EP0618603B1 - Microswitch - Google Patents

Microswitch 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
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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
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0618603A1 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Mayer
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Schaltbau GmbH
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Schaltbau GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0618603A1 publication Critical patent/EP0618603A1/en
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    • 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.

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf einen Mikroschalter mit einem Gehäuse, mit einem zur Mitte des Gehäuse versetzt angeordneten, aus dem Gehäuse ragenden Schaltstößel, mit Anschlußkontakten, die mit innerhalb des Gehäuses liegenden Festkontakten elektrisch leitend in Verbindung stehen und mit einer über den Schaltstößel aus einer ersten in eine zweite Schaltstellung überführbaren Kontaktbrücke, die mindestens einen Schaltkontakt aufweist, wobei die Kontaktbrücke durch eine bistabile Federanordnung in Abhängigkeit von der Stößelstellung in der ersten oder zweiten Schaltstellung gehalten ist, wobei dem Schaltstößel ein Arm zugeordnet ist und ein Teil des Armes einen Niederhalter bildet, der in der ersten Schaltstellung der Kontaktbrücke mit geringem Abstand zur Kontaktbrücke angeordnet ist und in der zweiten Schaltstellung in den von der Kontaktbrücke zurückgelegten Weg hineinragt.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.

Diese Mikroschalter werden im industriellen Bereich, im Automobilbau oder in der Nachrichtentechnik eingesetzt. An diese Mikroschalter werden hohe Anforderungen hinsichtlich Betriebssicherheit und Lebensdauer gestellt. Um eine lange Lebensdauer zu erzielen, ist insbesondere eine hohe Schaltgeschwindigkeit von großer Bedeutung, damit der während des Schaltens durch Spannungsüberschlag auftretende Kontaktabbrand verringert wird. Üblicherweise ist die mit dem Schaltstößel aufgebrachte Bewegung zu langsam, um direkt das Umschalten der Kontakte vorzunehmen. Daher bedient man sich bistabiler Federanordnungen, die eine deutlich höhere Schaltgeschwindigkeit erzeugen und deren Schaltgeschwindigkeit von der Bewegungsgeschwindigkeit des Schaltstößels entkoppelt ist. Die bistabile Federanordnung bewirkt, daß sich die Kontakte mit genügend hoher Geschwindigkeit lösen, um einem Verschweißen während des Trennvorgangs und erhöhtem Verschleiß durch Schleichen entgegenzuwirken. Ebenso erfolgt das Schließen der Kontakte mit hoher Geschwindigkeit. Dennoch kann es während des Betriebes, z.B. durch zu große Stromstärken oder Oxidation der Kontaktstellen, zu einem Verschweißen zwischen zwei Schaltkontakten kommen. Dadurch wird ein Trennen oder Umschalten einer solchen Kontaktverbindung erschwert oder völlig verhindert. Dies kann zu schweren Schäden in den angeschlossenen Stromkreisen oder Geräten führen. Aus diesem Grund existieren Schalter, die eine Einrichtung zum Zwangstrennen von verschweißten Kontakten aufweisen. Diese Einrichtungen vergrößern jedoch den Bauaufwand und Platzbedarf des Schalters erheblich. Insbesondere in kleinbauenden oder Mikroschaltern wirft dies konstruktive Probleme auf.These 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. Nevertheless, welding can occur between two switching contacts during operation, for example due to excessive currents or oxidation of the contact points. This will a disconnection or switching of such a contact connection difficult or completely prevented. This can cause serious damage to the connected circuits or devices. For this reason there are switches which have a device for the forced separation of welded contacts. However, these devices significantly increase the construction costs and space requirements of the switch. This poses constructive problems particularly in small-scale or microswitches.

