EP0417048A2 - Electrical switching arrangement with illuminating means - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical switching arrangement (11) has a housing (13) which can be attached to a support (3) and has a key surface (13k) which is accessible from a surrounding space adjacent to the front side (3c) of the support. A piezoelectric transducer (25) is arranged inside (19) the housing. When a person presses the key surface (13k) with a finger, the transducer (25) produces an electrical signal. The housing (13) is provided on its end (13h) with an annular groove (13n) which surrounds the key surface (13k) and is closed by transparent closing means (39), from which at least one light-emitting diode (37), provided in the housing (13) can shine out through the closing means (39) and hence make the key surface (13) visually identifiable even when the surrounding space is dark. The switching arrangement (11) is robust and highly resistant particularly to external applications of force.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical switching device with lamps according to the preamble of claim 1.

The switching device is intended in particular for uses in which the switching device is fastened to a support which is normally plate-shaped at least in the area of the switching device and by pressing in at least approximately an axis parallel to the surrounding space adjacent to the front of the support, even if it is dark - for example at night - should be actuable.

Known electrical switching devices have a plastic housing and an axially displaceably guided plunger, the front end of which forms a push button which can be actuated by finger pressure. The switching devices have illuminants with at least one light-emitting diode attached to the housing or plunger and with a translucent push-button cap covering the front, the front of which forms the push-button surface intended for pressing with a finger. At least one switching contact that can be moved by the plunger is arranged in the interior of the housing guiding the plunger or in a separate housing attached to it. In switching devices of this type, however, large external forces and / or forces acting on the plunger, the translucent push-button cap, the at least one light-emitting diode and other parts required for switching on, off and / or switching can be damaged relatively easily. If such switching devices are used for purposes in which they are accessible to a relatively large group of people and / or large shocks or accelerations or the action of water and steam and / or are subject to other severe stresses, it often happens that the switching devices are damaged by hard stress or improper operation or are deliberately damaged and thereby become completely inoperative.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a switching device which overcomes the disadvantages of the known switching devices and in which the parts required for changing the switching state and the lamps are designed and arranged in such a way that they also withstand heavy loads and a relatively large amount of the ambient space mentioned can withstand the effects of violence exerted on the switching device.

This object is achieved by a switching device which, according to the invention, has the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the switching device emerge from the dependent claims.

With suitable dimensions, a switching device of the type according to the invention is robust and resistant to shocks, accelerations and to external impacts, impacts and other mechanical force and force effects. In addition, the parts which carry electrical voltages and are arranged in the housing of a switching device can easily be sealed liquid-tight or even gas-tight from the environment.

The switching devices according to the invention can therefore be mounted on vehicles of all kinds, for example on the outer wall of railway or tram cars or car or trolleybuses, and can be used to open the doors. Furthermore, the switching devices can also be attached to doors or to movable parts of machines or the like. Furthermore, machines can be used to issue tickets or drinks or solid food or other things be provided with such switching devices. Furthermore, such switching devices can be mounted on the outer walls of buildings at their entrances and can be used to switch on the lighting or at entrances to elevators to get the elevator.

The switching devices according to the invention are also suitable for operation with dust-rich ambient air and can be mounted, for example, on construction machines for civil engineering.

Furthermore, switching devices according to the invention are also advantageous for purposes in which there is a high level of atmospheric humidity in the environment or in which devices provided with switching devices are to be cleanable with water or a steam jet - as is desired, for example, in butchers - or otherwise water or another Liquid can get to the switching devices. The switching devices can also be used, for example, at petrol and diesel oil filling stations or in systems for processing other explosive substances.

The housing is preferably designed in such a way that it can be detachably fastened to a normally plate-shaped carrier with fastening means and is partly located on its front side, so that a person manually - ie with a finger - from the surrounding space adjacent to the front side onto the touch surface can press. In a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, at least the sections of the wall of the housing which are accessible from the above-mentioned surrounding space consist of a metallic material, for example stainless steel or aluminum. Such a partially or completely metallic housing is particularly resistant to impacts, impacts and other large, external mechanical forces and forces. For special cases, for example where one is for installation For safety reasons, an electrically insulating housing is desired in a switching device provided in an overhead line bus, however, the switching device can also be provided with a housing which consists of an electrically insulating, possibly glass fiber-reinforced, plastic.

• die Figur 1 einen Schnitt durch einen plattenartigen Träger und eine mit Schrauben an diesem befestigte, etwas vereinfacht gezeichnete erste Variante einer Schaltvorrich­tung,
• die Figur 2 eine Draufsicht auf die Stirnseite der in der Figur 1 gezeichneten Schaltvorrichtung und
• die Figur 3 einen Schnitt durch einen Träger, an dem eine andere, ein Gehäuse mit einem Aussengewinde aufweisende, teils in Ansicht, teils im Schnitt gezeichnete Schaltvorrichtung befestigt ist,
• die Figur 4 einen Schnitt durch eine Schaltvorrichtung, welche sich durch die Art der Leuchtmittel von den in Figuren 1 bis 3 gezeichneten Schaltvorrichtungen unterscheidet,
• die Figur 5 eine Draufsicht auf die Stirnseite der in Figur 4 gezeichneten Schaltvorrichtung und
• die Figur 6 einen Schnitt durch eine Schaltvorrichtung mit noch anders ausgebildeten Leuchtmitteln.

The subject of the invention will now be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawing shows

• FIG. 1 shows a section through a plate-like carrier and a first variant of a switching device, fastened to it with screws, somewhat simplified drawing,
• 2 shows a plan view of the end face of the switching device shown in FIG. 1 and
• FIG. 3 shows a section through a carrier to which another switching device having a housing with an external thread, partly in view and partly in section, is fastened,
• FIG. 4 shows a section through a switching device which differs from the switching devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by the type of illuminant,
• 5 shows a plan view of the end face of the switching device shown in FIG. 4 and
• 6 shows a section through a switching device with still differently designed lamps.

