EP0980577B1 - Switching arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching arrangement (1), specially for household appliances such a washing machines, dishwashers or the like,. The switching arrangement (1) has one housing (2) comprising at least one switching element (11, 11') which is arranged inside (16) said housing. At least one actuating member (5, 6) is disposed on the housing (2) to actuate the switching element (11, 11'). The housing (2) also comprises a support section (14) with a receiving part (15, 15') for the actuating member (5, 6). The receiving part (15, 15') in the support section (14) has an opening (17), which is allocated to the switching element (11, 11'), on the side facing the inside (16) of the housing. An elastic sealing element (18) is arranged on the opening (17) in the support section (14) between the switching element (11, 11') and the actuating member (5, 6) in the direction of movement of the actuating member (5, 6). The actuating member (5, 6) acts upon the switching element (11, 11') by means of the elastic sealing element (18). The sealing element (18) is injection molded onto the support section (14) in the form of a two-component part.

Description

The invention relates to a switch arrangement with at least a switching element and an actuator according to Preamble of claim 1.

Such switch arrangements are used to select functions of electrical equipment by the user. It can these electrical devices around home appliances like washing machines, Dryers, dishwashers or the like, act.

Such a switch arrangement is known from DE 195 03 702 A1 known a housing. There is a inside encapsulated and sealed inner housing on all sides, in which Switching elements are arranged. For actuating action on the switching elements are actuators on the housing arranged. The inner case has a membrane shape trained wall on that between the switching elements and the Actuators is arranged. The actuators work over the membrane-shaped, in the direction of movement of the Actuators elastic wall on the switching elements.

The membrane-shaped wall on the inner housing thus acts as elastic sealing element between the actuator and the Switching element that prevents the ingress of pollutants, such as water, Dust or the like, in the interior of the switch assembly prevented. However, the manufacture of the inner case very complex. In addition, the switching elements must already at Manufacturing process for the inner housing introduced into this become. A subsequent change in the number of Switching elements are no longer possible. It has therefore proven to be disadvantageously pointed out that the known switch arrangement little flexible and not simply different Device configurations is customizable.

The invention has for its object a Form switch arrangement such that a flexible Adaptation to different device configurations in is possible in a simple way and is nevertheless a harmful one Avoidance of pollutants on the switching elements avoided is.

This task is carried out in a generic switch arrangement solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

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

In particular, it is preferred to use one serving as a switching element Snap disc in the manner of a two-component part directly on the receptacle for the actuator in the carrier part to mold. As a result, the switching element itself acts as Sealing element, so that both the switching function and a Sealing can be realized using a single element. An advantageous further development also consists in a all-round seal for lateral sealing of the Switching element-receiving space in the manner of a two-component part molded onto the carrier part. This can be done in same tool in the injection molding operation Snap disks happen when used as a material for the sealing lip the same material used for the snap disc. Despite the reduction in the number of parts, this is an excellent one Sealing guaranteed.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment Light guide integrated in the carrier part. It is preferred then the one used to hold the actuators Carrier part made of optically transparent plastic. So that the carrier part is simultaneously for the transmission of Light for functional lighting or the like of the actuators use. Finally, it is also appropriate that the carrier part to provide the facing side of the housing with conductor tracks, for example as a MID (Molded Interconnected Device) part. The Conductor tracks serve as fixed contacts for the snap disks as well as for establishing the required electrical connections for the switching elements.

A switch arrangement with the mentioned further education Refinements essentially consist of two parts. At the The first part is the case with the Conductor tracks that serve as the main body for the switch arrangement serves. The second part serves as a carrier part for the Actuators and is included as a two-component part integrated snap disks, seals and light guides Mistake. The second part is then like a lid on the first part by locking connections, snap hooks or the like attached. Then this arrangement can still be used with a covering panel are provided, through which the Protruding actuators. It is immediate can be seen that due to the simple structure and the small number of parts a simplified assembly of the Switch arrangement results.

