EP0618603B1 - Mikroschalter - Google Patents

Mikroschalter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0618603B1
EP0618603B1 EP94104208A EP94104208A EP0618603B1 EP 0618603 B1 EP0618603 B1 EP 0618603B1 EP 94104208 A EP94104208 A EP 94104208A EP 94104208 A EP94104208 A EP 94104208A EP 0618603 B1 EP0618603 B1 EP 0618603B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
switching
switching plunger
housing
contact bridge
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
EP94104208A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0618603A1 (de
Inventor
Wolfgang Mayer
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.)
Schaltbau GmbH
Original Assignee
Schaltbau GmbH
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 Schaltbau GmbH filed Critical Schaltbau GmbH
Publication of EP0618603A1 publication Critical patent/EP0618603A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0618603B1 publication Critical patent/EP0618603B1/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
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/001—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S200/00—Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
    • Y10S200/42—Contact welding considerations

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a microswitch with a housing, with an offset to the center of the housing, from the housing protruding switching plunger, with connection contacts that are electrically connected to fixed contacts located inside the housing and with a via the switching plunger from a first Contact bridge which can be converted into a second switching position and which has at least one switching contact, the contact bridge being held in the first or second switching position by a bistable spring arrangement depending on the plunger position, an arm being assigned to the switching plunger and part of the arm forming a hold-down device, which is arranged at a short distance from the contact bridge in the first switching position of the contact bridge and protrudes into the path covered by the contact bridge in the second switching position.
  • microswitches are used in the industrial sector, in the automotive industry or in communications technology. High demands are placed on these microswitches in terms of operational safety and service life. In order to achieve a long service life, a high switching speed is particularly important so that the contact erosion that occurs during switching due to voltage flashover is reduced. Usually, the movement applied with the switching plunger is too slow to switch the contacts directly. Therefore one uses bistable spring arrangements which generate a significantly higher switching speed and whose switching speed is decoupled from the speed of movement of the switching plunger. The bistable spring arrangement causes the contacts to loosen at a sufficiently high speed to counteract welding during the separation process and increased wear due to creeping. The contacts are also closed at high speed.
  • a microswitch of the type described above is e.g. known from GB-A-21 42 471.
  • the arm is pivotally mounted in a recess on the housing and a recess on the switching plunger. Between the two bearing points, a section of the arm forms the hold-down device, which acts in the case of welding of the contact of the contact bridge with one of the fixed contacts when the switching plunger is pressed down on the contact bridge in such a way that the welding is released.
  • the manufacture and assembly of these microswitches is complex.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a microswitch of the type mentioned with a structurally simple positive opening without changing the size.
  • connection contacts are arranged on the opposite side of the housing of the switching plunger, that the arm is arranged on the switching plunger in the form of a cantilevered cantilever arm and the hold-down device is provided at the free end of the cantilever arm.
  • This solution is simple and, in the case of a welding of two switching contacts, allows these switching contacts to be forced open.
  • the hold-down device is in direct contact with the switching bridge and, by applying force parallel to the direction of movement, causes the weld to tear open.
  • the switching plunger has an extension on the side opposite the cantilever arm, which acts on the contact bridge in the direction of movement of the switching plunger.
  • the distance between the switching contact and the extension is greater and the switching speed is higher, which leads to less contact erosion and a lower tendency to weld the contacts.
  • the switching plunger In order to prevent the switching plunger from tilting and thus blocking the switching plunger in the event of contact welding, it is advantageous to mount the switching plunger in two axial guides which are arranged as far as possible from the center of the switch in the axial direction.
  • the microswitch can be designed to be particularly space-saving if the cantilever is arranged between these guides. This arrangement is also favorable for the introduction of the torque caused by the cantilever arm to the switch.
  • the switching plunger in a rotationally fixed manner in order to prevent the switching plunger or cantilever from jamming in other components in the microswitch, e.g. B. when the switching plunger is subjected to an axial torque or is used in a tilted installation position.
  • the arrangement can be made particularly rigid and non-rotatable if at least one guide has an oval cross-section.
  • the guide of the switching plunger arranged in the interior of the housing has a T-cross section has and the part of the switching plunger guided therein also has a T-cross section.
  • the arrangement can be designed to be very rigid, with high guidance accuracy and non-rotatably.
  • the switching plunger can be moved until the holding-down device presses the contact bridge onto the fixed contact opposite the fixed contact that is in engagement in the starting position.
  • the microswitch can be made particularly compact if the holding-down device and the cantilever arm are made in one piece with the switching plunger.
