EP0777246B1 - Electrical switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical switch according to the Preamble of claim 1.

Such electrical switches are used as pressure switches for switching an electrical circuit used. In particular can such pressure switches in motor vehicles, for example Operation of interior lights or the like, find use.

From DE-OS 42 02 214 is an electrical switch with an as Knife trained actuator known. With the im essentially linearly movable actuator is a compression spring to generate a restoring force in connection. The Actuator acts on a contact bridge, so that the Contact bridge is movable into a switch position. In the Switch position bridges the contact bridge to two fixed contacts Establish an electrical connection so that the switch is switched on.

The known switch has a relatively large stroke for the actuator between the on and off position. Thereby the switch requires a large housing with a corresponding one Installation space in the associated electrical device. However, there is Applications in which the installation space is so limited that the known switches can no longer be used. In addition, at some applications require a shorter stroke.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an electrical Develop switch such that the switch with a small Housing manages and switches safely despite a short stroke.

This task is carried out in a generic electrical switch solved by the features of claim 1. In particular, the present solution is based on the idea that linear stroke movement of the handle in a rotary movement on the Implement contact bridge, with which the depth of the housing for the electrical switch can be reduced.

Further refinements of the invention are the subject of Dependent claims.

The advantages achieved with the invention are in particular that for safe operation of the switch only a small one Press path is necessary. So a small switch housing is enough off, so that this switch is particularly suitable for miniaturization suitable and even with little installation space in the electrical device can be used. Despite the small stroke on the pusher are only small actuation forces required for switching.

The switch according to the invention has a small number of parts. In order to the manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced. The switch is can be used as an on / off switch and can also be flexibly switched on Convert changeover switch by simply adding another fixed contact in the Housing is to be attached. Next the switch is also simple To be illuminated in such a way by optionally using a lamp is placed centrally in the middle of the housing. Consequently, the Manufacture in larger quantities, which is what the switch makes it cheaper.

Another advantage is that the handle in the same position as in the off state. So that the switch can be provided with a panel on the electrical device that the Lever is flush in the bezel, which is particularly the case with Applications in the motor vehicle may be desirable. This allows the handle also acts as a cover for the switch housing train, so that no additional cover is necessary, which the required number of parts further reduced.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch einen elektrischen Schalter,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie 2-2 aus Fig. 1 und

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie 3-3 aus Fig. 1.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section through an electrical switch,

Fig. 2

a section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3

a section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1st

In Fig. 1, an electrical switch 1 according to the invention is in Longitudinal section shown. The switch 1 has an open top Approximately cup-shaped housing 2, which has a base 3 at the bottom is closed. Is located on the upper side of the housing 2 a flange 4 which is provided with through holes 5 so that the electrical switch 1, for example by means of screws in one electrical device is attachable. The base 3 is from the electrical connections 6 for the switch 1, in which Inside the housing 2 at the connections 6 fixed contacts 11 are located.

At the upper opening of the housing 2 immerses essentially linearly movable actuator 7, which is in the manner of a Ram is formed. The actuator 7 has on his upper part a cross section that is essentially the cross section corresponds to the upper opening of the housing 2. So that forms Actuator 7 at the same time the upper end of the housing 2, so that there is no need for a separate cover. At the top of the Actuator 7 is a cap 13 for actuating the Switch 1 put on by the user.

Inside the housing 2 there is a compression spring 8, which with one end abuts the actuator 7 so that the actuator 7 is movable against a restoring force. When moving the Actuator 7 acts on this non-positively and / or positively a switching ring 9, which is located in the housing 2. The Switch ring 9 is designed such that this due to Action of the actuator 7 is limited Can perform linear motion. With further influence by the linear movement of the actuator 7 then leads the switching ring 9 a rotary motion. The switching ring 9 acts during this rotary movement then continue on a contact bridge that consists of a rotatably mounted There is contact element 10 for movement into a switching position, in which the contact bridge electrically bridges the fixed contacts 11. For the action of the switching ring 9 on the contact element 10 are on Switch ring 9 and the contact element 10 arranged by means the linear movement of the switching ring 9 in operative connection can be brought so that during the subsequent rotary movement of the Switch ring 9, the contact element 10 rotatable in the switching position is.

2, the switching ring 9 has approximately the shape of a cylinder. In the interior of the cylinder there is a in Fig. 1st shown cavity 12 with an approximately circular cross section. A part 14 on the actuating member 7 projects into this cavity 12. This part 14 also has an approximately circular shape Cross-section. On part 14 of actuator 7 and in cavity 12 the switching ring 9 has a toothing 15 with which the Actuator 7 acts on the switching ring 9. There is a part this toothing 15 on the actuator 7 and the other part of the Teeth 15 arranged on the switching ring 9. At least part of the Teeth 15 is inclined so that the Linear movement of the actuator 7 in a rotary movement of the Switching rings 9 is convertible. It offers itself because of the approx circular cross section of cavity 12 and part 14 to the sloping part of the teeth 15 spiral or helical to arrange. In the present embodiment, the toothing 15 is as spiral groove 16 on the circumference of part 14 on the actuator 7 in trained like a screw thread while on the wall of the cavity 12 a corresponding spiral, in the groove 16th engaging approach 17 is attached. Of course it is enough however, instead of the spiral attachment 17, for example to arrange a simple, straight protruding pin.

