EP0897584B1 - Rocker switch, particularly for motor vehicle window lift - Google Patents

Abstract

A rocker switch (1), in particular a window lift switch for a motor vehicle comprises a switch housing (2) in which a sprung rocking lever (12) is fitted having at least one end position and one dead centre position. The rocking lever (12) is fitted with at least one switch arm (25) which operates at least one switch element (20). The rocking lever (12) is provided with a central lug in which a sprung detent element (18) is inserted which interacts with a detent curve (9) depending on the position of the rocking lever (12). To reduce the size of the switch housing (2) and to compensate for fitting tolerances the switch housing (2) is provided with a integral locating part (5) in which the rocking lever (12) is carried and the detent curve (9) integrated, with the locating part (5) enclosing at least one switch element (20) and one switch arm (25).

Description

The invention relates to a toggle switch, in particular Window switch in a motor vehicle, with a Switch housing in which a spring-loaded rocker arm in two Limit switch positions and a dead center position is movable, of the two switching arms each acting on a switching element has, with a in a central approach of the rocker arm spring-loaded locking element is used, which with a housing side Resting curve depending on the position of the Rocker arm cooperates.

Motor vehicles are increasingly using electrically operated Window switches equipped for all doors. For every The door of the motor vehicle is a separate window switch provided by a push button or a Rocker arm is operated. The ones that can be operated by the driver Pushbuttons or rocker arms are usually either on the panel the driver's door or on the center console.

DE 27 48 839 C3 is a toggle switch for motor vehicles known, the one in an upper housing part Switch housing mounted rocker arm with two limit switch positions has, in which it bears against fixed stops and here by means of spring force in the direction of each one of the stops is biased. The rocker arm includes two mutually parallel switching arms, which in one Switching element with the associated slidable on contact tracks Intervene contact bridge. Located between the shift arms an approach in which a spring loaded, with a in the Interacting bottom of the upper housing formed molded latching path Latch is guided. The one facing the rest path The end of the pawl is provided with a locking roller.

With this toggle switch, the switch housing is in an upper housing part and a lower housing part separated, whereby this is technically very complex and requires a large volume. In the lower part of the housing is the switching element and the spring-loaded contact bridge housed by the Switch arms of the rocker arm are operated. To this end the switching arms penetrate an opening in the bottom of the upper housing part down to the lower part of the housing. The switching element in The lower part of the housing is therefore additionally spring-loaded by dividing the switch housing into manufacturing and To be able to compensate for movement tolerances. This measure contributes to the overall volume of the toggle switch enlarge.

Further, from US-A-4,876,493, which is the closest State of the art forms a toggle switch with a switch housing known, in which a locking curve is integrated, the with a spring loaded in a spring loaded rocker arm Locking element depending on the position of the rocker arm cooperates. The tipping lever is stored in the associated side walls of the housing. The Tilt lever is from a dead center position to a first and a second switch position movable, the rocker arm after release in the first switch position due to the spring action returned to the dead center position and in the second switch position is held after releasing. On the underside of the rocker arm is laterally opposite Switch arms arranged on a arranged in the housing Sliding switching element act. The slide switching element acts in different switching positions, attached and electrically connected in the bottom of the housing Contacts. Furthermore, the front end work Lower edges of the rocker arm on resilient switch contacts that are attached in the corresponding housing walls.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toggle switch, in particular a window switch of the type mentioned create, with which the overall volume of the switch housing is reduced and tolerances related to the construction can, which ensures good operability of the toggle switch is.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that Switch housing in one piece a receiving part on the top for the storage of the rocker arm and the inclusion of the as Microswitch trained switching elements is formed, wherein the locking curve is integrated in the receiving part.

Due to the one-piece design of the switch housing with the Receiving part prevents the switch housing from being divided into two, so that a small volume of the switch housing is realized. In addition, the switch housing is included the receiving part can be produced in one piece. As a result of storage of the rocker arm, the simultaneous integration of the Locking curve and the attachment of the microswitch in the receiving part arise from the short distance between the bearings of the rocker arm and the locking element sliding on the locking curve Tolerance advantages, which makes it easy to use of the toggle switch is reached. As a result, the dead center position of the rocker arm are observed exactly. The Arrangement of the microswitches and their immediate application caused by the switching arms related to the location of the rocker arm storage very short switching distances. Due to the design, there is a separation of haptics and electronics in front. The switching point can be changed without influencing the actuating force varied by appropriate design of the microswitch accordingly, the operating force can be without Influencing the contact point can be varied.

