EP1047088B1 - Switch element, particularly switch operated by pressure wave - Google Patents

Abstract

The switching element has at least one pressure chamber which is at least partly provided with a membrane (4) enabling connection of a stimulation contact element (5) to make contact with a tapping contact element (6). The stimulation contact element and/or tapping contact element can be moved out of a contact plane to make a common contact .

Description

The present invention relates to a switching element, in particular pressure wave switches to protect Pinching points on actuable gates, doors or the like, with at least one pressure chamber, which at least partially with is provided with a membrane, with a membrane Excitation contact element for making contact with a customer contact element is connectable.

Such pressure wave switches are in a wide variety of forms and execution known and available in the market. You serve essentially to secure pinching points, especially in the case of actuatable doors, gates or the like. Often sealed rubber or hollow profiles are used, which is described with a hose with a Pressure wave switches are connected. With a certain

Pressure on the hose if, for example, a door, a gate, Window or the like is closed, a pressure in the Pressure wave switch built and an electrical contact between an excitation contact element and a customer contact element will be closed. If the door is opened like this the pressure in the pressure wave switch decreases, the membrane goes back and an electrical contact is broken. This directs the corresponding signal, which can be processed further.

A contact element, which is the membrane is assigned linearly against another contact element a customer contact element moves. This is where it comes from often with such pressure wave switches Soiling and especially signs of wear. Frequent actuation creates the spark a so-called insulating layer, which the Reliability of such a pressure wave switch strong impaired. Such switches are often moved making very high demands on wear are. These switches react, for example, to one Air pressure in the system of about 2 mbar. With the Contact closure can be a stop or reverse signal on Drive of the door or at the gate can be forwarded.

Therefore, the reliability of such pressure wave switches of fundamental importance in security technology. This is often done with contact distances and low contact pressures, which is a contamination, Oxidize the contacts even at low currents, like them e.g. occur in the control of digital circuits, has the consequence.

US 4,464,551 describes an electronic Circuit with a switching element, in which a middle contact element between two more Contact elements can be moved back and forth.

The present invention is based on the object Switching element, in particular a pressure wave switch to create the type mentioned, which the above Disadvantages eliminated, and with which on simple and inexpensive and safe way of permanent switching is possible without the contact elements becoming dirty, by sparking a corrosive and isolating Layer forms and which is reliable in operation.

The solution to this task is that Excitation contact element and / or the customer contact element to establish a common contact from a Contact level by means of pressure or negative pressure on the membrane can be moved out and both contact elements can be pivoted about respective pivot points, the movement of the Contact elements to each other are their contact surfaces slide over each other.

In the present invention, it is important that the Exciter contact element by means of the membrane Pressurization of the pressure wave switch against that Customer contact element is moved. By moving the The contact surfaces become contact elements to each other over each other. This becomes permanent during one Switching an electrical connection on and / or off between excitation contact element and customer contact element guaranteed.

It is important that at least one contact element compared to the other contact element during the Interlocking from one level of the contact element is moved out.

This move the contact elements against each other the contact level is guaranteed to be fictional Pivots of the individual excitation contact elements or Customer contact element outside the contact plane lie.

These fictional fulcrums preferably lie within one Membrane level. The contact elements of the dddd Excitation contact element and the customer contact element outside the membrane level. This is the only way permanent sliding movement of the contact elements to each other guaranteed when touched. This prevents in particular a structure of an insulating layer. Doing so the permanent pushing together when gripping and disassembly of the contact elements Dirt is removed from contact surfaces and a possible one Corrosion is prevented.

Therefore, with the present invention, a switching element in particular a pressure wave switch is formed, which maintenance-free with significantly increased reliability is working.

Within the scope of the present invention, this should also lie corresponding pathogen contact element and that Customer contact element at the vacuum wave switch to use or to use. Then spreads accordingly the exciter contact element the customer contact element. This is also intended to be encompassed by the present inventive concept his.

Figur 1 einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch einen Druckwellenschalter nach dem Stand der Technik;

Figur 2 einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemässes Schaltelement, insbesondere durch einen Druckwellenschalter;

Figur 3 einen Teilquerschnitt durch den Druckwellenschalter gemäss Figur 2 in einer Gebrauchslage;

Figur 4a einen weiteren Teilquerschnitt des Druckwellenschalters gemäss Figur 2 in einer weiteren Gebrauchslage;

Figur 4b einen Teilquerschnitt durch den Druckwellenschalter gemäss Figur 2 in einer noch weiteren Gebrauchslage.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in

Figure 1 is a schematically illustrated cross section through a pressure wave switch according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a schematically illustrated cross section through a switching element according to the invention, in particular through a pressure wave switch;

3 shows a partial cross section through the pressure wave switch according to Figure 2 in a position of use;

FIG. 4a shows a further partial cross section of the pressure wave switch according to FIG. 2 in a further position of use;

4b shows a partial cross section through the pressure wave switch according to FIG. 2 in a still further position of use.

