EP1034554A1 - Touch-sensitive electric switch with several channels and single triggering element - Google Patents

Touch-sensitive electric switch with several channels and single triggering element

Info

Publication number
EP1034554A1
EP1034554A1 EP98955703A EP98955703A EP1034554A1 EP 1034554 A1 EP1034554 A1 EP 1034554A1 EP 98955703 A EP98955703 A EP 98955703A EP 98955703 A EP98955703 A EP 98955703A EP 1034554 A1 EP1034554 A1 EP 1034554A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
housing
switch according
contact plate
fixed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98955703A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1034554B1 (en
Inventor
Alain Janniere
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.)
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Original Assignee
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC filed Critical ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Publication of EP1034554A1 publication Critical patent/EP1034554A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1034554B1 publication Critical patent/EP1034554B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • 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
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical switch with tactile effect.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a switch of very small dimensions of the type comprising a contact-carrying support which delimits a housing in the bottom of which are arranged at least two fixed electrical contacts and which receives a tripping member of generally convex shape which is elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest, under the action of an actuating member, in particular a pusher, which acts on the central part of the triggering member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the housing, with a view to establishing an electrical connection between the two fixed contacts.
  • the triggering member when one acts on the central part of the triggering member in the general shape of a dome, it leaves its stable state of rest, abruptly, to establish an electrical connection between a fixed contact, generally lateral against which the lower peripheral edge of the triggering member is supported, and a central fixed contact which strikes the central part of the triggering member which is made of conductive material.
  • the abrupt change of state of the triggering member gives its user, who acts directly or indirectly on the actuating pusher, a tactile sensation of the change of state of the triggering member, and therefore of the change of switch status.
  • the triggering member is for example produced in the form of a convex disc or of an element with rectangular contour of generally pyramidal shape.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch with a tactile effect of the type mentioned above of very small dimensions which allows several switching channels to be available without using additional electronic components such as transistors.
  • the invention provides an electrical switch with a tactile effect, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate contact plate made of conductive material which is interposed vertically between the triggering member and the bottom of the housing and which comprises at at least two contact blades which are elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest in which each contact blade extends in the plane of the contact plate, under the action of the central part of the triggering member so as to each come into contact with an associated fixed contact opposite the bottom housing to electrically connect the fixed contacts.
  • each contact blade extends cantilevered from an edge of the contact plate, and the free end of each contact blade is capable of coming into contact with a fixed contact under the action of the central part of the triggering member;
  • the contact blades extend longitudinally parallel to each other;
  • the contact blades are opposite in pairs with their free ends facing each other located opposite the central part of the triggering member;
  • Each contact blade extends longitudinally overhang from an edge of the contact plate by which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom of the housing, and the fixed contacts are located vertically set back from the plane support the edges of the contact plate;
  • the contact surfaces of the fixed contacts are substantially flush with the flat bottom of the housing and said contact edge of the contact plate bears vertically against a raised part located in the bottom of the housing;
  • the contact blades extend longitudinally in overhang from two transverse and parallel and opposite edges of the contact plate by which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom of the housing; - The two transverse support edges of the support plate of the contact plate are interconnected by two parallel and opposite longitudinal edges;
  • one of the contact blades of the contact plate is permanently deformed to be in electrical contact with an associated fixed electrical contact, regardless of the state of the triggering member.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates a fixed contact carrier, a contact plate and a trigger member belonging to an electric switch with tactile effect produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 4, which illustrates the various components of Figure 1 in the assembled position and in the stable state of rest of the trigger member and the blades of contact ;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 in which the trigger member and the contact blades are illustrated in the position of establishing contact between the different channels of the switch;
  • Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 2 with partial cutaway of the trigger member
  • - Figure 5 is a detail view which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the contact plate of an electric switch according to the teachings of the invention.
  • - Figure 6 is a detail on a larger scale which illustrates the desirable deformation of the contact blades.
  • a contact carrier which, according to a known general design, consists essentially of a body or housing 12 made by molding in insulating plastic material and which here is of generally rectangular rectangular shape.
  • the body 10 is delimited by lateral transverse 14 and longitudinal 16 faces, by a lower face 18 and by a horizontal upper face 20 in which a housing 22 opens.
  • the housing 22 is delimited by a peripheral wall 24 of rectangular outline and by a bottom 25 which is substantially plane and parallel to the lower faces 18 and upper 20.
  • the body 12 is produced by overmolding on conductive elements which constitute, in the example illustrated in the figures, a series of four fixed electrical contacts 26.
  • the switch also includes a closure cover, not shown, of known design.
  • each fixed electrical contact 26 is constituted by a metal strip which is folded so that its inner end 28, located inside the housing 22, is flush with the flat bottom 25 of the latter while its outer end 30 protrudes longitudinally outside the housing 12, beyond the transverse lateral face 16, to form a connection terminal which, in this design, allows the mounting of the switch 10 on a card with a printed circuit (not shown), for example according to the technique of the flat transfer of the components.
  • the fixed contacts 26 are here four in number which extend longitudinally parallel to each other and which are associated by pair of fixed contacts 26 aligned in pairs in the bottom 25 of the housing 22.
  • the internal contact ends 28 are located in the same plane corresponding to the plane of the bottom 25, the latter being completed, in the vicinity of the small internal transverse faces 23 of the internal peripheral wall 24, by two raised bases 32 produced by molding with the body of insulating material and each of which determines a horizontal support surface 34, parallel to the flat bottom 25 to which it is connected by a chamfer 35.
