EP0845718B1 - Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch - Google Patents

Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0845718B1
EP0845718B1 EP96119280A EP96119280A EP0845718B1 EP 0845718 B1 EP0845718 B1 EP 0845718B1 EP 96119280 A EP96119280 A EP 96119280A EP 96119280 A EP96119280 A EP 96119280A EP 0845718 B1 EP0845718 B1 EP 0845718B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact element
contact
substrate
printed circuit
plane
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
EP96119280A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0845718A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Philippe Rebeaud
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.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Original Assignee
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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 Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG, Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches filed Critical Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Priority to AT96119280T priority Critical patent/ATE192858T1/en
Priority to EP96119280A priority patent/EP0845718B1/en
Priority to DE69608286T priority patent/DE69608286T2/en
Priority to US08/941,291 priority patent/US5774427A/en
Priority to KR1019970061320A priority patent/KR100495445B1/en
Priority to SG1997004160A priority patent/SG67445A1/en
Priority to CN97123077A priority patent/CN1076512C/en
Priority to JP33157297A priority patent/JP4351302B2/en
Publication of EP0845718A1 publication Critical patent/EP0845718A1/en
Priority to HK99100070A priority patent/HK1015070A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0845718B1 publication Critical patent/EP0845718B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C1/00—Winding mechanical clocks electrically
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5805—Connections to printed circuits
    • 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
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5805—Connections to printed circuits
    • H01H2001/5811—Connections to printed circuits both fixed and movable contacts being formed by blank stamping and mounted or soldered on printed circuit board without any other housing elements
    • 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
    • H01H2300/016—Application timepiece
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device electrical switch on a printed circuit having an insulating substrate which extends substantially in a plane in the region of the switch and which carries at least one conductive pad of the printed circuit, the device further comprising a fixed contact piece at a fixed point of attachment relative to the substrate, said part being elastically deformable between a position of rest where it does not touch the conductive surface and a latching position where a contact part of said part is in contact with said range, and a control member which is movable in a direction of thrust substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate and to distance from said plane to apply thrust in said direction to the contact part in order to put it in its position of engagement.
  • the invention also relates to a watch comprising a box and such a device in the box.
  • US-A-4 144 428 describes a switch of the genre defined in the preamble above, i.e. converting the control movement parallel to the plane of the substrate in a closing movement of the contact electric by deformation of the contact piece for the move closer to the substrate carrying the conductive surface on which it should apply.
  • a metal frame in inverted rectangular U shape is fixed on a card circuit board supposed to be horizontal and supports a rod horizontal pusher that can slide through the built.
  • the contact piece is a flexible blade having a fixed support point against an interior angle of the frame and a mobile support point formed by a collar of the rod. When we push the rod, the blade bulges down and goes touch a conductive pad on the printed circuit.
  • This construction is relatively heavy and bulky on the printed circuit and also poses problems of lubrication and wear which can affect its operation.
  • the object of the present invention is to avoid disadvantages of the prior art, by creating a device switch on a printed circuit very simple and inexpensive construction, a reliable operation and small footprint, allowing in particular its use in an object of small size such as a wristwatch.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to an electrical switch device of the kind indicated above, characterized in that the point is located near the plane of the substrate and in that the contact piece is flexible between the point of attachment and a point of application of said thrust, so that it bends under said thrust and that the part of contact follows an approximately trajectory perpendicular to the plane of the substrate when it enters contact with the conductive surface.
  • the contact part flexes mainly in the vicinity of its attachment point located at proximity to the substrate plane and preferably in this plan itself, so that the rest of the room performs a substantially pivoting movement around this area of main bending.
  • the contact part of the room is also close to the plane of the substrate, its trajectory is then descending, so approximately perpendicular to this plane.
  • the point application of the thrust is distant from this plane and follows therefore a trajectory with a horizontal component. This trajectory can be completely horizontal if the point application of the thrust is vertical to the main bending zone.
  • the contact piece includes a prominent part located at a distance from said plane, a first branch attached to the prominent part and comprising the contact part, and a second branch flexible attached to the prominent part and fixed to the attachment point, the point of application of the thrust being located on the prominent part or near this one.
  • the point of the contact piece can be found either on the substrate, so that the part is integral with the printed circuit, either on another fixed element by relation to the substrate, so that the printed circuit has a smaller footprint, especially for the storage.
  • the attachment point is on the substrate, the printed circuit may have a second range conductive which is electrically connected to the workpiece contact at the point of attachment.
  • the part protruding from the contact piece, comprising the point application of the thrust may extend beyond a edge of the substrate in the direction of the control member, especially if you want this organ to not extend not above the printed circuit.
