EP0780862A2 - Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Netzschalters besonders für elektrische Haushaltgeräte und dergleichen und so hergestellter Schalter - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Netzschalters besonders für elektrische Haushaltgeräte und dergleichen und so hergestellter Schalter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0780862A2
EP0780862A2 EP96120812A EP96120812A EP0780862A2 EP 0780862 A2 EP0780862 A2 EP 0780862A2 EP 96120812 A EP96120812 A EP 96120812A EP 96120812 A EP96120812 A EP 96120812A EP 0780862 A2 EP0780862 A2 EP 0780862A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blades
strips
switch
electric
supporting strips
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
EP96120812A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0780862B1 (de
EP0780862A3 (de
Inventor
Alberto Bassi
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.)
ITW Fastex Italia SpA
Original Assignee
ITW Fastex Italia SpA
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 ITW Fastex Italia SpA filed Critical ITW Fastex Italia SpA
Publication of EP0780862A2 publication Critical patent/EP0780862A2/de
Publication of EP0780862A3 publication Critical patent/EP0780862A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0780862B1 publication Critical patent/EP0780862B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
    • H01H11/0056—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches comprising a successive blank-stamping, insert-moulding and severing operation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/62—Contacts actuated by radial cams

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of producing an electric supply switch, particularly for electric household appliances and similar, and to the switch produced thereby; the switch being of the type comprising at least a pair of movable contacts comprising two elastic, electrically conductive blades projecting from a supporting base, having partially superimposed free ends, and which are connected and/or disconnected by respective cam means.
  • switches of the above are known in which the contacts are fitted to the partially superimposed free ends of a pair of flexible elastic blades (leaf spring switch); and the contacts are normally moved from a stable rest position - which may be either open or closed - to another alternative stable position by means of a rotary cam integral with a rotary shaft operated manually by the user.
  • the blades are fitted individually to an insulating resin support so that the free ends with the contacts project; and the two blades are connected to two end contact tabs, which are fitted with respective known terminals, one connected to the mains or a voltage source, and the other to a user device such as an electric motor, heating element, etc..
  • a method of producing an electric supply switch particularly for electric household appliances and similar, and a switch produced thereby; the method comprising a step wherein a flat grid of electrically conductive strips is cut from a metal sheet to form a no matter how complex electric circuit comprising a pair of supporting strips connected to each other by at least one auxiliary strip and by at least one functional strip parallel to the auxiliary strip and in which an intermediate transverse cut is made to form a pair of blades connected in projecting manner to the supporting strips and having abutting free ends at said cut; the method being characterized by comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention also relates to the switch produced using the method according to the invention.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates a non-limiting elementary conducting grid by which to form an electric switch according to the method of the present invention.
  • Conducting grid 1 comprises a number of electrically conductive metal strips 2 formed in a single blanking operation from a metal sheet; a so-called auxiliary strip 3 which conducts no current in the finished switch; and a functional strip 4 parallel to auxiliary strip 3. The ends of strips 3 and 4 are connected to a pair of opposite supporting strips 5 and 6.
  • Figure 2 shows a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of conducting grid 1 in Figure 1, wherein two lateral auxiliary strips 7 and a number of parallel functional strips 8 are connected to supporting strips 5 and 6.
  • Strips 3-8 are all coplanar, and, during the blanking operation, functional strips 4 or 8 are cut transversely and substantially centrally to form pairs of blades 9a, 9b, the blades in each pair of which remain connected in projecting manner to respective supporting strips 5 and 6, and have respective free ends 10a, 10b facing each other, so that each pair of blades is predisposed to form a switch 11 of the finished switch.
  • end tab connectors or contact terminals 12 are formed projecting from, and bent roughly 90° in relation to the plane of, conducting grid 1.
  • a bend 14 is formed in some of the blades, e.g. blades 9a, or at any rate at least one of the blades in each pair is so deformed that ends 10a, 10b lie in different, contiguous or noncontiguous, planes, and, according to the non-limiting embodiment shown, blades 9a are separated perpendicularly by a small gap from respective blades 9b to form normally-open switches (with the blades parted).
  • normally-closed switches (with ends 10a and 10b of the blades contacting) may also be formed.
  • auxiliary strips 3 or 7 are deformed using a special tool (not shown) by which each auxiliary strip is subjected lengthwise to stress F ( Figure 1) and bent to form a loop-shaped bend 15, which shortens auxiliary strips 3 or 7 to bring the supporting strips, and hence blades 9a, 9b connected to them, closer together by a sufficient length to superimpose ends 10a and 10b and so form an adequate electrical contact portion between the blades.
