EP0633586A1 - Electrical switch device - Google Patents

Electrical switch device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0633586A1
EP0633586A1 EP94109879A EP94109879A EP0633586A1 EP 0633586 A1 EP0633586 A1 EP 0633586A1 EP 94109879 A EP94109879 A EP 94109879A EP 94109879 A EP94109879 A EP 94109879A EP 0633586 A1 EP0633586 A1 EP 0633586A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switching device
electrical switching
contact
housing
rocker
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP94109879A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0633586B1 (en
Inventor
Heinz-Dieter Schmitz
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.)
ABB Patent GmbH
Original Assignee
ABB Patent GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ABB Patent GmbH filed Critical ABB Patent GmbH
Publication of EP0633586A1 publication Critical patent/EP0633586A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0633586B1 publication Critical patent/EP0633586B1/en
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
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/025—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/04—Cases; Covers
    • H01H23/06—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
    • H01H9/161—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" comprising light emitting elements
    • H01H2009/164—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" comprising light emitting elements the light emitting elements being incorporated in and movable with the operating part
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/22—Operating parts, e.g. handle
    • H01H2021/225—Operating parts, e.g. handle with push-pull operation, e.g. which can be pivoted in both directions by pushing or pulling on the same extremity of the operating member
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/002—Casings sealed
    • H01H2223/004—Evacuation of penetrating liquid
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/006—Application power roofs

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a monostable switch, such as. B. pushbutton or rocker switch, with a housing, with a manual actuating element arranged thereon for acting on at least one contact arrangement located in the housing, each consisting of at least one movable and one fixed contact piece.
  • a monostable switch such as. B. pushbutton or rocker switch
  • a housing with a manual actuating element arranged thereon for acting on at least one contact arrangement located in the housing, each consisting of at least one movable and one fixed contact piece.
  • Actuators are nowadays preferably provided for your actuation with such switching devices, which emulate the desired adjustment movement or adjustment direction, in order to thereby ensure that incorrect operations are avoided as far as possible. This is particularly advantageous if, due to the large number of adjustment options, a large number of electrical switching devices are to be provided, the assignment of which can otherwise only be recognized by means of appropriate labeling.
  • the at least one movable contact piece is designed as a contact rocker and has two contact arms on one, namely the same pivoting side, which work together with fixed contact pieces, which are each arranged opposite one another.
  • the housing has a recessed grip, which is provided with a drain opening through which impinging water can drain.
  • the housing according to a further embodiment of the invention has a peripheral edge which surrounds the contact arrangement.
  • the manual control element is designed and arranged so that it overlaps the edge and thus forms an overlapping barrier.
  • the drain opening in the recessed grip is at its apex, ie. H. at its lowest point, arranged so that water can run off without residue.
  • the drain opening is connected to a shaft-shaped channel which leads at least to an outlet opening arranged on the side.
  • the shaft-shaped channel is guided along outside the area surrounded by said edge, in which the contact arrangement is located. This ensures that water impinging on the electrical switching device cannot penetrate as far as the contact arrangement, since it is already drained through the drainage opening arranged outside the area surrounded by the edge, via the shaft-shaped channel connected to it, to the outlet opening.
  • the contact rocker is mounted in a floating manner in a contact bridge, the contact rocker being acted upon by a pressure piece which is resiliently mounted by means of a compression spring and which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the manual actuation element.
  • the pressure piece is arranged at right angles to the pivot axis of the manual actuation element, which in turn runs axially parallel to the tilt axis of the contact rocker. Accordingly, the manual operating element performs a pivoting movement when it is actuated, the direction of rotation of which is opposite to the pivoting movement of the contact rocker.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the manual control element is provided with a lighting device, which for backlighting at least one Part of the actuating surface of the manual actuating element is used.
  • the lighting device can be a micro lamp or an LD light emitting diode. Regardless of whether the lighting device is provided as a microlamp or as an LD, it is provided for the electrical supply of the lighting device that it is connected on the one hand to ground and on the other hand to the movable contact piece. For this purpose, there is a connection of the lighting device to the compression spring, which acts on the pressure piece in the manual actuation element, both the pressure piece and the pressure spring being electrically conductive.
  • the lighting device serves to backlight a marking arranged in the actuating surface of the actuating element, which is preferably designed as an exchangeable symbol carrier.
  • the housing 12 has on its upper side a trough-shaped indentation which is referred to as a recessed grip and which, at its lowest point, depending on the point of view also to be regarded as a vertex, has an outlet opening 18. Below the trough-shaped indentation 16, the housing 12 continues in a cuboid shape and serves to accommodate a contact arrangement 20 which cooperates with the manual actuation element 14.
  • the drain opening 18 serves to prevent rain or splash water impinging on the electrical switching device 10 before it penetrates into the housing 12 and thus to prevent the contact arrangement 20 arranged therein from being impaired.
  • the drain opening 18 is connected to an underlying, transverse channel 19, which has outlet openings, not shown here, on both long sides of the electrical switching device 10, through which liquid which has entered the recessed grip 16 can drain off without having to carry current-carrying parts in Touch comes.
  • an approximately square opening 24, surrounded by an edge 22, is arranged in the trough-shaped recess 16 directly next to the drain opening 18, through which the manual operating element 14 with a switching part 15, which is arranged in the housing 12 in a pivotable manner, extends through the upper side of the housing, around the contact arrangement 20 to act inside the housing 12.
  • the manual control element 14 which covers the said edge 22 on all sides, so that the penetration of rain or splash water into the interior of the housing 12 through the through opening 24 is prevented, is provided with a lighting device 26, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is an LED light-emitting diode is formed, which is directed downwards at right angles to the top of the housing Switching part 15 of the manual operating element 14 is arranged.
  • This lighting device 26 is used for backlighting the operating surface of the manual actuation element 14, which is preferably provided with a marking and serves as an optical aid in the dark.
  • the switching part 15 has at its end facing away from the operating surface of the manual actuating element 14 below its pivot axis an elongated recess which extends coaxially to its longitudinal axis and in which a compression spring 28 and a pressure piece 29 are arranged, which is acted upon by the compression spring 28.
  • the pressure piece is dome-shaped at its outward-facing end and acts on a pivotable contact rocker 32 which is floatingly supported in a contact bridge 30.
  • This contact rocker 32 has two contact arms 33, 34 which, in contrast to known designs, are not arranged on both sides of the pivot axis as is customary, but connect at an angle to each other on one and the same swivel arm of the contact rocker 32.
  • the contact rocker assumes a corresponding pivot position in which one of the two contact arms 33, 34 is in contact with corresponding fixed contact pieces 35, 36.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of the electrical switching device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals already known from FIG. 1 applying to the same features.