To limit the linear movement of the switching ring 9 are Guide means are attached to the switching ring 9, which with a Interact switch 1 located stop. The attack is on and / or arranged in the housing 2 and is shown in the embodiment formed by a groove wall 18 of a groove 19 which is located in the housing 2 switch 1 is located. The guide means is present as one Approach 20 engaging in the groove 19 on the switching ring 9. If the actuator 7 is moved, it is due to the toothing 15 the switching ring 9 moves linearly until the neck 20 on the Groove wall 18 is present. This causes a further linear movement of the Switch ring 9 prevented and this is due to the oblique running toothing 15 then rotated, the projection 20 on the Groove wall 18 slides along. The size of the groove 19 is dimensioned that both the required linear and rotary movement of the Switch ring 9 can be done.

The contact element 10 is designed in the manner of a disc, such as the Fig. 2 can be seen in more detail. This disc is in one plane running approximately parallel to the fixed contacts 11 arranged. The switch contacts are located on the circumference of the disc 21. The switching contacts 21 are expediently in one piece with the Washer formed by the switching contacts 21 partially from the Disc cut out and bent from this as you can 3 in particular. The switch contacts 21 have at least one extending in the plane of the fixed contacts 11 Contact surface 22, which in turn can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2.

The means for rotating the contact element 10 are also shown in FIG. 2 shown. These means consist of at least one cam 23 and a corresponding receptacle 24. The cam 23 is on Switch ring 9 on the side facing the contact element 10 arranged and protruding approximately wedge-shaped from the switching ring 9 educated. The receptacle 24 is located on the switching ring 9 facing side of the contact element 10 and has an edge 25. The cam 23 arrives with the linear movement of the switching ring 9 its steep surface 26 of the wedge engages with the edge 25 the recording 24.

As you can see, the cam 23 is on a spring arm 27 of the Switch rings 9. The spring arm 27 is in one piece by a partial Free cut 28 connected to the switching ring 9. So with the Rotary movement of the contact element 10 no one-sided forces on the Contact element 10 can be exerted on the switching ring 9 optionally two diametrically opposite spring arms 27 be with cam 23. Appropriately located on a spring arm 27 at least two cams 23, 23 'with approximately a distance corresponding to half the distance of the switching contacts 21 on the side of the switching ring 9 assigned to the contact element 10 are arranged.

So that switch 1 can be safely switched between the on and off position is, the switching positions of the contact element 10 as Rest positions are formed. To generate these locking positions there is a locking curve 29 on the base 3 of the housing 2. In the Latching curve 29 engages a surface 30 on the contact element 10 springy. The surface 30 can optionally be adjacent to the Be contact surface 22 on the switching contact 21. The locking curve 29 has expediently such an area that a for the user Actuation of the switch 1 noticeable pressure point when moving the Contact element 10 is generated.

The to generate the restoring force for the actuator 7, serving compression spring 8 is at its other end on the Contact element 10 arranged. Thus, the compression spring 8 exercises at the same time the contact force with which the switching contact 21 on the fixed contact 11th can be created from. Since the switch contact 21, which is 30 engages in the locking curve 29, is located on the contact element 10, is also the spring force for the compression spring 8 Detent and the creation of pressure point causes.

The switch 1 can be designed to be illuminated in a simple manner become. For this purpose, the actuator 7 has an approximate arranged concentrically to the cavity 12 of the switching ring 9 inner Cavity 31, which can be seen in FIG. 1, and the contact element 10 a central opening 32 shown in Fig. 3 in the inner Cavity 31 and the central opening 32 is a lamp 33, for example an incandescent lamp or a light emitting diode, for lighting of the actuator 7 can be used.

The invention is not based on that described and illustrated Embodiment limited. Rather, it includes everyone professional training within the scope of the appended claims. So For example, the contact surfaces can also be tangential to the circumference of the contact element and the fixed contacts on the side Housing wall can be arranged instead of on the base. Instead of one On / off switch, in which the contact element, the fixed contacts in the bridged switched on position and in the switched off Position at most a single contact surface one of the two Touches fixed contacts, a switch can also easily be produced by a further fixed contact is arranged, so that in a further switching position the contact element establishes electrical connection to the further fixed contact. By The switch can also be arranged appropriately for several fixed contacts be designed as a switch for several circuits or the like.