  • a special tool not shown
  • conducting grid 1 shortened as described above, is placed inside a mold on an injection press (not shown) and molded, using electrically insulating synthetic resin, to a respective container 18 ( Figure 3). More specifically, conducting grid 1 is embedded in a base or bottom wall 19 located inside the container and forming one piece with the lateral walls 20.
  • gaps are formed in predetermined portions of supporting strips 5 and 6 and/or auxiliary strips 3, 7 to electrically insulate the various functional parts of the electric circuit, and in particular the conductor portions forming independent switches. More specifically, by means of punches on the mold, holes 22 ( Figures 2, 3) are formed in opposite strips 5 and 6 to electrically separate blades 9a from blades 9b and from any other blades by which they might be shortcircuited, for which purpose, base wall 19 is formed with ready-made openings/holes for exposing the portions to be punched. Wall 19 also comprises an opening 23 at and for permitting access for the control of blades 9a, 9b, and which is so sized that the supporting strips and at least part of blades 9a, 9b are embedded inside wall 19.
  • Switches 11 are operated by means of a shaft 24 rotating in known manner on two opposite walls of container 18, and which in turn is either operated manually by the user or powered in any known manner.
  • Shaft 24 is fitted with a number of known rotary cams 25, one for each switch, and each of which cooperates with a respective flexible blade 9a or 9b to flex it and so bring respective contact ends 10a and 10b into contact with each other depending on the profile of the cam.
  • each blade 9a or 9b remains in a rest position clear of contact end 10b or 10a, so that the respective switch remains open.
  • shaft 24 is so assembled as to flex the blades in each pair away as opposed to towards each other.
  • contact terminals 12 project from base wall 19 in two rows on either side of blades 9, and are connected to the terminals (not shown) of wires connected to the mains on one side and to the user equipment on the other.
  • Wall 19 also comprises projections 21 for enclosing the bends 15 (Figure 2) shortening strips 7.
  • the method of producing an electric switch according to the present invention may also be used to advantage for forming complex conducting grids, one of which, indicated by 30, is shown in the partially sectioned view in Figure 4.
  • Grid 30 comprises a number of similar or dissimilar sections 31, 32, 33, etc., each of which in turn comprises a group of switches 34a, 34b formed by known blanking operations similar to that described above. More specifically, each section 31, 32, 33 comprises two lateral auxiliary strips 36 and 37 connected to the ends of intermediate transverse supporting strips 38 to which the outer ends 39 of the blades in each group of switches 34a, 34b are connected.
  • bends 40 similar to bends 15 in Figure 2 are formed in strips 36 and 37 to shorten the portions of strips 36 and 37 relative to each group of switches 34a, 34b, so that the facing ends 42a and 42b of the blades in each group of switches are superimposed to form an electric contact portion 43.
  • conducting grid 30 is molded into a supporting wall 44 of a container 46 ( Figure 5) of electrically insulating synthetic resin to form a switch 41 with a number of independent sections, in each of which the group of switches 34a, 34b is activated by a respective shaft 48a, 48b fitted with a number of cams 47 rotated independently about their axis by the user.
  • Wall 44 comprises a number of projections 45 enclosing the bends 40 formed in strips 36 and 37.
  • gaps are formed in both lateral strips 36, 37 and transverse strips 38 to electrically separate the sections of switch 41 and, within each section, the parts supplying different equipment.
  • Figure 5 shows a number of the holes 49 formed in wall 44 at the molding step to permit the passage, at the next step, of punches by which to form respective holes for electrically and mechanically interrupting strips 36, 37, 38.
  • Containers 18 and 46 comprise members enabling removable fitment to the casing of a household appliance, and which provide for fast assembly and removal of the containers for troublefree access to the switches with no tools required.
  • Said fastening members comprise T-shaped tabs 50 ( Figures 3, 5) formed in one piece on the outer surface of a wall 20, 51 of container 18, 46, e.g. on the wall facing control shaft/s 24, 48.
  • Tabs 50 extend parallel to and a small distance from wall 20, 51, and fit on to respective projections (not shown) on the appliance or inside through openings to form a known bayonet connection.
  • a retaining tooth 52 is formed in one piece with one end of wall 20, 51, and flexes past a fixed stop on the appliance, e.g. an edge of one of said through openings, for preventing free withdrawal of the switch.
  • the present invention therefore provides for producing a single or multiple switch in considerably less time as compared with currently used methods.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
EP96120812A 1995-12-22 1996-12-23 Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Netzschalters besonders für elektrische Haushaltgeräte und dergleichen und so hergestellter Schalter Expired - Lifetime EP0780862B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO951042 1995-12-22
IT95TO001042A IT1281101B1 (it) 1995-12-22 1995-12-22 Procedimento di costruzione di un commutatore elettrico di alimentazione, particolarmente per elettrodomestici e simili