  • the switch 1 0 comprises a triggering member 36 intended to be received in the housing 22 which is an element produced from a sheet, for example metallic, which has a generally convex shape whose lower contour r 38 is here rectangular and of dimensions complementary to those of the internal peripheral wall 24 so as to be received in the housing 22.
  • the triggering member 36 is essentially constituted by a lower base 40 and by a central upper part 42.
  • the lower contour 38 delimits a lower general support plane of the triggering member 36 in the housing 22.
  • the general concavity of the triggering member 36 faces the bottom 25 and the triggering member is capable of being deformed, against its own elasticity, in a vertical triggering direction V and from its stable state rest illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 towards an unstable state of tripping and establishment of electrical contacts illustrated in fig ure 3.
  • the triggering member 36 changes state suddenly, beyond a determined triggering stroke, so as to transmit to the user a tactile sensation of triggering.
  • Triggering can be carried out using an actuating pusher (not shown) which is a conventional pusher extending in the vertical direction V or, for example and as a variant, a pusher with lateral actuation of the type of the one described and represented in the document
  • a contact plate 44 is interposed axially between the tripping member 36 and the fixed contacts 26.
  • the contact plate 44 is a plate of conductive material which is for example produced by cutting from a thin metal sheet to give it the form of grid illustrated by way of example in the figures.
  • the plate 44 thus comprises two parallel and opposite transverse edges 46 extending along the width of the plate which are connected together by two parallel and opposite longitudinal edges 48 to form a peripheral edge of the plate in the form of a frame.
  • the contact plate 44 is designed to come into abutment by its opposite transverse edges 46 on the bearing surfaces 34 of the raised bases 32.
  • the general plane of the contact plate 44 is offset vertically upward relative to the general plane of the bottom 25 of the housing 22.
  • the contact plate 44 is cut so as to comprise q ure electric contact blades 50 each of which is associated respectively with a fixed contact 26.
  • each contact blade 50 extends longitudinally in overhang from a corresponding transverse edge 46 above and to the right of the inner end 28 of an associated fixed contact 26 of the housing 12. In their rest state illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact blades 50 extend in the general plane of the contact plate 44.
  • the contact blades 50 are parallel to each other and are aligned in pairs so that their rounded free ends 52 are longitudinally opposite one another and are located, like the interior free ends 28 of the fixed contacts 26, substantially at the center of the bottom 25 of the housing 22.
  • the four free ends 52 are all located vertically substantially in line with the active central part 42 of the monostable tripping member 36.
  • the switch 10 which has just been described is as follows. Starting from the rest position illustrated in Figure 2, the user triggers by acting directly, or indirectly, on the central part 42 of the triggering member 36 (vertically downwards) to cause the triggering, from the stable position illustrated in FIG. 2, which causes the abrupt deformation of the back 36 to reach its conformation and its position illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • a simple triggering action on the single triggering member 36 therefore makes it possible to electrically connect the four output terminals 30 to each other almost simultaneously so as to switch over several electrical channels connected to the output terminals 30 of the switch 10, c ' that is to say here three ways.
  • one 50a of the contact blades 50 is deformed initially permanently by folding so that its free end 52a is permanently in contact with an associated fixed contact 26 of the insulating housing 12, and this whatever the state of the triggering member 36.
  • one of the output terminals 30 constitutes the common reference contact of the contact plate 44, this design facilitating electronic management downstream of the signals resulting from the establishment of the electrical contact for the three channels, in particular facilitating an operation electrical test of the switch trip state.
  • FIG. 6 shows the desirable deformation of the elastic contact blades 50, this deformation being illustrated before the end of the trigger stroke of the member 36.
  • Each contact blade undergoes elastic deformation, under the action of the central part 42 of the dome 36, which corresponds to an “S” curvature of the blade.
  • This curvature along two opposite radii R1 and R2 makes it possible to avoid an instability of one of the contacts at the slightest movement of the central part 42 of the triggering member 36.
  • the curvature of radius R2 can be amplified by reducing the distance D separating the free end 52 of the contact blades 50 from the central axis of the dome 36. Thanks to the presence of a metal contact plate, it is also possible to produce the domed triggering member in a non-material driver.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described. In particular, it is not limited to the number of electrical channels that it is possible to establish simultaneously.
  • the contact plate or grid can then be of contour circular with contact blades extending radially toward the center of the cantilevered switch from a lateral edge of annular contour, the free ends of the fixed contacts then being arranged according to a circumference in the bottom of the corresponding housing.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a touch-sensitive electric switch (10) comprising a contact holder (26, 28, 30) support (12) defining a housing (22) in the bottom of which are arranged at least two fixed electric contacts (26) and which receives a triggering element (36) with generally convex shape and elastically deformable, from a stable inoperative state along a direction (V) substantially perpendicular to the housing (22) bottom (25), for providing an electrical connection between the two fixed contacts (26). The invention is characterised in that it comprises an intermediate contact plate (44) made of a conductive material which is inserted between the triggering element (36) and the housing bottom (25, 34) and which includes at least two switch blades (50) which are elastically deformable, from an inoperative stable position, by the action of the triggering element (36) central part (42) so as to be urged each (50, 52) into contact with an associated fixed contact (26, 28) associated opposite the housing (22) bottom (25) for mutually connecting the fixed contacts electrically.

