EP0841673A2 - Module de commutation électrique - Google Patents

Module de commutation électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0841673A2
EP0841673A2 EP97119392A EP97119392A EP0841673A2 EP 0841673 A2 EP0841673 A2 EP 0841673A2 EP 97119392 A EP97119392 A EP 97119392A EP 97119392 A EP97119392 A EP 97119392A EP 0841673 A2 EP0841673 A2 EP 0841673A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switch
actuator
front housing
push button
pad
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97119392A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0841673A3 (fr
Inventor
Joseph D. Comerci
Mark M. Data
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.)
Molex LLC
Original Assignee
Molex LLC
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 Molex LLC filed Critical Molex LLC
Publication of EP0841673A2 publication Critical patent/EP0841673A2/fr
Publication of EP0841673A3 publication Critical patent/EP0841673A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/066—Actuators replaceable
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/01—Mounting on appliance
    • H01H2223/012—Snap mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/058—Casings flush mounted
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/042—Snap coupling; Snap mounting

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the art of electrical switches and, particularly, to a switch module, such as a push button switch module, for mounting on a switch wiring chassis.
  • Push button switches are used in a variety of applications for actuating switches of a switching unit.
  • the push button switch may be purely mechanical, wherein the push button physically moves a first switch contact into or out of engagement with a second switch contact to close or open a circuit.
  • the push button may carry a switch contact for closing the elements of a switch pad on the printed circuit board.
  • Push button switches of the character described above include switches of the elastomeric dome variety which are convenient to use in arrays which are easy to manufacture and easy to assemble to multiple switching panels.
  • a unitary actuator pad includes a flange portion with a plurality of integral, raised push buttons.
  • Such actuator pads or panels are readily used in conjunction with a printed circuit board.
  • the integral push buttons include planar switch contacts for engaging planar switch pads on the circuit board.
  • buttons of the switch assembly are desirable to cover with a cap which can have indicia thereon to indicate the function of any given push button and its associated switch.
  • a cap which can have indicia thereon to indicate the function of any given push button and its associated switch.
  • the button caps be readily removable and interchangeable to accommodate readily programmable circuitry on the printed circuit board.
  • a problem with such systems as outlined above is that it becomes complicated and expensive to incorporate each of the described components, with their desirable functions, in an assembly or subassembly for practical use in a switching unit or chassis.
  • the present invention is directed to solving such problems by providing a push button switch module which includes all of the described desirable components in a module which is extremely simple to assemble for ready use in a variety of switch wiring chassis.
  • An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved push button switch module of the character described.
  • the switch module includes a front housing having at least one push button aperture.
  • An actuator pad is mounted to the rear of the front housing and includes a push button switch actuator exposed in the aperture.
  • a printed circuit board is mounted to the rear of the actuator pad at the rear of the front housing and includes a switch pad operatively associated with the switch actuator.
  • a switch cap is interchangeably mounted to the front of the front housing at the aperture and is movable relative to the housing for engaging the push button switch actuator. Therefore, the entire module can be mounted as a sub-assembly to an appropriate switching unit or switch wiring chassis.
  • the front housing is unitarily molded of relatively rigid plastic material.
  • the actuator pad is unitarily molded of elastomeric material.
  • the elastomeric actuator pad includes a flange portion and an integral dome-type, relatively movable switch actuator portion forming the push button switch actuator.
  • a conductive switch contact is carried on the underside of the switch actuator for engaging the switch pad on the printed circuit board.
  • the invention contemplates the use of a first snap-latch means on the underside of the front housing for mounting the printed circuit board thereto, sandwiching the actuator pad between the front housing and the printed circuit board.
  • a second snap-latch means is provided for removably and interchangeably mounting the switch cap to the front housing through the aperture.
  • a third snap-latch means is provided on the front housing for readily mounting the entire module to an appropriate switch wiring chassis or the like. Therefore, the entire module is extremely simple to assemble and use.
  • an electrical switch assembly or push button switch module includes a front housing, generally designated 12; a 4-button switch actuator pad, generally designated 14; a switch printed circuit board, generally designated 16; and four switch caps, generally designated 18.
  • front housing 12 of switch module 10 is a unitary structure integrally molded of fairly rigid plastic material.
  • the housing includes a peripheral flange 20 having attaching holes 22 near the corners thereof.
  • the remainder of the housing is raised above peripheral flange 20 and defines four generally square push button apertures 24.