To provide enough space for the switching arms of the To provide rocker arm or the switching elements, is the receiving part according to an embodiment of the invention essentially U-shaped on the switch housing.

Furthermore, the upper side of the receiving part preferably has one at least partially encircling collar in which the Rocker arm is mounted. This will save material and thus a weight reduction achieved because the receiving part only in the area of the storage of the rocker arm in the form of a Collar is formed.

Advantageously, the switch housing with the integrated Receiving part made of plastic. As a result, the receiving part Made in one step as an injection molded part become.

So that the switch housing against environmental influences, such as Moisture that is protected is preferred Switch housing can be closed from below using a base element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the Switch arms spaced on both sides from the attachment of the rocker arm each assigned microswitch. When pressing the Rocker arm on one of its sides moves it out of its Dead center position in a limit switch position, the one Switch arm acts on the associated microswitch and the window in the door of the motor vehicle opens. Will the When the rocker arm is released, it moves to its dead center position back. If the rocker arm goes in the opposite direction pressed and brought into its other limit switch position, so the other switching arm of the rocker arm actuates the associated one second microswitch to close the window.

To give the user an improved shift feeling, the microswitch is long-stroke. This can the plunger of the microswitch a certain longer way cover until the switching function starts. About that In addition, the operating force is to improve the shift feeling of the microswitch less than 0.5 N.

It is particularly advantageous if the microswitch is different Includes switching functions depending on the position of its from the associated switching arm of the rocker arm actuated plunger can be activated. The respective microswitch can be designed so that for a short-term or short-stroke actuation of the rocker arm only on brief and partial lowering or lifting of the window in the door of the motor vehicle. For a long time or Pressing the rocker arm more strongly, however, can have a switching function are triggered which is a complete lowering or lifting the window.

The microswitch is expediently connected in terms of switching technology a circuit board arranged outside the switch housing or with one arranged outside the switch housing Lead frame connected. Because the microswitch is not immediately on the circuit board or the lead frame, but in Receiving part of the switch housing is, too comprising the LEDs, series resistors, plugs and the like Printed circuit board or the lead frame reduced in size.

It is preferably provided that the integrated in the receiving part Locking curve as a V-shaped slideway for the locking element of the rocker arm is formed. The V-shaped locking curve causes the exact position at the toto point, i.e. in the rest position of the Toggle switch. Due to the spring-loaded locking element in the The bottom of the rocker arm is formed on the approach to the rocker arm when released, always in its exact dead center position forced. In addition, the V-shaped extends Slideway for the locking element of the rocker arm from the apex out unevenly. That means that the V-shaped Slideway increasingly widened from apex to top. This creates a tactile shift feeling for the user conveyed on the basis of the special locking curve geometry and thus the operability of the toggle switch is improved.

The invention is based on an embodiment further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows an exploded view in the single figure of the toggle switch according to the invention, wherein the switch housing shown cut in its longitudinal plane is.

The toggle switch 1 according to the invention is with its switch housing 2 designed as a built-in device that up to the stops 3 in an opening, not shown, for example a door trim or a center console of a motor vehicle, can be used. The switch housing 2 instructs its lower peripheral area snap fasteners 4 for a not illustrated base element with which the underside of the Switch housing 2 can be closed. In the switch housing 2 is integrally formed with a receiving part 5, which is essentially U-shaped. Except of the receiving part 5, the switch housing 2 includes one hollow interior 6.

The receiving part 5 initially has one on its upper edge encircling collar 7 on the long sides of the receiving part 5 is each provided with an opening 8. Through the a locking curve runs in the central longitudinal plane of the receiving part 5 9, which is provided with a V-shaped slideway 10. The V-shaped slideway 10 widens from its apex 11 unevenly upwards.