The electrical device for controlling and / or switching at least one electrically controllable and / or switchable which is shown as a whole in FIG The device has a dimensionally stable support 3, of which at least the visible part is plate-like and namely consists of a flat plate. For example, the carrier can form part of the outer wall of a car or vehicle used for public transport, such as a railway or tram car or a bus. However, the carrier 3 can also belong to the wall of a building or to a control panel or the like. The carrier has a continuous, circular hole 3a and continuous fastening holes 3b distributed around it, which consist, for example, of threaded bores. The carrier 3 has a front side 3c and a rear side 3d. The front 3c adjoins an ambient space accessible to people, while the rear 3d is normally inaccessible, ie during normal use of the device. However, the device to which the carrier 3 belongs should have a cavity on its rear 3d at least in the region of the holes 3a, 3b.

An electrical switching device 11, which is also shown separately in FIG. 2, is arranged on the carrier 3. This has a housing 13 with an axis 15 which is identical to that of the hole 3a. The housing 13 has a wall 13a made, for example, of a metallic material, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The housing 13 has a sleeve-shaped or ring-shaped back part 13b, which is located behind the plane spanned by the front side 3c of the carrier, penetrates the hole 3a and protrudes therefrom on the rear side of the carrier, with a cylindrical outer surface and one in front of the carrier -Front 3c located front part 13c. This has a support section 13d projecting away from the axis 15 beyond the back part 13b, in which the front part 13c rests on the front side 3c of the carrier 3 with a support surface 13e which forms an angle with the axis 15, namely perpendicular to the axis 15. The pad section 13d has a square outline and is provided with four holes 13f, each aligned with one of the holes 3b and partly formed by a cylindrical hole, partly by a conical countersink or extension. The housing 13 is detachably fastened to the carrier 3 with four screws 17, each of which has a conical countersunk head countersunk in the conical countersink of a hole 13f and a threaded part penetrating the holes 3b and screwed to its internal thread.

The holes 3b, 13f and screws 17 together form fastening means for the detachable fastening of the housing 13 to the carrier 3. It should be inserted here that the holes 3b instead of through threaded holes through smooth, cylindrical, i.e. threadless bores formed and the screws 17 could then be fastened with nuts. Furthermore, the holes 13f could have a cylindrical countersink or extension instead of a conical countersink or consist of a stepless cylindrical bore. The screws could then have different heads instead of conical countersunk heads.

The front part 13c furthermore has a conical section 13g tapering forwardly away from the support section 13d. At its end facing away from the back part 13b, this forms the end face 13h of the housing 13, which is generally radial to the axis 15. The end face 13h is provided in its central region with a recess 13i, the flat base of which is perpendicular to the axis 15, the touch surface 13k of the switching device 11 forms. The portion of the wall 13a which is present between the touch surface 13k and the interior 19 of the housing 13 is flat in the idle state, but can be bent a little by an approximately axial pressure with a finger and serves as an actuating wall 13m for actuating the switching device 11. The wall 13a of the Housing 13 is also provided with an annular groove 13n which is open towards the end face 13h, ie opens into it. This has a flat reason and generally cylindrical lateral boundary surfaces, but the section of the annular groove opening into the end face 13h in the axial section shown in FIG. 1 is slightly expanded on at least one side, namely on the outside, and thus forms an extension 13p. The interior 19 of the housing 13 is connected to the annular groove 13n through a through hole 33r. The through hole 13r is straight and consists of a bore which opens partly into the base and partly into the inner lateral boundary surface of the annular groove 13n and thus into the base portion of this or - more precisely - of the interior thereof. The through hole 13r is - starting at its mouth opening into the annular groove - away from the annular groove and the end face 13h backwards to the axis 15 and the interior 19. The inner surface of the wall 13a delimiting the interior 19 of the housing 13 has a flat section which is perpendicular to the axis 15 and forms the inner surface of the actuating wall 13m and a generally cylindrical section which opens into the rear radial end surface of the housing 13. In the vicinity of its end opening into the rear end face of the housing 13, it is provided with an annular locking groove 13s.

A sleeve-shaped insert 21, which forms an inner housing, is fastened in the interior 19 of the metal housing which is open towards the rear of the latter. The insert 21 has a wall 21a made of, for example, opaque plastic, with an at least generally cylindrical jacket 21b and a flat end wall 21c, which bears against the actuating wall 13m of the metallic housing 13. The jacket 21b is slightly elastically deformable and, in the vicinity of its end facing away from the end wall 21c, is provided with an annular latching rib 21d projecting outwards and into the latching groove 13s. The locking groove 13s and the locking rib 21d thus together form the insert 21 with the housing 13 locking means. In addition, at least the forehead wall 21c of the insert 21 is glued to the inner surface of the actuating wall 13m by a thin layer of adhesive. The jacket 21b of the insert 21 is provided with a hole 21e at the mouth of the hole 13r opening into the interior 19. Together with the hole 13r, this forms a passage which connects the interior of the insert 21 with the interior of the annular groove 13n.

A piezolelectric transducer 25 with a disk made of piezoelectric material and electrodes is arranged in the interior of the insert 21, lies with one disk side on the inner surface of the end wall 21c and is glued to it. Furthermore, electronic circuit means 27 are arranged in the insert 21, which have an electrically insulating plastic plate attached to the jacket 21b thereof and at least one electronic component held by the latter and shown schematically as a block. The insert 21 thus forms fastening means for fastening the piezoelectric transducer 25 and the electronic circuit means 27. The opening of the insert 21 at the end of the insert facing away from the end wall 21c is provided with a disk-shaped and / or lid-shaped one, for example made of metal or plastic , completed in any way on the insert attached end member 29. The terminating element is provided with at least one hole in which a strain relief element 31 is arranged, which, for example, has a rubber-elastic body with at least one hole in order to lead at least one bundle of conductors or cables out of the interior of the insert 21 and to relieve tensile stresses.