The advantages achieved with the invention are in particular in that the the switching elements of the switch assembly receiving space at all openings and junctions easily sealed against ingress of water, dust or the like is, so that the switching elements from damaging influences are protected. This eliminates the risk of premature Failure of the switch assembly, even under difficult ones Operating conditions improved significantly.

In addition, different variants of Manufacture switch arrangements by the carrier part for the maximum number of actuators and switching elements is provided, however, during assembly only with the for respective variant actually required actuators and / or switching elements. This will make the Warehousing is simplified and the switch arrangement becomes overall cheaper. In addition, the inventive Switch arrangement with increased functionality simultaneous reduction in the number of parts compared to previous ones Solutions achieved.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Schalteranordnung,

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt wie in Fig. 2 entsprechend einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

a plan view of a switch arrangement,

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

a section as in Fig. 2 according to another embodiment.

In Fig. 1 is a switch arrangement 1 for an electrical Household appliance, which is, for example, a washing machine or a dishwasher, shown in plan view. The switch assembly 1 has a housing 2 which on the Top is provided with an aperture 3. Through the aperture 3 protrude on the housing 2 arranged actuators 4, 5, 6, 7th manually accessible through, with the help of the user Select various functions of the electrical household appliance can. There is also a display 8 in the panel 2, for example an LED or LCD display in which the user Operating states of the household appliance can be visualized.

As can be seen in more detail from Fig. 2, are in the housing 2 Actuators 4, 5, 6, 7 associated switches 9, 10 and Switching elements 11, 11 '. Switch 9 is a power switch for switching the household appliance on and off. Switch 10 is a rotary switch, with whose help the respective program of the household appliance can be set is. The actuators 5, 6 are finally used for selection various functions of the household appliance. The actuator 6 consists of a button 12 and a plunger 13 and acts actuating the associated switching element 11. The Actuator 5 consists of one in two directions movable rocker 12 'on two switching elements 11, 11' acts. For example, in a washing machine the actuator 5 an increase or decrease in Temperature and by means of the actuator 6 the execution an additional prewash cycle can be selected.

The housing 2 has a carrier part 14, which is preferably is arranged in the housing interior 16 as a type of cover. Of course, the carrier part 14 can also be a component of the housing 2 or also in one piece with the housing 2 be trained. The carrier part 14 is approximately pot-like configured receptacles 15 for the actuators 5, 6. For example, the plunger 13 in the receptacle 15 in its Movable in the longitudinal direction. The receptacle 15 in the carrier part 14 has a on the side facing the housing interior 16 Opening 17, which is assigned to the respective switching element 11, 11 ' is. At the opening 17 in the support member 14 is in Direction of movement of the actuator 5, 6 elastic, in sealing element 18 configured in the manner of a membrane attached so that the actuator 5, 6 on the elastic sealing element 18 on the switching element 11, 11 ' acts. Thus, the housing interior 16 by the between the Switching element 11, 11 'and the actuator 5, 6 arranged membrane-shaped sealing element 18 sealed to the outside, with what penetration of pollutants, such as water, dust or the like, into the housing interior 16 is effectively prevented.

Like the housing 2, the carrier part 14 consists of a hard plastic. It is preferably a thermoplastic, such as polyacrylate, polyamide o. Like. So that the support member 14 and / or the housing 2 by means Injection molding can be made. The sealing element 18 is in the manner of a two-component part on the carrier part 14 molded, with a material connection between the Edge at the opening 17 and the sealing element 18. It offers itself as a material for the sealing element 18 an elastic plastic, like a thermoplastic Elastomer to choose that with the plastic for the support part 14 a good adhesive connection is established. As particularly suitable has a block copolymer as a thermoplastic elastomer Polybutylene terephthalate and polyether glycol proved.

In the housing 2 is one containing the electrical connections Circuit board 19 arranged for receiving the switching elements 11, 11 '. It lends itself to the power switch 9 and the Arrange rotary switch 11 on the board 19. With the board 19 can be a conventional circuit board. Preferably, however, the board 19 is part of the Housing 2 formed in the manner of a MID part. At a MID (Molded Interconnected Device) part is a injection molded plastic part, located on the conductor tracks are so that the MID part like a circuit board for recording serves electrical and / or electronic components.