  • a second aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising a box and a device according to the first aspect of the invention, the watch being characterized in that that the plane of the substrate is substantially parallel to a bottom of the box and in that the control member includes a manual pusher arranged in a middle part of the box and having, opposite the contact piece, a bearing surface perpendicular to the direction of thrust.
  • the pusher can be formed by a deformable element in elastomer.
  • the bearing surface of the pusher can be arranged to bear directly against the workpiece contact, or a transmission element, in particular in ball shape, can be interposed between the surface support of the pusher and the contact piece, said element being guided in the box to be mobile in the thrust direction.
  • the watch partially shown in Figure 1 includes a box 1 comprising a bottom 2, a middle part 3 equipped with one or more lateral pushers 4, one bezel 5 and a lens 6 covering display means digital or analog, for example needles not represented and a dial 7. Between the bottom 2 and the dial 7 is a central compartment 8 which contains a watch movement not shown.
  • the back 2 and the middle part 3 are formed by a single piece of synthetic material, on which the bezel 5 is also welded in material synthetic. Glass 6 is welded or glued to the telescope 5 and maintains the dial 7.
  • the pusher 4 shown is a deformable elastomer part, housed in an orifice lateral of the middle part 3 and preferably produced by overmolding.
  • the pusher 4 has a central axis 9 parallel to the bottom 2 of the box, a head 10 projecting from the outside of the box, and a bearing surface 11 disposed on a protrusion 12 of the pusher inside of the box in front of compartment 8. This surface 11 is preferably flat and perpendicular to the bottom 2 when the pusher is at rest.
  • the pusher 4 can for example have a circular or oblong shape.
  • buttons or controls can be used in the context of the present invention, as is will describe later, provided that the actuation of such control device causes displacement of the surface support 11 in a thrust direction A parallel to axis 9 of the pusher.
  • Compartment 8 contains a printed circuit 13 fitted with an electrical switch 14.
  • the printed circuit 13, which may be of a conventional type, comprises a insulating substrate 15 consisting of a relatively card rigid which extends in a substantially parallel plane 16 at the bottom 2 of the box 1. In the example shown, the substrate 15 is fixed directly on the bottom 2, but it could be attached to any other fixed element in the box.
  • the circuit printed 13 includes conductive tracks 17, 18 connected to respective conductive pads 19, 20 ( Figure 3) which are part of the switch 14 with a metal contact piece 22 fixed to the printed circuit 13 by means of two rivets constituting two attachment points 23 of Exhibit 22.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show more in detail the shape of the contact piece 22 which has been cut from a metal sheet and folded.
  • This piece has a protruding portion 25 raised relative to to the substrate 15, therefore located at a distance from the plane 16 of the substrate and extending opposite the bearing surface 11 pusher 4 ( Figure 1).
  • a protruding portion 25 raised relative to to the substrate 15, therefore located at a distance from the plane 16 of the substrate and extending opposite the bearing surface 11 pusher 4 ( Figure 1).
  • a first flexible leg 26 In the middle of the game prominent 25 is attached one end of a first flexible leg 26, the other end of which is slightly bent upwards, constitutes a contact part 27 located above the conductive surface 20 of the printed circuit 13.
  • each end of the protruding part 25 is connected to a respective second flexible branch 28, the other end of which 29 constitutes a foot which is fixed to the printed circuit 13 by the corresponding rivet.
  • the Figure 3 shows that one of the feet 29 is applied to the conductive pad 19, this being connected for example at the ground pole of the printed circuit by the track driver 17.
  • contact piece 22 An advantage of the configuration which has just been described in contact piece 22 is that its part prominent 25 can be found, in plan view, beyond of an edge 31 of the printed circuit 13, so that this edge does not need to be close to pusher 4. This can also allow a reduction in length of the pusher.
  • the watch case 1 comprises a pusher made of elastomer 34 having a deformable central body 35 circular or oval bell shape, anchored by overmolding in the middle 3 of the watch case 1.
  • the pusher 34 has a projecting outer head 36 and an inner rod 37, the end of which forms a bearing surface 38 perpendicular to the axis 39 of the pusher, therefore to the thrust direction A and on the plane of the printed circuit 13.
  • An insulating plastic ball 40 is interposed between this surface 38 and the contact piece 42 of the switch 14, this ball being guided in a duct of the box 1 so as to slide in the direction A when pushed by pusher 34 and in the opposite direction when it is pushed back by the workpiece contact 42.
  • the contact piece 42 has a shape different from the part 22 described above, but it works from analogously. It basically includes a blade metallic folded in a general inverted U shape, to form a prominent curved portion 43 between a first branch 44, the bent free end of which forms the contact part 45, and a second flexible branch 46 having at its end an enlarged foot 47 which is fixed to the printed circuit 13 by two rivets constituting its points attachment 48.
  • the pusher 34 When the pusher 34 is pressed, the ball 40 leans against the prominent part 43 or the top of the second branch 46 of the contact piece 42, for flex the bottom of this branch to the position as shown in broken lines in the figure 4.
  • the contact part 45 thus lowers vertically to apply on the contact pad corresponding of the printed circuit.
  • the presence of the ball 40 has the advantage of allowing, if necessary, a certain distance between the pusher 34 and the switch 14. It also allows insulation electric between the switch and the pusher, in particular if it is metal.
  • the contact piece 42 is not fixed on the printed circuit 13, but on another fixed part 50, for example a metal part electrically connected to the mass. If the bottom 2 of the box is metallic, the part contact 42 can even be fixed directly to it.
  • the printed circuit 13 thus has a reduced overall height and length, allowing it to be stored and handled more easily.
  • This variant can also have the interest in cases where the substrate of the printed circuit is flexible and / or curved, or in general of a nature which does not allow the contact piece to be easily attached to it.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Parts Printed On Printed Circuit Boards (AREA)