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)
  • Control Of Motors That Do Not Use Commutators (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switching device (10), especially a monostable switch, such as a push-button or rocker momentary-contact switch, for example, having a housing (12), having a manual operating element (14), which is arranged thereon, for acting on at least one contact arrangement (20) located in the housing (12), in each case consisting of at least one moving contact piece (32) and one fixed contact piece (35, 36), the at least one moving contact piece (32) being designed as a contact rocker having two contact arms (33, 34) arranged on the same side, which contact arms (33, 34) interact with fixed contact pieces (35, 36) which are arranged opposite one another, and the housing (12) has a gripping recess (handle recess) (16) which is provided with an outlet opening (18). <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein elektrisches Schaltgerät, insbesondere einen monostabilen Schalter, wie z. B. Druck- oder Wipptaster, mit einem Gehäuse, mit einem daran angeordneten Handbetätigungselement zur Beaufschlagung von wenigstens einer im Gehäuse befindlichen Kontaktanordnung, die jeweils aus wenigstens einem beweglichen und einem festen Kontaktstück besteht.The invention relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a monostable switch, such as. B. pushbutton or rocker switch, with a housing, with a manual actuating element arranged thereon for acting on at least one contact arrangement located in the housing, each consisting of at least one movable and one fixed contact piece.

Elektrische Einrichtungen, die insbesondere zur Bewegung oder Verstellung mechanischer Einrichtungen dienen, wie z. B. Stellantriebe, sind zu Ihrer Betätigung heutzutage bevorzugt mit solchen Schaltgeräten versehen, welche die gewünschte Verstellbewegung oder Verstellrichtung nachbilden, um hierdurch zu erreichen, daß Fehlbetätigungen möglichst vermieden werden. Dies ist insbesondere von Vorteil, wenn aufgrund der Vielzahl von Verstellmöglichkeiten eine Vielzahl von elektrischen Schaltgeräten vorzusehen ist, deren Zuordnung anderenfalls nur mittels entsprechender Beschriftung erkennbar ist.Electrical devices that are used in particular to move or adjust mechanical devices, such as. B. Actuators are nowadays preferably provided for your actuation with such switching devices, which emulate the desired adjustment movement or adjustment direction, in order to thereby ensure that incorrect operations are avoided as far as possible. This is particularly advantageous if, due to the large number of adjustment options, a large number of electrical switching devices are to be provided, the assignment of which can otherwise only be recognized by means of appropriate labeling.