  • the arrangement can also be made very compact if the bistable spring arrangement has a compression spring which is connected to the contact bridge.
  • the compression spring and the contact bridge in one piece, as a result of which the arrangement can be implemented in a structurally simple manner with a small number of components and in a compact manner.
  • the microswitch can advantageously be constructed if the switching bridge is clasp-shaped and elastically deformable. As a result, the number of components required can be reduced, since the switching bridge is used in an electrically conductive manner in a function-combining manner, and also because it automatically moves back to its starting position by its spring force after a switching operation.
  • the microswitch can be made particularly compact if the cantilever has a recess into which the compression spring projects.
  • a particularly simple and space-saving arrangement can be achieved if the free end of the compression spring and the contact bridge engage in each case in the opposite direction facing notches, inside the housing, under tension, at least one the notches are in an electrically conductive connection with a fixed contact. As a result, the number of components required is low and no further fastening or connecting elements are required.
  • the microswitch can be designed to be extremely space-saving.
  • the drawing shows a microswitch in a sectional view, which has a housing 2 with a housing interior 3.
  • a switching plunger 4 is arranged in the housing 2 and has two axial guides 5, 6, which are accommodated in two bearing points 7, 8 in the housing 2.
  • the guide 6 arranged in the housing interior 3, like the associated bearing point 7, has a T-cross section, while the guide 5 opposite the guide 6 and its associated bearing point 8 has an oval cross section.
  • a hold-down device 10 is attached to the free end of the switching plunger 4 via a cantilever 9.
  • An extension 11 is arranged on the side of the switching plunger 4 opposite the cantilever arm 9.
  • the switching plunger 4 has a recess 12 arranged in the cantilever arm.
  • the extension 11 of the switching plunger 4 is on a clasp-shaped, elastically deformable and electrically conductive contact bridge 13, which has a bistable spring arrangement consisting of a compression spring 14 which projects into the recess 12 and a switching contact 15. Furthermore, in the area of the switching plunger 4 there is an opening 16 in the contact bridge 13 through which the switching plunger 4 is guided.
  • the compression spring 14 and the contact bridge 13 are made in one piece and are supported on both sides in the bulges 17, 18 of an S-shaped fixed contact 19, the contact bridge 13 being held in its position and being in an electrically conductive connection with the fixed contact 19 .
  • two fixed contacts 20, 21 are arranged, which, like the fixed contact 19, are connected in an electrically conductive manner to connection contacts 22, 23, 24 arranged on the outside of the housing 2.
  • 13 reinforcements 25, 26 are located on the straight sections of the contact bridge bent in the form of a clasp.
  • FIG. 2 shows the switching plunger 4 in different views, which is particularly useful with regard to the arrangement of the cross sections of the axial guides 5, 6 of the switching plunger 4.
  • microswitch The operation and function of the microswitch is explained in more detail below.
  • the compression spring 14 causes the switch contact 15 to be held in the first switch position, supported by the force of the spring-elastic contact bridge 13.
  • the extension 11 of the switching plunger 4 acts parallel to its direction of movement on the contact bridge 13, which is thereby subjected to an elastic deformation.
  • the switching plunger 4 is guided with two axial guides 5, 6 in bearings 7, 8 assigned to them. Due to the shape of the guides 5, 6 and the associated bearings 7, 8, the switching plunger 4 is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted.
  • the hold-down device 10 engages with the contact bridge 13. If the switching plunger 4 is now pushed further into the housing 2, the hold-down device 10 exerts a force which is introduced parallel to the direction of movement of the switching plunger 4 on the contact bridge 13 and leads to a violent breaking of the weld. The compression spring 14 then causes the contact to switch, since the switching plunger 4 has already exceeded the switching point. In order to ensure that the weld is separated, the switching plunger can be pressed into the housing until the holding-down device 10 presses the switching bridge 13 directly onto the fixed contact 21.
  • the bistable spring arrangement also causes the contacts to switch, in this case, however, supported by the spring force of the elastic contact bridge 13, as a result of which the connection between the switching contact 15 and the fixed contact 21 is separated and the connection between the switching contact 15 and the fixed contact 20 is made.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
EP94104208A 1993-04-02 1994-03-17 Mikroschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0618603B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9305074U 1993-04-02
DE9305074U DE9305074U1 (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png) 1993-04-02 1993-04-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0618603A1 EP0618603A1 (de) 1994-10-05
EP0618603B1 true EP0618603B1 (de) 1996-07-24

Family

ID=6891600

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94104208A Expired - Lifetime EP0618603B1 (de) 1993-04-02 1994-03-17 Mikroschalter

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5453590A (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png)
EP (1) EP0618603B1 (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png)
JP (1) JP2869848B2 (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png)
DE (2) DE9305074U1 (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004052413A1 (de) * 2004-10-28 2006-05-11 Cherry Gmbh Subminiaturschalter

