EP0638915B1 - Tumbler switch with sound damping stop - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a toggle switch in which one opposite the rocker switch mounted on the housing by an actuator with one moving along the rocker switch Force applied point of attack becomes. Such a switch is for example from the DE-GM 19 03 576 or from GB-A-2 199 189 (closest State of the art) known. This is an actuating slide moved along a rocker switch, one in the actuating slide spring-mounted actuator longitudinally the rocker switch slides and when driving over the stationary one Bearing point, the rocker switch abruptly in a new position brings. The problem with such switches is that that on the one hand a strong support of the on the rocker switch attached switch contact opposite the fixed contact is desired, but on the other hand by the considerable Switching noises caused by switching forces are disruptive.

Similar problems occur when instead of a slider a toggle button is selected, such as this is shown in DE-OS 39 15 767. To avoid One has switching noises for the side surfaces of the Toggle button spring projections protruding from the housing, which the movement speed of the rocker switch in to slow their end area gradually so that the sudden switching noises of the colliding Contacts are mitigated. In addition, they tried by designing the housing projections Adapt spring action to the desired damping effect. This was done, for example, by the protrusions attached special rubber buffers or by an enlarged Elasticity of the projections is achieved, this meandering were designed.

The measures described require a considerable amount additional effort without the desired damping effect could be fully achieved.

From DE-OS 30 16 995 a toggle switch is also with Rocker switch known, in which the rocker during the switching process is shifted in its longitudinal direction. The tilting movement the toggle button is activated by two fixed stops limited in both directions.

The invention is therefore based on a toggle switch genus resulting from the preamble of claim 1. The object of the invention is such a toggle switch to build with simple means so that he can be switched particularly quiet.

The object of the invention is characterized by the Resulting combination of features solved. In principle, the invention therefore consists in the longitudinal the rocker switch along sliding actuator a stop to provide that limits the movement of the switching element, after the rocker switch reaches its new position Has. On the one hand, this allows the switching torque to be limited, with which the switch contact on the rocker on the stationary Contact sets up. Furthermore, the invention provides Possibility to limit the movement of the actuator Design trajectory in such a way that the movement of the actuator gradually braked in a suitable manner becomes. Another advantage of the invention is in that the trajectory can be designed in such a way that extending in the longitudinal direction of the rocker switch Force results from a corresponding movement of the Shift rocker by means of grinding movements opposite the rocker the fixed bearing and the fixed contact for reduction of contact resistance.

Especially about the formation of striking switching noises greatly reduce, is recommended in continuing education Combination of features according to claim 2. The cam track preferably designed such that the contact on the rocker with comparatively little force on the stationary Contacts to avoid bouncing, whereupon the contact pressure on the desired one Value increases and finally through the switching element the stop on the rocker switch in this desired position is held. The switching element can because of its Sluggishness a little bit beyond the end position drive out and then take this as a stable end position.

To the force in the direction of contact of the rocker contact on the Limiting stationary contact is recommended in further training the invention the measure according to claim 3 the force of the Switching element added in the longitudinal direction of the rocker switch.

A particularly expedient application of the invention results yourself for a switch with that listed in claim 4 Combination of features. With such switches increases the rotational speed towards the end position of the rocker switch the button and also in the contact direction of the contacts exerted force more and more until finally this movement limited by the beating of the contacts becomes.

With such a configuration, the application of the in Features described claim 5 particularly advantageous because here the force exerted in the longitudinal direction of the rocker switch at the same time to reduce the contact resistance is reduced by appropriate frictional movements. On this way both the electrical transition from Cutting bearing to the rocker switch and from there back to the Fixed contact improved.

In a further development of the invention, the inventive Apply the principle to both sides of the rocker switch, so that according to claim 6, the invention also for changeover switches can be used.

In order to ensure that the contacts are initially free of bumps and then for a self-cleaning of the contacts respectively the storage location is taken care of in Development of the invention according to the combination of features Claim 7.

Fig. 1

einen Kippschalter in einer ersten Stellung und

Fig. 2

den Kippschalter nach Fig. 1 in einer zweiten Stellung.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a toggle switch in a first position and

Fig. 2

the toggle switch of FIG. 1 in a second position.

In the description, the individual components of the in the switch shown in the drawing only explained to the extent than they are essential to the invention.

1 has a base plate 1, which is locked with a housing 2. In the housing 2 or rotatable on corresponding projections of the base plate 1 A toggle button 3 is mounted, the toggle button 3 e.g. about circular cylindrical lugs 4 in corresponding projecting recesses and be rotatable in this can or in the corresponding housing-fixed projections protrude a suitable recess in the rocker switch.

The toggle button 3 has a guide projection 5, in which a Actuator 6 is guided. The actuator is pretensioned by a spring 7, which the actuator 6 from the guide approach 5th tries to push it out. As a result, this is based conically or cut-shaped front link end 8 from a rocker switch 9, which in turn with its opposite Surface is supported on a housing extension 10.

The rocker switch 9 is in one via a cutting bearing 11 base plate-fixed contact piece 12 stored. Here is the Storage provided such that the rocker switch 9 in their longitudinal direction by a predetermined amount b can move the contact piece 12 before lateral Projections 13, 14 opposite the legs on a fork 15 Strike the upper end of the contact piece 12 in FIG. 1.

