EP0633586B1 - Electrical switch device - Google Patents

Electrical switch device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0633586B1
EP0633586B1 EP94109879A EP94109879A EP0633586B1 EP 0633586 B1 EP0633586 B1 EP 0633586B1 EP 94109879 A EP94109879 A EP 94109879A EP 94109879 A EP94109879 A EP 94109879A EP 0633586 B1 EP0633586 B1 EP 0633586B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switching device
electrical switching
contact
operating element
hand operating
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
EP94109879A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0633586A1 (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
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ABB Patent GmbH
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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
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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.
  • a switch is known, the manual operating element of which is arranged in a recess having a flat bottom and a rectangular edge.
  • the recess is provided with two diagonally opposite water drain openings.
  • 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 micro lamp 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.
  • an electrical switching device 10 is shown in longitudinal section from the side, which has a housing 12 with an actuating 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.
  • 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 outlet opening 18 is connected to an underlying, transverse channel 19, which has on both longitudinal sides of the electrical switching device 10 not shown openings through which liquid into the recessed grip 16 can drain, without it having live 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 edge 22 on all sides, so that the ingress 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 clock 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 has 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.

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 electrical 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.

Aus der US-A-4 937 407 ist ein Schalter bekannt, dessen Handbetätigungselement in einer einen flachen Boden und recheckige Kante aufweisenden Ausnehmung eingerichtet ist. Die Ausnehmung ist mit zwei diagonal gegenüberliegenden Wasser abfluß öffnungen versehen.From US-A-4 937 407 a switch is known, the manual operating element of which is arranged in a recess having a flat bottom and a rectangular edge. The recess is provided with two diagonally opposite water drain openings.

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 genüberliegend 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 leuchtungseinrichtung 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 micro lamp 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 dungsgemäßes Schaltgerät
Figur 2
eine Draufsicht auf das Schaltgerät gemäß Figur 1
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

In Figur 1 ist im Längsschnitt von der Seite ein erfindungsgemäßes elektrisches Schaltgerät 10 dargestellt, welches ein Gehäuse 12 mit einem daran angeordneten tigungselement 14 aufweist. Das Gehäuse 12 besteht aus Isolierwerkstoff, z. B. Polystyrol oder ABS, und ist vorzugsweise als Spritzgußteil gefertigt.In FIG. 1, an electrical switching device 10 according to the invention is shown in longitudinal section from the side, which has a housing 12 with an actuating 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 trittsöffnungen 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 outlet opening 18 is connected to an underlying, transverse channel 19, which has on both longitudinal sides of the electrical switching device 10 not shown openings through which liquid into the recessed grip 16 can drain, without it having live 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 leuchtungsvorrichtung 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 edge 22 on all sides, so that the ingress 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 taktbrücke 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 währleisten.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 clock 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 actuation element 14, the contact rocker assumes a corresponding pivot position in which one of the two contact arms 33, 34 has 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 fastening 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)