Abstract

An electric switch device (14) co-operating with a printed circuit (13) and closing perpendicular to such circuit when it is actuated by a pressure in a direction (A) parallel to the plane (16) of the circuit. The switch comprises an elastic contact element (22) having a prominent portion (25) which receives the pressure from a push-button (4) in a direction (A) parallel to the printed circuit. At least one flexible leg (28) of the contact element is fixed to the printed circuit or close to the latter. Another leg (26) of this contact element carries at its end a contact portion (27) which is lowered onto a pad of the circuit when the contact element bends under the effect of the control pressure.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'interrupteur électrique sur un circuit imprimé comportant un substrat isolant qui s'étend sensiblement dans un plan dans la région de l'interrupteur et qui porte au moins une plage conductrice du circuit imprimé, le dispositif comportant en outre une pièce de contact fixée à un point d'attache fixe par rapport au substrat, ladite pièce étant déformable élastiquement entre une position de repos où elle ne touche pas la plage conductrice et une position d'enclenchement où une partie de contact de ladite pièce est en contact avec ladite plage, et un organe de commande qui est mobile dans une direction de poussée sensiblement parallèle au plan du substrat et à distance dudit plan pour appliquer une poussée dans ladite direction à la pièce de contact afin de la mettre dans sa position d'enclenchement.The present invention relates to a device electrical switch on a printed circuit having an insulating substrate which extends substantially in a plane in the region of the switch and which carries at least one conductive pad of the printed circuit, the device further comprising a fixed contact piece at a fixed point of attachment relative to the substrate, said part being elastically deformable between a position of rest where it does not touch the conductive surface and a latching position where a contact part of said part is in contact with said range, and a control member which is movable in a direction of thrust substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate and to distance from said plane to apply thrust in said direction to the contact part in order to put it in its position of engagement.

L'invention concerne également une montre comportant une boíte et un tel dispositif dans la boíte.The invention also relates to a watch comprising a box and such a device in the box.

Dans la plupart des interrupteurs montés sur un circuit imprimé et se fermant par pression manuelle sur une touche de commande, cette pression agit perpendiculairement au plan du circuit imprimé, parce que c'est la construction la plus simple. Il y a cependant des cas où l'organe de commande doit être placé latéralement et agir parallèlement au plan du circuit. Un cas typique est celui des montres, par exemple les montres-chronographes ou les montres multifonctionelles, où un circuit imprimé est généralement parallèle au fond et à la face supérieure de la boíte de montre, alors qu'on préfère placer les poussoirs de commande sur les côtés de la boíte, plutôt que sur la face supérieure où ils seraient exposés à des actionnements intempestifs par contact avec des corps étrangers. La solution habituelle consiste alors à utiliser, en face de chaque poussoir, un interrupteur placé hors du circuit imprimé et se fermant dans la direction d'action du poussoir, donc parallèlement au plan du circuit imprimé. Il en résulte un encombrement qui est gênant dans un objet de petite taille telle qu'une boíte de montre. Les publications US-A-4 062 181, US-A-4 122 664 et EP-A-0 703 512 décrivent des dispositifs de ce genre.In most switches mounted on a printed circuit and closing by manual pressure on a control key, this pressure acts perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit, because it is the simplest construction. There are, however, case where the control unit must be placed laterally and act parallel to the circuit plane. A typical case is that of watches, for example chronograph watches or multifunctional watches, where a printed circuit is generally parallel to the bottom and to the upper side of the watch case, while we prefer place the control buttons on the sides of the box, rather than on the top side where they would be exposed to untimely actuation by contact with foreign bodies. The usual solution then consists to use, opposite each push-button, a switch placed outside the printed circuit and closing in the direction of action of the pusher, therefore parallel to the plane of the printed circuit. This results in a bulk which is annoying in a small object such as a box of watch. The publications US-A-4,062,181, US-A-4,122,664 and EP-A-0 703 512 describe devices of this kind.

On connaít par le brevet US-A-4 423 966 un réveil de table pourvu d'un type d'interrupteur ayant une lame de contact flexible montée directement sur un substrat plan et actionnée par un bouton de commande qui coulisse dans une fente parallèle au plan du substrat. La lame a une forme en V renversé très ouvert, pour présenter une rampe à faible inclinaison servant de came contre laquelle le bouton de commande s'appuie en glissant pour abaisser la lame par flexion jusqu'à ce que l'extrémité libre de la lame aille toucher une plage de contact sur le substrat. Cette construction ne convient pas à une montre, parce qu'on ne peut guère assurer l'étanchéité dans la zone de la fente et aussi parce qu'un tel interrupteur est trop imprécis pour commander des fonctions chronométriques. En outre, la friction du bouton sur la surface de came est gênante pour l'opérateur et cause de l'usure.We know from US-A-4,423,966 an alarm clock table provided with a type of switch having a blade of flexible contact mounted directly on a flat substrate and operated by a control button which slides in a slot parallel to the plane of the substrate. The blade has a very open inverted V shape, to present a ramp at low inclination serving as a cam against which the control button is pressed while sliding to lower the blade by bending until the free end of the blade goes to touch a contact pad on the substrate. This construction is not suitable for a watch, because that you can hardly seal in the area of the slot and also because such a switch is too imprecise to control time functions. In in addition, the friction of the button on the cam surface is troublesome for the operator and cause wear.