Ein Mikroschalter der eingangs beschriebenen Art ist z.B. aus der GB-A-21 42 471 bekannt. Der Arm ist dabei schwenkbar in einer Ausnehmung am Gehäuse und einer Ausnehmung am Schaltstößel gelagert. Zwischen den beiden Lagerstellen bildet ein Abschnitt des Armes den Niederhalter, welcher im Falle der Verschweißung des Kontaktes der Kontaktbrücke mit einem der Festkontakte beim Niederdrücken des Schaltstößels auf die Kontaktbrücke wirkt derart, daß die Verschweißung gelöst wird. Die Herstellung und Montage dieser Mikroschalter ist jedoch aufwendig.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. However, the manufacture and assembly of these microswitches is complex.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, einen Mikroschalter der eingangs genannten Art mit einer konstruktiv einfachen Zwangsöffnung zu versehen, ohne dabei die Baugröße zu verändern.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.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die Anschlußkontakte auf der dem Schaltstößel gegenüberliegenden Seite des Gehäuses angeordnet sind, daß der Arm am Schaltstößel in Form eines einseitig auskragenden Kragarmes angeordnet ist und der Niederhalter am freien Ende des Kragarmes vorgesehen ist.This object is achieved in that the 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.

Diese Lösung ist einfach und erlaubt es, im Falle einer Verschweißung zweier Schaltkontakte, eine Zwangsöffnung dieser Schaltkontakte herbeizuführen. Der Niederhalter steht dabei direkt mit der Schaltbrücke in Kontakt, und bewirkt durch Krafteinleitung, parallel zur Bewegungsrichtung, durch den Niederhalter ein Aufreißen der Verschweißung.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.

Von besonderem Vorteil ist es, wenn der Schaltstößel auf der, dem Kragarm gegenüberliegenden Seite, einen Fortsatz aufweist, der auf die Kontaktbrücke in Bewegungsrichtung des Schaltstößels wirkt. Dabei ist der Abstand zwischen dem Schaltkontakt und dem Fortsatz größer und die Schaltgeschwindigkeit höher, was zu geringerem Kontaktabbrand und einer geringeren Neigung zum Verschweißen der Kontakte führt.It is particularly advantageous if 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.

Um im Falle einer Kontaktverschweißung ein Verkanten des Schaltstößels und somit ein Blockieren des Schaltstößels zu vermeiden, ist es günstig, den Schaltstößel in zwei axialen Führungen, die in axialer Richtung möglichst weit von der Schaltermitte angeordnet sind, zu lagern. Besonders raumsparend kann der Mikroschalter ausgeführt werden, wenn der Kragarm zwischen diesen Führungen angeordnet ist. Auch ist diese Anordnung günstig für die Einleitung des durch den Kragarm hervorgerufenen Drehmomentes auf den Schalter.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.

Insbesondere ist es günstig den Schaltstößel drehfest zu lagern, um ein Klemmen des Schaltstößels oder Kragarmes in anderen Bauteilen im Mikroschalter zu verhindern, z. B. wenn der Schaltstößel mit einem axialen Drehmoment beaufschlagt wird oder in einer gekippten Einbaulage Verwendung findet.In particular, it is favorable to store 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.

Besonders biegesteif und drehfest kann die Anordnung ausgeführt werden, wenn mindestens eine Führung einen ovalen Querschnitt aufweist.The arrangement can be made particularly rigid and non-rotatable if at least one guide has an oval cross-section.

Ferner hat es sich als vorteilhaft herausgestellt, wenn die, im Innern des Gehäuses angeordnete Führung des Schaltstößels einen T-Querschnitt aufweist und der darin geführte Teil des Schaltstößels ebenso einen T-Querschnitt aufweist. Dadurch kann die Anordnung sehr biegesteif, mit hoher Führungsgenauigkeit und drehfest ausgeführt werden.Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if 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. As a result, the arrangement can be designed to be very rigid, with high guidance accuracy and non-rotatably.

Damit die Zwangstrennung über den gesamten Schaltweg wirksam ist, ist es von Vorteil, wenn der Schaltstößel so weit bewegt werden kann, bis der Niederhalter die Kontaktbrücke auf den, dem, in der Ausgangsstellung in Eingriff befindlichen Festkontakt gegenüberliegenden, Festkontakt drückt.So that the forced separation is effective over the entire switching path, it is advantageous if 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.

Besonders kompakt läßt sich der Mikroschalter ausführen, wenn der Niederhalter und der Kragarm mit dem Schaltstößel einstückig ausgeführt ist.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.

Auch läßt sich die Anordnung sehr kompakt gestalten, wenn die bistabile Federanordnung eine Druckfeder aufweist, die mit der Kontaktbrücke in Verbindung steht.The arrangement can also be made very compact if the bistable spring arrangement has a compression spring which is connected to the contact bridge.