Reference numeral list:

1:

electrical switch

2:

casing

3:

base

4:

flange

5:

Through Hole

6:

electrical connection

7:

actuator

8th:

compression spring

9:

switching ring

10:

contact element

11:

fixed contact

12:

cavity

13:

cap

14:

Part (from actuator)

15:

gearing

16:

groove

17:

approach

18:

groove wall

19:

groove

20:

Approach (on the switching ring)

21:

switching contact

22:

contact area

23.23 ':

cam

24:

admission

25:

edge

26:

steep surface

27:

spring arm

28:

Clear cut

29:

locking curve

30:

Area (for locking the contact element)

31:

inner cavity

32:

middle opening

33:

Lamp

Claims (10)

1. Electric switch with an actuating member (7) which can be moved substantially linearly against a restoring force and acts on a contact bridge for movement into a switching position, the contact bridge electrically bridging fined contacts (11) in the switching position, characterised in that the actuating member (7) acts with non-positive and/or interlocking fit on a switching ring (9), in that the switching ring (9) is designed in such a way that the switching ring (9) can only perform a limited linear movement owing to the action of the actuating member (7) and performs a rotary movement upon further action, in that the contact bridge consists of a rotatably mounted contact element (10), and in that means are arranged on the switching ring (9) and the contact element (10) which can be caused to interact with one another owing to the linear movement of the switching ring (9), so the contact element (10) can be rotated into the switching position during the rotary movement of the switching ring (9).
2. Electric switch according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuating member (7) acts on the switching ring (9) by means of a gearing (15), wherein one part of the gearing (15) is arranged on the actuating member (7) and the other part of the gearing (15) is arranged on the switching ring (9), and in that preferably at least one part of the gearing (15) is designed so as to extend obliquely, wherein the obliquely extending part of the gearing (15) in particular is arranged spirally or helically.
3. Electric switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the switching ring (9) has a hollow space (12), in particular with an approximately circular cross-section, wherein a part (14) on the actuating member (7) projects into this hollow space (12), in particular with an approximately circular cross-section, and wherein the gearing (15) is preferably designed as a helical groove (16) at the periphery of the actuating member (7) in the manner of a screw thread, and whersin a shoulder (17) engaging in the groove (16) is also preferably provided on the wall of the hollow space (12).
4. Electric switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that to limit the linear movement of the switching ring (9) guide means are provided thereon which interact with a stop located on the switch (1), arranged, in particular, on and/or in the housicg (2) of the switch (1), wherein the atop is preferably formed by a groove wall (18) of a groove (19) in the housing (2), and wherein a shoulder (20) on the switching ring (9) serving as guide means also preferably engages in the groove (19).
5. Electric switch according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the contact element (10) is designed in the manner of a disc, on the periphery of which switching contacts (21) are arranged, wherein the disc is preferably arranged in a plane preferably extending approximately parallel to the fixed contacts (11) and the switching contacts (21) have at least one contact face (22) extending in the plane of the fixed contacts (11), in that in particular the switching contacts (21) designed integrally with the disc are partially cut free from the disc and bent away therefrom.
6. Electric switch according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the means for rotating the contact element (10) consist of at least one cam (23) and a receiver (24) corresponding therewith, arranged on the switching ring (9) and on the contact element (10), in that the cam (23) is preferably designed so as to stand sway from the switching ring (9) in an approximately wedge-shaped manner, and in that the receiver (24) preferably also consists of an edge (25) on the switching contact (21) at the side facing the switching ring (9), wherein the can (23), in particular with the steep face (26) of the wedge, can be brought into engagement with the receiver (24) owing to the linear movement of the switching ring (9).
7. Electric switch according to claim 6, characterised in that the cam (23) is arranged on a spring arm (27) of the switching ring (9) connected, in particular integrally, by a partial free cut (28) to the switching ring (9), wherein optionally two diametrically opposed spring arms (27) with cams (23) can be located on the switching ring (9), and in that preferably at least two cams (23, 23') are arranged on the side of the switching ring (9) associated with the contact element (10) approximately at a spacing corresponding to half the spacing of the switching contact (21).
8. Electric switch according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the switching position of the contact element (10) is designed as a latching position, wherein a latching curve (29) is preferably arranged on the housing (2) to produce the latching position and in which a respective face (30) on the contact element (10), optionally adjacent to the contact face (22) on the switching contact (21), resiliently engages, and wherein the latching curve (29) also preferably has a face producing a pressure point during the movement of the contain element (10).
9. Electric switch according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a compression spring (8) is arranged with one end on the actuating member (7) and with the other end on the contact element (10) to produce the restoring force for the actuating member (7), so the compression spring (8) simultaneously produces the contact force with which the switching contact (21) can be placed against the fixed contact (11), and the spring force for latching and generation of the pressure point.
10. Electric switch according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the actuating member (7) has an interior hollow space (31) arranged approximately concentrically to the hollow space (12) of the switching ring (9) and the contact element (10) has a central opening (32), so a light emitting means (33) for illnminating the actuating member (7) to display the function of the switching position or the like can be inserted into the interior hollow space (31) and the central opening (32).

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