An annular light-emitting diode holder 35 made of electrically insulating plastic is arranged in the base section of the annular groove 13n. On its side facing away from the base of the annular groove, there are several, namely at least three, preferably at least six and, for example, ten light-emitting diodes uniformly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove 13n 37 attached. The annular groove 13n is closed off between its base section, which contains the light-emitting diodes 37, and its mouth, which opens into the region of the surrounding space adjacent to the end face 13h, by translucent closing means 39. These are thus located - along the path of the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes 37 from the annular groove 13n during their operation - at least in part and namely completely between the light-emitting diodes and the mouth of the annular groove. The light-emitting diodes 37 and the termination means covering them together form the illuminants of the switching device. The closing means 39 consist of at least one ring located at least partially in the ring groove 13n and, for example, of two rings 41, 43, both of which are located completely inside the ring groove. The inner ring 41, which is closer to the light-emitting diodes 37, lies, for example, on the radial shoulder surface which is present at the boundary between the narrower base section of the ring groove 13n and the extension 13p. The outer ring 43, ie further away from the light-emitting diodes, is flat on its side facing away from the bottom of the ring groove 13n and flush with the edges delimiting the mouth of the ring groove 13n on both sides, ie with the surface of the end face 13h into which the ring groove opens. Furthermore, at least the outer ring 43 extends from the two rings over the entire, radially measured width of the ring groove 13n. The outer ring 43 - measured in the axial direction - has a significantly greater thickness than the inner ring 41 and is, for example, at least three times thicker than this and, for example, at least 3 mm thick. The ring-shaped light-emitting diode holder 35 and the two rings 41, 43 and the translucent cover 39 are fastened in the ring groove, for example, by being pressed in and / or latching and / or gluing. The ring 41 located closer to the light-emitting diodes 37 serves as a light diffuser in order to at least partly along the ring groove 13n and for example as evenly as possible over the light generated by the light-emitting diodes during operation and radiated through it to distribute the entire mouth of the ring groove. The inner ring 41 consists, for example, of a translucent plastic, such as acrylic glass or - more precisely - polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate, but could also consist of a mineral glass. The ring 41 can have, for example, in one of its generally radial surfaces, for example at least in its surface facing the light-emitting diodes, a structuring and / or roughening formed by a large number of fine depressions and elevations, for example radial grooves or ribs. Such a surface structuring creates many small refractive surfaces which are inclined towards a radial plane perpendicular to the axis 15 and which deflect and distribute the light impinging on them through refraction and possibly also scattering. Such a surface structuring can be produced, for example, in that the ring 41 is produced by injection molding or pressure-free casting and / or pressing a flowable material with the aid of a shaping tool having a corresponding structuring. However, the inner ring 41 can also consist of a translucent, milky cloudy material which has a matrix in which pigment particles or pores or pigment particles and pores are distributed. The outer ring 43 serves in particular to protect the light-emitting diodes 37 against mechanical influences, is, for example, crystal-clear and transparent and consists, for example, of mineral glass, but could instead be made of an organic glass, such as acrylic glass or polycarbonate, or if it is particularly hard and scratch resistance is desired, be made from a piece of artificial alumina crystal - ie, sapphire or ruby - or other hard crystal.

The electrodes of the converter 25 are connected by conductors, not shown, to the electronic circuit means 27 arranged in the insert 21, which in turn are connected via a conductor bundle or cable 47 having two or more conductors are electrically conductively connected to at least partially electronic circuit means 51 arranged outside the housing 13, for example attached to the carrier 13. The light-emitting diodes 37 are likewise connected to the circuit means 51 in an electrically conductive manner by means of a conductor bundle or cable 49 having two or more conductors. Of course, the conductor bundle or cable 47 is led out of the interior of the insert 21 through the terminating element 29 and the strain relief element 31. The conductor bundle or cable 49 is through the passage formed by the two holes 13r and 21e from the base portion of the annular groove 13n into the interior of the insert 21 and then also through the terminating element 29 and the strain relief element 31 into the rear of the housing 13 adjacent room led out.

The through hole 13r is preferably provided near its upper end with a rubber-elastic plug 59, for example made of soft foam plastic, which presses the bundle of conductors or cables 49 against the hole wall. Otherwise, at least the area of the free interior of the insert 21 containing the electronic circuit means 27 and, for example, also the converter 25, as well as the free interior of the hole 21e and the part of the through hole 13r of the housing 13 extending from this to the plug 59 are included an electrically insulating and sealing plastic casting compound 61 poured out. At least if this extends to the end wall 21c and / or to the transducer 25, it should be elastically deformable and, for example, at least approximately or completely rubber-elastic, so that it enables the transducer 25 to bend when the switching device 11 is actuated. The closing element 29, the strain relief element 31 and above all the casting compound 61 can then at least liquid-tight and for example gas-tight against that area of the interior of the sleeve-shaped insert 21, the hole 21e and the through hole 13r Close off the surrounding space which adjoins the end of the insert 21 facing away from the end wall 21c. Furthermore, the closure means 39 formed by the two rings 41, 33 can also seal the base section of the annular groove 13n containing the light-emitting diodes 37 at least in a liquid-tight and, for example, gas-tight manner against the region of the surrounding space adjacent to its mouth. Such a liquid or preferably even gas-tight closure of the cavities containing the converter 25, the electronic switching means 27 and the light diodes 37 against the entire surrounding area of the switching device 11 is particularly advantageous if the switching device 11 is operated in a humid and / or potentially explosive environment or should be cleanable with water or a steam jet.