In the present case, the board 19 is in one piece with the Housing 2 made in injection molding technology as Housing end part on the switching element 11, 11 ' assigned underside of the housing 2. Opposite is, as already stated, on the Actuator 5, 6 associated top of the housing 2 the Aperture 3. The electrical connections for the board 19 containing side of the housing end part is the Interior 16 facing. That fixed on the board 19 Switching element 11, 11 'is made of plastic, such as one thermoplastic elastomer, existing snap disc, Switch cap or contact element formed. Such Snap disc, which are provided with a bridging contact is known for example from DE-OS 41 12 754. On the board 19 are used as fixed contacts, with the Conductor-related contact areas with which the bridging contact in the snap disk for making contact cooperates when the plunger 13 on the sealing element 18 the snap disc acts. Of course you can Conductor tracks themselves serve as fixed contacts.

There is also a on and / or in the housing 2 electronic circuit 20 for evaluating the Switching elements 11, 11 'and possibly from the rotary switch 10 generated switching signals. The electronic circuit 20 is on a board 19 serving as the housing end part PCB 22 fastened by means of snap hooks 21. The electronic circuit 20 can additionally Switching signals into corresponding electrical signals, such as Convert bus signals or the like. About one in the electronic Circuit 20 arranged interface electronics then takes place a transmission of the electrical signals between the electronic circuit 20 and other components, such as one Microcomputer or the like, in the household appliance.

The carrier part 14 is by means of snap hooks 23 or the like Locking elements in the housing 2, specifically there on the board 19 attached. The switching elements 11, 11 'are in the Housing interior 16 in the space 24 between the carrier part 14 and the circuit board 19. This space 24 is located at the openings 17 sealed by the sealing elements 18. At the edge of the support part 14 is a substantially all-round elastic sealing lip 25, which seals the space 24 laterally. The sealing lip 25 also consists of a thermoplastic Elastomer, such as the above block copolymer, and is again in the manner of a two-component part on the carrier part 14 molded. The sealing lip 25 lies with the free surface on the board 19. If necessary, a on the board 19 raised edge 40, as can be seen in Fig. 3, as Counterstop surface to be formed. So there is an intrusion of pollutants in the room 24 and an impairment of Switching elements 11, 11 'excluded. It should be emphasized that also in the area of the power switch 9 and the rotary switch 10 such a seal 26 on the support member 14 for sealing the Bushings from the actuator 4, 7 in the interior of the housing 16 can be molded.

As can be seen further from FIG. 2, individual Recordings 15 'are present in the carrier part 14, in which the Actuator and the associated switching element are missing. This allows different variants of Manufacture switch assemblies 1 by the support member 14 with Recordings 15, 15 'for the maximum number of Actuators 5, 6 and the board 19 for assembly with the maximum number of switching elements 11, 11 'is provided are. During assembly, the carrier part 14 and the circuit board 19 but only with those for the respective variant required switching elements 11, 11 'and actuators 5, 6 assembled and the housing 2 with the Provide the desired cover 3. Therefore all variants only one support part 14 is required, can achieve significant cost savings. It should be emphasized that the empty receptacles 15 'with a sealing element 18th are provided so that penetration of pollutants in the Room 24 is excluded in these places.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 shown. Here is the one serving as switching element 11, 11 ' Snap disc 34 directly at the opening 17 of the receptacle 15 in molded like a two-component part. The Snap disk 34 consists of a on the board 19th arranged base part 35 and one over a lateral surface 37 with the base part 35 connected lid 36, which in the opening 17 protrudes. The actuator 5, 6 acts via the plunger 13 on the lid 36 for actuating the snap disk 34. A spring-like, elastic connecting element 38 is on the one hand with the edge of the base part 35 and on the other hand with a fastening element 39 preferably in one piece connected. Distance tolerances to the board 19 are from Compensated connecting element 38.

