EP0624278B1 - Schalter mit mindestens zwei stabilen stellungen, insbesondere für kraftfahrzeuge - Google Patents

Schalter mit mindestens zwei stabilen stellungen, insbesondere für kraftfahrzeuge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0624278B1
EP0624278B1 EP94900897A EP94900897A EP0624278B1 EP 0624278 B1 EP0624278 B1 EP 0624278B1 EP 94900897 A EP94900897 A EP 94900897A EP 94900897 A EP94900897 A EP 94900897A EP 0624278 B1 EP0624278 B1 EP 0624278B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
target
pole pieces
counter
switch according
permanent magnet
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
EP94900897A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0624278A1 (de
Inventor
Bertrand Hoffmann
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.)
Valeo Electronique SA
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Valeo Electronique SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valeo Electronique SA filed Critical Valeo Electronique SA
Publication of EP0624278A1 publication Critical patent/EP0624278A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0624278B1 publication Critical patent/EP0624278B1/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
    • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/02—Energy stored by the attraction or repulsion of magnetic parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
    • H01H3/50—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts with indexing or locating means, e.g. indexing by ball and spring
    • H01H2003/506—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts with indexing or locating means, e.g. indexing by ball and spring making use of permanent magnets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to switches with at least two stable positions, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a support housing carrying a movable operating member capable of occupying said stable positions, and indexing means carried in part by the operating member and partly through the housing for defining stable positions of the operating member.
  • the switch fulfills a predetermined function as described for example in document FR-A-2 392 479.
  • the indexing means use notches formed in the housing and a movable plunger subjected to the action of a return spring carried by the operating member.
  • a return spring carried by the operating member.
  • Such a switch is noisy because the plunger is first allowed to retract and then suddenly relax, to move from one stable position to another.
  • switches are sensitive to corrosion and pollution because the indexing means include parts in mobile contact with each other, so that particles can detach and for example contaminate the electrical circuits. , hydraulic or other, as well as the joints, which includes such a switch.
  • This pollution can also come from the grease that is usually used to reduce noise phenomena.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks in a simple and economical manner and therefore to create new indexing means which are less noisy and which are less subject to corrosion and pollution, while having a more comfortable feeling for the user. gentle actuation of the operating member, and using a reduced number of magnets.
  • a switch of the above-mentioned type in which the indexing means comprise a magnetic circuit with at least one permanent magnet is characterized in that the said permanent magnet is integral with at least one profiled counter-target to increase the flux of the magnetic field, and in that said circuit comprises a target for closing the magnetic field disposed opposite the counter-target at each stable position, one of the target-counter-target elements with its associated permanent magnet being carried by the operating member, while the other of said elements is carried by the housing, so as to define at least two stable positions, at least two targets and a counter-target or the reverse being provided for this purpose .
  • the indexing means comprise parts which do not come into contact with one another, so that the noise generated by the trigger, by example, of a plunger or by vibrations of flexible blades are avoided.
  • Friction phenomena are also avoided as well as pollution phenomena, in particular because there is no need to grease the magnetic indexing means.
  • the manufacture of the switch is also simplified due to the absence of return spring and / or elastic blade.
  • the permanent magnet can easily be installed transversely or axially.
  • the actuation of the operating member is done without risk of jamming and in a more gentle manner. Indeed, when one passes from a stable position to another the magnetic restoring forces decrease, then increase contrary to the provisions of the prior art leading first to an increase in force.
  • the magnetic attraction force will position the target relative to its associated magnet and will ensure the stability of the position, thus achieving indexing. Multiplying the number of targets and / or magnets will easily multiply the number of positions.
  • the magnetic attraction force will attract the magnet to the nearest target.
  • the arrangement according to the invention makes economical use of a reduced number of permanent magnets, which can thus have a large size.
  • This reduced number of magnets favors good stability of the positions, the targets or counter-targets being well spaced from each other.
  • each pole of the permanent magnet is associated with a pole piece. These pole pieces reduce the power of the magnet and therefore its size.
  • the open magnetic flux can be concentrated, the target serving to close the flux. This also promotes an increase in the distance between the targets for better position stability.
  • pole pieces are profiled to further increase the flux of the magnetic field.
  • the target and / or the pole pieces have a cropped free end to increase the magnetic restoring forces.
  • the switch illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 14 is a service switch for a motor vehicle with at least two stable positions, in particular for lighting, heating, air conditioning, wiping and ventilation of this vehicle.
  • This switch comprises a support housing 30, an operating member 5-50, mounted movable relative to the housing 30 by being carried by the latter.
  • This movable member 5-50 is able to occupy said stable positions.
  • the switch also comprises indexing means 1 carried in part by the operating member 5-50 and in part by the housing 30 for defining stable positions of the operating member 5-50.
  • indexing means 1 carried in part by the operating member 5-50 and in part by the housing 30 for defining stable positions of the operating member 5-50.
  • pole pieces 20, 21, 22, 23, 25 are associated with each pole of the permanent magnet 2, for example in ferrite, in rare earths or in Neodyne-Fer-Boron.
  • These parts, as well as the targets 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 are here made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material with low reluctance. They are advantageously made of soft iron.
  • pole pieces form counter-targets associated with the permanent magnet 2. They make it possible to reduce the power of the magnet and therefore the size thereof. Indeed, thanks to these pole pieces, the density of the magnetic field can be increased, these channeling the magnetic flux.
  • This permanent magnet 2 can be profiled to present itself a counter target.
  • the part of the housing 30, which partially carries the indexing means, is made of non-magnetic material.
  • the targets 16 are also made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material with low reluctance, advantageously of soft iron.
  • the permanent magnet 2 with its pole pieces (counter-targets) is carried by the actuator 5-50, while in FIGS. 5 and 6 the targets 16, 17 are carried by the 'operating member, more precisely by an axis 4, belonging to said operating member.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 three targets have been provided and for simplicity only two of these have been represented as in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • FIG. 5 there is a single target 17 and four counter-targets 26 formed using the pole pieces 25.