Ferner ist es von Vorteil, die Druckfeder und die Kontaktbrücke einstückig auszuführen, wodurch die Anordnung sich konstruktiv einfach mit einer geringen Zahl von Bauteilen und kompakt realisieren läßt. In vorteilhafter Weise kann der Mikroschalter konstruiert werden, wenn die Schaltbrücke spangenförmig ausgebildet ist und elastisch verformbar ist. Dadurch kann die Zahl der benötigten Bauteile verringert werden, da die Schaltbrücke in funktionsvereinender Weise sowohl elektrisch leitend genutzt wird, als auch dadurch, daß sie sich selbständig durch ihre Federkraft, nach einem Schaltvorgang, in ihre Ausgangsposition zurückbewegt.Furthermore, it is advantageous to design 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.

Besonders kompakt kann der Mikroschalter gestaltet werden, wenn der Kragarm eine Ausnehmung aufweist, in die die Druckfeder hineinragt.The microswitch can be made particularly compact if the cantilever has a recess into which the compression spring projects.

Eine besonders einfache und raumsparende Anordnung läßt sich erreichen, wenn das freie Ende der Druckfeder und der Kontaktbrücke in jeweils, in entgegengesetzter Richtung weisende Kerben, im Innern des Gehäuses, unter Vorspannung eingreifen, wobei mindestens eine der Kerben mit einem Festkontakt in elektrisch leitender Verbindung steht. Dadurch ist die Zahl der benötigten Bauteile gering und es werden keine weiteren Befestigungs- oder Verbindungselemente benötigt.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.

Wenn diese Kerben auf einem Festkontakt angeordnet sind, kann die Zahl der benötigten Bauteile und Arbeitsschritte zur Herstellung weiter reduziert werden.If these notches are arranged on a fixed contact, the number of components and work steps required for production can be reduced further.

Als besonders günstig erweist es sich dabei, den Festkontakt 5-förmig auszubilden und die freien Enden der Druckfeder und der Kontaktbrücke unter Vorspannung in den Scheitelpunkten der Krümmungen des S-förmig gebogenen freien Endes des Festkontaktes abzustützen, wodurch die Anordnung raumsparend und mit wenigen Teilen ausgeführt werden kann.It proves to be particularly favorable to design the fixed contact in a 5-shape and to support the free ends of the compression spring and the contact bridge under pretension in the apexes of the curvatures of the S-shaped free end of the fixed contact, which means that the arrangement is space-saving and carried out with few parts can be.

Wenn die Kontaktbrücke eine Öffnung aufweist, durch die der Schaltstößel geführt werden kann, kann der Mikroschalter äußerst raumsparend ausgebildet werden.If the contact bridge has an opening through which the switching plunger can be guided, the microswitch can be designed to be extremely space-saving.

Im folgenden wird ein Ausführungsbeispiel anhand einer Zeichnung näher erläutert.An exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

Es zeigen

Fig. 1
den Mikroschalter in einer Schnittansicht in der Ausgangsstellung
Fig. 2
Ansichten des Schaltstößels mit Kragarm und Niederhalter
Fig. 3
den Mikroschalter in einer Schnittansicht zum Zeitpunkt des Umschaltens ohne verschlissene Kontakte
Fig. 4
den Mikroschalter in einer Schnittansicht, wobei der Niederhalter sich im Eingriff befindet
Fig. 5
den Mikroschalter in einer Schnittansicht, wobei der Schaltstößel sich in seiner Endlage befindet.
Show it
Fig. 1
the microswitch in a sectional view in the starting position
Fig. 2
Views of the switch plunger with cantilever arm and hold-down device
Fig. 3
the microswitch in a sectional view at the time of switching without worn contacts
Fig. 4
the microswitch in a sectional view, wherein the hold-down is in engagement
Fig. 5
the microswitch in a sectional view, the switching plunger being in its end position.