The fastening element 39 is at the edge of the opening 17 molded on the side facing the housing interior 16. Again, in addition to spraying, the Snap disc 34 together with the fastener 39 and the Connection element 38 simultaneously the injection of Sealing lip 25 take place. The used when spraying Flow channels 41 in the carrier part 14 for the plastic Manufacture of the snap disk 34 and the sealing lip 25 are in Fig. 3 in section on the side facing the panel 3 see. The including the connector 38 and the Fastening element 39 made of a thermoplastic elastomer, such as the block copolymer given above Snap disc 34 then acts simultaneously as a sealing element, so that the separate sealing element 18 can be dispensed with. Here, too, recordings not occupied by actuators can be made 15 'also with molded-on snap disks 34 for simple production of variants.

The carrier part 14 is preferably a multifunctional part formed, on the one hand, the mounting of the actuators 5, 6 effected according to the above description and on the other hand Transmission of light from lighting elements 27 in Housing interior 16 is generated to the outside of the housing 2nd serves. As can be seen in Fig. 1, this can be done at the Outside of the housing 2, for example on the panel 3, Window 28 may be arranged. The lighting element lights up 27 can, for example, actuate the corresponding one Signal actuator 5, 6.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the required Luminous elements 27, for example light-emitting diodes, in the housing 2 arranged on the board 19. To relay the light is a light guide rod 29 assigned to the lighting element 27 in Integrated carrier part 14, which points towards the aperture 3. In particular, it is preferred to insert the light guide rod 29 in one piece To integrate carrier part 14. For this purpose, there is Carrier part 14 from a for light in the visible range largely transparent plastic. The carrier part 14 has then a first region 30 which is substantially parallel to the Board 19 runs, and a second region 31, the is approximately perpendicular to the first region 30. The first Area 30 contains the recordings 15, 15 'for the Actuators 5, 6 while the second area 31 as actual light guide rod 29 is used. This turns the light from the lighting element 27 via the carrier part 14 essentially in Directed to the outside of the housing 2.

To avoid that the light generated by the lighting element 27 is weakened, the transition 32 between the first is now Area 30 and the second area 31 formed such that a transition of the light guided in the second region 31 into the first area 30 is substantially prevented. For one such formation of the transition 32 are available for example, constrictions 33, depressions or the like. This ensures that the light in the light guide rod 29 for Aperture 3 is performed and not or only in a small amount Dimension on the side on the optically transparent Carrier part 14 can spread.

The invention is not limited to that described and illustrated Embodiments limited. Rather, it includes everyone professional training within the scope of the claims. So the invention can also Switch arrangements for machine tools, motor vehicles, Keyboards or the like can be used.

Reference numeral list:

1:

switch arrangement

2:

casing

3:

cover

4:

Actuator (for rotary switch)

5, 6:

Actuator (button, rocker)

7:

Actuator (for power switch)

8th:

display

9:

power switch

10:

rotary switch

11.11 ':

switching element

12:

button

12 ':

seesaw

13:

tappet

14:

support part

15:

admission

15 ':

Recording (unoccupied)

16:

housing interior

17:

opening

18:

sealing element

19:

circuit board

20:

electronic switch

21:

Snap hook (for PCB)

22:

circuit board

23:

Snap hook (for carrier part)

24:

Space (to accommodate the switching elements)

25:

sealing lip

26:

poetry

27:

light element

28:

window

29:

Lichtleitstab

30:

first area (from carrier part)

31:

second area (from carrier part)

32:

Transition (between first and second Area)

33:

constriction

34:

molded snap washer

35:

base

36:

cover

37:

lateral surface

38:

connecting element

39:

fastener

40:

raised edge (on circuit board)

41:

Flow channel (in the support part)

Claims (11)