  • two twin targets 16 and four permanent magnets 3 are provided, the opposite end of the axis 4 is profiled to form a counter-target.
  • the housing has a substantial size, it is possible to provide at least three permanent magnets and three counter-targets carried by said housing and a single target carried by the operating member. All combinations are possible.
  • the two pole pieces 20 are magnetically bonded to the magnet 2, each being associated with one of the poles of the permanent magnet 2.
  • the assembly 20.2 is generally in the shape of a U whose the base is formed mainly by the magnet 2 and the branches by the pole pieces 20, the free ends of which are bent towards one another to define a precise air gap between the free ends of the paired pole pieces 20.
  • the target 11 is a lug of generally trapezoidal shape and penetrates between the parts 20 in the air gap delimited by these.
  • the distance between the free ends of the pieces 20 is therefore a function of the thickness of the target 11, which extends parallel to the main part of the pieces 20.
  • the target 11 could consist of a rectangular tab, but it will be appreciated that the trapezoidal shape of the target 11, consisting in cutting material relative to a rectangular tab, leads to an increase in the magnetic restoring forces.
  • the magnet 2 with its associated counter-target, formed by the two paired pole pieces 20 moves relative to the target 11, an asymmetry is created due to the inclined shape of the lateral edges of the target 11 so that the magnetic restoring forces are increased.
  • the targets 11 are connected together by bars 10, so that they form a unitary assembly which can be easily fixed in the part which carries it, advantageously made of plastic to do this, so that one can easily carry out for example overmolding.
  • the pieces 21 have a planar shape with a trapezoidal end to concentrate the magnetic flux, while the targets 12 have a U shape with two wings each directed towards a pole piece 21 in the plane thereof, said wings having a trapezoidal end.
  • An air gap is defined between each free end of a pole piece 20 and the free end opposite the concerned branch of the target 12, in the extension of the associated piece 20.
  • the magnetic field closes through the target 12, hence the U shape of it.
  • the shape of the target 12 also makes it possible to create an asymmetry during the relative displacement of the target 12 relative to the counter-target 21 and therefore to increase the magnetic restoring forces for the benefit of good stability of the switch as before.
  • the switch can thus have an unstable position corresponding to an absence of target for for example, in the context of a wiping switch, controlling the washer fluid of the rear wiping or controlling the temperature in the context of a vehicle interior air conditioning system.
  • the target 14 is in the form of a bar with a free end of trapezoidal shape, said targets 14 being connected together by a plate 13.
  • the pole pieces 22 have a free end curved as in FIG. 1 but with a double folding.
  • the end zones of the free ends, facing each other, extend perpendicular to the current part of the parts 22 to define an air gap and attract the target 14 located outside the parts 22 in the immediate vicinity parts 22 for closing the magnetic field.
  • the pole pieces 23 are thicker and have a free end of reduced thickness with connection fillets 25.
  • the target 15 is in the form of a stepped plate with a free end of rectangular shape penetrating between the two free ends parts 23 and defining two shoulders 26, each facing the end face 27 of the free end of the part 23 concerned.
  • the permanent magnet 2 has two pole pieces 25 and each of these is provided with two ribs 26 facing the other pole piece to define two stable positions.
  • more than two ribs can be provided.
  • the target 17 is in the form of a plate perforated centrally for passage of the axis 4.
  • the target 16 is split and consists of two plates 16 with curved ends directed towards each other.
  • the permanent magnets 3 have a trapezoidal end forming the counter-targets.
  • more than two magnets 3 and two stable positions can be provided.
  • the switch is an electrical switch of the type described for example in document EP 0 403 359 to which reference may be made for further details, as well as to documents FR-A-2 607 959 and FR-A-2 607 961 cited in this aforementioned document EP 0 403 359.
  • This switch can be a light switch or a wiping switch located at the dashboard of the motor vehicle. It comprises a housing 30 made of non-magnetic material, here made of plastic material, with a belt 32 closed by a cover 31 for delimitation of a ball housing 7 with which is adapted to cooperate a lever 5 having a ball joint. the disposition of the user, is therefore pivotally mounted relative to the housing 30 while being carried by the latter.
  • the cover 31 is removably fixed to the belt here by clipping.
  • the handle 5, made of non-magnetic material, here made of plastic, thanks to its ball joint 6 can thus perform, inside the housing 30, a rotational movement in the plane of FIG. 8.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 four targets 18, linked together by bars, are provided. These targets, carried by the belt 32, have a U shape with free ends of trapezoidal shape suitable for penetrating with slight play between the pole pieces 21 of FIG. 2.
  • the magnet 2 with its pole pieces 21, forming a counter-target, is mounted in a housing 33 of axial orientation in the form of a blind hole, which has a hub 9 linked to the lever 5 by connection means 8.
  • the hub 9 thus belongs to the operating element 5.
  • connecting means 8 use intermediate parts and connections by cooperation of shapes.
  • the hub 9 penetrates in one piece with the element 5.
  • the magnetic circuit includes targets 12 of the type of Figure 2 and pole pieces 21 of this same figure.
  • the targets 19 are of the type of those of FIG. 3 with a free end of rectangular shape, while the pole pieces 22 (the counter-target) have the shape of that of FIG. 3 and are mounted in an open transverse housing 34 of the hub 9.
  • targets 19 with their bars are overmolded in the belt 32 with rounded internal lateral edge as in FIGS. 8 and 10.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 has a larger size by being more powerful and that the magnet can be mounted with its counter-target in both directions (axial and transverse), hence a large area. of application.
  • the operating member is a wheel 50 available to the user and the switch is an electrical control selector as described in the document FR-A-2 675 918 (US-A-5,235,213 ).
  • the operating member is rotatably mounted by means of a shaft 51, which it has for this purpose, journalling in a housing 52 of the housing 30.
  • the shaft 51 has one end of reduced diameter 53 penetrating into the housing 52.
  • the plastic housing 30 has three parts, namely a cover 40, a belt 41 and a plate 42 carrying electrical circuits, of which we see in FIG. 13 electrical supply tabs and a lamp lighting. The assembly of these various parts is done by clipping.
  • the plate 42 which has a housing 43 for mounting a magnet 2 with a pole piece 22 of the type of FIG. 3.
  • the targets 24 are carried by the wheel 50 and therefore rotatable relative to the magnet 2 which is fixed.
  • the targets 24 come opposite the free ends of the pole pieces 22.
  • the switch can control hydraulic or other circuits and one can perform a relative translational movement of the targets relative to the counter-targets.
  • the magnet 2 with its counter-target belongs to a cursor moved in translation by the user.
  • the operating member is not controlled by pressing in but by circumferential shift, possibly of infinite radius, leading to an axial movement 2 .
  • the magnetic forces are determined according to the applications, and easily depending in particular on the air gaps and the pole pieces so that the operating member remains in a stable position under the effect of vibration phenomena.