The projection is therefore in the bearing shown in FIG. 1 14 on the legs of the fork 15. Furthermore are still in 5 projecting tabs 16, 17 are provided in the direction of the guide projection, which are arranged fixed to the housing and either with the housing 1 themselves or in one piece with the cover 2. Of course, such rags can also be separated manufactured and subsequently inserted into the housing will. The task of the tabs 16, 17 is, on the one hand, that Limit movement of the rocker switch 3, so that this in the 1 is locked and so after reaching the desired actuation position is not further depressed can be. At the same time, the tabs 16, 17 serve to intercept the inertial movement of the rocker switch 3, so that their movement is dampened.

Now press on the left side of the drawing Toggle button 3, the link end 8 moves in the direction Cutting bearing 11, which is by the actuator 6 increased force exerted on the rocker switch 9. While their movement in the direction of the cutting bearing 11 decreases the contact force the rocker switch 9 on the housing approach 10 and there is a growing share of force from the cutting bearing 11 and thus added to the contact piece 12. This is how it works long until the link end 8 reaches the cutting bearing 11.

After passing through the cutting bearing 11 through the link end 8 tilts the rocker 9 clockwise, the link end 8 on a cam track 18 along the rocker switch 9.

Due to the strength of the end of the link, after swiveling the Switch rocker 9 a contact connected to the rocker switch 9 19 placed on a housing-fixed contact 20. This location is shown in Fig. 2. After putting on the contact 19 on the contact 20, the link end 8 in Fig. 2 continues Drive along lane 18 to the right until it hits one Stop 21 on the seesaw that runs the way of the link end 8 limited. The stop is through a curve formed in the curved path 18, whose side flank is so high is that the link 8 in its movement against the Clockwise is held. As a result, it splits from the force indicated by an arrow F. Partial force X, the in the longitudinal direction of the rocker switch 9th works. The rocker switch 9 thus moves as far as it does through the appropriate storage is possible to the right. To enable such a path in the X direction, the cutting bearing 11 is formed by a floating bearing 11, the rocker switch a clear path in the X direction allowed, which will be called b below. This As already explained above, path b results from that the distance of the projections 13, 14 from the amount b is greater than the width of the fork extension 15.

This movement of the rocker switch 9 when the contact is in place 19 leads to the self-cleaning of the two contacts 19, 20 against each other and the interacting bearing surfaces of the cutting bearing 11. By this sliding movement the contact resistance becomes constant at the points mentioned kept low.

For the design of the stop 21, it is important in the shape of the corresponding stop curve becomes. The contact should be comparatively less Apply force without bouncing, after which the contact force increases and with a large contact force, the movement in the x direction by the amount b is made.

The invention is therefore suitable for all switches, the one have their position changing rocker switch, it it is irrelevant whether the switch has a slide button or operated by a rocker switch. The invention is not only for on / off switches, but also suitable for changeover switch, the stop according to the invention (21) essentially symmetrically opposite each other arranged on the rocker on both sides of the bearing becomes. such as B. the second stop (22) shows.

It is also important for the object of the invention that Actuator 6 resiliently mounted in the guide projection 5 is. As a result, the actuator 6 resiliently runs Stop 21 on the rocker switch 9. By the described Spring action is an additional damping and thus noise reduction of the actuator running onto the stop 21 6 reached.

Claims (8)

1. Toggle switch, wherein a movable contact (9) mounted with respect to the housing (1) is acted upon by an actuating element (6) applying a force which has a point of application (8) displacing along the movable contact (9), and the movable contact (9) assumes a first stable position before exceeding the point of support (11) on the housing and assumes a second stable position after the point of support (11) has been exceeded,
   characterized in that the track of motion (18) for the point of application (8) of the actuating element (6) on the movable contact in said's longitudinal direction is so shaped that the movement of the actuating element (6) is only limited by a stop on the movable contact (9) after the movable contact (9) has adopted its new stable position.
2. Toggle switch as claimed in claim 1,
   characterized in that for providing the stop (21), the curved track (18) of the movable contact (9) for the actuating element is curved so that a force (X) which limits the movement of the actuating element (6) has a preferably progressive configuration.
3. Toggle switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that, in the end position of the actuating element (6) limited by the stop (21), the actuating element exerts a force (X) in the longitudinal direction of the movable contact (9).
4. Toggle switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the movable contact (9) is mounted in a knife-edge support (11) in the housing (1), and in that the actuating element (6) is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing.
5. Toggle switch as claimed in claim 4,
   characterized in that the movable contact (9) is floatingly supported relative to the point of support (11) on the housing, in the longitudinal direction (X) of the movable contact (9), and in that the support surface (11) on the housing is arranged in a support element (12) which additionally provides an electrical connection for the switch.
6. Toggle switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that one stop (21, 22) each is provided in the movable contact (9) for the two end positions of the movable contact (9).
7. Toggle switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the stop (21) is so configured that a rocker contact (19) attached to the movable contact (9) is initially seated on the switching contact (2) of a contact piece on the housing, and subsequently the rocker contact (19) is draggingly displaced over the switching contact (20) by the force (X) acting in the longitudinal direction of the rocker.
8. Toggle switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the actuating element (6) in its longitudinal direction is resiliently supported with respect to the movable contact (9).

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