EP0620577B1 - Electric pushbutton switch - Google Patents

Electric pushbutton switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0620577B1
EP0620577B1 EP94105512A EP94105512A EP0620577B1 EP 0620577 B1 EP0620577 B1 EP 0620577B1 EP 94105512 A EP94105512 A EP 94105512A EP 94105512 A EP94105512 A EP 94105512A EP 0620577 B1 EP0620577 B1 EP 0620577B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
rocker
spring
pushbutton switch
switch according
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
EP94105512A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0620577A1 (en
Inventor
Michael Knorr
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ABB Patent GmbH
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ABB Patent GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0620577A1 publication Critical patent/EP0620577A1/en
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02Details
    • H01H13/12Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00Contacts
    • H01H1/58Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5833Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals comprising an articulating, sliding or rolling contact between movable contact and terminal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00Contacts
    • H01H1/58Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5822Flexible connections between movable contact and terminal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/50Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
    • H01H13/64Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electrical pushbutton switch with at least one contact point, each with at least one fixed contact and one movable contact, which is designed as a contact rocker acted upon by a first spring and can be actuated by an actuating element acted upon by a second spring.
  • Electrical pushbuttons are switching devices that are operated using a pushbutton or rocker switch. A distinction is also made between switches or buttons according to the switching process. Switching devices are referred to as switches, the actuation of which leads to a specific switching position which is only changed by actuation again. In contrast, buttons are used for short-term closing or opening of circuits, depending on whether they are designed as open-circuit or closed-circuit buttons. It is crucial for pushbuttons that after the end of actuation, d. H. after releasing the actuating element, automatically return to its starting position.
  • an electrical push button switch of the type mentioned which has a spring-loaded actuating element, which serves to actuate a contact rocker acted upon by a rocker spring.
  • the rocker spring is mounted in the switch base, while a rocker bracket attached to the base is used to support the contact rocker engages with a round thru axle in a square recess provided for this purpose in the contact rocker.
  • the resulting tolerance chains cause the switching point of the contact rocker to fluctuate over a wide range, which can ultimately lead to switching problems.
  • Another disadvantage is that the large bearing friction in the contact system enables the contact rocker to be in the center position, and incorrect contacting can thereby occur.
  • the movable contact is designed as an assembly which comprises the contact rocker, the first spring and a rocker support, and that the movable contact is provided with at least one cutting edge bearing, the contact rocker being preloaded together with the first spring in the Rocker bracket is used.
  • a bistable mounting of the contact rocker can be provided in order to enable the use of the electrical pushbutton switch as a pushbutton.
  • This pushbutton switch can be designed both as an open-circuit current switch and as a closed-circuit current switch. Accordingly, in a further development of the invention, one or the other switching position of the contact rocker or preferably both switching positions of the contact rocker is assigned a fixed contact, which ensures the aforementioned alternative option for the finished pushbutton switch.
  • a cutting edge bearing is provided between the contact rocker and the rocker support in such a way that a bearing socket is formed in the rocker support, into which the contact rocker engages with a correspondingly cut-out contact web.
  • the contact rocker again being provided with a cutting-like abutment which engages in a bearing socket arranged on the first spring.
  • a third embodiment according to the invention provides that a cutting edge bearing is provided between the first spring and the rocker support, a projection which is formed on the rocker support and serves as an abutment and which engages in a cutting-like projection in a bearing pan located on the first spring.
  • a cutting edge bearing according to the type described above is provided between the contact rocker and the first spring as well as between the contact rocker and the rocker carrier and between the rocker carrier and the first spring is provided, whereby the bearing friction between the relatively moving parts is reduced to a minimum.
  • the cutting edge bearing provided between the first spring and the rocker carrier is formed in that the projection formed on the rocker carrier and serving as a cutting edge is at an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to that on the first spring Bearing pan is employed so that this projection forms the cutting edge with a longitudinal edge of its end face produced by the stamping process.
  • the first spring can be designed as a leaf spring
  • the second spring which acts on the actuating element as a return spring, is preferably designed as a helical spring.