Le brevet US-A-4 144 428 décrit un interrupteur du genre défini en préambule ci-dessus, c'est-à-dire convertissant le mouvement de commande parallèle au plan du substrat en un mouvement de fermeture du contact électrique par déformation de la pièce de contact pour la rapprocher du substrat portant la plage conductrice sur laquelle elle doit s'appliquer. Un bâti métallique en forme de U rectangulaire renversé est fixé sur une carte à circuit imprimé supposée horizontale et supporte une tige de poussoir horizontale qui peut coulisser à travers le bâti. La pièce de contact est une lame flexible ayant un point d'appui fixe contre un angle intérieur du bâti et un point d'appui mobile formé par un collet de la tige. Quand on pousse la tige, la lame se bombe vers le bas et va toucher une plage conductrice sur le circuit imprimé. Cette construction est relativement lourde et encombrante sur le circuit imprimé et pose en outre des problèmes de lubrification et d'usure qui peuvent affecter son fonctionnement.US-A-4 144 428 describes a switch of the genre defined in the preamble above, i.e. converting the control movement parallel to the plane of the substrate in a closing movement of the contact electric by deformation of the contact piece for the move closer to the substrate carrying the conductive surface on which it should apply. A metal frame in inverted rectangular U shape is fixed on a card circuit board supposed to be horizontal and supports a rod horizontal pusher that can slide through the built. The contact piece is a flexible blade having a fixed support point against an interior angle of the frame and a mobile support point formed by a collar of the rod. When we push the rod, the blade bulges down and goes touch a conductive pad on the printed circuit. This construction is relatively heavy and bulky on the printed circuit and also poses problems of lubrication and wear which can affect its operation.

La présente invention a pour but d'éviter les inconvénients de l'art antérieur, en créant un dispositif d'interrupteur sur circuit imprimé présentant une construction très simple et peu coûteuse, un fonctionnement fiable et un faible encombrement, permettant notamment son utilisation dans un objet de petite taille telle qu'une montre-bracelet.The object of the present invention is to avoid disadvantages of the prior art, by creating a device switch on a printed circuit very simple and inexpensive construction, a reliable operation and small footprint, allowing in particular its use in an object of small size such as a wristwatch.

Dans ce but, un premier aspect de l'invention concerne un dispositif d'interrupteur électrique du genre indiqué plus haut, caractérisé en ce que le point d'attache se trouve à proximité du plan du substrat et en ce que la pièce de contact est flexible entre le point d'attache et un point d'application de ladite poussée, de sorte qu'elle fléchit sous ladite poussée et que la partie de contact suit une trajectoire approximativement perpendiculaire au plan du substrat lorsqu'elle entre en contact avec la plage conductrice.To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to an electrical switch device of the kind indicated above, characterized in that the point is located near the plane of the substrate and in that the contact piece is flexible between the point of attachment and a point of application of said thrust, so that it bends under said thrust and that the part of contact follows an approximately trajectory perpendicular to the plane of the substrate when it enters contact with the conductive surface.

Ainsi, en supposant par exemple que le substrat est horizontal, lorsqu'on actionne l'organe de commande pour fermer l'interrupteur, la pièce de contact fléchit principalement au voisinage de son point d'attache situé à proximité du plan du substrat et de préférence dans ce plan-même, si bien que le reste de la pièce effectue un mouvement sensiblement pivotant autour de cette zone de flexion principale. Comme la partie de contact de la pièce est également proche du plan du substrat, sa trajectoire est alors descendante, donc approximativement perpendiculaire à ce plan. Par contre, le point d'application de la poussée est distant de ce plan et suit donc une trajectoire à composante horizontale. Cette trajectoire peut être complètement horizontale si le point d'application de la poussée se trouve à la verticale de la zone de flexion principale. So, assuming for example that the substrate is horizontal, when the control member is actuated to close the switch, the contact part flexes mainly in the vicinity of its attachment point located at proximity to the substrate plane and preferably in this plan itself, so that the rest of the room performs a substantially pivoting movement around this area of main bending. As the contact part of the room is also close to the plane of the substrate, its trajectory is then descending, so approximately perpendicular to this plane. However, the point application of the thrust is distant from this plane and follows therefore a trajectory with a horizontal component. This trajectory can be completely horizontal if the point application of the thrust is vertical to the main bending zone.

De préférence, la pièce de contact comporte une partie proéminente située à distance dudit plan, une première branche rattachée à la partie proéminente et comprenant la partie de contact, et une deuxième branche flexible rattachée à la partie proéminente et fixée au point d'attache, le point d'application de la poussée étant situé sur la partie proéminente ou à proximité de celle-ci.Preferably, the contact piece includes a prominent part located at a distance from said plane, a first branch attached to the prominent part and comprising the contact part, and a second branch flexible attached to the prominent part and fixed to the attachment point, the point of application of the thrust being located on the prominent part or near this one.

Dans un dispositif selon l'invention, le point d'attache de la pièce de contact peut se trouver soit sur le substrat, de sorte que la pièce est solidaire du circuit imprimé, soit sur un autre élément fixe par rapport au substrat, de sorte que le circuit imprimé présente un moindre encombrement, en particulier pour le stockage. Si le point d'attache est sur le substrat, le circuit imprimé peut comporter une deuxième plage conductrice qui est raccordée électriquement à la pièce de contact au point d'attache. En outre, la partie proéminente de la pièce de contact, comportant le point d'application de la poussée, peut s'étendre au-delà d'un bord du substrat en direction de l'organe de commande, en particulier si l'on souhaite que cet organe ne s'étende pas au-dessus du circuit imprimé.In a device according to the invention, the point of the contact piece can be found either on the substrate, so that the part is integral with the printed circuit, either on another fixed element by relation to the substrate, so that the printed circuit has a smaller footprint, especially for the storage. If the attachment point is on the substrate, the printed circuit may have a second range conductive which is electrically connected to the workpiece contact at the point of attachment. In addition, the part protruding from the contact piece, comprising the point application of the thrust, may extend beyond a edge of the substrate in the direction of the control member, especially if you want this organ to not extend not above the printed circuit.