Insbesondere hat dieser Trend, die Betätigungselemente von elektrischen Schaltgeräten an die Stellcharakteristik bzw. an die Formgebung des betreffenden Geräts anzupassen in der Kraftfahrzeugtechnik Einzug gehalten, da aufgrund der erhöhten Aufmerksamkeitsanforderungen im Straßenverkehr eine einfache und funktionssichere Betätigung sichergestellt sein muß. Dieser Entwicklung folgend sind Tastschalter zur Betätigung von elektrischen Falt-, Hub- und/oder Schiebedächern derart ausgebildet, daß eine Griffmulde vorgesehen ist, welche mittels Druck, Hub oder Schub den gewünschten Verstellvorgang einleitet. Hierbei ist sichergestellt, daß das Betätigungselement in Ruhestellung eine neutrale Position einnimmt, in welche es nach jeder Betätigung selbsttätig zurückkehrt.In particular, this trend has to adapt the actuating elements of electrical switching devices to the actuating characteristic or to the shape of the device in question Motor vehicle technology has found its way because simple and reliable operation must be ensured due to the increased attention requirements in road traffic. Following this development, pushbuttons for actuating electric folding, lifting and / or sliding roofs are designed in such a way that a recessed grip is provided which initiates the desired adjustment process by means of pressure, lifting or pushing. This ensures that the actuating element assumes a neutral position in the rest position, into which it returns automatically after each actuation.

Insbesondere bei Schaltgeräten für die Betätigung von Fahrzeugdächern besteht die Gefahr, daß bei geöffnetem Fahrzeugdach Regen oder Spritzwasser auf das betreffende Schaltgerät einwirkt, so daß infolge von eindringendem Wasser die Schaltfunktion gestört wird.Particularly in the case of switching devices for the actuation of vehicle roofs, there is a risk that rain or splashing water will act on the switching device in question when the vehicle roof is open, so that the switching function is disturbed as a result of water penetration.

Ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik ist es Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Schaltgerät der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, das einfach aufgebaut, kostengünstig herstellbar und sicher gegen eindringende Flüssigkeit geschützt ist.Based on this prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a switching device of the type mentioned, which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and reliably protected against the ingress of liquid.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst. Dementsprechend ist das wenigstens eine bewegliche Kontaktstück als Kontaktwippe ausgebildet und besitzt auf einer, nämlich der gleichen Schwenkseite zwei Kontaktarme, die mit festen Kontaktstücken zusammenarbeiten, welche jeweils einander gegenüberliegend angeordnet sind. Ferner besitzt das Gehäuse eine Griffmulde, welche mit einer Ablauföffnung versehen ist, durch welche auftreffendes Wasser ablaufen kann. Zum Schutz der im Gehäuse befindlichen Kontaktanordnung besitzt das Gehäuse entsprechend einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Erfindung einen umlaufenden Rand, der die Kontaktanordnung umgibt. Hierbei ist das Handbetätigungselement so gestaltet und angeordnet, daß es den Rand übergreift und so eine überlappende Barriere bildet.According to the invention, this object is achieved by the characterizing features of patent claim 1. Accordingly, the at least one movable contact piece is designed as a contact rocker and has two contact arms on one, namely the same pivoting side, which work together with fixed contact pieces, which are each arranged opposite one another. Furthermore, the housing has a recessed grip, which is provided with a drain opening through which impinging water can drain. To protect the contact arrangement located in the housing, the housing according to a further embodiment of the invention has a peripheral edge which surrounds the contact arrangement. Here, the manual control element is designed and arranged so that it overlaps the edge and thus forms an overlapping barrier.

In bevorzugter Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist die Ablauföffnung in der Griffmulde an deren Scheitelpunkt, d. h. an derem tiefsten Punkt, angeordnet, so daß auftreffendes Wasser rückstandsfrei ablaufen kann.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drain opening in the recessed grip is at its apex, ie. H. at its lowest point, arranged so that water can run off without residue.

Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist die Ablauföffnung mit einem schachtförmigen Kanal verbunden, der zumindest zu einer seitlich angeordneten Austrittsöffnung führt. Der schachtförmige Kanal ist außerhalb des von dem genannten Rand umgebenen Bereichs, in welchem die Kontaktanordnung sich befindet, entlang geführt. Hierdurch ist sichergestellt, daß auf das elektrische Schaltgerät auftreffendes Wasser nicht bis zur Kontaktanordnung vordringen kann, da es bereits vorher durch die außerhalb des vom Rand umgebenen Bereichs angeordnete Ablauföffnung, über den hiermit verbundenen schachtförmigen Kanal zur Austrittsöffnung abgeleitet wird.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drain opening is connected to a shaft-shaped channel which leads at least to an outlet opening arranged on the side. The shaft-shaped channel is guided along outside the area surrounded by said edge, in which the contact arrangement is located. This ensures that water impinging on the electrical switching device cannot penetrate as far as the contact arrangement, since it is already drained through the drainage opening arranged outside the area surrounded by the edge, via the shaft-shaped channel connected to it, to the outlet opening.

In vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist ferner vorgesehen, daß die Kontaktwippe in einer Kontaktbrücke schwimmend gelagert ist, wobei die Kontaktwippe von einem mittels einer Druckfeder federnd gelagerten Druckstück beaufschlagt ist, welches im Handbetätigungselement längsverschieblich geführt ist. Das Druckstück ist hierbei rechtwinklig zur Schwenkachse des Handbetätigungselements angeordnet, die ihrerseits achsparallel zur Kippachse der Kontaktwippe verläuft. Demgemäß führt das Handbetätigungselement bei seiner Betätigung eine Schwenkbewegung aus, deren Drehsinn dem der Schwenkbewegung der Kontaktwippe entgegengesetzt ist.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the contact rocker is mounted in a floating manner in a contact bridge, the contact rocker being acted upon by a pressure piece which is resiliently mounted by means of a compression spring and which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the manual actuation element. The pressure piece is arranged at right angles to the pivot axis of the manual actuation element, which in turn runs axially parallel to the tilt axis of the contact rocker. Accordingly, the manual operating element performs a pivoting movement when it is actuated, the direction of rotation of which is opposite to the pivoting movement of the contact rocker.

Eine bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sieht vor, daß das Handbetätigungselement mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung versehen ist, die zur Hinterleuchtung zumindest eines Teils der Betätigungsfläche des Handbetätigungselements dient. Dabei kann die Beleuchtungseinrichtung eine Mikrolampe oder aber eine LD-Leuchtdiode sein. Unabhängig davon, ob die Beleuchtungseinrichtung als Mikrolampe oder als LD vorgesehen ist, ist zur elektrischen Versorgung der Beleuchtungseinrichtung vorgesehen, daß diese einerseits mit Masse und andererseits mit dem beweglichen Kontaktstück verbunden ist. Zu diesem Zweck befindet sich ein Anschluß der Beleuchtungseinrichtung an der Druckfeder, welche das Druckstück im Handbetätigungselement beaufschlagt, wobei sowohl das Druckstück als auch die Druckfeder elektrisch leitend ausgebildet sind.A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the manual control element is provided with a lighting device, which for backlighting at least one Part of the actuating surface of the manual actuating element is used. The lighting device can be a micro lamp or an LD light emitting diode. Regardless of whether the lighting device is provided as a microlamp or as an LD, it is provided for the electrical supply of the lighting device that it is connected on the one hand to ground and on the other hand to the movable contact piece. For this purpose, there is a connection of the lighting device to the compression spring, which acts on the pressure piece in the manual actuation element, both the pressure piece and the pressure spring being electrically conductive.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung dient die Beleuchtungseinrichtung zur Hinterleuchtung einer in der Betätigungsfläche des Betätigungselements angeordneten Markierung, die vorzugsweise als auswechselbarer Symbolträger ausgebildet ist.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lighting device serves to backlight a marking arranged in the actuating surface of the actuating element, which is preferably designed as an exchangeable symbol carrier.