Die Zeichnung zeigt einen Mikroschalter in einer Schnittansicht, der ein Gehäuse 2 mit einem Gehäuseinnenraum 3 aufweist. Im Gehäuse 2 ist ein Schaltstößel 4 angeordnet, der zwei axiale Führungen 5, 6 aufweist, die in zwei Lagerstellen 7, 8 im Gehäuse 2 aufgenommen sind. Die im Gehäuseinnenraum 3 angeordnete Führung 6 weist, wie die zugeordnete Lagerstelle 7, einen T-Querschnitt auf, während die der Führung 6 gegenüberliegende Führung 5 und deren zugehörige Lagerstelle 8 einen ovalen Querschnitt aufweist. Ferner ist am freien Ende des Schaltstößels 4 über einem Kragarm 9 ein Niederhalter 10 angebracht. An der, dem Kragarm 9 gegenüberliegenden Seite des Schaltstößels 4 ist ein Fortsatz 11 angeordnet. Darüber hinaus weist der Schaltstößel 4 eine, im Kragarm angeordnete, Ausnehmung 12 auf. Der Fortsatz 11 des Schaltstößels 4 wird auf eine spangenförmig gebogene, elastisch verformbare und elektrisch leitende Kontaktbrücke 13, die eine bistabile Federanordnung, bestehend aus einer Druckfeder 14, die in die Ausnehmung 12 hineinragt, und einem Schaltkontakt 15, aufweist. Ferner befindet sich im Bereich des Schaltstößels 4 eine Öffnung 16 in der Kontaktbrücke 13, durch die der Schaltstößel 4 geführt ist. Die Druckfeder 14 und die Kontaktbrücke 13 sind einstückig ausgeführt und stützen sich zu beiden Seiten in den Ausbuchtungen 17, 18 eines S-förmig gebogenen Festkontaktes 19 ab, wobei die Kontaktbrücke 13 in ihrer Position gehalten wird und mit dem Festkontakt 19 elektrisch leitend in Verbindung steht. Im Eingriffsbereich des Schaltkontaktes 15 sind zwei Festkontakte 20, 21 angeordnet, die, wie auch der Festkontakt 19 elektrisch leitend mit außen am Gehäuse 2 angeordneten Anschlußkontakten 22, 23, 24 in Verbindung stehen. Zusätzlich befinden sich an den geraden Abschnitten der spangenförmig gebogenen Kontaktbrücke 13 Verstärkungen 25, 26.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. Furthermore, 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. In addition, 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 . In the engagement area of the switching contact 15, 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. In addition, 13 reinforcements 25, 26 are located on the straight sections of the contact bridge bent in the form of a clasp.

Zum Zwecke der besseren Übersicht zeigt Fig. 2 den Schaltstößel 4 in verschiedenen Ansichten, was insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Anordnung der Querschnitte der axialen Führungen 5, 6 des Schaltstößels 4 dienlich ist.For the sake of a better overview, 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.

Im folgenden wird die Wirkungs- und Funktionsweise des Mikroschalters näher erläutert.The operation and function of the microswitch is explained in more detail below.