  • the rocker support is advantageously provided for power supply, the power supply to the contact rocker being provided in each case via the bearing points. Should be for electrical reasons, e.g. B. if the current strength is too high to avoid excessive contact resistances, this simple solution variant is out of the question, so according to an alternative embodiment it is provided to provide the contact rocker with a flexible conductor piece, which is used for feeding the current.
  • the contact rocker For actuation by the actuating element, the contact rocker has at least one projection, which is coupled to the actuating element.
  • the type of coupling depends on whether the electrical push button switch according to the invention is to be used as a push button or as a switch.
  • the contact rocker When used as a pushbutton, there is a quasi-rigid coupling between the contact rocker and the actuating element, in that the pivoting of the contact rocker is roughly synchronized with the movement of the actuating element.
  • the first spring is used only for secure contact with the appropriate contact force.
  • the coupling between the actuating element and the contact rocker takes place exclusively in one direction, whereby instead of a rigid connecting member between the actuating element and the contact rocker, this is acted upon by a pendulum disk articulated on the actuating element.
  • a correspondingly coordinated shape of the pendulum disc and the contact rocker ensures that each time the actuating element is actuated, the contact rocker is acted upon by the pendulum disc in such a way that it assumes the respective other switching position, ie. H. After actuation twice, the contact rocker returns to its starting position.
  • the invention also offers the possibility of obtaining different actuation and contact forces in terms of thickness, width, shape and material by varying the configuration of the first spring, which is preferably used as a leaf spring, and thus adapting it to the electrical requirements.
  • the contact rocker as a stamped and bent part according to the invention, it is possible for it to be manufactured automatically and therefore cost-effectively.
  • the contact rocker 18 is inserted with the help of the rocker spring 22 together with this under prestress into the rocker carrier 20, the respective connection points being designed as a cutting edge bearing. Accordingly, the contact rocker 18 has a first projection 18.1, which has a sharp edge 18.2 with which it engages in a bearing pan 20.1 arranged on the rocker carrier 20. Furthermore, the contact rocker 18 has a second projection 18.3, which with the rocker spring 22 has a second cutting edge bearing forms. In order to prevent lateral deflection of the rocker spring 22 designed as a leaf spring, its ends are each provided with a recess 22.2 which is arranged symmetrically between two legs serving as bearing socket 22.1 and into which a recess 18.4 molded onto the molded part 18.3 engages.
  • the rocker support 20 is a U-shaped bent part with a lower leg which receives the bearing pan 20.1, a connecting web 20.2 and an upper leg 20.3, to which an extension 20.4 adjoins at an angle of approximately 45 °, the free end of which is similar to the second Formation 18.3 of the contact rocker 18.
  • the formation 20.4 on the rocker support 20 also serves as a cutting edge for a cutting edge bearing formed with the rocker spring 22, a bearing socket 22.1 being formed at the associated end of the rocker spring 22, into which the molding 20.4 engages as a cutting edge and with a nose-shaped
  • the projection also extends through the symmetrically arranged recess 22.2, as can be seen in FIG. 2.
  • the contact rocker 18 has two further projections 18.4 and 18.5, which cooperate with an actuator 24 designed as a pendulum disc, in that they can be acted upon alternately by the actuator 24.
  • the actuator 24 which is designed as an approximately triangular pendulum disk as shown in FIG. 3, is connected by means of a joint 26, for. B. film hinge, connected to an actuating element 30 acted upon by a return spring 28 and serves to actuate the contact rocker with the interposition of the projections 18.4, 18.5 so that it assumes the respective switching position. After each actuation, the actuating element 30 is returned to its starting position, which is shown in FIG. 2, by the return spring 20.
  • the actuator 24 has recesses 24.1, 24.2 which are formed in a manner known per se and which correspond to the projections 18.4, 18.5 and thereby ensure that the contact rocker 18 is always acted upon.
  • FIG. 3 The view of the contact arrangement 10 of the electrical push-button switch according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the section line III-III shown in FIG. With the exception of the details hidden by the details of the actuating element 30 shown in FIG. 3 and the actuator 24 designed as a pendulum disc, the further features correspond to the features recognizable from FIG. 1 and already explained. Accordingly, the same features are provided with the same reference numbers.
  • the essence of the present contact arrangement is that the cutting edge storage is realized in a cost-effective manner by observing the geometric conditions, eg. B. the inclination of the formation 20.4 at an inclination angle of approximately 45 ° or the formation 18.3 on the contact rocker 18, which in conjunction with the rectangular cutting edge of the punching ensure an effective cutting angle of approximately 45 °, which is sufficient for low-friction storage, a reliable function of the push button switch according to the invention is achieved.
  • the geometric conditions eg. B. the inclination of the formation 20.4 at an inclination angle of approximately 45 ° or the formation 18.3 on the contact rocker 18, which in conjunction with the rectangular cutting edge of the punching ensure an effective cutting angle of approximately 45 °, which is sufficient for low-friction storage, a reliable function of the push button switch according to the invention is achieved.