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0780862A2 true EP0780862A2 (de) 1997-06-25
EP0780862A3 EP0780862A3 (de) 1998-05-20
EP0780862B1 EP0780862B1 (de) 2001-08-16

Family

ID=11414060

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96120812A Expired - Lifetime EP0780862B1 (de) 1995-12-22 1996-12-23 Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Netzschalters besonders für elektrische Haushaltgeräte und dergleichen und so hergestellter Schalter

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0780862B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69614492T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2161960T3 (de)
IT (1) IT1281101B1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0977224A2 (de) * 1998-07-29 2000-02-02 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung eines elektrischen Schaltgeräts
EP1467445A2 (de) * 2003-04-11 2004-10-13 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Anordnung von Schalteinrichtungen
WO2006102936A1 (de) * 2005-03-26 2006-10-05 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Schutzschalter und verfahren zu dessen herstellung
EP1151447B2 (de) † 1999-02-06 2008-07-16 Delphi Technologies Inc. Kontaktfeder-einheit für einen elektrischen schalter

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1001629B (it) * 1972-11-13 1976-04-30 Amp Inc Telaio di conduttori per disposi tivo commutatore
US3945808A (en) * 1974-04-15 1976-03-23 Amp Incorporated Lead frame adapted for electrical switch package
GB1493377A (en) * 1974-10-17 1977-11-30 Amp Inc Electrical lead frame
DE3484436D1 (de) * 1983-12-19 1991-05-16 Miraco Inc Herstellungsverfahren eines schnappschalters.
DE9116925U1 (de) * 1991-09-26 1994-10-20 Kontakt Geraeteschalter Gmbh I Elektrischer Schalter

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0977224A2 (de) * 1998-07-29 2000-02-02 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung eines elektrischen Schaltgeräts
EP0977224A3 (de) * 1998-07-29 2000-10-11 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung eines elektrischen Schaltgeräts
US6211582B1 (en) 1998-07-29 2001-04-03 E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau Gmbh Electrical switching device
EP1151447B2 (de) † 1999-02-06 2008-07-16 Delphi Technologies Inc. Kontaktfeder-einheit für einen elektrischen schalter
EP1467445A2 (de) * 2003-04-11 2004-10-13 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Anordnung von Schalteinrichtungen
EP1467445A3 (de) * 2003-04-11 2006-05-17 E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERÄTEBAU GmbH Anordnung von Schalteinrichtungen
WO2006102936A1 (de) * 2005-03-26 2006-10-05 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Schutzschalter und verfahren zu dessen herstellung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1281101B1 (it) 1998-02-11
DE69614492T2 (de) 2002-05-29
ITTO951042A0 (it) 1995-12-22
DE69614492D1 (de) 2001-09-20
EP0780862B1 (de) 2001-08-16
ES2161960T3 (es) 2001-12-16
ITTO951042A1 (it) 1997-06-22
EP0780862A3 (de) 1998-05-20

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