Un second aspect de l'invention concerne une montre comportant une boíte et un dispositif selon le premier aspect de l'invention, la montre étant caractérisée en ce que le plan du substrat est sensiblement parallèle à un fond de la boíte et en ce que l'organe de commande comporte un poussoir manuel disposé dans une carrure de la boíte et présentant, en regard de la pièce de contact, une surface d'appui perpendiculaire à la direction de poussée.A second aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising a box and a device according to the first aspect of the invention, the watch being characterized in that that the plane of the substrate is substantially parallel to a bottom of the box and in that the control member includes a manual pusher arranged in a middle part of the box and having, opposite the contact piece, a bearing surface perpendicular to the direction of thrust.

Cela signifie qu'on dispose ainsi d'un contact électrique se fermant directement sur le circuit imprimé, perpendiculairement à celui-ci, sous l'action d'un poussoir disposé latéralement dans la boíte de montre et pouvant être, en particulier, de construction classique. Dans une forme de réalisation particulièrement simple, le poussoir peut être formé par un élément déformable en élastomère.This means that we have a contact electric closing directly on the printed circuit, perpendicular to it, under the action of a pusher disposed laterally in the watch case and which may be, in particular, of conventional construction. In a particularly simple embodiment, the pusher can be formed by a deformable element in elastomer.

Selon les cas, la surface d'appui du poussoir peut être agencée pour s'appuyer directement contre la pièce de contact, ou bien un élément de transmission, notamment en forme de bille, peut être interposé entre la surface d'appui du poussoir et la pièce de contact, ledit élément étant guidé dans la boíte pour être mobile dans la direction de poussée.Depending on the case, the bearing surface of the pusher can be arranged to bear directly against the workpiece contact, or a transmission element, in particular in ball shape, can be interposed between the surface support of the pusher and the contact piece, said element being guided in the box to be mobile in the thrust direction.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaítront dans la description suivante de différents exemples de réalisation, en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe partielle d'une montre comportant une forme de réalisation préférée d'un dispositif d'interrupteur électrique selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue agrandie en élévation latérale de la pièce de contact de l'interrupteur représenté à la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue agrandie en plan de l'interrupteur représenté à la figure 1,
  • la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 représentant une autre forme de réalisation,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en plan de la pièce de contact illustrée à la figure 4, et
  • la figure 6 représente une variante du dispositif illustré à la figure 4.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of various embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a partial section view of a watch comprising a preferred embodiment of an electrical switch device according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the contact part of the switch shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the switch shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment,
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of the contact part illustrated in FIG. 4, and
  • FIG. 6 represents a variant of the device illustrated in FIG. 4.

La montre représentée partiellement à la figure 1 comporte une boíte 1 comprenant un fond 2, une carrure 3 équipée d'un ou plusieurs poussoirs latéraux 4, une lunette 5 et une glace 6 recouvrant des moyens d'affichage numériques ou analogiques, par exemple des aiguilles non représentées et un cadran 7. Entre le fond 2 et le cadran 7 se trouve un compartiment central 8 qui contient un mouvement d'horlogerie non représenté.The watch partially shown in Figure 1 includes a box 1 comprising a bottom 2, a middle part 3 equipped with one or more lateral pushers 4, one bezel 5 and a lens 6 covering display means digital or analog, for example needles not represented and a dial 7. Between the bottom 2 and the dial 7 is a central compartment 8 which contains a watch movement not shown.

Dans le présent exemple, le fond 2 et la carrure 3 sont formés par une pièce monobloc en matière synthétique, sur laquelle est soudée la lunette 5 également en matière synthétique. La glace 6 est soudée ou collée à la lunette 5 et maintient le cadran 7. Le poussoir 4 représenté est une pièce en élastomère déformable, logé dans un orifice latéral de la carrure 3 et réalisé de préférence par surmoulage. Le poussoir 4 comporte un axe central 9 parallèle au fond 2 de la boíte, une tête 10 saillante à l'extérieur de la boíte, et une surface d'appui 11 disposée sur une protubérance 12 du poussoir à l'intérieur de la boíte en face du compartiment 8. Cette surface 11 est de préférence plane et perpendiculaire au fond 2 lorsque le poussoir est au repos. Dans un plan perpendiculaire à celui de la figure 1, le poussoir 4 peut avoir par exemple une forme circulaire ou oblongue.In the present example, the back 2 and the middle part 3 are formed by a single piece of synthetic material, on which the bezel 5 is also welded in material synthetic. Glass 6 is welded or glued to the telescope 5 and maintains the dial 7. The pusher 4 shown is a deformable elastomer part, housed in an orifice lateral of the middle part 3 and preferably produced by overmolding. The pusher 4 has a central axis 9 parallel to the bottom 2 of the box, a head 10 projecting from the outside of the box, and a bearing surface 11 disposed on a protrusion 12 of the pusher inside of the box in front of compartment 8. This surface 11 is preferably flat and perpendicular to the bottom 2 when the pusher is at rest. In a plan perpendicular to that of FIG. 1, the pusher 4 can for example have a circular or oblong shape.

Toutefois, il faut noter que d'autres types de poussoirs ou organes de commande peuvent être utilisés dans le cadre de la présente invention, comme on le décrira plus loin, pourvu que l'actionnement d'un tel organe de commande provoque un déplacement de la surface d'appui 11 dans une direction de poussée A parallèle à l'axe 9 du poussoir.However, it should be noted that other types of push buttons or controls can be used in the context of the present invention, as is will describe later, provided that the actuation of such control device causes displacement of the surface support 11 in a thrust direction A parallel to axis 9 of the pusher.