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical push-button switch having at least one contact point (10) with in each case at least one stationery contact (12, 14) and one moving contact (16), which is designed as a contact rocker (which is acted on by a first spring (22)) and can be operated by an operating element (30) which is acted on by a second spring (28) (which is used as a resetting spring), the moving contact (16) being constructed as an assembly comprising the contact rocker (18), the first spring (22) and a rocker support (20), and the moving contact (16) being provided with at least one blade mounting between relatively moving parts. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen elektrischen Tastschalter mit wenigstens einer Kontaktstelle mit jeweils wenigstens einem festen Kontakt und einem beweglichen Kontakt, der als eine von einer ersten Feder beaufschlagte Kontaktwippe ausgebildet und durch ein von einer zweiten Feder beaufschlagtes Betätigungselement betätigbar ist.The invention relates to an electrical pushbutton switch with at least one contact point, each with at least one fixed contact and one movable contact, which is designed as a contact rocker acted upon by a first spring and can be actuated by an actuating element acted upon by a second spring.

Elektrische Tastschalter sind Schaltgeräte, deren Betätigung mittels einer Druck- oder Wipptaste erfolgt. Dabei unterscheidet man ferner nach dem Schaltvorgang Schalter oder Taster. Als Schalter werden Schaltgeräte bezeichnet, deren Betätigung zu einer bestimmten Schaltposition führt, welche erst durch erneute Betätigung geändert wird. Demgegenüber dienen Taster zur kurzzeitigen Schließung bzw. Öffnung von Stromkreisen, je nachdem ob sie als Arbeitsstrom- oder Ruhestromtaster ausgebildet sind. Entscheidend kommt es bei Tastern darauf an, daß sie nach Betätigungsende, d. h. nach Loslassen des Betätigungselements, selbsttätig in ihre Ausgangsstellung zurückkehren.Electrical pushbuttons are switching devices that are operated using a pushbutton or rocker switch. A distinction is also made between switches or buttons according to the switching process. Switching devices are referred to as switches, the actuation of which leads to a specific switching position which is only changed by actuation again. In contrast, buttons are used for short-term closing or opening of circuits, depending on whether they are designed as open-circuit or closed-circuit buttons. It is crucial for pushbuttons that after the end of actuation, d. H. after releasing the actuating element, automatically return to its starting position.

Aus der DE 30 43 133 A1 ist ein elektrischer Tastschalter der eingangs genannten Art bekannt, der ein federbelastetes Betätigungselement aufweist, welches zur Betätigung einer von einer Wippfeder beaufschlagten Kontaktwippe dient. Die Wippfeder ist im Schaltersockel gelagert, während zur Lagerung der Kontaktwippe ein im Sockel befestigter Wippenträger mit einer runden Steckachse in eine hierfür vorgesehene quadratische Ausnehmung in der Kontaktwippe eingreift. Die sich hieraus ergebenden Toleranzketten lassen den Umschaltpunkt der Kontaktwippe in einem großen Bereich schwanken, was letztendlich zu Schaltproblemen führen kann. Von Nachteil ist ferner, daß die große Lagerreibung im Kontaktsystem eine Mittenstellung der Kontaktwippe ermöglicht und hierdurch Fehlkontaktierungen auftreten können.From DE 30 43 133 A1 an electrical push button switch of the type mentioned is known, which has a spring-loaded actuating element, which serves to actuate a contact rocker acted upon by a rocker spring. The rocker spring is mounted in the switch base, while a rocker bracket attached to the base is used to support the contact rocker engages with a round thru axle in a square recess provided for this purpose in the contact rocker. The resulting tolerance chains cause the switching point of the contact rocker to fluctuate over a wide range, which can ultimately lead to switching problems. Another disadvantage is that the large bearing friction in the contact system enables the contact rocker to be in the center position, and incorrect contacting can thereby occur.

Ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik ist es Aufgabe der Erfindung, einen elektrischen Tastschalter der eingangs genannten Art so zu gestalten, daß er eine kostengünstige Fertigung und Montage ermöglicht und unter Vermeidung der bekannten Nachteile, insbesondere von Fehlkontaktierungen, eine sichere Funktion gewährleistet.Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the invention to design an electrical pushbutton switch of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it enables inexpensive production and assembly and ensures reliable operation while avoiding the known disadvantages, in particular incorrect contacts.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Es ist vorgesehen, daß der bewegliche Kontakt als Baugruppe ausgebildet ist, welche die Kontaktwippe, die erste Feder sowie einen Wippenträger umfaßt, und daß der bewegliche Kontakt mit wenigstens einer Schneidenlagerung versehen ist, wobei die Kontaktwippe unter Vorspannung der ersten Feder gemeinsam mit dieser in den Wippenträger eingesetzt ist.It is provided that the movable contact is designed as an assembly which comprises the contact rocker, the first spring and a rocker support, and that the movable contact is provided with at least one cutting edge bearing, the contact rocker being preloaded together with the first spring in the Rocker bracket is used.

