spring steel or another electrically conductive and resilient material.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
EP90107215A 1989-06-30 1990-04-14 Kontaktmembrane für Tastschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0405079B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH2442/89 1989-06-30
CH2442/89A CH678240A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1989-06-30 1989-06-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0405079A2 EP0405079A2 (de) 1991-01-02
EP0405079A3 EP0405079A3 (en) 1992-06-03
EP0405079B1 true EP0405079B1 (de) 1994-12-28

Family

ID=4233918

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90107215A Expired - Lifetime EP0405079B1 (de) 1989-06-30 1990-04-14 Kontaktmembrane für Tastschalter

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5079394A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0405079B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPH0340320A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) ATE116473T1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH678240A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE59008109D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG100707A1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2003-12-26 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag Control device with a snap function and watch fitted therewith

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5671841A (en) * 1995-08-14 1997-09-30 Calculagraph Co. Method and apparatus for switching mechanism
JPH10289631A (ja) * 1997-04-14 1998-10-27 Alps Electric Co Ltd 押釦スイッチ
JP4000715B2 (ja) * 1999-04-23 2007-10-31 松下電工株式会社 同軸リレー
US6140596A (en) * 2000-01-04 2000-10-31 Shin Jiuh Corporation Tact switch
JP4088577B2 (ja) * 2003-10-16 2008-05-21 ホシデン株式会社 プッシュオンスイッチ用可動接点およびプッシュオンスイッチ
JP2005253856A (ja) * 2004-03-15 2005-09-22 Izumi Products Co 往復式電気かみそりの内刃製造方法
FR2888395B1 (fr) * 2005-07-07 2014-02-28 Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc Commutateur electrique miniaturise du type normalement ferme
JP4850808B2 (ja) * 2007-10-24 2012-01-11 日本開閉器工業株式会社 表示装置付き押ボタンスイッチ
USD607851S1 (en) * 2008-03-27 2010-01-12 Omron Corporation Member pressing switch contact

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB696816A (en) * 1950-06-09 1953-09-09 Ashley Accessories Ltd Improvements in or relating to snap-action electric switches
CH438674A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1974-03-29 1975-10-31
US4385218A (en) * 1981-04-21 1983-05-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electric switch
JPS5923119U (ja) * 1982-08-03 1984-02-13 アルプス電気株式会社 押釦スイツチ
DE3241159C2 (de) * 1982-11-08 1986-10-02 Fa. Georg Schlegel, 7941 Duermentingen Befehlstaster zum Einbau in eine Schalttafel oder dergleichen
DE3335275A1 (de) * 1982-11-08 1985-04-18 Schlegel Georg Fa Befehlstaster zum einbau in eine schalttafel oder dergleichen

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SG100707A1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2003-12-26 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag Control device with a snap function and watch fitted therewith

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0405079A3 (en) 1992-06-03
ATE116473T1 (de) 1995-01-15
DE59008109D1 (de) 1995-02-09
CH678240A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1991-08-15
JPH0340320A (ja) 1991-02-21
US5079394A (en) 1992-01-07
EP0405079A2 (de) 1991-01-02

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