Le compartiment 8 contient un circuit imprimé 13 équipé d'un interrupteur électrique 14. Le circuit imprimé 13, qui peut être d'un type classique, comporte un substrat isolant 15 constitué par une carte relativement rigide qui s'étend dans un plan 16 sensiblement parallèle au fond 2 de la boíte 1. Dans l'exemple représenté, le substrat 15 est fixé directement sur le fond 2, mais il pourrait être fixé à tout autre élément fixe dans la boíte. Sur la face supérieure du substrat, le circuit imprimé 13 comporte des pistes conductrices 17, 18 raccordées à des plages conductrices respectives 19, 20 (figure 3) qui font partie de l'interrupteur 14 avec une pièce de contact métallique 22 fixée au circuit imprimé 13 au moyen de deux rivets constituant deux points d'attache 23 de la pièce 22. Les figures 2 et 3 montrent plus en détail la forme de la pièce de contact 22 qui a été découpée dans une feuille métallique et pliée. Cette pièce comporte une partie proéminente 25 surélevée par rapport au substrat 15, donc située à distance du plan 16 du substrat et s'étendant en regard de la surface d'appui 11 du poussoir 4 (figure 1). Au milieu de la partie proéminente 25 est rattachée une extrémité d'une première branche flexible 26 dont l'autre extrémité, légèrement recourbée vers le haut, constitue une partie de contact 27 se trouvant au-dessus de la plage conductrice 20 du circuit imprimé 13. De part et d'autre de la première branche 26, chaque extrémité de la partie proéminente 25 est raccordée à une deuxième branche respective flexible 28 dont l'autre extrémité 29 constitue un pied qui est fixé au circuit imprimé 13 par le rivet correspondant. La figure 3 montre que l'un des pieds 29 est appliqué sur la plage conductrice 19, celle-ci étant raccordée par exemple au pôle de masse du circuit imprimé par la piste conductrice 17.Compartment 8 contains a printed circuit 13 fitted with an electrical switch 14. The printed circuit 13, which may be of a conventional type, comprises a insulating substrate 15 consisting of a relatively card rigid which extends in a substantially parallel plane 16 at the bottom 2 of the box 1. In the example shown, the substrate 15 is fixed directly on the bottom 2, but it could be attached to any other fixed element in the box. On the upper face of the substrate, the circuit printed 13 includes conductive tracks 17, 18 connected to respective conductive pads 19, 20 (Figure 3) which are part of the switch 14 with a metal contact piece 22 fixed to the printed circuit 13 by means of two rivets constituting two attachment points 23 of Exhibit 22. Figures 2 and 3 show more in detail the shape of the contact piece 22 which has been cut from a metal sheet and folded. This piece has a protruding portion 25 raised relative to to the substrate 15, therefore located at a distance from the plane 16 of the substrate and extending opposite the bearing surface 11 pusher 4 (Figure 1). In the middle of the game prominent 25 is attached one end of a first flexible leg 26, the other end of which is slightly bent upwards, constitutes a contact part 27 located above the conductive surface 20 of the printed circuit 13. On either side of the first branch 26, each end of the protruding part 25 is connected to a respective second flexible branch 28, the other end of which 29 constitutes a foot which is fixed to the printed circuit 13 by the corresponding rivet. The Figure 3 shows that one of the feet 29 is applied to the conductive pad 19, this being connected for example at the ground pole of the printed circuit by the track driver 17.

Lorsqu'on presse manuellement la tête 10 du poussoir 4, sa surface d'appui 11 se déplace dans la direction de la flèche A, jusqu'à la position d'enclenchement dessinée en traits interrompus dans la figure 1, et pousse dans la même direction la partie proéminente 25 de la pièce de contact 22. Cette poussée fait fléchir les deuxièmes branches 28 de la pièce 22 là où le moment de flexion est le plus grand, c'est-à-dire dans une zone de flexion principale 30 (figure 2) située à proximité du point d'attache 23 correspondant. Cette flexion a pour effet d'abaisser la partie de contact 27 jusqu'à ce qu'elle entre en contact avec la plage conductrice 20, fermant ainsi l'interrupteur 14 pour établir une connexion électrique entre les pistes 17 et 18 du circuit imprimé. Dans cette position, la flexibilité de la première branche 26 évite la nécessité d'une butée dans le poussoir 4.When the head 10 of the pusher is pressed manually 4, its bearing surface 11 moves in the direction of arrow A, up to the latched position drawn in broken lines in Figure 1, and grows in the same direction the prominent part 25 of the piece of contact 22. This push causes the second to flex branches 28 of part 22 where the bending moment is the largest, i.e. in a bending zone main 30 (figure 2) located near the point attachment 23 corresponding. This bending has the effect lower the contact part 27 until it comes into contact with the conductive pad 20, closing switch 14 to establish a connection electric between tracks 17 and 18 of the printed circuit. In this position, the flexibility of the first branch 26 avoids the need for a stop in the pusher 4.

Lorsqu'on relâche la pression sur le poussoir, celui-ci et la pièce de contact 22 reprennent par élasticité leur position de repos dessinée en traits continus, de sorte que l'interrupteur 14 se rouvre.When you release the pressure on the pusher, it and the contact piece 22 resume by elasticity their rest position drawn in solid lines, so that the switch 14 reopens.

Un avantage de la configuration qui vient d'être décrite de la pièce de contact 22 est que sa partie proéminente 25 peut se trouver, en vue en plan, au-delà d'un bord 31 du circuit imprimé 13, si bien que ce bord n'a pas besoin d'être tout proche du poussoir 4. Cela peut permettre aussi une réduction de longueur du poussoir.An advantage of the configuration which has just been described in contact piece 22 is that its part prominent 25 can be found, in plan view, beyond of an edge 31 of the printed circuit 13, so that this edge does not need to be close to pusher 4. This can also allow a reduction in length of the pusher.