1. Switch arrangement, in particular for household appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers or the like, with a housing (2), with at least one switching element (11, 11') located in the housing interior (16), with at least one actuating member (5, 6) arranged on the housing (2) for actuating effect on the switching element (11, 11'), and with an elastic sealing element (18) arranged between the switching element (11, 11') and the actuating member (5, 6) in the direction of motion of the actuating member (5, 6) which seals the housing interior (16), the actuating member (5, 6) acting on the switching element (11, 11') via the elastic sealing element (18), characterised in that the housing (2) has a carrier part (14) arranged in particular in the housing interior (16) which has a mount (15, 15') for the actuating member (5, 6), in that the mount (15, 15') has an aperture (17) in the carrier part (14) on the side facing the housing interior (16), which aperture (17) is associated with the switching element (11, 11'), in that the sealing element (18) is attached to the aperture (17) in the carrier part (14), and in that the sealing element (18) is sprayed on the carrier part (14) in the manner of a two component part.
2. Switch arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the switching element (11, 11') is designed as a snap disc consisting of plastics material, the switching element (11, 11') preferably being arranged on a board (19) containing electrical connections and located in the housing (2), in that, in particular, the snap disc serving as switching element (11, 11') is provided with a short-circuiting contact and cooperates with fixed contacts, the fixed contacts preferably being arranged on the board (19), in particular in the manner of circuit-board conductors.
3. Switch arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the snap disc (34) serving as switching element (11, 11') is sprayed directly on the aperture (17) of the mount (15, 15') on the side of the preferably pot-like mount (15, 15') facing the housing interior (16) in the manner of a two component part in such a way that the snap disc (34) simultaneously acts as a sealing element.
4. Switch arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the mount (15, 15') can be equipped as desired with further actuating members (5, 6), and in that the aperture (17) of an unequipped mount (15') is provided with a sealing element (18) sprayed on in the manner of a two component part and/or with a snap disc (34) directly sprayed on in the manner of a two component part.
5. Switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the carrier part (14) is fastened by means of snap-on hooks (23) or the like in the housing (2), in particular to the board (19), and in that a substantially annularly peripheral elastic sealing lip (25) is preferably located on the carrier part (14), which sealing lip (25) is sprayed on the carrier part (14) in particular in the manner of a two component part, the sealing lip (25) laterally sealing the space (24) in the housing interior (16) between the carrier part (14) and the board (19) containing the switching element (11, 11').
6. Switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the sealing element (18) and/or the sealing lip (25) and/or the snap disc (34) consist of an elastic plastics material, in particular of a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a block copolymer made of polybutylene terephthalate and polyether glycol, and in that the carrier part (14) and/or the housing (2) preferably consist of a hard plastics material, in particular a thermoplastic plastics material such as polyacrylate, polyamide or the like.
7. Switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the housing (2) is provided on the bottom side associated with the switching element (11, 11') with a housing closure part and on the top side associated with the actuating member (5, 6) with a screen (3), the actuating member (5, 6) penetrating through the screen (3) for manual accessibility thereof, and in that the side of the housing closure part facing the housing interior (16) is preferably formed as a board (19) in the manner of an MID (moulded interconnected device) part.
8. Switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that an electronic circuit (20) which serves to evaluate the switching signals or the like produced by the switching element (11, 11') is located on and/or in the housing (2), in particular on a printed circuit board (22) fastened to the housing closure part, interface electronics optionally being arranged on the printed circuit board (22) for transmitting electrical signals.
9. Switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least one luminous element (27) is arranged in the housing (2), in particular on the board (19), and in that a fibre optic bar (29) associated with the luminous element (27) is preferably arranged in the carrier part (14) in such a way that light from the luminous element (27) is substantially guided in the direction towards the outside of the housing (2), for example to a window (28) located in the screen (3).
10. Switch arrangement according to claim 9, characterised in that the carrier part (14) consists of a plastics material which is largely transparent for light in the visible range, so light from the luminous element (27) is guided via the carrier part (14) to the outside of the housing (2), and in that the optical fibre bar (29) is integrated in the carrier part (14), in particular integrally.
11. Switch arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the carrier part (14) has a first region (30) which is arranged substantially parallel to the board (19) and a second region (31) which is approximately perpendicular to the first region (30), in that the first region (30) contains the mount (15, 15') for the actuating member (5, 6), and in that the second region (31) serves as fibre optic bar (29), the transition (32) between the first and the second region (30, 31) in particular being designed in such a way that the overspill of the light guided in the second region (31) into the first region (30) is substantially prevented, for example by constrictions (33), indentations or the like.

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