Mit Hilfe der erfindungsgemäß vorgesehenen Integration der zum beweglichen Kontakt gehörigen Einzelteile in eine Baugruppe, die außerhalb des elektrischen Tastschalters vormontiert und idealerweise auch justiert werden kann, werden die beim bekannten Tastschalter unausbleiblichen Toleranzprobleme hinsichtlich der Kontaktierung des wenigstens einen festen Kontakts auf ein vernachlässigbares Maß reduziert.With the help of the integration according to the invention of the individual parts belonging to the movable contact into a subassembly which can be preassembled and ideally also adjusted outside the electrical pushbutton switch, the tolerance problems which are unavoidable in the known pushbutton switch with regard to the contacting of the at least one fixed contact are reduced to a negligible extent.

In vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Erfindung kann eine bistabile Lagerung der Kontaktwippe vorgesehen sein, um auf diese Weise einen Einsatz des elektrischen Tastschalters als Taster zu ermöglichen. Dieser Tastschalter kann sowohl als Arbeitsstrom- als auch als Ruhestromtaster ausgebildet sein. Dementsprechend ist in Weiterbildung der Erfindung wahlweise der einen oder der anderen Schaltstellung der Kontaktwippe oder vorzugsweise beiden Schaltstellungen der Kontaktwippe jeweils ein fester Kontakt zugeordnet, was die vorgenannte Alternativ-Wahlmöglichkeit für den fertigen Tastschalter sicherstellt.In an advantageous development of the invention, a bistable mounting of the contact rocker can be provided in order to enable the use of the electrical pushbutton switch as a pushbutton. This pushbutton switch can be designed both as an open-circuit current switch and as a closed-circuit current switch. Accordingly, in a further development of the invention, one or the other switching position of the contact rocker or preferably both switching positions of the contact rocker is assigned a fixed contact, which ensures the aforementioned alternative option for the finished pushbutton switch.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist zwischen der Kontaktwippe und dem Wippenträger einen Schneidenlagerung vorgesehen derart, daß im Wippenträger eine Lagerpfanne eingeformt ist, in welche die Kontaktwippe mit einem entsprechend schneidenartig ausgebildeten Kontaktsteg eingreift.According to one embodiment of the invention, a cutting edge bearing is provided between the contact rocker and the rocker support in such a way that a bearing socket is formed in the rocker support, into which the contact rocker engages with a correspondingly cut-out contact web.

Stattdessen kann es unter Umständen günstig sein, entsprechend einer weiteren Ausführungsform eine Schneidenlagerung zwischen der Kontaktwippe und der ersten Feder vorzusehen, wobei wiederum die Kontaktwippe mit einem schneidenartigen Widerlager versehen ist, welches in eine an der ersten Feder angeordnete Lagerpfanne eingreift.Instead, it may be advantageous under certain circumstances to provide a cutting edge bearing between the contact rocker and the first spring in accordance with a further embodiment, the contact rocker again being provided with a cutting-like abutment which engages in a bearing socket arranged on the first spring.

Eine dritte Ausführungsform gemäß der Erfindung sieht vor, daß zwischen der ersten Feder und dem Wippenträger eine Schneidenlagerung vorgesehen ist, wobei ein am Wippenträger angeformter, als Widerlager dienender schneidenartig ausgebildeter Vorsprung in eine an der ersten Feder befindliche Lagerpfanne eingreift. Mit jeder dieser drei Ausführungsformen wird die Lagerreibung, die im Stand der Technik zu erheblichen Kontaktproblemen führt, soweit vermindert, daß derlei Probleme ausgeschlossen sind.A third embodiment according to the invention provides that a cutting edge bearing is provided between the first spring and the rocker support, a projection which is formed on the rocker support and serves as an abutment and which engages in a cutting-like projection in a bearing pan located on the first spring. With each of these three embodiments, the bearing friction, which leads to considerable contact problems in the prior art, is reduced to such an extent that such problems are excluded.

Um ein Optimum an Funktionssicherheit zu erreichen, ist gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung vorgesehen, daß sowohl zwischen der Kontaktwippe und der ersten Feder als auch zwischen der Kontaktwippe und dem Wippenträger sowie zwischen dem Wippenträger und der ersten Feder jeweils eine Schneidenlagerung entsprechend der zuvor beschriebenen Art vorgesehen ist, wodurch die Lagerreibung zwischen den relativ zueinander bewegten Teilen auf ein Minimum reduziert ist.In order to achieve an optimum of functional reliability, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that a cutting edge bearing according to the type described above is provided between the contact rocker and the first spring as well as between the contact rocker and the rocker carrier and between the rocker carrier and the first spring is provided, whereby the bearing friction between the relatively moving parts is reduced to a minimum.