Description

"Commutateur électrique à effet tactile à plusieurs voies et à organe de déclenchement unique" "Multi-way touch-sensitive electrical switch with single trigger"
La présente invention concerne un commutateur électrique à effet tactile. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un commutateur de très petites dimensions d u type comportant un support porte-contacts qui délimite un logement dans le fond duq uel sont disposés au moins deux contacts électriques fixes et qui reçoit un organe de déclenchement de forme générale bombée qui est déformable élastiquement, à partir d'un état stable de repos, sous l'action d'un organe d'actionnement, notamment d'un poussoir, qui agit sur la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement selon une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au fond du logement, en vue d'établir une liaison électriq ue entre les deux contacts fixes.The present invention relates to an electrical switch with tactile effect. The invention relates more particularly to a switch of very small dimensions of the type comprising a contact-carrying support which delimits a housing in the bottom of which are arranged at least two fixed electrical contacts and which receives a tripping member of generally convex shape which is elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest, under the action of an actuating member, in particular a pusher, which acts on the central part of the triggering member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the housing, with a view to establishing an electrical connection between the two fixed contacts.
Selon cette conception, lorsqu'on agit sur la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement en forme générale de dôme, celui-ci quitte son état stable de repos, de manière brusq ue, pour établir une liaison électriq ue entre un contact fixe, généralement latéral contre lequel prend appui le bord périphérique inférieur de l'organe de déclenchement, et un contact fixe central que vient percuter la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement qui est réalisé en matériau conducteur. Le changement brusque d'état de l'organe de déclenchement procure à son utilisateur, qui agit directement ou indirectement sur le poussoir d'actionnement, une sensation tactile du changement d'état de l'organe de déclenchement, et donc d u changement d'état du commutateur. Selon une conception connue, l'organe de déclenchement est par exemple réalisé sous la forme d'un disque bombé ou d'un élément à contour rectangulaire de forme globalement pyramidale.According to this conception, when one acts on the central part of the triggering member in the general shape of a dome, it leaves its stable state of rest, abruptly, to establish an electrical connection between a fixed contact, generally lateral against which the lower peripheral edge of the triggering member is supported, and a central fixed contact which strikes the central part of the triggering member which is made of conductive material. The abrupt change of state of the triggering member gives its user, who acts directly or indirectly on the actuating pusher, a tactile sensation of the change of state of the triggering member, and therefore of the change of switch status. According to a known design, the triggering member is for example produced in the form of a convex disc or of an element with rectangular contour of generally pyramidal shape.
Deux exemples d'une telle conception sont décrits et représentés dans les documents FR-A-2.734.398 et FR-A-2.735.276.Two examples of such a design are described and represented in documents FR-A-2,734,398 and FR-A-2,735,276.
La miniaturisation de plus en plus importante des composants agencés dans les appareils électroniques et qui sont montés notamment sur une carte à circuit imprimé, cond uit à réduire de manière très importante les dimensions de ces composants, tant leur encombrement sur la carte à circuit imprimé, que leur épaisseur verticale au-dessus de la carte.The increasingly important miniaturization of the components arranged in the electronic apparatuses and which are assembled in particular on a printed circuit board, leads to very considerable reduction of the dimensions of these components, so much their obstruction on the printed circuit board, than their vertical thickness above the map.
Outre la miniaturisation des composants, et donc des commutateurs, il est souhaitable de réduire aussi le nombre de composants électroniques associés aux commutateurs qu'il s'agisse de composants discrets on intégrés.In addition to the miniaturization of the components, and therefore of the switches, it is desirable to also reduce the number of electronic components associated with the switches, whether they are discrete or integrated components.
Ces composants, et notamment les transistors, sont nécessaires en association à un commutateur lorsque l'on veut disposer de plusieurs voies séparées de commutation associées à un seul commutateur. L'invention a pour objet de proposer un commutateur électrique à effet tactile du type mentionné précédemment de très petites dimensions qui permette de disposer de plusieurs voies de commutation sans faire appel à des composants électroniques complémentaires tels que des transistors. Dans ce but l'invention propose un commutateur électrique à effet tactile, caractérisé en ce q u'il comporte une plaque intermédiaire de contact réalisée en matériau conducteur qui est interposée verticalement entre l'organe de déclenchement et le fond du logement et qui comporte au moins deux lames de contact qui sont déformables élastiquement, à partir d'un état stable de repos dans lequel chaque lame de contact s'étend dans le plan de la plaque de contact, sous l'action de la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement de manière à venir chacune en contact avec un contact fixe associé en vis-à-vis du fond du logement pour relier électriquement entre eux les contacts fixes.These components, and in particular the transistors, are necessary in association with a switch when it is desired to have several separate switching channels associated with a single switch. The object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch with a tactile effect of the type mentioned above of very small dimensions which allows several switching channels to be available without using additional electronic components such as transistors. For this purpose the invention provides an electrical switch with a tactile effect, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate contact plate made of conductive material which is interposed vertically between the triggering member and the bottom of the housing and which comprises at at least two contact blades which are elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest in which each contact blade extends in the plane of the contact plate, under the action of the central part of the triggering member so as to each come into contact with an associated fixed contact opposite the bottom housing to electrically connect the fixed contacts.
Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :According to other characteristics of the invention:
- chaque lame de contact s'étend en porte à faux à partir d'un bord de la plaque de contact, et l'extrémité libre de chaque lame de contact est susceptible de venir en contact avec un contact fixe sous l'action de la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement ;each contact blade extends cantilevered from an edge of the contact plate, and the free end of each contact blade is capable of coming into contact with a fixed contact under the action of the central part of the triggering member;
- les lames de contact s'étendent longitudinalement parallèlement les unes aux autres ;- The contact blades extend longitudinally parallel to each other;
- les lames de contact sont opposées par paires avec leurs extrémités libres en vis-à-vis situées en regard de la partie centrale de l'organe de déclenchement ;- The contact blades are opposite in pairs with their free ends facing each other located opposite the central part of the triggering member;
- chaque lame de contact s'étend longitudinalement en porte-à-faux à partir d'un bord de la plaque de contact par lequel cette dernière prend appui verticalement dans le fond du logement, et les contacts fixes sont situés verticalement en retrait du plan d'appui des bords de la plaque de contact ;- Each contact blade extends longitudinally overhang from an edge of the contact plate by which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom of the housing, and the fixed contacts are located vertically set back from the plane support the edges of the contact plate;
- tous les contacts fixes sont situés sensiblement dans un même plan ;- all the fixed contacts are located substantially in the same plane;
- les surfaces de contact des contacts fixes sont sensiblement affleurantes au fond plan du logement et ledit bord d'appui de la plaque de contact prend appui verticalement contre une partie en relief située dans le fond du logement ;- The contact surfaces of the fixed contacts are substantially flush with the flat bottom of the housing and said contact edge of the contact plate bears vertically against a raised part located in the bottom of the housing;
- les lames de contact s'étendent longitudinalement en porte-à-faux à partir de deux bords transversaux et parallèles et opposés de la plaque de contact par lesquels cette dernière prend appui verticalement dans le fond du logement ; - les deux bords transversaux d'appui de la plaque d'appui de la plaque de contact sont reliés entre eux par deux bords longitudinaux parallèles et opposés ;- The contact blades extend longitudinally in overhang from two transverse and parallel and opposite edges of the contact plate by which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom of the housing; - The two transverse support edges of the support plate of the contact plate are interconnected by two parallel and opposite longitudinal edges;
- à titre de variante, l'une des lames de contact de la plaq ue de contact est déformée de manière permanente pour être en contact électrique avec un contact électrique fixe associé, indépendamment de l'état de l'organe de déclenchement.- Alternatively, one of the contact blades of the contact plate is permanently deformed to be in electrical contact with an associated fixed electrical contact, regardless of the state of the triggering member.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
- La figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée qui illustre un support porte-contacts fixes, une plaque de contact et un organe de déclenchement appartenant à un commutateur électrique à effet tactile réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention ;- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view which illustrates a fixed contact carrier, a contact plate and a trigger member belonging to an electric switch with tactile effect produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue en section , selon la ligne 2-2 de la figure 4, qui illustre les différents composants de la figure 1 en position assemblée et à l'état stable de repos de l'organe de déclenchement et des lames de contact ;- Figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 4, which illustrates the various components of Figure 1 in the assembled position and in the stable state of rest of the trigger member and the blades of contact ;
- la figure 3 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 2 sur laquelle l'organe de déclenchement et les lames de contact sont illustrées en position d'établissement du contact entre les différentes voies du commutateur ;- Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 in which the trigger member and the contact blades are illustrated in the position of establishing contact between the different channels of the switch;
- la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de la figure 2 avec arrachement partiel de l'organe de déclenchement ;- Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 2 with partial cutaway of the trigger member;
- la figure 5 est une vue de détail qui illustre une variante de réalisation de la plaque de contact d'un commutateur électrique conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ; et - la figure 6 est une de détail à plus grande échelle qui illustre la déformation souhaitable des lames de contact.- Figure 5 is a detail view which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the contact plate of an electric switch according to the teachings of the invention; and - Figure 6 is a detail on a larger scale which illustrates the desirable deformation of the contact blades.
On a représenté sur la figure 1 un support porte- contacts qui, selon une conception générale connue, est constitué pour l'essentiel par un corps ou boîtier 12 réalisé par moulage en matière plastique isolante et qui est ici de forme générale parallélépipédique rectangle.There is shown in Figure 1 a contact carrier which, according to a known general design, consists essentially of a body or housing 12 made by molding in insulating plastic material and which here is of generally rectangular rectangular shape.
Le corps 10 est délimité par des faces latérales transversale 14 et longitudinale 16, par une face inférieure 1 8 et par une face supérieure horizontale 20 dans laquelle s'ouvre un logement 22.The body 10 is delimited by lateral transverse 14 and longitudinal 16 faces, by a lower face 18 and by a horizontal upper face 20 in which a housing 22 opens.
Le logement 22 est délimité par une paroi périphériq ue 24 de contour rectangulaire et par un fond 25 qui est sensiblement plan et parallèle aux faces inférieure 18 et supérieure 20. Le corps 12 est réalisé par surmoulage sur des éléments cond ucteurs qui constituent, dans l'exemple illustré sur les figures, une série de quatre contacts électriques fixes 26.The housing 22 is delimited by a peripheral wall 24 of rectangular outline and by a bottom 25 which is substantially plane and parallel to the lower faces 18 and upper 20. The body 12 is produced by overmolding on conductive elements which constitute, in the example illustrated in the figures, a series of four fixed electrical contacts 26.
Le commutateur comporte aussi un couvercle de fermeture, non représenté, de conception connue.The switch also includes a closure cover, not shown, of known design.