  • Four (only one being visible in Fig. 1) inwardly directed hooked latches 26 project downwardly on the inside of the raised portion of the housing.
  • a pair of outwardly directed hooked latches 28 project downwardly from peripheral flange 18 on each side of the housing.
  • the 4-button switch actuator pad 14 of switch module 10 is a unitary structure molded of elastomeric material (i.e. considerably softer or more flexible than the molded plastic material of front housing 12).
  • Actuator pad 14 includes a peripheral flange 30, with four push button switch actuators, generally designated 32, projecting upwardly therefrom. In assembly, push button actuators 32 projected upwardly through apertures 24 in front housing 12.
  • Peripheral flange 30 of actuator pad 14 includes four notches 34 in the edges thereof through which inwardly directed hooked latches 26 of front housing 12 project.
  • Switch printed circuit board 16 of switch module 10 includes a generally planar substrate 36 having four planar switch pads 38 on the upper surface thereof.
  • planar switch pads 38 are shown as a planar array of circuit traces in a particular electrical configuration.
  • the planar switch pads can take a wide variety of configurations, including a flat foil pad being divided by an open slit to define a pair of closable contacts within the planar switch pad, as is known in the art.
  • Switch caps 18 of switch module 10 are designed to snap fit into apertures 24 from the front of housing 12 to cover switch actuators 30 of actuator pad 14.
  • the switch caps typically have indicia on the top thereof to indicate the switch function effected by depressing the respective push button switch actuator 32 on actuator pad 14. Therefore, the switch caps must be movably mounted within their respective apertures 24.
  • FIGs 2-4 show the components (Fig. 1) of switch module 10 in assembled condition.
  • 4-button switch actuator pad 14 is located beneath front housing 12 with push button switch actuators 32 projecting upwardly through apertures 24 in the housing.
  • Switch printed circuit board 16 is pushed upwardly beneath the actuator pad until the printed circuit board snaps into latching engagement with inwardly directed hooked latches 26, thereby supporting the actuator pad, while interior flanges 40 on the inside of housing 12 hold the actuator pad downwardly against the printed circuit board.
  • Figure 4 also shows more clearly the size and configuration of outwardly directed hooked latches 28 depending from the underside of housing 12, for purposes described below.
  • FIGS 3 and 4 show that a planar switch contact 42 is disposed on the bottom of each push button switch actuator 32. These planar switch contacts are provided for engaging planar switch pads 38 on printed circuit board 16.
  • each switch cap 18 is configured in a generally inverted cup shape to define a top wall 44, a pair of opposite side walls 46 and a pair of hooked latches 48 defining the other opposite side walls of the cup-shaped configuration.
  • a locating rib 50 depends from the inside of top wall 44 as shown in Figure 3 for positioning in a locating recess 52 in the top of a respective one of the switch actuators 32. Therefore, each switch cap 18 is designed for removably and interchangeably mounting within a respective one of the apertures 24 in front housing 12 in a direction from outside or at the front of the housing.
  • the outer edges of hooked latches 48 are chamfered so that the switch caps can be mounted into apertures 24 in a snap-latch action by pushing the caps downwardly in the direction of arrows "A" (Fig. 3).
  • FIG 9 shows switch module 10 mounted on top of a front plate 54 of a rear wiring module or box, generally designated 56, by means of four attaching screws 58 passing through attaching holes 22 in peripheral flange 20 of front housing 12.
  • hooked latches 28 are used to snap-fit switch module 10 onto wiring module or box 56.
  • the wiring module or box is only one example of an application for, use of switch module 10 of the invention.
  • the switch module can be used with a variety of switch wiring chassis.
  • Figure 10 shows a modified assembly wherein only one push button switch actuator 32 is employed. This view simply shows that rear module 56 houses or mounts various wires and terminals 60, along with an interior substrate or printed circuit board 62. The rear module defines the eventual functions effected by the switch module 10 of the invention. However, Figure 10 also clearly shows how hooked latches 28 project downwardly past peripheral flange 20 of front housing 12 for snapping behind front plate 54 of the rear wiring module to snap-latch the entire switch module 10 onto the rear module.
  • a first snap-latch means including hooked latches 26 are used to mount printed circuit board 16 to the underside of front housing 12, sandwiching actuator pad 14 between the front housing and the printed circuit board.
  • a second snap-latch means including hooked latches 48 on switch caps 18 are used to interchangeably mount the switch caps to the front housing through apertures 24 therein.
  • a third snap-latch means including hooked latches 28 are used for readily mounting switch module 10 on a switch wiring chassis, such as rear wiring module or box 56.
  • push button has been used herein and in the claims hereof, it should be understood that the push button actuators can be associated with a variety of different electrical switching means.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
EP97119392A 1996-11-12 1997-11-06 Module de commutation électrique Withdrawn EP0841673A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74824996A 1996-11-12 1996-11-12
US748249 1996-11-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0841673A2 true EP0841673A2 (fr) 1998-05-13
EP0841673A3 EP0841673A3 (fr) 1998-12-30