Entsprechend einer in fertigungstechnischer Hinsicht optimierten Variante kann vorgesehen sein, daß die zwischen der ersten Feder und dem Wippenträger vorgesehene Schneidenlagerung dadurch gebildet ist, daß der am Wippenträger angeformte, als Schneide dienende Vorsprung unter einem Winkel von etwa 45° gegenüber der an der ersten Feder befindlichen Lagerpfanne angestellt ist, so daß dieser Vorsprung mit einer Längskante seiner durch den Stanzvorgang erzeugten Stirnfläche die Schneide bildet. Hierdurch wird ein besonderer Bearbeitungsgang, z. B. Anschleifen einer Schneide, vermieden.According to a variant which is optimized in terms of production technology, it can be provided that the cutting edge bearing provided between the first spring and the rocker carrier is formed in that the projection formed on the rocker carrier and serving as a cutting edge is at an angle of approximately 45 ° with respect to that on the first spring Bearing pan is employed so that this projection forms the cutting edge with a longitudinal edge of its end face produced by the stamping process. This creates a special processing step, e.g. B. grinding a cutting edge avoided.

In weiterer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung kann die erste Feder als Blattfeder ausgebildet sein, während die zweite Feder, welche das Betätigungselement als Rückstellfeder beaufschlagt bevorzugt als Schraubenfeder ausgebildet ist.In a further embodiment of the invention, the first spring can be designed as a leaf spring, while the second spring, which acts on the actuating element as a return spring, is preferably designed as a helical spring.

Zur Stromeinspeisung ist vorteilhafterweise der Wippenträger vorgesehen, wobei die Stromzuführung in die Kontaktwippe jeweils über die Lagerstellen vorgesehen ist. Sollte aus elektrischen Gründen, z. B. bei zu hoher Stromstärke zwecks Vermeidung von zu großen Übergangswiderständen diese einfache Lösungsvariante nicht in Betracht kommen, so ist entsprechend einer alternativen Ausführungsform vorgesehen, die Kontaktwippe mit einem flexiblen Leiterstück zu versehen, das zur Stromeinspeisung dient.The rocker support is advantageously provided for power supply, the power supply to the contact rocker being provided in each case via the bearing points. Should be for electrical reasons, e.g. B. if the current strength is too high to avoid excessive contact resistances, this simple solution variant is out of the question, so according to an alternative embodiment it is provided to provide the contact rocker with a flexible conductor piece, which is used for feeding the current.

Zur Betätigung durch das Betätigungselement besitzt die Kontaktwippe wenigstens eine Anformung, welche mit dem Betätigungselement gekoppelt ist. Die Art der Koppelung hängt davon ab, ob der erfindungsgemäße elektrische Tastschalter als Taster oder als Schalter eingesetzt werden soll.For actuation by the actuating element, the contact rocker has at least one projection, which is coupled to the actuating element. The type of coupling depends on whether the electrical push button switch according to the invention is to be used as a push button or as a switch.

Beim Einsatz als Taster erfolgt eine quasi starre Kopplung zwischen Kontaktwippe und Betätigungselement, indem in etwa gleichlaufend mit der Bewegung des Betätigungselementes die Schwenkung der Kontaktwippe einhergeht. Hierbei dient die erste Feder ausschließlich der sicheren Kontaktierung mit entsprechender Kontaktkraft.When used as a pushbutton, there is a quasi-rigid coupling between the contact rocker and the actuating element, in that the pivoting of the contact rocker is roughly synchronized with the movement of the actuating element. Here, the first spring is used only for secure contact with the appropriate contact force.

Bei dem erfindungsgemäß hauptsächlich vorgesehenen Einsatzfall als Schalter erfolgt die Kopplung zwischen dem Betätigungselement und der Kontaktwippe ausschließlich in einer Richtung, wobei anstelle eines starren Verbindungsgliedes zwischen Betätigungselement und der Kontaktwippe diese von einer am Betätigungselement gelenkig angeordneten Pendelscheibe beaufschlagt wird. Durch entsprechend aufeinander abgestimmte Formgebung der Pendelscheibe sowie der Kontaktwippe wird sichergestellt, daß mit jeder Betätigung des Betätigungselements die Kontaktwippe durch die Pendelscheibe derart beaufschlagt wird, daß sie die jeweils andere Schaltposition einnimmt, d. h. nach zweimaliger Betätigung erreicht die Kontaktwippe wieder ihre Ausgangsposition.In the case of a switch, which is mainly provided according to the invention, the coupling between the actuating element and the contact rocker takes place exclusively in one direction, whereby instead of a rigid connecting member between the actuating element and the contact rocker, this is acted upon by a pendulum disk articulated on the actuating element. A correspondingly coordinated shape of the pendulum disc and the contact rocker ensures that each time the actuating element is actuated, the contact rocker is acted upon by the pendulum disc in such a way that it assumes the respective other switching position, ie. H. After actuation twice, the contact rocker returns to its starting position.