Comme on peut le voir notamment aux figures 1 et 2, chaque contact électrique fixe 26 est constitué par une bande de métal qui est pliée de manière que son extrémité intérieure 28, située à l'intérieur du logement 22, soit affleurante au fond plan 25 de ce dernier tandis que son extrémité extérieure 30 fait saillie longitudinalement à l'extérieur du boîtier 12, au delà de la face latérale transversale 16, pour constituer une borne de raccordement qui , dans cette conception , permet le montage du commutateur 10 sur une carte à circuit imprimé (non représentée), par exemple selon la technique du report à plat des composants. Les contacts fixes 26 sont ici au nombre de quatre qui s'étendent longitudinalement parallèlement les uns aux autres et qui sont associés par paire de contacts fixes 26 alignés deux à deux dans le fond 25 du logement 22. Les extrémités intérieures de contact 28 sont situées dans un même plan correspondant au plan du fond 25, ce dernier étant complété, au voisinage des petites faces transversales internes 23 de la paroi périphérique interne 24, par deux socles en relief 32 réalisés par moulage avec le corps en matériau isolant et dont chacun détermine une surface horizontale d'appui 34, parallèle au fond plan 25 auquel elle est reliée par un chanfrein 35.As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, each fixed electrical contact 26 is constituted by a metal strip which is folded so that its inner end 28, located inside the housing 22, is flush with the flat bottom 25 of the latter while its outer end 30 protrudes longitudinally outside the housing 12, beyond the transverse lateral face 16, to form a connection terminal which, in this design, allows the mounting of the switch 10 on a card with a printed circuit (not shown), for example according to the technique of the flat transfer of the components. The fixed contacts 26 are here four in number which extend longitudinally parallel to each other and which are associated by pair of fixed contacts 26 aligned in pairs in the bottom 25 of the housing 22. The internal contact ends 28 are located in the same plane corresponding to the plane of the bottom 25, the latter being completed, in the vicinity of the small internal transverse faces 23 of the internal peripheral wall 24, by two raised bases 32 produced by molding with the body of insulating material and each of which determines a horizontal support surface 34, parallel to the flat bottom 25 to which it is connected by a chamfer 35.
Selon une conception connue, le commutateur 1 0 comporte un organe de déclenchement 36 prévu pour être reçu dans le logement 22 qui est un élément réalisé à partir d'une feuille, par exemple métallique, qui présente une forme générale bombée dont le contour inférieu r 38 est ici rectangulaire et de dimensions complémentaires de celles de la paroi périphérique interne 24 de manière à être reçue dans le logement 22.According to a known design, the switch 1 0 comprises a triggering member 36 intended to be received in the housing 22 which is an element produced from a sheet, for example metallic, which has a generally convex shape whose lower contour r 38 is here rectangular and of dimensions complementary to those of the internal peripheral wall 24 so as to be received in the housing 22.
L'organe de déclenchement 36 est constitué essentiellement par une embase inférieure 40 et par une partie supérieure centrale 42.The triggering member 36 is essentially constituted by a lower base 40 and by a central upper part 42.
Le contour inférieur 38 délimite un plan général inférieur d'appui de l'organe de déclenchement 36 dans le logement 22.The lower contour 38 delimits a lower general support plane of the triggering member 36 in the housing 22.
La concavité générale de l'organe de déclenchement 36 est tournée vers le fond 25 et l'organe de déclenchement est susceptible d'être déformé, à encontre de son élasticité propre, selon une direction verticale de déclenchement V et à partir de son état stable de repos illustré aux figures 1 et 2 vers un état instable de déclenchement et d'établissement de contacts électriques illustré à la fig ure 3.The general concavity of the triggering member 36 faces the bottom 25 and the triggering member is capable of being deformed, against its own elasticity, in a vertical triggering direction V and from its stable state rest illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 towards an unstable state of tripping and establishment of electrical contacts illustrated in fig ure 3.
Selon une conception connue, l'organe de déclenchement 36 change d'état de manière brusque, au delà d'une course déterminée de déclenchement, de manière à transmettre à l'utilisateur une sensation tactile du déclenchement.According to a known design, the triggering member 36 changes state suddenly, beyond a determined triggering stroke, so as to transmit to the user a tactile sensation of triggering.
Le déclenchement peut être effectué à l'aide d'un poussoir d'actionnement (non représenté) qui est un poussoir classique s'étendant selon la direction verticale V ou , par exemple et à titre de variante, un poussoir à actionnement latéral du type de celui décrit et représenté dans le documentTriggering can be carried out using an actuating pusher (not shown) which is a conventional pusher extending in the vertical direction V or, for example and as a variant, a pusher with lateral actuation of the type of the one described and represented in the document
FR-A-2.735.276.FR-A-2.735.276.
Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention , et afin d'établir quasi simultanément un contact électrique entre les différents contacts fixes 26, une plaque de contact 44 est interposée axialement entre l'organe de déclenchement 36 et les contacts fixes 26.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, and in order to establish almost simultaneously an electrical contact between the different fixed contacts 26, a contact plate 44 is interposed axially between the tripping member 36 and the fixed contacts 26.
La plaque de contact 44 est une plaque en matériau conducteur qui est par exemple réalisée par découpe dans une feuille métallique mince pour lui conférer la forme de grille illustrée à titre d'exemple sur les fig ures.The contact plate 44 is a plate of conductive material which is for example produced by cutting from a thin metal sheet to give it the form of grid illustrated by way of example in the figures.
La plaque 44 comporte ainsi deux bords transversaux parallèles et opposés 46 s'étendant selon la largeur de la plaque qui sont reliés entre eux par deux bords longitudinaux parallèles et opposés 48 pour constituer un bord périphériq ue de la plaque en forme de cadre.The plate 44 thus comprises two parallel and opposite transverse edges 46 extending along the width of the plate which are connected together by two parallel and opposite longitudinal edges 48 to form a peripheral edge of the plate in the form of a frame.