If a person presses the tactile surface 13m from the surrounding space adjacent to the front face 3c of the carrier, this pressure force is transmitted to the piezoelectric transducer 25 by deformation of the actuation wall 13m and the end wall 21c. This then generates an electrical signal and feeds it to the electronic circuit means 27 arranged in the interior of the inner housing 21.

The switching means 27 have at least one electronically controllable switching element, for example at least one field-effect transistor, in order to perform the function of a push-button switch in cooperation with the piezoelectric transducer 25. The switching means can, for example, be provided and / or connected with at least two electrical connections which can be switched by the switching element when the switching device is actuated, ie can be connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner or can be electrically separated. The switching means can moreover be designed in such a way that the switching device 11 or, more precisely, its controllable switching element changes the switching state when the switching device 11 is operated manually, ie when a pressure force is applied with a finger the actuating wall 13m and thus exerted on the piezoelectric transducer 25 changes only temporarily and briefly, so that when it is actuated the switching device either temporarily and briefly switches on a voltage applied to its switchable connections or briefly interrupts it and thus delivers a pulse. In this case, the switching device therefore performs a function which corresponds to that of a switch which is referred to as a pushbutton switch or switch in the case of movable switches which have mechanically switchable contacts. Instead of this, the electronic switching means 27 can also be designed in such a way that the switching device changes its switching state when actuated, ie when a compressive force is exerted on the actuating wall and the piezoelectric transducer, until the switching device is actuated the next time. In this case, the switching device therefore performs the function of a switch type which is referred to as a latching switch in switches with mechanically switchable contacts. The electronic switching means can also be designed in such a way that the switching device acts as a pushbutton or latching switch depending on the duration or possibly strength of the pressure force exerted on the actuating wall. In this case, the switching device can, for example, emit only one pulse when tapped briefly and, when pressed for a predetermined minimum period of time, change its switching state permanently, ie until the next press. The switching device can also have three or more switchable connections and, for example, perform the function of a changeover switch or can also be designed as a multiple switch, ie for switching two or more electrically isolated voltages, or as a step switch.

The switching means 27 arranged in the housing can, via the switching means 51 arranged outside the housing 13 and / or directly, for example, at least one electrically switchable and / or controllable device - for example a ` Door opening device or a lighting device - switch on and / or off and / or switch. When the switching device 11 is used, the outer electronic device 51 normally supplies an electrical voltage to at least some of the light-emitting diodes 37, so that these light-emitting diodes light up. If a person is in the surrounding space adjacent to the front of the carrier 3c and the front 13h of the housing and, for example, looks at the switching device 11 approximately parallel to the axis 13, the luminous light-emitting diodes together with the translucent terminating means 39 produce a more or less uniform, light ring enclosing the touch surface 13k. This shows the position of the touch surface even in an otherwise dark surrounding area and makes the touch surface visually recognizable, although the light generated by the LEDs does not reach the touch surface, or at least does not reach it directly.

The light-emitting diodes 37 can all be of identical design and can be supplied with electrical current in such a way that they continuously produce light of the same color regardless of the switching state of the switching device. However, the light-emitting diodes 37 can instead be divided into, for example, at least two different light-emitting diode groups which are designed to generate light of different colors. In the latter case, for example, a green light and a light-emitting diode that produce a red light can alternately follow one another along the annular groove 13n. The switching means 27 and / or 51 can then be designed such that they make two different switching states recognizable by light of different colors. If the switching device is used, for example, to actuate a door opening device, red light can be generated, for example, in the ready state. If a person actuates the switching device by finger pressure and thereby brings it into the switched-on state, this can be made recognizable by the generation of green light. It goes without saying the reverse or any other assignment of switching states and light colors is also possible. Instead of providing different-colored light-emitting diodes for generating different-colored light, the switching device can also be equipped with light-emitting diodes which are all the same, but are designed in such a way that the color of the light they produce is changed by changing the electrical voltage supplied to them, namely changing their polarity, can be changed.

The switching means 27 and / or 51 can also be designed to light up the light-emitting diodes 37 or at least one of them with at least two types of light which have different temporal behavior. One can provide, for example, that light with one color or another is continuously generated in the ready state and in the switched-on state. A possible malfunction - i.e. the occurrence of a malfunction or a possible third switching state can then be indicated, for example, by the switching means 51 causing at least some of the light-emitting diodes to light up intermittently and periodically, so that light flashes or flashes occur. Provision can also be made for only a single, but not every time the same light-emitting diode to be lit briefly for each flashing or flashing light. In this way, for example, a light spot progressing along the ring groove can be generated.

As already mentioned, the one-piece housing 13 and in particular also its front part 13c located in front of the carrier front side 3c is made of metallic material. The screws 17 are preferably also made of metallic material. The part of the switching device 11 which is accessible from the surrounding space adjacent to the front face 3c of the carrier is therefore - with the exception of the ring 43 of the translucent terminating means 39 - made entirely of metallic Material and is accordingly very resistant to mechanical violence. The translucent closure means 39 arranged in the annular groove 13n are also relatively resistant. The at least approximately rubber-elastic casting compound 61 serves - as already described - for sealing and additionally also has a damping effect on shocks and vibrations. The switching device is therefore very robust and in particular largely vandal-proof. Even if the translucent cover 39 and the light-emitting diodes 37 should be destroyed by a great deal of violence from the surrounding area, the parts necessary for changing the switching state of the switching device 11 are still functional.

The electrical device shown in FIG. 3, designated as a whole by 101, also serves to control and / or switch an electrically controllable and / or switchable device. It has an at least partially plate-like carrier 103, which is provided with a through hole 103a, namely a bore. The carrier 103 has a front side 103c and a rear side 103d.