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 seitlichen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Schaltgerät
Figur 2
eine Draufsicht auf das Schaltgerät gemäß Figur 1
In Figur 1 ist im Längsschnitt von der Seite ein erfindungsgemäßes elektrisches Schaltgerät 10 dargestellt, welches ein Gehäuse 12 mit einem daran angeordneten Handbetätigungselement 14 aufweist. Das Gehäuse 12 besteht aus Isolierwerkstoff, z. B. Polystyrol oder ABS, und ist vorzugsweise als Spritzgußteil gefertigt.Show it:
Figure 1
a lateral longitudinal section through a switching device according to the invention
Figure 2
a plan view of the switching device according to Figure 1
1 shows an electrical switching device 10 according to the invention in longitudinal section from the side, which has a housing 12 with a manual actuation element 14 arranged thereon. The housing 12 is made of insulating material, e.g. B. polystyrene or ABS, and is preferably made as an injection molded part.

Das Gehäuse 12 besitzt an seiner Oberseite eine als Griffmulde bezeichnete wannenförmige Einformung, welche an ihrem tiefsten Punkt, je nach Betrachtungsweise auch als Scheitelpunkt anzusehen, eine Ablauföffnung 18 aufweist. Unterhalb der wannenförmigen Einformung 16 setzt sich das Gehäuse 12 quaderförmig fort und dient zur Aufnahme einer Kontaktanordnung 20, welche mit dem Handbetätigungselement 14 zusammenarbeitet. Dabei dient die Ablauföffnung 18 dazu, auf das elektrische Schaltgerät 10 auftreffendes Regen- oder Spritzwasser vor dem Eindringen in das Gehäuse 12 und damit eine Beeinträchtigung der darin angeordneten Kontaktanordnung 20 zu verhindern. Zu diesem Zweck ist die Ablauföffnung 18 mit einem darunterliegenden, quer laufenden Kanal 19 verbunden, der auf beiden Längsseiten des elektrischen Schaltgeräts 10 hier nicht näher dargestellte Austrittsöffnungen aufweist, durch welche in die Griffmulde 16 eingetretene Flüssigkeit ablaufen kann, ohne daß sie mit stromführenden Teilen in Berührung kommt.The housing 12 has on its upper side a trough-shaped indentation which is referred to as a recessed grip and which, at its lowest point, depending on the point of view also to be regarded as a vertex, has an outlet opening 18. Below the trough-shaped indentation 16, the housing 12 continues in a cuboid shape and serves to accommodate a contact arrangement 20 which cooperates with the manual actuation element 14. The drain opening 18 serves to prevent rain or splash water impinging on the electrical switching device 10 before it penetrates into the housing 12 and thus to prevent the contact arrangement 20 arranged therein from being impaired. For this purpose, the drain opening 18 is connected to an underlying, transverse channel 19, which has outlet openings, not shown here, on both long sides of the electrical switching device 10, through which liquid which has entered the recessed grip 16 can drain off without having to carry current-carrying parts in Touch comes.

Zusätzlich ist in der wannenförmigen Einformung 16 unmittelbar neben der Ablauföffnung 18 ein etwa quadratischer, von einem Rand 22 umfaßter Durchbruch 24 angeordnet, durch welchen das Handbetätigungselement 14 mit einem Schaltteil 15, welches im Gehäuse 12 schwenkbar angeordnet ist, die Gehäuseoberseite durchgreift, um die Kontaktanordnung 20 im Inneren des Gehäuses 12 zu beaufschlagen.In addition, an approximately square opening 24, surrounded by an edge 22, is arranged in the trough-shaped recess 16 directly next to the drain opening 18, through which the manual operating element 14 with a switching part 15, which is arranged in the housing 12 in a pivotable manner, extends through the upper side of the housing, around the contact arrangement 20 to act inside the housing 12.