La plaque de contact 44 est prévue pour venir en appui par ses bords transversaux opposés 46 sur les surfaces d'appui 34 des socles en relief 32. Ainsi, en position assemblée et comme on peut le voir sur la figure 2, le plan général de la plaque de contact 44 est décalé verticalement vers le haut par rapport au plan général du fond 25 du logement 22. Dans l'exemple illustré sur les fig ures dans lequel le boîtier isolant 12 comporte quatre contacts fixes 26, la plaque de contact 44 est découpée de manière à comporter q uatre lames de contact électrique 50 dont chacune est associée respectivement à un contact fixe 26. En effet, comme on peut le voir plus particulièrement à la figure 4, chaque lame de contact 50 s'étend longitudinalement en porte-à-faux à partir d'un bord transversal correspondant 46 au dessus et au droit de l'extrémité intérieure 28 d'un contact fixe associé 26 d u boîtier 12. Dans leur état de repos illustré notamment aux fig ures 1 et 2 , les lames de contact 50 s'étendent dans le plan général de la plaque de contact 44.The contact plate 44 is designed to come into abutment by its opposite transverse edges 46 on the bearing surfaces 34 of the raised bases 32. Thus, in the assembled position and as can be seen in FIG. 2, the general plane of the contact plate 44 is offset vertically upward relative to the general plane of the bottom 25 of the housing 22. In the example illustrated on the fig ures in which the insulating housing 12 has four fixed contacts 26, the contact plate 44 is cut so as to comprise q ure electric contact blades 50 each of which is associated respectively with a fixed contact 26. In fact, as can be see more particularly in FIG. 4, each contact blade 50 extends longitudinally in overhang from a corresponding transverse edge 46 above and to the right of the inner end 28 of an associated fixed contact 26 of the housing 12. In their rest state illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact blades 50 extend in the general plane of the contact plate 44.
Comme les contacts fixes 26, les lames de contact 50 sont parallèles entre elles et sont alignées deux à deux de manière que leurs extrémités libres arrondies 52 soient longitudinalement en vis-à-vis les unes des autres et soient situées, comme les extrémités libres intérieures 28 des contacts fixes 26, sensiblement au centre du fond 25 du logement 22. Ainsi, les quatre extrémités libres 52 sont toutes situées verticalement sensiblement au droit de la partie centrale active 42 de l'organe de déclenchement monostable 36.Like the fixed contacts 26, the contact blades 50 are parallel to each other and are aligned in pairs so that their rounded free ends 52 are longitudinally opposite one another and are located, like the interior free ends 28 of the fixed contacts 26, substantially at the center of the bottom 25 of the housing 22. Thus, the four free ends 52 are all located vertically substantially in line with the active central part 42 of the monostable tripping member 36.
Le fonctionnement du commutateur 10 qui vient d'être décrit est le suivant. En partant de la position de repos illustrée à la figure 2, l'utilisateur provoque le déclenchement en agissant directement, ou indirectement, sur la partie centrale 42 de l'organe de déclenchement 36 (verticalement vers le bas) pour provoquer le déclenchement, à partir de la position stable illustrée à la figure 2, qui provoque la déformation brusque du dos 36 pour atteindre sa conformation et sa position illustrées à la figure 3.The operation of the switch 10 which has just been described is as follows. Starting from the rest position illustrated in Figure 2, the user triggers by acting directly, or indirectly, on the central part 42 of the triggering member 36 (vertically downwards) to cause the triggering, from the stable position illustrated in FIG. 2, which causes the abrupt deformation of the back 36 to reach its conformation and its position illustrated in FIG. 3.
Au cours de sa course brusque vers le bas, la partie centrale 42 de l'organe de déclenchement 36 vient coopérer avec les extrémités libres 52 des lames de contact 50 de la plaq ue de contact 44 pour déformer ces dernières élastiquement vers le bas à partir de leur position de repos, illustrée à la figure 2.During its abrupt downward stroke, the central part 42 of the triggering member 36 cooperates with the free ends 52 of the contact blades 50 of the contact plate 44 to deform the latter elastically downwards from from their rest position, illustrated in Figure 2.
En fin de course de déclenchement, les quatre lames de contact 50 sont ainsi amenées toutes quasi simultanément en contact électrique, chacune avec l'extrémité intérieure 28 d u contact fixe 26 associé, comme on peut le voir à la figure 3.At the end of the tripping stroke, the four contact blades 50 are thus all brought almost simultaneously into electrical contact, each with the inner end 28 of the associated fixed contact 26, as can be seen in FIG. 3.
Une simple action de déclenchement sur l'organe unique de déclenchement 36 permet donc de relier électriquement entre elles les quatre bornes de sortie 30 quasi simultanément de manière à assurer une commutation de plusieurs voies électriques raccordées aux bornes de sortie 30 du commutateur 10, c'est-à-dire ici trois voies.A simple triggering action on the single triggering member 36 therefore makes it possible to electrically connect the four output terminals 30 to each other almost simultaneously so as to switch over several electrical channels connected to the output terminals 30 of the switch 10, c ' that is to say here three ways.