An electrical switching device 111 detachably fastened to the carrier 103 has a one-piece housing 113 with a metallic wall 113a. The housing 113 has an outer surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to its axis 115, a rear part 103b which is located behind the front face 103c of the carrier, penetrates the hole 103a and protrudes from this hole 103a on the rear side 103d of the carrier, and a front part which is located in front of the front side of the carrier 113c. The front part 113c has a support section 113d projecting outwards from the axis 115 beyond the back part 113b, which has a flat support surface 113e on the front side 103c of the carrier 103 which is at least in the vicinity of the hole 103a and which is radial and at right angles to the axis 115 lies on. At least a section of the back section 113b is provided with an external thread 113f. The support section 113d has a cylindrical outer surface. Adjacent to the support section 113d is a conical section 113g that tapers forwardly away from the carrier 103. The end face 113h delimiting this at the free end is provided in the central region with a depression 113i, the flat base of which forms a tactile surface 113k. The section of the wall 113a between this and the interior 119 of the housing 113 forms a deformable actuating wall 113m. The housing 113 also has an annular groove 113n corresponding to the annular groove 13n. From this, an inclined through hole 113r leads into the interior 115. The support surface 113e is provided with an annular groove 113t in the vicinity of the shoulder formed by the back part 113b and the support section 114d.

A nut 117 is screwed onto the external thread 113f of the housing 113 for the releasable fastening of the housing 113 to the carrier 103 and engages directly or via a washer and / or spring washer on the rear side 103d of the carrier 103. A rubber-elastic sealing ring 123 is arranged in the annular groove 113t and seals the connection of the housing 103 to the carrier at least in a liquid-tight and preferably also gas-tight manner.

In the interior 119 of the metallic housing 113, a sleeve-shaped insert 121, which is made of plastic and forms an inner housing, is fastened, the wall of which has a casing 121b and an end wall. The jacket 121b is generally cylindrical, but has a C-shaped or U-shaped indentation 121f, which extends from the mouth at which the through hole 113r opens into the interior 119 to the end of the insert facing away from the actuating wall 113m 121 stretches. The indentation 121f delimits an axial groove 121g on its outside. In the sleeve-shaped insert 121, similar to the insert 21, there are a piezoelectric one Transducer 125 and electronic circuitry 127 attached. The converter 125 and the switching means 127 of the switching device 111 can have the same or similar design as the converter 25 or the switching means 27 of the switching device 11. The sleeve-shaped insert 121 is closed at its end facing away from the actuating wall 113m with a closure element 129, which can be designed similarly to the closure element 29. In the annular groove 113n, as in the annular groove 13n, there is a light-emitting diode holder 135, a ring of light-emitting diodes 137 and translucent termination means 139. The latter are formed by a single ring 141, which consists, for example, of glass-clear plastic and whose radial surface facing the light-emitting diodes 137 is provided with a structuring which serves for light distribution and which can be designed analogously to the surface structuring of the ring 41. The electronic circuit means 127 arranged in the housing 113 are connected to a conductor bundle or cable 147 which, like the conductor bundle or cable 47, is led out of the housing. The light-emitting diodes 137 are connected to a bundle of conductors or cables 149 which are guided out of the housing 113 from the annular groove 113n through the through hole 113r and then through the axial groove 121g of the sleeve-shaped insert 121. It should be noted here that the casing 121b of the sleeve-shaped insert 121 is compact and free of holes and has no hole corresponding to the hole 21f of the casing 21b. In the end portion of the through hole 113r opening into the annular groove 113n, a plug 159 corresponding to the plug 59 is inserted. The interior of the sleeve-shaped insert 121 is filled with a potting compound 161. The channel 121g and the part of the hole 113r extending from it to the plug 159 are filled with a casting compound 163. The originally hollow spaces in the housing 113 of the switching device 111, which contain the converter 125, the electronic switching means 127 and the light-emitting diodes 137, can thus be analogous to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 Switching device 11 must be liquid-tight or even gas-tight against the surrounding space.

Unless otherwise stated above, the switching device 111 can be designed and operated similarly to the switching device 11.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to connect the light-emitting diodes 37, 137 in an electrically conductive manner to the electronic circuit means 27 and 127 present in the interior of the housing 13 and 113, respectively. In the case of the switching device 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is of course readily possible to connect the conductor bundle or cable in the insert 21, which is led from the light-emitting diodes 37 into the sleeve-shaped insert 21, to the switching means 27. In the switching device 111 shown in FIG. 3, the jacket 121b of the sleeve-shaped insert 121 in the vicinity of the cover-shaped end element 129 can be provided with a hole or incision through which the conductor bundle or cable coming from the light-emitting diodes 137 enters the interior of the sleeve-shaped insert 121 can be inserted.

The switching device 211 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a housing 213 with a metallic wall 213a. The housing 213, which is essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis 215, has an outer shape similar to that of the housing 113 and can be fastened to a carrier analogously to this. The housing 213 in particular also has a back part 213b and a front part 213c. The latter has a bearing surface 213e intended to rest on the support (not shown) and the back part 213b has an external thread 213f for screwing on a nut (not shown). The front part 213c has an end face 213h which is designed similarly to the end faces 13h and 113h and has a depression 213i, in which the touch surface 213k and the actuation are located wall 213m. The annular groove 213n opening into the end face 213h differs from the annular grooves 13n, 113n in that it has no extension at its mouth and is therefore delimited on both sides by stepless cylindrical surfaces. The annular groove 213n is connected to the interior 219 of the housing 213 by some, namely at least three and, for example, four or more through holes 213r distributed along its circumference. The through holes are straight and consist of bores which are inclined from the base section of the annular groove 213n to the side facing away from its mouth towards the axis 215 and the interior 219. The nut-side openings of the through holes 213r, for example, completely open into the flat, radial base surface of the annular groove 213n. Otherwise, the inner surface of the housing 213 can also be provided with a locking groove 213s corresponding to the locking groove 13s.