Dans la forme de réalisation illustrée par les figures 4 et 5, la boíte de montre 1 comporte un poussoir en élastomère 34 ayant un corps central déformable 35 en forme de cloche circulaire ou ovale, ancré par surmoulage dans la carrure 3 de la boíte de montre 1. Le poussoir 34 a une tête extérieure saillante 36 et une tige intérieure 37 dont l'extrémité forme une surface d'appui 38 perpendiculaire à l'axe 39 du poussoir, donc à la direction de poussée A et au plan du circuit imprimé 13. Une bille 40 en matière plastique isolante est interposée entre cette surface 38 et la pièce de contact 42 de l'interrupteur 14, cette bille étant guidée dans un conduit de la boíte 1 de manière à coulisser dans la direction A lorsqu'elle est poussée par le poussoir 34 et en sens inverse lorsqu'elle est repoussée par la pièce de contact 42.In the embodiment illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, the watch case 1 comprises a pusher made of elastomer 34 having a deformable central body 35 circular or oval bell shape, anchored by overmolding in the middle 3 of the watch case 1. The pusher 34 has a projecting outer head 36 and an inner rod 37, the end of which forms a bearing surface 38 perpendicular to the axis 39 of the pusher, therefore to the thrust direction A and on the plane of the printed circuit 13. An insulating plastic ball 40 is interposed between this surface 38 and the contact piece 42 of the switch 14, this ball being guided in a duct of the box 1 so as to slide in the direction A when pushed by pusher 34 and in the opposite direction when it is pushed back by the workpiece contact 42.

La pièce de contact 42 a une forme différente de la pièce 22 décrite plus haut, mais elle fonctionne de manière analogue. Elle comprend essentiellement une lame métallique pliée suivant une forme générale en U renversé, pour former une partie proéminente incurvée 43 entre une première branche 44, dont l'extrémité libre coudée forme la partie de contact 45, et une deuxième branche flexible 46 ayant à son extrémité un pied élargi 47 qui est fixé au circuit imprimé 13 par deux rivets constituant ses points d'attache 48. Quand on presse le poussoir 34, la bille 40 s'appuie contre la partie proéminente 43 ou le haut de la deuxième branche 46 de la pièce de contact 42, pour fléchir le bas de cette branche jusqu'à la position d'enclenchement représentée en traits interrompus dans la figure 4. La partie de contact 45 s'abaisse ainsi verticalement pour s'appliquer sur la plage de contact correspondante du circuit imprimé. The contact piece 42 has a shape different from the part 22 described above, but it works from analogously. It basically includes a blade metallic folded in a general inverted U shape, to form a prominent curved portion 43 between a first branch 44, the bent free end of which forms the contact part 45, and a second flexible branch 46 having at its end an enlarged foot 47 which is fixed to the printed circuit 13 by two rivets constituting its points attachment 48. When the pusher 34 is pressed, the ball 40 leans against the prominent part 43 or the top of the second branch 46 of the contact piece 42, for flex the bottom of this branch to the position as shown in broken lines in the figure 4. The contact part 45 thus lowers vertically to apply on the contact pad corresponding of the printed circuit.

La présence de la bille 40 a l'avantage de permettre, le cas échéant, une certaine distance entre le poussoir 34 et l'interrupteur 14. Elle permet en outre une isolation électrique entre l'interrupteur et le poussoir, notamment si celui-ci est en métal.The presence of the ball 40 has the advantage of allowing, if necessary, a certain distance between the pusher 34 and the switch 14. It also allows insulation electric between the switch and the pusher, in particular if it is metal.

Toutefois, on peut aussi envisager que la pièce de contact 42 décrite ci-dessus soit commandée par un poussoir s'appliquant directement contre elle.However, it is also conceivable that the piece of contact 42 described above is controlled by a push button applying directly against it.

Dans la variante illustrée à la figure 6, la seule différence par rapport au dispositif des figures 4 et 5 est que la pièce de contact 42 n'est pas fixée sur le circuit imprimé 13, mais sur une autre pièce fixe 50, par exemple une pièce métallique raccordée électriquement à la masse. Si le fond 2 de la boíte est métallique, la pièce de contact 42 peut même lui être fixée directement. L'avantage de cette variante est que le circuit imprimé 13 présente ainsi un encombrement réduit en hauteur et en longueur, permettant de le stocker et de le manipuler plus facilement. Cette variante peut aussi présenter de l'intérêt dans les cas où le substrat du circuit imprimé est souple et/ou incurvé, ou en général d'une nature qui ne permet pas de lui fixer aisément la pièce de contact.In the variant illustrated in Figure 6, the only difference from the device in Figures 4 and 5 is that the contact piece 42 is not fixed on the printed circuit 13, but on another fixed part 50, for example a metal part electrically connected to the mass. If the bottom 2 of the box is metallic, the part contact 42 can even be fixed directly to it. The advantage of this variant is that the printed circuit 13 thus has a reduced overall height and length, allowing it to be stored and handled more easily. This variant can also have the interest in cases where the substrate of the printed circuit is flexible and / or curved, or in general of a nature which does not allow the contact piece to be easily attached to it.