A rocker arm 12 can be inserted into the U-shaped receiving part 5. This rocker arm 12 has one in the center in each case protruding journal 13, which in the opening 8 of Collar 7 is used in the receiving part 5. This is the Rocker arm 12 is pivotally mounted about a tilt axis 14. Below the visible surface of the rocker arm 12 extends vertically an approach 15 which is integrally formed with the rocker arm 12 is. The approach 15 has a plurality of longitudinal gaps 16 and a blind bore 17 into which a pin-like locking element 18 can be used with at its rear end a compression spring 19 is acted upon. This compression spring 19th is supported on the bottom of the blind bore 17 while the locking element 18 out in the blind bore 17 of the approach 15 becomes. Through the longitudinal gaps 16 in the neck 15 of the rocker arm 12 is a smooth mobility of the locking element 18 in Approach 15 reached. In the inserted state of the rocker arm 12 in the receiving part 5, the locking element 18 snaps into the V-shaped Slideway 10 of the locking curve 9, so that the tip of the locking element 18 at the apex 11 of the V-shaped Slideway 10 abuts and by the compression spring 19 against it is pressed.

Furthermore, there are two switching elements designed as microswitches 21 20 provided on both sides of the approach 15 of the Rocker arm 12 spaced apart from one another on a support surface 22 are attached so that the bottom of the microswitch 21 arranged locking pin 23 in the assembled Condition of the bearing surface 22 of the circumferential collar 7 in Grasp the receiving part 5. Each microswitch 21 has several Contact tongues 24 on, the switching technology with a illustrated circuit board are connected, which is outside the switch housing 2 is located.

Corresponding to the switching elements 20 are on the bottom of the rocker arm 12 objected to each other two Switch arms 25 which are integrally formed with the rocker arm 12 are. In the inserted state of the rocker arm 12 in the The receiving part 5 are the switching arms 25 immediately compared to the plunger 26 of the microswitch 21.

If the rocker arm 12, for example, clockwise pivoted, the locking element 18 slides out of the apex 11 of the locking curve 9 and moves along the left Side of the V-shaped slideway 10. Simultaneously, the right switching arm 25 the plunger 26 of the associated microswitch 21, whereby a switching function, e.g. lowering the Window of the door of a motor vehicle is triggered. At the Releasing the rocker arm 12 forces the compression spring 19 to engage the locking element 18 again in the apex 11 of the V-shaped Slideway 10 of the locking curve 9, the rocker arm 12 in its Dead center position is moved back. Meanwhile the comes Switch arm 25 out of engagement with the plunger 26 of the associated Microswitch, whereby the respective switching function is interrupted becomes. The same process is repeated when the left side of the rocker arm 12 is operated.

Claims (12)

1. Rocker switch, more especially a switch for the window-winding mechanism in an automotive vehicle, which switch is provided with a switch housing (2), in which a spring-loaded rocker lever (12) is displaceable into two end switching positions and one dead-centre position, which lever has two switching arms (25), which each act on a respective switching element (20), a spring-loaded locking element (18) being inserted in a central extension (15) of the rocker lever (12) and co-operating with a locking profile (9), on the side of the housing, in dependence on the position of the rocker lever (12), characterised in that a receiver member (5) is integrally moulded on the upper surface of the switch housing (2) for the storage of the rocker lever (12) and the accommodation of the switching elements (20), which are in the form of microswitches (21), the locking profile (9) being incorporated in the receiver member (5).
2. Rocker switch according to claim 1, characterised in that the receiver member (5) has a substantially U-shaped configuration and is provided on the switch housing (2).
3. Rocker switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the upper surface of the receiver member (5) has a collar (7), which extends therearound, at least partially, and in which the rocker lever (12) is mounted.
4. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the switch housing (2), with the receiver member (5) incorporated therein, is formed from plastics material.
5. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the switch housing (2) is closable from below by a socket element.
6. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the switching arms (25), which are spaced on both sides from the extension (15) of the rocker lever (12), each actuate the associated microswitch (21).
7. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the microswitch (21) has a long-stroke configuration.
8. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the actuating force of the microswitch (21) is less than 0.5 N.
9. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the microswitch (21) includes different switching functions which are activatable in dependence on the position of its projection (26), which is actuated by the associated switching arm (25) of the rocker lever (12).
10. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the microswitch (21) is connected, according to switching technology, to a printed circuit board, which is disposed externally of the switch housing (2), or to a stamped blank, which is disposed externally of the switch housing (2).
11. Rocker switch according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the locking profile (9), which is incorporated in the receiver member (5), is in the form of a V-shaped slide path (10) for the locking element (18) of the rocker lever (12).
12. Rocker switch according to claim 11, characterised in that the V-shaped slide path (10) for the locking element (18) of the rocker lever (12) extends non-uniformly from the angle point (11).

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