In the interior 219, a sleeve-shaped insert 221 is fastened, the wall 221a of which, like that of the insert 21, has a cylindrical jacket 221b and a flat end wall 221c, on which the inner surface of the housing 213 bears, by at least one catch engaging in the catch groove 213s Rib 221d latched to housing 213 and possibly additionally glued to it. The insert 221 differs from the insert 21 in particular in that its wall 221a is translucent and preferably crystal-clear and that its jacket 221b is compact, i.e. is hole-free and, in particular, has no holes in the openings in which the through holes 213r open into the housing interior 219. The insert 221 is made of plastic, for example of acrylic glass or polycarbonate.

A piezoelectric transducer 225, electronic circuit means 227 and light distribution means are fastened in the sleeve-shaped insert 221 with a light distributor 235. The end of the sleeve-shaped insert 221 facing away from the transducer 225 is joined by a disk-shaped end element 229 a strain relief element 231 completed. The light distributor 235 consists of a translucent, preferably crystal-clear, for example made of plastic, one-piece, disc-shaped body with a cylindrical peripheral surface. At the mouths at which the through holes 213r open into the interior 219, this lies against the inner surface of the jacket 221b. The body forming the light distributor 235 thus has a circumferential surface section facing its mouth for each through hole 213r. A light-emitting diode 237 is held in a hole or cavity of the light distributor, for example on axis 215.

Translucent closure means 239 have a ring 241 which completely fills the annular groove, and projections 241a which are connected to the ring groove and which are connected to it, that is to say they form an integral body with the ring 241, each of which fills one of the through holes 213r. The ring 241 and the extensions 241a consist of a material with a translucent matrix consisting of plastic, such as acrylic glass or polycarbonate, and pigment particles and / or pores distributed therein. Accordingly, the entire closure means 39 and in particular their ring act as a light diffuser. The material used to form the ring and the extensions is introduced into the annular groove 213n and the through holes 213r in the heated, flowable state during the manufacture of the switching device 211 by injection molding or by pressureless casting. Like the rings 43 and 141 of the switching devices 11 and 111, the ring 241 is preferably flush with the surface of the housing 213 which is present on the end face 213h and into which the annular groove 213r opens. When the ring 241 is injection molded or cast, however, its end face can possibly become a little uneven, so that the ring 241 may not be exact, but is still approximately flush with the surface of the wall 213a of the housing 213 into which the ring groove is located flows.

The electronic components of the circuit means 227 are distributed, for example, on two circuit boards 255, 257, of which the circuit board 255 is located between the converter 225 and the light distributor 235 and the circuit board 257 on the side of the light distributor 235 facing away from the converter 225. The converter 225 is connected to the circuit board 255 by two electrical connections 253, which in turn is connected to the circuit board 257 by conductors (not shown). This and the light-emitting diode 237 are connected to a bundle of conductors or cables 247 which are led out of the sleeve-shaped insert 221 and the housing 213 via the strain relief element 231. The converter 25 and the electronic circuit means 27 are cast with an at least approximately rubber-elastic casting compound 261, which seals these parts 25, 27 and also the light-emitting diodes 237 in a liquid-tight and even gas-tight manner from the environment.

The light emitting diode 237 is arranged such that it can radiate light through the light distributor 235 and the jacket 221a of the sleeve-shaped insert 221 into the different through holes 213r. The light distributor 235 can have a certain light-guiding effect. At least part of the light radiated by the light-emitting diode 237 into the through holes 213r passes through the extensions 213r, which act more or less as light guides, into the annular groove 213n and is finally emitted out of the annular groove at the end face 213h of the housing 213. The ring 241 thus closes the ring groove 213n along the path of the light generated by the light emitting diode 237 and emitted on the end face 213h from the ring groove 213n between the light emitting diode 237 and the ring groove mouth, preferably in a liquid-tight and even gas-tight manner.

The light-emitting diode 237 installed in the interior 219 of the housing 213 and inside the sleeve-shaped insert 221 is of course very well protected against external violence. Furthermore, since a single light-emitting diode 237 can be used to produce a light ring which encloses the tactile surface 113k in an axial top view, with a more or less uniform light intensity, the switching device 211 can also be produced particularly inexpensively.

It should be noted that the number of through holes 213r varies and more than one light-emitting diode can also be provided. However, the number of through holes is preferably greater than the number of light-emitting diodes, with, for example, at least three through-holes and at most two light-emitting diodes.

The switching device 211 has otherwise - i.e. unless previously stated otherwise - properties similar to switching devices 11 and 111.

The switching device 311 shown in FIG. 6 has a housing 313, which has a metallic wall 313a, a back part 313b, a front part 313c, a support surface 313e, a side side 313h, a depression 313i, a touch surface 313k, an actuating wall 313m, an annular groove 313n , Through holes 313r, has a latching groove 313s and is essentially rotationally symmetrical about an axis 315. The parts of the housing 313 mentioned are largely similar to the corresponding parts of the housing 213 with 100 smaller reference numbers, but for example the dimensions of the annular groove 313n and / or the through holes 313r and / or the locations of their mouths are slightly different than in the case of the housing 213. In the interior 319 of the housing 313, a sleeve-shaped insert 321 is fastened, which has a wall 321a bearing against the inner surface of the housing 313 with a cylindrical jacket 321b, an end wall 321c and a locking rib 321d. The insert 321 differs from the insert 221 in that it has a hole 321e at each point at which a through hole 313r opens into the interior 319 and an axial groove 321g running on the outside of the casing against the end wall 321c thereof. Furthermore, the insert 321 is not made of transparent, but of an opaque plastic.