Das Handbetätigungselement 14, welches den genannten Rand 22 allseitig überdeckt, so daß das Eindringen von Regen- oder Spritzwasser in das Innere des Gehäuses 12 durch die Durchgriffsöffnung 24 verhindert ist, ist mit einer Beleuchtungsvorrichtung 26 versehen, die im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel von einer LED-Leuchtdiode gebildet ist, die im rechtwinklig zur Gehäuseoberseite nach unten gerichteten Schaltteil 15 des Handbetätigungselements 14 angeordnet ist. Diese Beleuchtungsvorrichtung 26 dient zur Hinterleuchtung der Bedienfläche des Handbetätigungselements 14, die vorzugsweise mit einer Markierung versehen ist und als optische Auffindhilfe bei Dunkelheit dient.The manual control element 14, which covers the said edge 22 on all sides, so that the penetration of rain or splash water into the interior of the housing 12 through the through opening 24 is prevented, is provided with a lighting device 26, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is an LED light-emitting diode is formed, which is directed downwards at right angles to the top of the housing Switching part 15 of the manual operating element 14 is arranged. This lighting device 26 is used for backlighting the operating surface of the manual actuation element 14, which is preferably provided with a marking and serves as an optical aid in the dark.

Das Schaltteil 15 besitzt an seinem der Bedienfläche des Handbetätigungselements 14 abgewandten Ende unterhalb seiner Schwenkachse eine längliche koaxial zu seiner Längsachse verlaufende Ausnehmung, in welcher eine Druckfeder 28 sowie ein Druckstück 29 angeordnet sind, welches von der Druckfeder 28 beaufschlagt ist.The switching part 15 has at its end facing away from the operating surface of the manual actuating element 14 below its pivot axis an elongated recess which extends coaxially to its longitudinal axis and in which a compression spring 28 and a pressure piece 29 are arranged, which is acted upon by the compression spring 28.

Das Druckstück ist an seinem nach außen weisenden Ende kalottenförmig geformt und beaufschlagt eine in einer Kontaktbrücke 30 schwimmend gelagerte schwenkbewegliche Kontaktwippe 32. Diese Kontaktwippe 32 besitzt zwei Kontaktarme 33, 34, die, abweichend von bekannten Ausgestaltungen, nicht wie üblich beiderseits der Schwenkachse angeordnet sind, sondern im Winkel zueinander gespreizt an ein und demselben Schwenkarm der Kontaktwippe 32 anschließen. Je nach Beaufschlagung durch das im Schaltteil 15 des Handbetätigungselements 14 geführten Druckstücks 29 nimmt die Kontaktwippe eine entsprechende Schwenkstellung ein, in welcher einer der beiden Kontaktarme 33, 34 mit korrespondierenden festen Kontaktstücken 35, 36 Kontakt hat. Hierdurch ist eine relativ kompakte Bauweise möglich, wobei überdies eine Fehlkontaktierung mit den im Gehäuse als Kontaktbahnen zumindest teilweise eingelassenen festen Kontaktstücken 35, 36 praktisch ausgeschlossen ist. Für den elektrischen Anschluß des elektrischen Schaltgeräts 10 dienen räumlich neben der soeben beschriebenen Kontaktanordnung 20 hiervon getrennt angeordnete Kontaktstifte 38, die ebenfalls gegen von oben eintretende Flüssigkeit ausreichend geschützt sind. Zur Fixierung des elektrischen Schaltgeräts 10 an seinem vorgesehenen Einbauort dienen am Gehäuse angeklemmte Klammern 40, die eine kraft- und formschlüssige Befestigung des elektrischen Schaltgeräts 10 gewährleisten.The pressure piece is dome-shaped at its outward-facing end and acts on a pivotable contact rocker 32 which is floatingly supported in a contact bridge 30. This contact rocker 32 has two contact arms 33, 34 which, in contrast to known designs, are not arranged on both sides of the pivot axis as is customary, but connect at an angle to each other on one and the same swivel arm of the contact rocker 32. Depending on the action by the pressure piece 29 guided in the switching part 15 of the manual actuating element 14, the contact rocker assumes a corresponding pivot position in which one of the two contact arms 33, 34 is in contact with corresponding fixed contact pieces 35, 36. This enables a relatively compact design, and incorrect contacting with the fixed contact pieces 35, 36 at least partially embedded in the housing as contact tracks is practically impossible. For the electrical connection of the electrical switching device 10, in addition to the contact arrangement 20 just described, there are spatially arranged contact pins 38, which are also adequately protected against liquid entering from above. Clamps 40, which are clamped to the housing and which are non-positive and positive, serve to fix the electrical switching device 10 at its intended installation location Ensure attachment of the electrical switching device 10.

In Figur 2 ist eine Draufsicht auf das in Figur 1 gezeigte elektrische Schaltgerät 10 wiedergegeben, wobei für gleiche Merkmale die gleichen, aus Figur 1 bereits bekannten Bezugsziffern gelten.FIG. 2 shows a top view of the electrical switching device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals already known from FIG. 1 applying to the same features.