  1. Electrical switching device (10), in particular a monostable switch, such as a push-button or rocker switch, having a housing (12), having a hand operating element (14) arranged thereon for acting on at least one contact arrangement (20) which is located in the housing (12), in each case comprising at least one moving contact piece (32) and one fixed contact piece (35, 36), characterized in that the at least one moving contact piece (32) is designed as a contact rocker having two contact arms (33, 34) which are arranged on the same side and interact with fixed contact pieces (35, 36) which are arranged opposite one another, and in that the housing (12) has a handle recess (16) which is provided with a drain opening (18).
  2. Electrical switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (12) has a region (24) which is surrounded by a rim (22) and through which the hand operating element (14) passes in order to act on the contact arrangement (20).
  3. Electrical switching device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the hand operating element (14) engages over the rim (22) and thus forms an overlapping barrier against liquid.
  4. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain opening (18) in the handle recess (16) is arranged at the deepest point, the apex, of said handle recess (16).
  5. Electrical switching device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the drain opening (18) is connected to a chute (19) which leads to outlet openings arranged at the side.
  6. Electrical switching device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the drain opening (18) in the handle recess (16) is arranged outside the region (24) surrounded by the rim (22).
  7. 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 recessed in the housing (12).
  8. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact rocker (32) is mounted in a floating manner in a contact bridge (30).
  9. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact rocker (32) is acted on by a pressure piece (29), which is mounted in a sprung manner by means of a compression spring (28) and is guided in the hand operating element (14) such that it can be displaced longitudinally.
  10. Electrical switching device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the pressure piece (29) is arranged, at right angles to the pivoting axis of the hand operating element (14), in a switching part (15).
  11. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting axis of the hand operating element (14) is arranged parallel to the tilting axis of the contact rocker (32).
  12. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hand operating element (14) carries out a pivoting movement during operation, whose rotation sense is opposite that of the pivoting movement of the contact rocker (32).
  13. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hand operating element (14) is provided with an illumination device (26), which is used for back-illumination of at least a part of the operating surface of the hand operating element (14).
  14. Electrical switching device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the illumination device is a microlamp.
  15. Electrical switching device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the illumination device (26) is a light-emitting diode LED.
  16. Electrical switching device according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the power supply for the illumination device (26) is provided via the contact rocker (32).
  17. Electrical switching device according to Claim [sic] 9 and 16, characterized in that the compression spring (28) and the pressure piece (29) are designed to be electrically conductive and are used as connecting conductors for the illumination device (26).
  18. Electrical switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illumination device (26) is used for back-illumination of a marking on the operating surface of the operating element.
  19. Electrical switching device according to Claim 18, characterized in that the marking is formed by replaceable symbol mountings.
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
DE9309942U DE9309942U1 (en) 1993-07-03 1993-07-03 Electrical switching device
DE4322238A DE4322238A1 (en) 1993-07-03 1993-07-03 Electrical switching device
DE4322238 1993-07-03

Publications (2)

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

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94109879A Expired - Lifetime EP0633586B1 (en) 1993-07-03 1994-06-27 Electrical switch device

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0633586B1 (en)
DE (3) DE4322238A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2102730T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4322238A1 (en) * 1993-07-03 1995-01-12 Abb Patent Gmbh Electrical switching device
DE4431061A1 (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-03-07 Eaton Controls Gmbh Stroke-slide switch
DE19720611A1 (en) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-19 Abb Patent Gmbh Monostable electrical switching device
DE10010740A1 (en) * 2000-03-04 2001-09-06 Valeo Schalter & Sensoren Gmbh Electrical switching element for a motor vehicle with a separate symbol field
JP4280250B2 (en) 2005-06-17 2009-06-17 オムロン株式会社 Switch 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

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DE1942983U (en) * 1966-05-13 1966-07-28 Deisting & Co G M B H Dr WATER RESISTANT ROCKER SWITCH.
DE6922348U (en) * 1969-06-04 1970-02-26 Vedder Gmbh Fa Geb WATERPROOF FLAT SWITCH
DE2256044B2 (en) * 1972-11-15 1980-09-25 Bunker Ramo Corp., Oak Brook, Ill. (V.St.A.) Changeover contact
DE2504457C3 (en) * 1975-02-04 1980-02-14 Swf-Spezialfabrik Fuer Autozubehoer Gustav Rau Gmbh, 7120 Bietigheim-Bissingen Toggle switch
DE2655478A1 (en) * 1976-12-08 1978-06-15 Baer Elektrowerke Kg Illuminated electrical fitting with bulb and dropper - has housing divided into compartments with flat coated resistor element
US4242551A (en) * 1979-05-14 1980-12-30 Carlingswitch, Inc. Environmentally sealed rocker switch
DE8015820U1 (en) * 1980-06-14 1980-11-13 Mayc Sa Electric device with push button circuit
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US4937407A (en) * 1989-01-13 1990-06-26 Mcgill Manufacturing Co., Inc. Liquid-resistant switch assembly
DE3931722C2 (en) * 1989-09-22 1994-04-28 Trw Messmer Sliding and lifting switch, in particular for a sunroof of a motor vehicle
DE4222794C2 (en) * 1991-07-13 1994-10-13 Mitsuku Denshi Kogyo Pressure switch
DE4322238A1 (en) * 1993-07-03 1995-01-12 Abb Patent Gmbh Electrical switching device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2102730T3 (en) 1997-08-01
DE9309942U1 (en) 1993-08-26
DE4322238A1 (en) 1995-01-12
DE59402203D1 (en) 1997-04-30
EP0633586A1 (en) 1995-01-11

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