A piezoelectric transducer 325 and electronic circuit means 327 are fastened in the sleeve-shaped insert 321. The insert 321 is closed at its end facing away from the end wall 321c by a termination element 329 which has a strain relief element 331. The converter 325 is connected by electrical connections 353 to a circuit board 355 of the electronic circuit means 227. Light distribution means have a light distributor 335, which consists, for example, of an opaque plastic body and is fastened, for example, to the circuit board 355, which holds two light-emitting diodes 337 arranged in its interior and one end of flexible light guides 345 such that the end of each light guide 345 corresponds to the lighting area of one facing the light emitting diodes. A light guide 345 is provided for each of the at least three and, for example, four or more through holes 313r. Each light guide 345 has a bundle of glass fibers and a sheath enveloping it, which preferably consists of a plastic which can be fused to the plastic of the sleeve-shaped insert 321 and, for example, of the same plastic as the insert 321. Each light guide 345 penetrates through one of the holes 321e and one of the through holes 313r and projects into the annular groove 313n with its end facing away from the light distributor 335. The light guides at the holes 321e are tightly connected to the jacket 321b of the sleeve-shaped insert 321 and can be cast, for example, during its manufacture by injection molding or casting, from the material which is in a flowable state and serves to form the insert, ie synthetic resin. Otherwise, they can be outside the jacket 321b parts of the flexible light guide 345 are inserted into one of the grooves 321g before the insert 321 is inserted into the housing 313. If the insert 321 with the light guide parts located in the grooves 321g for assembling the switching device 311 is then pushed into the interior 319 of the housing 313, the said light guide parts can be bent out of the grooves 321g and into when they reach the through holes 313r slide the through holes 313r. After the insertion of the light guides 345 into the ring groove 313n, a light-permeable material can be introduced into the ring groove 313n and the areas of the through holes 313r that are not occupied by the light guides by pressure-free casting or injection molding. After solidification, this material forms sealing means 339, namely a ring 341 and projections 341a connected to it, and, like the material forming the sealing means 239, can have, for example, a matrix of plastic and pigment particles and / or pores distributed in this matrix. The material forming the closing means 339 can still flow into the grooves 321g when introduced into the annular groove 313n and possibly also fill them. The electronic circuit means 327 and the light-emitting diodes are connected to a conductor bundle or cable 347 which is led out of the housing 313 through the strain relief element 331. The free area of the interior of the sleeve-shaped insert 321, which contains the converter 325, the electronic circuit means 327 and the light-emitting diodes 337, is filled with a casting compound 361.

The two light-emitting diodes 337 can be designed, for example, to generate light of the same color or else to produce light having two different colors. In the latter case, the one switching state of the switching device and the switching state of the switching device in the other device the other light-emitting diode is brought to light.

Unless stated otherwise, the switching device 311 has similar properties to the switching devices 11, 111, 211 described above.

The devices used to control and / or switch at least one electrical device and their switching devices can be changed in other ways. First of all, it should be noted that, of course, more than one switching device can also be attached to a carrier. Furthermore, the shapes of the housings and the fastening means used for their detachable fastening to supports can be changed in various ways. In particular, features of the different switching devices shown can also be combined with one another to form a new switching device.

Furthermore, in the switching device 11 shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the through-hole 13r, at least one other similar through-hole, but arranged at a different circumferential location of the annular groove 13n, can be provided. In this case, the conductors used to connect the light-emitting diodes can then be divided into two or more conductor bundles or cables, and the latter can be guided from the annular groove into the interior of the housing through various through holes. Furthermore, in the form of the switching devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, more than ten, for example 24 or even more, light-emitting diodes can be provided around the touch surface. Otherwise, a connection of each light-emitting diode can possibly connect to the metallic, electrically conductive housing and be connected to electronic circuit means via this.

Furthermore, the electronic switching means used to control the light-emitting diodes can be arranged at least in part or completely analogously to the switching means 27 or 127 or 227 or 327 in the interior of the housing of the relevant switching device.

If the translucent, closing the ring groove closing means according to Figure 1 have a serving as a light diffuser ring 41 and a crystal-clear ring 43, a third, thin, translucent ring can be arranged between these two rings, for example, a label and / or has any symbols that are illuminated during operation. The switching devices shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 could, for example, be changed in such a way that the through holes 213r or 313r are filled with a crystal-clear material and that only a material having pigment particles or pores and causing a light distribution is introduced into the annular groove 213n or 313n becomes. Furthermore, for example, a material containing pigment particles or pores can only be introduced into the basic sections of the ring grooves 213r or 313r, a ring with lettering and / or other symbols can be arranged above it, and a material can be poured in above this ring, which after solidification results in a crystal clear ring. However, it is also possible to dispense with a light diffuser and to make the translucent cover completely clear and transparent.

It is possible, instead of the ring grooves 13n, 113n, 213n, 313n, to provide a number of holes which open into the end face of the relevant housing and are distributed around the sensing surface of the switching device in question, which together form to a certain extent a ring surrounding the sensing surface. Each of these holes can then be a light emitting diode, for example exhibit. However, there is also the possibility of designing the holes mentioned as through holes which run from the end face of the housing in question into its interior. In the latter, at least one light-emitting diode can then be arranged analogously to FIGS. 4 and 6 in such a way that it can radiate light through the holes and out of the housing at the end face thereof. Each hole is then closed along the light path between the at least one light-emitting diode and the mouth of the hole in question, which opens into the end face of the housing, with translucent closure means, which have, for example, a plug which is inserted into the hole in the finished state and fastened therein or is poured into the hole as a flowable material.