Bien que l'invention soit décrite par son application dans une montre, il est bien entendu que son champ d'application s'étend à toutes sortes d'autres utilisations d'un interrupteur sur un circuit imprimé, avec organe de commande de types variés tels que des touches, des poussoirs, des leviers et autres, dans la mesure où cet organe agit dans une direction sensiblement parallèle au circuit imprimé.Although the invention is described by its application in a watch, it is understood that its field of application extends to all kinds of others uses of a switch on a printed circuit, with control device of various types such as buttons, pushers, levers and the like, in the extent that this organ acts in a direction substantially parallel to the printed circuit.

Claims (12)

  1. Electric switch device on a printed circuit (13) comprising an insulating substrate (15) which extends substantially in a plane (16) in the area of the switch (14) and which carries at least one conductive pad (20) of the printed circuit, the switch device further comprising a contact element (22, 42) fixed to a point of attachment (23, 48) which is fixed with respect to the substrate, said contact element being able to be deformed elastically between a rest position in which it does not contact the conductive pad and a closing position in which a contact portion (27, 45) of said contact element is in contact with said pad, and a control element (4, 34) which is able to move in a direction of pressure (A) substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate and distant from said plane to push said contact element in said direction in order to place said contact element in its closing position,
       characterized in that the point of attachment (23, 48) is situated close to the plane (16) of the substrate (15) and in that the contact element (22, 42) is flexible between the point of attachment and a point of application of said pressure, so that it bends under said pressure and that the contact portion (27, 45) follows a trajectory approximately perpendicular to the plane of the substrate when it comes into contact with the conductive pad.
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element comprises a prominent portion (25, 43) situated at a distance from said plane (16), a first leg (26, 44) joined to the prominent portion and comprising the contact portion, and a second flexible leg (28, 46) joined to the prominent portion and fixed to the point of attachment, the point of pressure application being situated on the prominent portion or close to the latter.
  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the point of attachment (23, 48) is situated on the substrate.
  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the printed circuit comprises a second conductive pad (19) which is electrically connected to the contact element (22, 42) at the point of attachment.
  5. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the prominent portion (25) of the contact element (22) extends beyond an edge (31) of the substrate (15) towards the control element.
  6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact element (22, 42) is a part cut from a metal sheet and bent.
  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the prominent portion (25) has an elongated shape substantially perpendicular to the pressure direction (A) and in that the contact element comprises two second legs (28), joined to respective ends of the prominent portion and fixed to respective points of attachment (23), and a single first leg (26) joined to the prominent portion between the second legs.
  8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact element (42) is a strip bent in a general U shape, the curved part of the U forming said prominent portion (43).
  9. Watch comprising a case (1) and a switch device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane (16) of the substrate (15) is substantially parallel to a back cover (2) of the case and in that the control element comprises a manual push-button (4, 34) arranged in a middle part (3) of the case and having, facing the contact element, a bearing surface (11, 38) perpendicular to the direction of pressure (A).
  10. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that the push-button (4, 34) is formed by an element capable of being deformed and made of an elastomeric material.
  11. Watch according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the bearing surface (11) of the push-button is arranged to abut directly against the contact element.
  12. Watch according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a transmission element, in particular in the shape of a ball (40), is inserted between the bearing surface (38) of the push-button and the contact element (42), said element being guided in the case to be able to move in the direction of pressure (A).
EP96119280A 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch Expired - Lifetime EP0845718B1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT96119280T ATE192858T1 (en) 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE ON A PRINTED CIRCUIT AND CLOCK CONTAINING SUCH DEVICE
EP96119280A EP0845718B1 (en) 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch
DE69608286T DE69608286T2 (en) 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 Electrical switching device on a printed circuit and clock containing such a device
US08/941,291 US5774427A (en) 1996-12-02 1997-09-30 Electric switch device on a printed circuit and watch comprising such a device
KR1019970061320A KR100495445B1 (en) 1996-12-02 1997-11-20 Electric switch device on a printed circuit and watch comprising such a device
SG1997004160A SG67445A1 (en) 1996-12-02 1997-11-27 Electric switch device on a printed circuit and watch comprising such a device
CN97123077A CN1076512C (en) 1996-12-02 1997-12-01 Electric switch device on printed circuit and watch comprising such device
JP33157297A JP4351302B2 (en) 1996-12-02 1997-12-02 Switch device and timepiece having such a switch device
HK99100070A HK1015070A1 (en) 1996-12-02 1999-01-07 Electric switch device on a printed circuit and watch comprising such a device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96119280A EP0845718B1 (en) 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0845718A1 EP0845718A1 (en) 1998-06-03
EP0845718B1 true EP0845718B1 (en) 2000-05-10

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EP96119280A Expired - Lifetime EP0845718B1 (en) 1996-12-02 1996-12-02 Electric switching means on a printed circuit board and watch comprising such a switch

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US5774427A (en)
EP (1) EP0845718B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4351302B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100495445B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1076512C (en)
AT (1) ATE192858T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69608286T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1015070A1 (en)
SG (1) SG67445A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HK1015070A1 (en) 1999-10-08
KR100495445B1 (en) 2005-09-29
JP4351302B2 (en) 2009-10-28
JPH10160869A (en) 1998-06-19
DE69608286T2 (en) 2001-01-04
DE69608286D1 (en) 2000-06-15
CN1188974A (en) 1998-07-29
ATE192858T1 (en) 2000-05-15
KR19980063592A (en) 1998-10-07
SG67445A1 (en) 1999-09-21
EP0845718A1 (en) 1998-06-03
CN1076512C (en) 2001-12-19
US5774427A (en) 1998-06-30

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