Claims (19)

Elektrisches Schaltgerät (10), insbesonderer monostabiler Schalter, wie z. B. Druck- oder Wipptaster, mit einem Gehäuse (12), mit einem daran angeordneten Handbetätigungselement (14) zur Beaufschlagung von wenigstens einer im Gehäuse (12) befindlichen Kontaktanordnung (20), jeweils bestehend aus wenigstens einem beweglichen Kontaktstück (32) und einem festen Kontaktstück (35, 36), dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das wenigstens eine bewegliche Kontaktstück (32) als Kontaktwippe mit zwei auf der gleichen Seite angeordneten Kontaktarmen (33, 34) ausgebildet ist, welche Kontaktarme (33, 34) mit einander gegenüberliegend angeordneten festen Kontaktstücken (35, 36) zusammenarbeiten, und daß das Gehäuse (12) eine Griffmulde (16) aufweist, die mit einer Ablauföffnung (18) versehen ist.Electrical switching device (10), in particular monostable switch, such as. B. push-button or rocker switch, with a housing (12), with a manual actuating element (14) arranged thereon for acting on at least one contact arrangement (20) located in the housing (12), each consisting of at least one movable contact piece (32) and one Fixed contact piece (35, 36), characterized in that the at least one movable contact piece (32) is designed as a contact rocker with two contact arms (33, 34) arranged on the same side, which contact arms (33, 34) with fixed ones arranged opposite one another Contact pieces (35, 36) work together, and that the housing (12) has a recessed grip (16) which is provided with a drain opening (18). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Gehäuse (12) einen von einem Rand (22) umgebenen Bereich (24) aufweist, durch welchen das Handbetätigungselement (14) zur Beaufschlagung der Kontaktanordnung (20) hindurchgreift.Electrical switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (12) has a region (24) which is surrounded by an edge (22) and through which the manual actuating element (14) extends to act on the contact arrangement (20). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Handbetätigungselement (14) den Rand (22) übergreift und so eine überlappende Barriere gegen Flüssigkeit bildet.Electrical switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that the manual actuating element (14) engages over the edge (22) and thus forms an overlapping barrier against liquid. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ablauföffnung (18) in der Griffmulde (16) an deren tiefsten Punkt, dem Scheitelpunkt angeordnet ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain opening (18) in the recessed grip (16) is arranged at its lowest point, the apex. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ablauföffnung (18) mit einem Schacht (19) verbunden ist, der zu seitlich angeordneten Austrittsöffnungen führt.Electrical switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that the drain opening (18) is connected to a shaft (19) which leads to laterally arranged outlet openings. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ablauföffnung (18) in der Griffmulde (16) außerhalb des vom Rand (22) umfaßten Bereich (24) angeordnet ist.Electrical switching device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the drain opening (18) is arranged in the recessed grip (16) outside the area (24) encompassed by the edge (22). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die festen Kontaktstücke (35, 36) als Kontaktbahnen ausgebildet sind, welche zumindest teilweise im Gehäuse (12) eingelassen sind.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed contact pieces (35, 36) are designed as contact tracks which are at least partially embedded in the housing (12). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kontaktwippe (32) in einer Kontaktbrücke (30) schwimmend gelagert ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact rocker (32) is floatingly mounted in a contact bridge (30). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kontaktwippe (32) von einem mittels einer Druckfeder (28) federnd gelagerten Druckstück (29) beaufschlagt ist, welches im Handbetätigungselement (14) längsverschieblich geführt ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact rocker (32) is acted upon by a pressure piece (29) which is resiliently mounted by means of a compression spring (28) and which is longitudinally displaceably guided in the manual actuation element (14). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Druckstück (29) rechtwinklig zur Schwenkachse des Handbetätigungselements (14) in einem Schaltteil (15) angeordnet ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure piece (29) is arranged at right angles to the pivot axis of the manual actuation element (14) in a switching part (15). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schwenkachse des Handbetätigungselements (14) parallel zur Kippachse der Kontaktwippe (32) angeordnet ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis of the manual actuation element (14) is arranged parallel to the tilt axis of the contact rocker (32). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Handbetätigungselement (14) bei Betätigung eine Schwenkbewegung ausführt, deren Drehsinn dem der Schwenkbewegung der Kontaktwippe (32) entgegengesetzt ist.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual operating element (14) performs a pivoting movement when actuated, the direction of rotation of which is opposite to the pivoting movement of the contact rocker (32). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Handbetätigungselement (14) mit einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung (26) versehen ist, die zur Hinterleuchtung zumindest eines Teils der Bedienfläche des Handbetätigungselements (14) dient.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual control element (14) is provided with a lighting device (26) which serves for backlighting at least part of the operating surface of the manual control element (14). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtung eine Mikrolampe ist.Electrical switching device according to claim 13, characterized in that the lighting device is a micro lamp. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtung (26) eine LD-Leuchtdiode ist.Electrical switching device according to claim 13, characterized in that the lighting device (26) is an LD light-emitting diode. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 13 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Stromversorgung der Beleuchtungseinrichtung (26) über die Kontaktwippe (32) vorgesehen ist.Electrical switching device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the power supply to the lighting device (26) is provided via the contact rocker (32). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 9 und 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Druckfeder (28) und das Druckstück (29) elektrisch leitend ausgebildet sind und als Anschlußleiter für die Beleuchtungseinrichtung (26) dienen.Electrical switching device according to claims 9 and 16, characterized in that the compression spring (28) and the pressure piece (29) are designed to be electrically conductive and serve as connecting conductors for the lighting device (26). Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtung (26) zur Hinterleuchtung einer Markierung in der Bedienfläche des Betätigungselements dient.Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (26) serves for backlighting a marking in the operating surface of the actuating element. Elektrisches Schaltgerät nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Markierung von auswechselbaren Symbolträgern gebildet ist.Electrical switching device according to claim 18, characterized in that the marking is formed by interchangeable symbol carriers.
EP94109879A 1993-07-03 1994-06-27 Electrical switch device Expired - Lifetime EP0633586B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4322238 1993-07-03
DE9309942U DE9309942U1 (en) 1993-07-03 1993-07-03 Electrical switching device
DE4322238A DE4322238A1 (en) 1993-07-03 1993-07-03 Electrical switching device