Die Erfindung bietet ferner die Möglichkeit, durch Variation der Ausgestaltung der bevorzugt als Blattfeder eingesetzten ersten Feder hinsichtlich Dicke, Breite, Form und Material unterschiedliche Betätigungs- und Kontaktkräfte zu erhalten und so den elektrischen Erfordernissen anzupassen.The invention also offers the possibility of obtaining different actuation and contact forces in terms of thickness, width, shape and material by varying the configuration of the first spring, which is preferably used as a leaf spring, and thus adapting it to the electrical requirements.

Darüberhinaus ist mit der erfindungsgemäßen Ausgestaltung der Kontaktwippe als Stanzbiegeteil deren automatische und damit kostengünstige Fertigung möglich.In addition, with the configuration of the contact rocker as a stamped and bent part according to the invention, it is possible for it to be manufactured automatically and therefore cost-effectively.

Diese und weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der Unteransprüche.These and other advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung sollen die Erfindung, vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Verbesserungen der Erfindung sowie besondere Vorteile näher erläutert und beschrieben werden.The invention, advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention and special advantages are to be explained and described in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1
einen Längsschnitt durch die Kontaktanordnung durch den erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Tastschalters gemäß Schnittlinie I-I in Figur 2
Figur 2
eine Seitenansicht der Kontaktanordnung des erfindungsgemäßen Tastschalters gegenüber Figur 1 um 90° gedreht
Figur 3
einen Längsschnitt durch die Kontaktanordnung des erfindungsgemäßen Tastschalters gemäß Schnittlinie III-III in Figur 2
In Figur 1 ist eine Kontaktanordnung 10 eines elektrischen Tastschalters gezeigt, welche zwei feste Kontakte 12, 14 und einen beweglichen Kontakt 16, der als aus einer Kontaktwippe 18, einem Wippenträger 20 und einer als Wippenfeder bezeichneten ersten Feder 22 gebildeten Baugruppe besteht.Show it:
Figure 1
2 shows a longitudinal section through the contact arrangement through the electrical push-button switch according to the invention along section line II in FIG. 2
Figure 2
a side view of the contact arrangement of the push button switch according to the invention rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG
Figure 3
2 shows a longitudinal section through the contact arrangement of the push-button switch according to the invention along section line III-III in FIG. 2
FIG. 1 shows a contact arrangement 10 of an electrical pushbutton switch, which has two fixed contacts 12, 14 and a movable contact 16, which consists of an assembly formed by a contact rocker 18, a rocker carrier 20 and a first spring 22, referred to as a rocker spring.

Die Kontaktwippe 18 ist mit Hilfe der Wippenfeder 22 gemeinsam mit dieser unter Vorspannung in den Wippenträger 20 eingesetzt, wobei die jeweiligen Verbindungsstellen als Schneidenlagerung ausgebildet sind. Demgemäß besitzt die Kontaktwippe 18 eine erste Anformung 18.1, die eine scharfe Kante 18.2 aufweist, mit welcher sie in eine am Wippenträger 20 angeordnete Lagerpfanne 20.1 eingreift. Ferner besitzt die Kontaktwippe 18 eine zweite Anformung 18.3, welche mit der Wippenfeder 22 eine zweite Schneidenlagerung bildet. Um ein seitliches Auslenken der als Blattfeder ausgebildeten Wippenfeder 22 zu verhindern, sind ihre Enden jeweils mit einer symmetrisch zwischen zwei als Lagerpfanne 22.1 dienenden Schenkeln angeordneten Ausnehmung 22.2 versehen, in welche eine an die Anformung 18.3 angeformte 18.4 eingreift.The contact rocker 18 is inserted with the help of the rocker spring 22 together with this under prestress into the rocker carrier 20, the respective connection points being designed as a cutting edge bearing. Accordingly, the contact rocker 18 has a first projection 18.1, which has a sharp edge 18.2 with which it engages in a bearing pan 20.1 arranged on the rocker carrier 20. Furthermore, the contact rocker 18 has a second projection 18.3, which with the rocker spring 22 has a second cutting edge bearing forms. In order to prevent lateral deflection of the rocker spring 22 designed as a leaf spring, its ends are each provided with a recess 22.2 which is arranged symmetrically between two legs serving as bearing socket 22.1 and into which a recess 18.4 molded onto the molded part 18.3 engages.