Families Citing this family (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2702304B1 (fr) * 1993-03-05 1995-06-16 Sextant Avionique Articulation de lame de microrupteur.
DE4413387C2 (de) * 1994-04-18 1996-11-07 Abb Patent Gmbh Elektrischer Tastschalter
DE4435303A1 (de) * 1994-10-01 1996-04-04 Ego Italiana Schnappschalter, insbesondere für Temperaturschalter
DE19616713C1 (de) * 1996-04-26 1997-07-10 Merit Malta Ltd Schalteranordnung für die Betätigung eines Mikroschalters durch einen Stößel
US6226456B1 (en) * 1997-03-12 2001-05-01 Konica Corporation Lens-fitted film unit with built-in strobe
US6255611B1 (en) 2000-02-17 2001-07-03 Shin Jiuh Corp. Pushbutton switch
US6578436B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2003-06-17 Fidelica Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for pressure sensing
US7316167B2 (en) * 2000-05-16 2008-01-08 Fidelica, Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for protection of contour sensing devices
DE102004035193A1 (de) * 2004-07-21 2006-02-16 Schaltbau Gmbh Mikroschalter
US7081593B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2006-07-25 John David Hopkins Quiet snap action switch
DE102005001312B4 (de) * 2005-03-08 2007-06-21 Dorma Gmbh + Co. Kg Fernbetätigter Türöffner
US7211759B2 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-05-01 Zippy Technology Corp. Switch coupling structure
US20070267284A1 (en) * 2006-05-18 2007-11-22 Lai Cheng-Tsai Micro switch
DE102009017013A1 (de) * 2008-04-30 2009-11-05 Marquardt Gmbh Elektrischer Schalter
DE102008035043B4 (de) * 2008-07-26 2013-04-04 Johnson Electric Oldenburg Gmbh & Co. Kg Mikroschalter
JP5848219B2 (ja) * 2012-09-13 2016-01-27 アルプス電気株式会社 押圧型スイッチ装置
USD728472S1 (en) * 2013-01-31 2015-05-05 Omron Corporation Microswitch
CN105788927A (zh) * 2016-04-06 2016-07-20 华精密机械（昆山）有限公司 一种弹片开关

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US3056866A (en) * 1959-11-16 1962-10-02 Honeywell Regulator Co Switch apparatus
US3187132A (en) * 1962-11-14 1965-06-01 Maxson Electronics Corp Overtravel actuating mechanism for a snap action electrical switch
US3415962A (en) * 1966-12-09 1968-12-10 Cutler Hammer Inc Miniature precision snap action switch with one-piece stressed blade construction
DE2449120C2 (de) * 1974-10-16 1983-04-28 J.& J. Marquardt, 7201 Rietheim-Weilheim Elektrischer Schalter
GB1480083A (en) * 1975-08-08 1977-07-20 Burgess Micro Switch Co Ltd Snap-action electric switch
IT1141172B (it) * 1980-02-06 1986-10-01 Cge Cie Generale Elettromeccan Interruttore elettrico a scatto rapido con apertura forzata dei contatti
US4362910A (en) * 1980-12-31 1982-12-07 Ark-Les Corporation Electrical switch
JPS5838976U (ja) * 1981-09-09 1983-03-14 東芝電池株式会社 二価酸化銀電池
DE3203239A1 (de) * 1982-02-01 1983-08-11 Metzenauer & Jung Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal Elektrischer schnappschalter
GB2142471B (en) * 1983-06-28 1986-09-03 Otehall Limited Electric switches
US4647727A (en) * 1985-04-04 1987-03-03 Cuisinarts, Inc. Switch for automatically interrupting a circuit when its contacts are fused together in the "ON" position
US4736514A (en) * 1985-01-24 1988-04-12 Robertshaw Controls Company Method of making electrical switch
FR2597658B1 (fr) * 1986-04-16 1992-09-11 Vialy Roger Commutateur miniature a rupture brusque
JPH01177836U (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png) * 1988-06-06 1989-12-19
FR2661264B1 (fr) * 1990-04-20 1992-07-10 Telemecanique Dispositif de commande manuelle pour relais thermique.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004052413A1 (de) * 2004-10-28 2006-05-11 Cherry Gmbh Subminiaturschalter
DE102004052413B4 (de) * 2004-10-28 2007-09-13 Cherry Gmbh Subminiaturschalter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0618603A1 (de) 1994-10-05
DE9305074U1 (US20020125480A1-20020912-P00900.png) 1993-06-09
JPH06325660A (ja) 1994-11-25
JP2869848B2 (ja) 1999-03-10
DE59400440D1 (de) 1996-08-29
US5453590A (en) 1995-09-26

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