Publications (2)

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EP0633586A1 true EP0633586A1 (en) 1995-01-11
EP0633586B1 EP0633586B1 (en) 1997-03-26

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EP94109879A Expired - Lifetime EP0633586B1 (en) 1993-07-03 1994-06-27 Electrical switch device

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EP (1) EP0633586B1 (en)
DE (3) DE9309942U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2102730T3 (en)

Cited By (3)

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EP0878815A2 (en) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-18 ABBPATENT GmbH Monostable electrical switchgear
EP1734549A1 (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-20 Omron Corporation Switching device
DE102013019624A1 (en) 2013-11-22 2014-05-08 Daimler Ag Push button for effecting a function in motor vehicle e.g. passenger car, has vent portion that is formed in housing and is sealed against the penetration of liquid by sealing element

Families Citing this family (3)

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DE9309942U1 (en) * 1993-07-03 1993-08-26 Abb Patent Gmbh, 68309 Mannheim Electrical switching device
DE4431061A1 (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-03-07 Eaton Controls Gmbh Stroke-slide switch
DE10010740A1 (en) * 2000-03-04 2001-09-06 Valeo Schalter & Sensoren Gmbh Electrical switching element for a motor vehicle with a separate symbol field

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FR2298174A2 (en) * 1972-11-15 1976-08-13 Bunker Ramo SWITCHABLE CONTACT FOR SWITCHING DEVICE
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0878815A2 (en) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-18 ABBPATENT GmbH Monostable electrical switchgear
EP0878815A3 (en) * 1997-05-16 1999-06-30 ABBPATENT GmbH Monostable electrical switchgear
EP1734549A1 (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-20 Omron Corporation Switching device
US7294800B2 (en) 2005-06-17 2007-11-13 Omron Corporation Switching device
DE102013019624A1 (en) 2013-11-22 2014-05-08 Daimler Ag Push button for effecting a function in motor vehicle e.g. passenger car, has vent portion that is formed in housing and is sealed against the penetration of liquid by sealing element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59402203D1 (en) 1997-04-30
ES2102730T3 (en) 1997-08-01
EP0633586B1 (en) 1997-03-26
DE4322238A1 (en) 1995-01-12
DE9309942U1 (en) 1993-08-26

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