Der Wippenträger 20 ist ein U-förmiges Biegeteil mit einem die Lagerpfanne 20.1 aufnehmenden unteren Schenkel, einem Verbindungssteg 20.2 und einem oberen Schenkel 20.3, an welchem unter einem Winkel von etwa 45° eine Anformung 20.4 anschließt, deren freies Ende ähnlich ausgestaltet ist wie die zweite Anformung 18.3 der Kontaktwippe 18. Die Anformung 20.4 am Wippenträger 20 dient ebenfalls als Schneide für eine mit der Wippenfeder 22 gebildete Schneidenlagerung, wobei am zugeordneten Ende der Wippenfeder 22 eine Lagerpfanne 22.1 gebildet ist, in welche die Anformung 20.4 als Schneide eingreift und mit einem nasenförmigen Vorsprung die auch hier vorgesehene, symmetrisch angeordnete Ausnehmung 22.2, wie in Figur 2 erkennbar, durchgreift.The rocker support 20 is a U-shaped bent part with a lower leg which receives the bearing pan 20.1, a connecting web 20.2 and an upper leg 20.3, to which an extension 20.4 adjoins at an angle of approximately 45 °, the free end of which is similar to the second Formation 18.3 of the contact rocker 18. The formation 20.4 on the rocker support 20 also serves as a cutting edge for a cutting edge bearing formed with the rocker spring 22, a bearing socket 22.1 being formed at the associated end of the rocker spring 22, into which the molding 20.4 engages as a cutting edge and with a nose-shaped The projection also extends through the symmetrically arranged recess 22.2, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

Ferner besitzt die Kontaktwippe 18 zwei weitere Anformungen 18.4 und 18.5, welche mit einem als Pendelscheibe ausgebildeten Stellglied 24 zusammenarbeiten, indem sie durch das Stellglied 24 wechselweise beaufschlagbar sind.Furthermore, the contact rocker 18 has two further projections 18.4 and 18.5, which cooperate with an actuator 24 designed as a pendulum disc, in that they can be acted upon alternately by the actuator 24.

Das Stellglied 24, das wie in Figur 3 gezeigt als etwa dreieckförmige Pendelscheibe ausgebildet ist, ist mittels eines Gelenks 26, z. B. Filmscharnier, mit einem von einer Rückstellfeder 28 beaufschlagten Betätigungselement 30 verbunden und dient dazu, unter Zwischenschaltung der Anformungen 18.4, 18.5 die Kontaktwippe zu betätigen, damit diese die jeweilige Schaltposition einnimmt. Nach jeder erfolgten Betätigung wird das Betätigungselement 30 durch die Rückstellfeder 20 in seine Ausgangsstellung, die in Figur 2 gezeigt ist, zurückgestellt.The actuator 24, which is designed as an approximately triangular pendulum disk as shown in FIG. 3, is connected by means of a joint 26, for. B. film hinge, connected to an actuating element 30 acted upon by a return spring 28 and serves to actuate the contact rocker with the interposition of the projections 18.4, 18.5 so that it assumes the respective switching position. After each actuation, the actuating element 30 is returned to its starting position, which is shown in FIG. 2, by the return spring 20.

Das Stellglied 24 besitzt jeweils in an sich bekannter Weise geformte Ausnehmungen 24.1, 24.2, welche mit den Anformungen 18.4, 18.5 korrespondieren und dabei sicherstellen, daß stets eine Beaufschlagung der Kontaktwippe 18 erfolgt.The actuator 24 has recesses 24.1, 24.2 which are formed in a manner known per se and which correspond to the projections 18.4, 18.5 and thereby ensure that the contact rocker 18 is always acted upon.

Die in Figur 3 dargestellte Ansicht der Kontaktanordnung 10 des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Tastschalters entspricht der in Figur 2 gezeigten Schnittlinie III-III. Mit Ausnahme der durch die in Figur 3 gezeigten Einzelheiten des Betätigungselements 30 sowie des als Pendelscheibe ausgebildeten Stellglieds 24 verdeckten Einzelheiten entsprechen die weiteren Merkmale den aus Figur 1 erkennbaren und bereits erläuterten Merkmalen. Demgemäß sind gleiche Merkmale mit den gleichen Bezugsziffern versehen.The view of the contact arrangement 10 of the electrical push-button switch according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the section line III-III shown in FIG. With the exception of the details hidden by the details of the actuating element 30 shown in FIG. 3 and the actuator 24 designed as a pendulum disc, the further features correspond to the features recognizable from FIG. 1 and already explained. Accordingly, the same features are provided with the same reference numbers.

Das Wesentliche der vorliegenden Kontaktanordnung besteht darin, daß die Schneidenlagerung auf kostengünstige Weise realisiert ist, indem unter Einhaltung der geometrischen Bedingungen, z. B. der Neigung der Anformung 20.4 unter einem Neigungswinkel von etwa 45° bzw. der Anformung 18.3 an der Kontaktwippe 18, die in Verbindung mit der jeweils rechtwinkligen Schnittkante vom Stanzen einen wirksamen Schneidenwinkel von etwa 45° gewährleisten, der ausreichend ist für reibungsarme Lagerung, eine sichere Funktion des erfindungsgemäßen Tastschalters erreicht wird.The essence of the present contact arrangement is that the cutting edge storage is realized in a cost-effective manner by observing the geometric conditions, eg. B. the inclination of the formation 20.4 at an inclination angle of approximately 45 ° or the formation 18.3 on the contact rocker 18, which in conjunction with the rectangular cutting edge of the punching ensure an effective cutting angle of approximately 45 °, which is sufficient for low-friction storage, a reliable function of the push button switch according to the invention is achieved.