Dans la variante de réalisation illustrée à la figure 5, sur laquelle les parties de la plaque de contact 44 identiques ou similaires à celles décrites et représentées précédemment sont désignées par les mêmes chiffres de référence, l'une 50a des lames de contact 50 est déformée initialement de manière permanente par pliage de façon que son extrémité libre 52a soit en permanence en contact avec un contact fixe associé 26 du boîtier isolant 12, et ceci quel que soit l'état de l'organe de déclenchement 36. Ainsi, l'une des bornes de sortie 30 constitue le contact commun de référence de la plaque de contact 44, cette conception facilitant la gestion électronique en aval des signaux résultants de l'établissement du contact électrique pour les trois voies en facilitant notamment une opération de test électrique de l'état de déclenchement du commutateur.In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the parts of the contact plate 44 identical or similar to those described and shown above are designated by the same reference numbers, one 50a of the contact blades 50 is deformed initially permanently by folding so that its free end 52a is permanently in contact with an associated fixed contact 26 of the insulating housing 12, and this whatever the state of the triggering member 36. Thus, one of the output terminals 30 constitutes the common reference contact of the contact plate 44, this design facilitating electronic management downstream of the signals resulting from the establishment of the electrical contact for the three channels, in particular facilitating an operation electrical test of the switch trip state.
On a représenté à la figure 6 la déformation souhaitable des lames élastiques de contact 50, cette déformation étant illustrée avant la fin de course de déclenchement de l'organe 36.FIG. 6 shows the desirable deformation of the elastic contact blades 50, this deformation being illustrated before the end of the trigger stroke of the member 36.
Chaque lame de contact subit une déformation élastique, sous l'action de la partie centrale 42 du dôme 36, q ui correspond à une courbure en « S » de la lame. Cette courbure selon deux rayons opposés R1 et R2 permet d'éviter une instabilité de l'un des contacts au moindre mouvement de la partie centrale 42 de l'organe de déclenchement 36. La courbure de rayon R2 peut être amplifiée en réduisant au minimum la distance D séparant l'extrémité libre 52 des lames de contact 50 de l'axe central du dôme 36. Grâce à la présence d'une plaque de contact métallique, il est aussi possible de réaliser l'organe bombé de déclenchement dans un matériau non conducteur.Each contact blade undergoes elastic deformation, under the action of the central part 42 of the dome 36, which corresponds to an “S” curvature of the blade. This curvature along two opposite radii R1 and R2 makes it possible to avoid an instability of one of the contacts at the slightest movement of the central part 42 of the triggering member 36. The curvature of radius R2 can be amplified by reducing the distance D separating the free end 52 of the contact blades 50 from the central axis of the dome 36. Thanks to the presence of a metal contact plate, it is also possible to produce the domed triggering member in a non-material driver.
L'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit. Elle n'est notamment pas limitée au nombre de voies électriques qu'il est possible d'établir simultanément.The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described. In particular, it is not limited to the number of electrical channels that it is possible to establish simultaneously.
Elle n'est pas non plus limitée au cas d'un commutateur de contour général rectangulaire mais trouve aussi à s'appliquer dans le cas où l'organe de déclenchement est un disque bombé, la plaque ou grille de contact pouvant être alors de contour circulaire avec des lames de contact s'étendant radiaiement vers le centre du commutateur en porte-à-faux à partir d'un bord latéral de contour annulaire, les extrémités libres des contacts fixes étant alors agencées selon une circonférence dans le fond du logement correspondant. It is also not limited to the case of a general rectangular contour switch but is also applicable in the case where the triggering member is a convex disc, the contact plate or grid can then be of contour circular with contact blades extending radially toward the center of the cantilevered switch from a lateral edge of annular contour, the free ends of the fixed contacts then being arranged according to a circumference in the bottom of the corresponding housing.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Commutateur électrique (10) à effet tactile du type comportant un support (12) porte-contacts (26 , 28, 30) q ui délimite un logement (22) dans le fond (25) duquel sont disposés au moins deux contacts électriques fixes (26) et qui reçoit un organe de déclenchement (36) de forme générale bombée qui est déformable élastiquement, à partir d'un état stable de repos, sous l'action d'un organe d'actionnement qui agit sur la partie centrale (42) de l'organe de déclenchement (36) selon une direction (V) sensiblement perpendiculaire au fond (25) du logement (22), en vue d'établir une liaison électrique entre les deux contacts fixes (26), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une plaque intermédiaire de contact (44) réalisée en matériau conducteur qui est interposée verticalement entre l'organe de déclenchement (36) et le fond (25, 34) du logement et q ui comporte au moins deux lames de contact (50) qui sont déformables élastiquement, à partir d'un état stable de repos dans lequel chaque lame de contact (50) s'étend dans le plan de la plaque de contact (44), sous l'action de la partie centrale (42) de l'organe de déclenchement (36) de manière à venir chacune (50, 52) en contact avec un contact fixe (26, 28) associé en vis-à-vis du fond (25) du logement (22) pour relier électriquement entre eux les contacts fixes (26, 28, 30).1. Electrical switch (10) with tactile effect of the type comprising a support (12) contact carrier (26, 28, 30) which defines a housing (22) in the bottom (25) of which are arranged at least two fixed electrical contacts ( 26) and which receives a generally domed triggering member (36) which is elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest, under the action of an actuating member which acts on the central part (42 ) of the triggering member (36) in a direction (V) substantially perpendicular to the bottom (25) of the housing (22), with a view to establishing an electrical connection between the two fixed contacts (26), characterized in that '' it comprises an intermediate contact plate (44) made of conductive material which is vertically interposed between the triggering member (36) and the bottom (25, 34) of the housing and which has at least two contact blades (50 ) which are elastically deformable, from a stable state of rest da ns which each contact blade (50) extends in the plane of the contact plate (44), under the action of the central part (42) of the trigger member (36) so as to each come ( 50, 52) in contact with a fixed contact (26, 28) associated opposite the bottom (25) of the housing (22) to electrically connect the fixed contacts (26, 28, 30).