Family

ID=25008644

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97119392A Withdrawn EP0841673A3 (fr) 1996-11-12 1997-11-06 Module de commutation électrique

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0841673A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPH10149740A (fr)
AU (1) AU4509397A (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1037227A2 (fr) * 1999-03-09 2000-09-20 Merten GmbH & Co. KG Interrupteur d'installation pour installations dans les bâtiments
US6227335B1 (en) 1999-12-10 2001-05-08 Invento Ag Elevator car operating panel
EP1347675A1 (fr) * 2002-03-23 2003-09-24 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems GmbH Unité de contrôle pour véhicules
US6836411B2 (en) 2002-03-23 2004-12-28 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems Gmbh Operating device including housing and printed circuit board for a vehicle
EP1909301A1 (fr) 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Robert Bosch Gmbh Dispositif de clavier pouvant être nettoyé
DE102019106868A1 (de) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh Trägerkomponente eines Gehäuses einer Gefahrenmelderzentrale und eine Gefahrenmelderzentrale, vorzugsweise einer Einbruch-, Brandmelder- und/oder Löschsteuerzentrale

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5292903B2 (ja) * 2008-04-17 2013-09-18 パナソニック株式会社 車両用スイッチ装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2280964A1 (fr) * 1974-07-30 1976-02-27 Burroughs Corp Interrupteurs a diaphragme et tableaux electriques comportant ces interrupteurs
GB2086804A (en) * 1980-11-04 1982-05-19 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Keyblock assembly
EP0158795A2 (fr) * 1984-04-03 1985-10-23 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier pour appareil électrique ou électronique
DE9214324U1 (de) * 1992-10-22 1992-12-17 Siemens AG, 8000 München Unterputzinstallationssystem

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2280964A1 (fr) * 1974-07-30 1976-02-27 Burroughs Corp Interrupteurs a diaphragme et tableaux electriques comportant ces interrupteurs
GB2086804A (en) * 1980-11-04 1982-05-19 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Keyblock assembly
EP0158795A2 (fr) * 1984-04-03 1985-10-23 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier pour appareil électrique ou électronique
DE9214324U1 (de) * 1992-10-22 1992-12-17 Siemens AG, 8000 München Unterputzinstallationssystem

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1037227A2 (fr) * 1999-03-09 2000-09-20 Merten GmbH & Co. KG Interrupteur d'installation pour installations dans les bâtiments
EP1037227A3 (fr) * 1999-03-09 2002-07-10 Merten GmbH & Co. KG Interrupteur d'installation pour installations dans les bâtiments
US6227335B1 (en) 1999-12-10 2001-05-08 Invento Ag Elevator car operating panel
EP1347675A1 (fr) * 2002-03-23 2003-09-24 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems GmbH Unité de contrôle pour véhicules
US6836411B2 (en) 2002-03-23 2004-12-28 Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems Gmbh Operating device including housing and printed circuit board for a vehicle
EP1909301A1 (fr) 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Robert Bosch Gmbh Dispositif de clavier pouvant être nettoyé
US7910848B2 (en) 2006-10-05 2011-03-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Easy-to-clean keypad device
DE102019106868A1 (de) * 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh Trägerkomponente eines Gehäuses einer Gefahrenmelderzentrale und eine Gefahrenmelderzentrale, vorzugsweise einer Einbruch-, Brandmelder- und/oder Löschsteuerzentrale
WO2020187974A1 (fr) 2019-03-18 2020-09-24 Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh Composant porteur d'un boîtier d'une centrale d'alarme de dangers et centrale d'alarme de dangers, de préférence d'une centrale d'alarme d'infraction, d'incendie et/ou d'une centrale de commande d'extinction
US11922795B2 (en) 2019-03-18 2024-03-05 Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh Support component of a housing of a hazard alert center and a hazard alert center, preferably an intruder alert, fire alarm and/or extinguishing control center

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4509397A (en) 1998-05-14
JPH10149740A (ja) 1998-06-02
EP0841673A3 (fr) 1998-12-30

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