In der Ausgangsstellung bewirkt die Druckfeder 14, daß der Schaltkontakt 15 in der ersten Schaltstellung gehalten wird, unterstützt durch die Kraft der federelastischen Kontaktbrücke 13. Dabei sind der Anschlußkontakt 22, über den Festkontakt 19, über die Kontaktbrücke 13, über den Schaltkontakt 15, über den Festkontakt 20 mit dem Anschlußkontakt 24 verbunden. Wird nun der Schaltstößel 4 durch äußere Krafteinwirkung in das Gehäuse 2 gedrückt, wirkt der Fortsatz 11 des Schaltstößels 4 parallel zu seiner Bewegungsrichtung auf die Kontaktbrücke 13, die dadurch eine elastische Verformung erfährt. Der Schaltstößel 4 ist dabei mit zwei axialen Führungen 5, 6 in ihnen zugeordneten Lagern 7, 8 geführt. Aufgrund der Formgebung der Führungen 5, 6 und der ihnen Zugeordneten Lager 7, 8 ist der Schaltstößel 4 drehfest und axial verschieblich gelagert. Wird der Schaltstößel 4 nun weiter ins Gehäuse 2 bewegt, neigt sich die Wirklinie der Druckfeder 14 bis die Wirklinie der Druckfeder 14 in der Schaltstellung durch die, aus der Berührlinie zwischen Kontaktbrücke 13 und Fortsatz 11 und der Verbindungslinie zwischen dem Übergang der Druckfeder 14 in die Kontaktbrücke 13 gebildete Fläche, zu liegen kommt. Für den Fall, daß der Kontakt zwischen dem Schaltkontakt 15 und dem Festkontakt 20 nicht verschweißt ist und frei trennbar ist, erfolgt, sobald der Schaltstößel 4 über den Schaltpunkt hinaus in das Gehäuse 2 bewegt wird, das augenblickliche, mit hoher Geschwindigkeit erfolgende, Umschalten des Kontaktes, wobei die Verbindung zwischen dem Schaltkontakt 15 und dem Festkontakt 20 gelöst wird und die Verbindung zwischen Schaltkontakt 15 und Festkontakt 21 hergestellt wird, da die Wirkrichtung der Druckfeder 14 nun gegenüber der aus der Berührlinie zwischen Kontaktbrücke 13 und Fortsatz 11 und der Verbindungslinie zwischen dem Übergang der Druckfeder 14 in die Kontaktbrücke 13 gebildeten Fläche, in Richtung des Sockels weist und das Umschalten des Schaltkontaktes 15 bewirkt. Die Bewegung des Schaltstößels 4 kann nach erfolgtem Umschalten angehalten werden. Für den Fall, der Kontakt zwischen Festkontakt 20 und Schaltkontakt 15 ist verschweißt und ein Umschalten kann nicht erfolgen, kommen kurz nachdem der Schaltstößel 4 den Schaltpunkt überschritten hat, der Niederhalter 10 mit der Kontaktbrücke 13 in Eingriff. Wird der Schaltstößel 4 nun weiter in das Gehäuse 2 reingedrückt, so übt der Niederhalter 10 eine, parallel zur Bewegungsrichtung des Schaltstößels 4 eingeleitete Kraft auf die Kontaktbrücke 13 ein und führt zu einem gewaltsamen Aufbrechen der Verschweißung. Im Anschluß daran bewirkt die Druckfeder 14 ein Umschalten des Kontaktes, da der Schaltstößel 4 den Schaltpunkt bereits überschritten hat. Um ein Trennen der Verschweißung sicherzustellen, kann der Schaltstößel soweit in das Gehäuse gedrückt werden, bis der Niederhalter 10 die Schaltbrücke 13 direkt auf den Festkontakt 21 drückt. Bei einem Loslassen des Schaltstößels 4 bewirkt die federelastische Kontaktbrücke 13, daß der Schaltstößel 4, über den Fortsatz 11, wieder aus dem Gehäuse 2 herausgedrückt wird, wobei der Niederhalter 10 vom Schaltkontakt 15 beabstandet wird. Analog zum oben beschriebenen Umschalten bewirkt auch hier die bistabile Federanordnung ein Umschalten der Kontakte, in diesem Fall jedoch unterstützt durch die Federkraft der elastischen Kontaktbrücke 13, wodurch die Verbindung zwischen dem Schaltkontakt 15 und dem Festkontakt 21 getrennt wird und die Verbindung zwischen dem Schaltkontakt 15 und dem Festkontakt 20 hergestellt wird.In the initial position, 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. Here, the connection contact 22, via the fixed contact 19, via the contact bridge 13, via the switch contact 15, via the fixed contact 20 connected to the terminal contact 24. If the switching plunger 4 is now pressed into the housing 2 by external force, 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. If the switching plunger 4 is now moved further into the housing 2, the line of action of the pressure spring 14 tilts until the line of action of the pressure spring 14 in the switching position by the line of contact between the contact bridge 13 and extension 11 and the connecting line between the transition of the pressure spring 14 into the Contact bridge 13 formed surface comes to rest. In the event that the contact between the switching contact 15 and the fixed contact 20 is not welded and is freely separable, as soon as the switching plunger 4 is moved beyond the switching point into the housing 2, the instantaneous, high-speed switching of the Contact, wherein the connection between the switch contact 15 and the fixed contact 20 is released and the connection between the switch contact 15 and the fixed contact 21 is established, since the direction of action of the compression spring 14 is now opposite that from the line of contact between the contact bridge 13 and extension 11 and the connecting line between the Transition of the compression spring 14 into the contact bridge 13 formed surface points in the direction of the base and causes the switching contact 15 to switch. The movement of the switching plunger 4 can be stopped after the changeover has taken place. In the event that the contact between the fixed contact 20 and the switching contact 15 is welded and switching cannot take place, shortly after the switching plunger 4 has exceeded the switching point, 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. When the switching plunger 4 is released, the spring-elastic contact bridge 13 causes the switching plunger 4 to be pushed out of the housing 2 again via the extension 11, the hold-down device 10 being spaced apart from the switching contact 15. Analogous to the switching described above, 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.