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  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Schalter mit mindestens zwei stabilen Stellungen, insbesondere für Kraftfahrzeuge, in der Ausführung mit einem Traggehäuse (30), das ein bewegliches Betätigungsorgan (5-50) trägt, das die besagten stabilen Stellungen einnehmen kann, und mit Rastmitteln (1), die zum Teil am Betätigungsorgan (5-50) und zum Teil am Gehäuse (30) angebracht sind, um die stabilen Stellungen des Betätigungsorgans (5-50) zu definieren, wobei die Rastmittel (1) einen Magnetkreis mit mindestens einem Permanentmagneten (2, 3) umfassen , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der besagte Permanentmagnet (2, 3) fest mit mindestens einem Gegenzielement (20, 21 ...) verbunden ist, das profiliert ist, um den Fluß des Magnetfelds zu verstärken, und daß der besagte Magnetkreis ein Zielelement (11, 12, 13 ...) zum Schließen des Magnetfelds umfaßt, das gegenüber dem Gegenzielelement bei jeder stabilen Stellung angeordnet ist, wobei eines der Elemente Zielelement oder Gegenzielelement mit seinem zugehörigen Permanentmagneten am Betätigungsorgan (5-50) angebracht ist, während das andere der besagten Elemente am Gehäuse (30) angebracht ist, so daß mindestens zwei stabile Stellungen gebildet werden, wozu mindestens zwei Zielelemente und ein Gegenzielelement oder umgekehrt vorgesehen sind.
  2. Schalter nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zur Verringerung der Leistung des Permanentmagneten (2, 3) jedem Pol des besagten Permanentmagneten ein Polstück (20, 21 ...) zugeordnet ist.
  3. Schalter nach Anspruch 2 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Polstücke (20, 21 ...) paarweise angeordnet und zur Bildung der Gegenzielelemente gestaltet sind.
  4. Schalter nach Anspruch 2 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Polstücke (20, 21 ...) profiliert sind, um den Fluß des Magnetfelds zu verstärken.
  5. Schalter nach Anspruch 4 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Polstücke (21) eine flache Form mit einem trapezförmigen freien Ende aufweisen.
  6. Schalter nach Anspruch 5 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zielelemente (12) eine U-Form mit zwei zu den Polstücken (21) gerichteten Schenkeln und einem trapezförmigen freien Ende aufweisen.
  7. Schalter nach Anspruch 4 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Polstücke (21, 22 ...) ein gekrümmtes freies Ende aufweisen, um einen Luftspalt zwischen den besagten freien Enden zu definieren.
  8. Schalter nach Anspruch 7 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Zielelement (11) einen Ansatz mit einem trapezförmigen freien Ende bildet, das zwischen den beiden freien Enden der Polstücke (20) eingreift.
  9. Schalter nach Anspruch 7 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Zielelement (14) in Form eines Stabs mit einem trapezförmigen freien Ende gegenüber den freien Enden der Polstücke (22) ausgeführt ist.
  10. Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Permanentmagnet (2) mit seinen Polstücken (20, 21 ...) an einer Nabe (9) angebracht ist, die zu einem Schalterhebel (5) gehört, der schwenkbar in einem Gehäuse (30) gelagert ist.
  11. Schalter nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Permanentmagnet (2) mit seinen Polstücken (20, 21 ...) an der Grundplatte (42) eines Gehäuses (30) angebracht ist, während die Zielelemente (24) an einem Einstellrädchen (50) angebracht sind, das drehbar in dem Gehäuse (30) gelagert ist.
EP94900897A 1992-12-02 1993-12-02 Schalter mit mindestens zwei stabilen stellungen, insbesondere für kraftfahrzeuge Expired - Lifetime EP0624278B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9214518A FR2698720B1 (fr) 1992-12-02 1992-12-02 Commutateur à au moins deux positions stables, notamment pour véhicule automobile.
FR9214518 1992-12-02
PCT/FR1993/001183 WO1994012997A1 (fr) 1992-12-02 1993-12-02 Commutateur a au moins deux positions stables, notamment pour vehicule automobile