Claims (12)

  1. Electric pushbutton switch having at least one contact point (10) having in each case at least one fixed contact (12, 14) and one movable contact (16), which is designed as a contact rocker (18) acted on by a first spring (22) and can be actuated by an actuating element (30) acted on by a second spring (28), which serves as a restoring spring, characterized in that the movable contact (16) is designed as an assembly comprising the contact rocker (18), the first spring (22) and a rocker carrier (20), in that the movable contact (16) is provided with at least one knife-edge bearing between parts which move relative to one another, and in that the contact rocker (18) can be acted on, by means of an actuator (24) which is articulated pivotably on the actuating element (30), via lugs (18.4; 18.5) which are integrally formed on the lateral edge of the said contact rocket.
  2. Electric pushbutton switch according to Claim 1, characterized in that a bistable bearing of the contact rocker (18) is provided.
  3. Electric pushbutton switch according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that provision is made of two fixed contacts (12, 14) per contact point (10), which are connected up alternatively.
  4. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knife-edge bearing is provided between the contact rocker (18) and the rocker carrier (20).
  5. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of Claims 1 to 3 or according to Claim 4, characterized in that the knife-edge bearing is provided between the contact rocker (18) and the first spring (22).
  6. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of Claims 1 to 3 or according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the knife-edge bearing is provided between the first spring (22) and the rocker carrier (20).
  7. Electric pushbutton switch according to Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the knife-edge bearing is provided both between the contact rocker (18) and the rocker carrier (20) and between the rocker carrier (20) and the first spring (22) and also between the contact rocker (18) and the first spring (22).
  8. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring (22) is designed as a leaf spring.
  9. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second spring is designed as a helical compression spring.
  10. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the current feeding of the movable contact (16) is provided via the rocker carrier (20) including the bearing points into the contact rocker (18).
  11. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the current feeding of the movable contact (16) is provided by means of a flexible conductor element connected to the contact rocker (18).
  12. Electric pushbutton switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knife-edge bearing consists of a trough-shaped receptacle part (20.1, 22.1) on which the mating piece (18.1, 18.3, 20.4) is supported with a straight edge, which edge has an angle of at most 90°, preferably 30°.
EP94105512A 1993-04-15 1994-04-09 Electric pushbutton switch Expired - Lifetime EP0620577B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4312307 1993-04-15
DE4312307A DE4312307A1 (en) 1993-04-15 1993-04-15 Electrical push button

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0620577A1 EP0620577A1 (en) 1994-10-19
EP0620577B1 true EP0620577B1 (en) 1997-06-11

Family

ID=6485529

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94105512A Expired - Lifetime EP0620577B1 (en) 1993-04-15 1994-04-09 Electric pushbutton switch

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0620577B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE154467T1 (en)
DE (2) DE4312307A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2105396T3 (en)
GR (1) GR3024254T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4413387C2 (en) * 1994-04-18 1996-11-07 Abb Patent Gmbh Electrical push button
DE19530492B4 (en) * 1995-08-18 2005-08-04 Siemens Ag Movement contact with cutting edge positioning
DE102004001939A1 (en) * 2004-01-14 2005-08-04 Abb Patent Gmbh Electrical switching device

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1580318A (en) * 1968-05-30 1969-09-05
FR2033614A5 (en) * 1969-02-26 1970-12-04 Develay Rene
DE7016357U (en) * 1970-04-30 1970-09-17 Merit Werk Merten & Co Kg COUNTER.
DE2512225A1 (en) * 1975-03-20 1976-10-07 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Steering column switch for turning indicators - is for cars and has switching element movable in steering wheel plane
FR2435117A1 (en) * 1978-09-01 1980-03-28 Seima Pushbutton operated electric contactor - uses spring wire loops shaped to pass round shafts mounted parallel to printed circuit board
CH647093A5 (en) * 1979-12-27 1984-12-28 Feller Ag Electrical push-button switch
DE3133338A1 (en) * 1981-08-22 1983-03-10 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION SWITCH
DE3912798A1 (en) * 1989-04-19 1990-10-25 Jung Gmbh Albrecht Rocker operated switch - has contact operated by spring loaded, insert moved through dead centre by action of rocker coupled slide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GR3024254T3 (en) 1997-10-31
ES2105396T3 (en) 1997-10-16
DE4312307A1 (en) 1994-10-20
EP0620577A1 (en) 1994-10-19
DE59403075D1 (en) 1997-07-17
ATE154467T1 (en) 1997-06-15

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