2. Commutateur électrique selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que chaque lame de contact (50) s'étend en porte à faux à partir d'un bord (46) de la plaque de contact (44), et en ce que l'extrémité libre (52) de chaque lame de contact est susceptible de venir en contact avec un contact fixe (26, 28) sous l'action de la partie centrale (42) de l'organe de déclenchement (36).2. Electric switch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each contact blade (50) extends in cantilever from an edge (46) of the contact plate (44), and in that the the free end (52) of each contact blade is likely to come into contact with a fixed contact (26, 28) under the action of the central part (42) of the triggering member (36).
3. Commutateur électrique selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les lames de contact (50) s'étendent longitudinalement parallèlement les unes aux autres.3. Electric switch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact blades (50) extend longitudinally parallel to each other.
4. Commutateur électrique selon l'une des revendications 2 ou 3 , caractérisé en ce que les lames de contact (50) sont opposées par paires avec leurs extrémités libres (52) en vis-à-vis situées en regard de la partie centrale (42) de l'organe de déclenchement (36).4. Electric switch according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the contact blades (50) are opposite in pairs with their free ends (52) vis-à-vis located opposite the central part ( 42) of the triggering member (36).
5. Commutateur selon l'une q uelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque lame de contact (50) s'étend longitudinalement en porte-à-faux à partir d'un bord (46) de la plaque de contact (44) par lequel cette dernière prend appui verticalement dans le fond (25, 34) du logement (22) , et en ce que les contacts fixes (26, 28) sont situés verticalement en retrait du plan d'appui (34) des bords (46) de la plaque de contact (44). 5. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each contact blade (50) extends longitudinally in overhang from an edge (46) of the contact plate (44 ) by which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom (25, 34) of the housing (22), and in that the fixed contacts (26, 28) are located vertically set back from the support plane (34) of the edges ( 46) of the contact plate (44).
6. Commutateur électrique selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que tous les contacts fixes (26, 28) sont situés sensiblement dans un même plan .6. Electric switch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that all the fixed contacts (26, 28) are located substantially in the same plane.
7. Commutateur selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les surfaces de contact (28) des contacts fixes (26) sont sensiblement affleurantes au fond plan (25) du logement (22), et en ce que ledit bord d'appui (46) de la plaque de contact (44) prend appui verticalement contre une partie (32, 34) en relief située dans le fond (25) du logement (22). 7. Switch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contact surfaces (28) of the fixed contacts (26) are substantially flush with the flat bottom (25) of the housing (22), and in that said bearing edge ( 46) of the contact plate (44) bears vertically against a part (32, 34) in relief located in the bottom (25) of the housing (22).
8. Commutateur électrique selon l'une q uelconque des revendications 5 à 7 prise en combinaison avec l'une des revendications 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce q ue les lames de contact (50) s'étendent longitudinalement en porte-à-faux à partir de deux bords transversaux parallèles et opposés (46) de la plaque de contact (44) par lesq uels cette dernière prend appui verticalement dans le fond (25, 34) du logement.8. Electric switch according to any of claims 5 to 7 taken in combination with one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the contact blades (50) extend longitudinally in cantilever from two parallel and opposite transverse edges (46) of the contact plate (44) through which the latter is supported vertically in the bottom (25, 34) of the housing.
9. Commutateur selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les deux bords transversaux d'appui (46) de la plaque de contact (44) sont reliés entre eux par deux bords longitudinaux parallèles et opposés (48). 9. Switch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two transverse support edges (46) of the contact plate (44) are interconnected by two parallel and opposite longitudinal edges (48).
10. Commutateur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'une (50a) des lames de contact de la plaque de contact (44) est déformée de manière permanente pour être en contact électrique avec un contact électrique fixe associé, indépendamment de l'état de l'organe de déclenchement (36). 10. Electrical switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one (50a) of the contact blades of the contact plate (44) is permanently deformed to be in electrical contact with a fixed electrical contact associated, regardless of the state of the trigger member (36).
EP98955703A 1997-11-28 1998-11-19 Touch-sensitive electric switch with several channels and single triggering element Expired - Lifetime EP1034554B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9714990A FR2771846B1 (en) 1997-11-28 1997-11-28 MULTI-WAY TACTILE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH SINGLE-TRIGGER DEVICE
FR9714990 1997-11-28
PCT/FR1998/002480 WO1999028937A1 (en) 1997-11-28 1998-11-19 Touch-sensitive electric switch with several channels and single triggering element
US09/568,869 US6323449B1 (en) 1997-11-28 2000-05-09 Touch sensitive multiple electrical switch

Publications (2)

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EP1034554A1 true EP1034554A1 (en) 2000-09-13
EP1034554B1 EP1034554B1 (en) 2002-04-17

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EP98955703A Expired - Lifetime EP1034554B1 (en) 1997-11-28 1998-11-19 Touch-sensitive electric switch with several channels and single triggering element

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US (1) US6323449B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1034554B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001525589A (en)
DE (1) DE69805000T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2175817T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2771846B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999028937A1 (en)

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FR2771846A1 (en) 1999-06-04
EP1034554B1 (en) 2002-04-17
WO1999028937A1 (en) 1999-06-10
JP2001525589A (en) 2001-12-11
ES2175817T3 (en) 2002-11-16
US6323449B1 (en) 2001-11-27
FR2771846B1 (en) 1999-12-31
DE69805000D1 (en) 2002-05-23
DE69805000T2 (en) 2002-10-17

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