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0624278A1 EP0624278A1 (de) 1994-11-17
EP0624278B1 true EP0624278B1 (de) 1997-06-04

Family

ID=9436148

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94900897A Expired - Lifetime EP0624278B1 (de) 1992-12-02 1993-12-02 Schalter mit mindestens zwei stabilen stellungen, insbesondere für kraftfahrzeuge

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5864272A (de)
EP (1) EP0624278B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH07506455A (de)
DE (1) DE69311311T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2105601T3 (de)
FR (1) FR2698720B1 (de)
WO (1) WO1994012997A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6477749B1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2002-11-12 Lodestone Fasteners, Llc Magnetic tack
DE202009012183U1 (de) * 2009-09-08 2009-11-26 Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG Manuell betätigbares Ansteuermodul

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL209353A (de) * 1955-07-29
FR2134955A6 (de) * 1971-04-20 1972-12-08 Varale Henri
DE7537002U (de) * 1975-11-21 1978-04-27 Fa. Leopold Kostal, 5880 Luedenscheid Elektromechanischer Schalter
FR2370350A1 (fr) * 1976-11-05 1978-06-02 Serras Paulet Edouard Commutateur rotatif, a aimants mobiles
US4317969A (en) * 1978-09-01 1982-03-02 Hannes Riegler Electrical line-connector
US4481389A (en) * 1982-08-02 1984-11-06 Liquid Level Lectronics, Inc. Magnetic control device
DE4109544A1 (de) * 1991-03-22 1992-09-24 Kirsten Elektrotech Elektrischer schalter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2698720B1 (fr) 1995-01-20
US5864272A (en) 1999-01-26
DE69311311T2 (de) 1997-09-18
EP0624278A1 (de) 1994-11-17
ES2105601T3 (es) 1997-10-16
JPH07506455A (ja) 1995-07-13
WO1994012997A1 (fr) 1994-06-09
DE69311311D1 (de) 1997-07-10
FR2698720A1 (fr) 1994-06-03

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