Claims (10)

1. Electrical switching device with a wall (13a, 113a, 213a, 313a) and an interior space (19, 119, 219, 319) delimited by it and intended for attachment to a carrier (3, 103) , 213, 313), a button (13k, 113k, 213k, 313k) intended for pressing and illuminants for visual identification of the button (13k, 113k, 213k, 313k), characterized in that the button (13k, 113k, 213k, 313k) is formed by an actuating wall (13m, 113m, 213m, 313m) belonging to the wall (13a, 113a, 213a, 313a) such that a piezoelectric transducer (25, 225) in the interior (19, 119, 219) of the housing (13, 113, 213, 313) is arranged so that when it is pressed onto the actuating wall (13m, 113m, 213m, 313m) it can generate an electrical signal that the housing (13, 113, 213, 313) forms the actuating wall (13m, 113m, 213m, 313m) in a plan view of this annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n) or around the loading Holes distributed around the wall of the actuation wall, that the illuminants have at least one light-emitting diode (37, 137 , 237) and arranged in the annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n) or the holes, these along the path of light between the or each light-emitting diode (37, 137, 237, 337) and the mouth of the annular groove (13n , 113n, 213n, 313n) or the holes closing, translucent closure means (39, 139, 239, 339). 2. Switching device according to claim 1, that the closing means (39, 139, 239, 339) close the annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n) or holes liquid-tight and, for example, gas-tight and preferably at least approximately or exactly flush with that surface of the wall (13a, 113a, 213a, 313a) into which the annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n) opens or the holes open, this surface enclosing, for example, a depression (13i, 113i, 213i, 313i) forming the touch surface (13k, 113k, 213k, 313k). 3. Switching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing means (39, 139, 239, 339) arranged in the annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n) have a ring (41, 141, 241, 341), which is designed as a light diffuser in order to distribute the light penetrating it at least partially along the annular groove (13n, 113n, 213n, 313n), and for example a surface with a structure and / or roughening and / or for example a translucent one Matrix and in this distributed pigment particles and / or pores. 4. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that several, for example at least three light-emitting diodes (37, 137) are arranged in the annular groove (13n, 113n) and are distributed along this groove, that the wall (13a, 113a) has a through hole (13r, 113n) opening out into the annular groove (13n, 113n) and that electrical conductors (49, 149) connected to the light-emitting diodes (37) are led out of the annular groove (13n, 113n) through the through hole (13r, 113r) , wherein the through hole (13r, 113r) preferably opens into the interior (19, 119) of the housing (13, 113) and is preferably closed with a sealing compound (61, 163), the interior (29, 299) preferably being a sleeve-shaped one , a sheath (21b, 121b), the insert (21, 121) and electronic circuit means (27, 127) containing the insert (21, 121) and the conductors (49, 149) is fastened, for example, through a hole (21e ) of the jacket (21b) into the insert (21) or through a on the outside of the jacket (121b), existing channel (121g) are led out of the interior (119). 5. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the annular groove (213n, 313n) through through holes distributed along it (213r, 313r) is connected to the housing interior (219, 319) and that the or each light-emitting diode (237, 337) is arranged in the interior of the housing (219, 319) in such a way that light generated by it can pass through the through-holes (213r, 313r) into the annular groove (213n, 313n), the through-holes (213r 313r) are preferably inclined away from the annular groove (213n, 313n) towards the interior (219, 319). 6. Switching device according to claim 5, characterized in that the number of through holes (213r, 313r) is greater than the number of light-emitting diodes (237, 337) and that the or each light-emitting diode (237, 337) is arranged such that their generated light can pass through different through holes (213r, 313r) into the annular groove (213n, 313n), for example at least three through holes (213r, 313r) and at most two light emitting diodes (237, 337). 7. Switching device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a light distributor (235) is arranged in the interior (219), which has a translucent body with peripheral surface sections facing the openings in the interior (219) of the through holes (213r) are that the or each light-emitting diode (237) is arranged inside the light distributor (235) and that the ring (241) is connected to the translucent extensions (241b) filling the through holes (213r), whereby in the interior (219) Example, a sleeve-shaped insert (221) containing the piezoelectric transducer (225), electronic circuit means (227) and the light distributor (235) is fastened with a translucent jacket (221a) lying against the inner surface of the opaque housing wall (213a), on the inner surface of the light distributor (235), and wherein the Ring (241) and the extensions (241a) are preferably formed together by a one-piece body made of castable or injection-moldable plastic. 8. Switching device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the or each light-emitting diode (337) optically through the through holes (313r) penetrating light guide (345) with the termination means (339) is connected, wherein the light guide (345) for example are flexible and wherein in the interior (319) preferably a sleeve-shaped insert (321b) having the converter (325), electronic circuit means (327) and the or each light-emitting diode (337) is attached and preferably and each light guide (345) runs through a hole (321e) which penetrates the insert jacket (321b) and is, for example, liquid- or even gas-tight. 9. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (13, 113, 213, 313) is releasably attached to a front (3c, 103c), for example plate-shaped carrier (3, 103), that the touch surface (13k, 113k, 213k, 313k) can be pressed manually from the surrounding space adjacent to the front of the carrier, characterized in that the actuating wall (13m, 113m, 213m, 313m) as well as at least all others, on the carrier (3, 103) attached housing (13, 113, 213, 313) sections of the wall (13a, 113a, 213a, 313a) accessible from the above-mentioned surrounding space are made of metallic material. 10. Switching device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that electrically connected to the piezoelectric transducer (25, 125, 225, 325) and the at least one light-emitting diode (37, 137, 237, 337), electronic circuit means (27, 51, 127, 227, 327) are present and designed to surround the at least one light-emitting diode (37, 237, 337) depending on the switching state of the switching device (11, 111, 211, 311) to light up in different ways and, for example, to make a ready state and a switch-on state recognizable by different light colors, the or at least one light-emitting diode (37, 237, 337) being formed, for example in order to generate light having different colors depending on the polarity of the electrical voltage applied to them, and / or wherein, for example, different light-emitting diodes (37, 137, 337) designed to produce differently colored light are present and / or wherein, for example the switching means (27, 51, 127, 227, 327) are designed to light up the at least one light-emitting diode (37, 137, 237, 337) in at least two types of light with different temporal behavior, such as continuously or intermittently.

Images