Claims (16)

  1. Microswitch (1) having a housing (2), having a switching plunger (4) which is arranged offset with respect to the centre of the housing (2) and projects from the housing (2), having connection contacts (22, 23, 24) which are arranged on that side of the housing (2) which is opposite to the switching plunger (4) and are electrically conductively connected to fixed contacts (19, 20, 21) situated inside the housing (2), and having a contact bridge (13) which can be transferred from a first to a second switch position by means of the switching plunger (4) and has at least one switching contact (15), the contact bridge (13) being held in the first or second switch position by a bistable spring arrangement depending on the position of the plunger, an arm being assigned to the switching plunger (4) and part of the arm forming a holding-down device (10) which, in the first switch position of the contact bridge (13), is arranged at a small spacing from the contact bridge and, in the second switch position, projects into the path covered by the contact bridge, characterized in that the connection contacts (22, 23, 24) are arranged on that side of the housing (2) which is opposite to the switching plunger (4), in that the arm is arranged on the switching plunger (4) in the form of a cantilever arm (9) which is cantilevered at one end, and the holding-down device (10) is provided on the free end of the cantilever arm (9).
  2. Microswitch according to Claim 1, characterized in that the switching plunger (4) has an extension (11) on the side opposite to the cantilever arm (9), which extension acts on the contact bridge (13) parallel to the movement direction of the switching plunger (4).
  3. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching plunger (4) has two axial guides (5, 6), one of the guides (6) being arranged inside the housing (2), and in that the cantilever arm (9) is arranged between the two guides (5, 6).
  4. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching plunger (4) is arranged such that it is fixed against rotation.
  5. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one of the guides (5) has an oval cross-section and is guided in a bearing which is likewise oval.
  6. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that guide (6) of the switching plunger (4) which is fitted inside the housing has a T-shaped cross-section and engages into a bearing (7) which is likewise of T-shaped construction.
  7. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, in the end position of the switching plunger (4), the holding-down device (10) presses the switching contact (15) against the fixed contact (24) which is in contact in the second switch position.
  8. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the switching plunger (4) and the cantilever arm (9) are designed in one piece.
  9. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bistable spring arrangement has a pressure spring (14) which is connected to the contact bridge (13).
  10. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pressure spring (14) and the contact bridge (13) are designed in one piece.
  11. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact bridge (13) is bent in the shape of a clasp and can be elastically deformed.
  12. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cantilever arm (9) has a recess (12) into which the pressure spring (14) projects.
  13. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the free ends of the pressure spring (14) and of the contact bridge (13) engage with prestress into notches, which each point in opposite directions, within the housing (2), at least one of these notches being electrically conductively connected to a fixed contact (19).
  14. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the notches are arranged on the fixed contact (19).
  15. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the free ends of the pressure spring (14) and of the contact bridge (13) are supported with prestress in the vertices (17, 18) of the free end of the fixed contact (19), which free end is designed like a notch and as an S-shaped curve.
  16. Microswitch according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the contact bridge (13) has at least one opening (16) through which the switching plunger (4) is guided.
EP94104208A 1993-04-02 1994-03-17 Microswitch Expired - Lifetime EP0618603B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9305074U 1993-04-02
DE9305074U DE9305074U1 (en) 1993-04-02 1993-04-02 Microswitch

Publications (2)

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

Family

ID=6891600

Family Applications (1)

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

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5453590A (en)
EP (1) EP0618603B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2869848B2 (en)
DE (2) DE9305074U1 (en)

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Also Published As

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

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