According to FIG. 1, a previously known Pressure wave switch on a housing 1, in which inside a pressure chamber 2 is formed. To the pressure chamber 2 opens a connection 3 for creating a Compressed air hose or the like element. The pressure chamber 2 is covered by a membrane 4, which is opposite Housing 1 shown in the pressurization Arrow direction X is movable. Doing so will get to the membrane 4 applied exciter contact element 5 against Customer contact element 6 moves and an electrical Contact has been established.

If the pressure in the pressure chamber 2 decreases, then the Diaphragm opposite to the arrow direction X shown moved back, what a moving apart of the Contact elements 7, 8 results. The electrical contact is interrupted.

In the present invention according to the Embodiment according to Figure 2 are excitation contact element 5 and customer contact element 6 and in particular whose contact elements 7, 8 outside a membrane plane M. Also exciter contact element 5 and customer contact element 6 at fictional pivot points 9, 10 and 11 Pressurization of the contact elements 7, 8 on one another by moving the membrane 4 to the outside. The fictional pivot points 9 and 11 of the Pickup contact element 6 or excitation contact element 5 outside a contact level E.

This is when they meet and against each other Moving excitation contact element 5 onto the customer contact element 6 on the contact elements 7, 8 a sliding Movement generated so that the contact elements during of the touch operation 7, 8 move against each other. This prevents the build-up of an insulating layer the contact surfaces remain permanent when actuated engaged in each other and the contact contamination problems are solved in this way.

This movement of the contact elements 7, 8 against each other achieved in that the contact elements 7, 8, and in particular the excitation contact element 5 and the Customer contact element 6 outside the membrane plane M are arranged. It is important that fictional pivot points 9, 11 outside the contact plane E and are preferably arranged close to the membrane plane M to a corresponding rolling movement of the contact elements 7, 8 to each other when pressure is applied to the membrane 4 permit.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 there is one Deflected position shown in dashed lines after a Pressurizing the customer contact element 6 indicated. The customer contact element 6 pivots around the fictitious pivot point 9, so that there is a direction of movement the customer contact element 6, as shown in Indicated by arrow direction, results. The fictional Direction of movement to contact plane E closes an angle α, which is between 10 and 40, preferably 30 degrees lies. For example, only the contact element 8, be moved linearly in contact plane E, the Contact elements 7, 8 still move against each other.

However, contact element 7 is preferred, in particular the excitation contact element 5 around the fictitious pivot point 10 and / or around the fictitious pivot point 11, as is also shown in FIG 4b is shown pivoted so that a movement of the Contact element 7 allows out of the contact plane E. becomes. The fictitious fulcrum 10, 11 lies outside the contact plane E and preferably close to the membrane plane M.

The direction of movement of the excitation contact element 5 as it is shown in particular in Figure 4b describes a Swiveling movement around the fictitious pivot point 10 and / or 11 out of the contact level E. This slides it Contact element 7 when it is opposite the contact element 8 is moved on its radius, so that permanently one electrical connection remains guaranteed. Dirt particles or the like are by this sliding and movement against each other eliminated. Likewise is a structure of an insulating layer by the permanent pushing and rubbing of each other Contact elements 7, 8 prevented.

It is also important in the present invention that only such a movement of the excitation contact element 5 or of the customer contact element 6 is sufficient to such Sliding on at least in smaller areas to ensure the radius of the contact elements 7, 8 in order the above Eliminate disadvantages.

However, excitation contact element 5 and are preferred Customer contact element 6 moves against each other. In doing so the contact elements 7, 8 each from the contact plane E. the respective fictional pivot points 9, 11 moved. Consequently move the contact element 7, 8 one above the other and are permanently engaged when the switching element R, in particular the membrane 4 is pressurized.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4a, this is Exciter contact element 5 with a partially on the membrane 4 adjacent support arm 12, which may be through Pressurization and bending around the fictitious pivot point 11 bulges downwards, so that the holding arm 12, like shown in dashed lines, rolls on the membrane 4. This protects the membrane 4 and creates a harmonious roll or sliding movement of the contact element 7 on the Contact element 8 of the customer contact element 6.

Furthermore, the present inventive concept encompasses that the two contact elements 7, 8 in a rest position, are not interrupted as shown in Figure 2, but to each other, possibly under less pressure, issue. An electrical connection is permanent connected.

Rule in the pressure wave switch, especially in the Pressure chamber 2 a negative pressure, the membrane 4 after inside against the arrow direction X shown in FIG. 1 moves so that they are in a resting position to each other then open closed contact element 7, 8.

Thus, the switching element according to the invention is also means Negative pressure can be controlled.

The present invention also includes that, for example, the excitation contact element 5, which is actuated by the membrane 4, is not arranged below the contact element 8 or below the customer contact element 6, as shown in FIG. 2, but rather overlaps it. An existing connection of the contact elements 7, 8 can thus be interrupted by means of pressurization, in particular overpressure on the pressure chamber 2 and a resulting deflection of the membrane 4 in the X direction. It is also conceivable that in the case of negative pressure, when the contact elements 7, 8 are interrupted with respect to one another, a corresponding electrical connection is established by closing the contact elements 7, 8. Position Number List 1 casing 34 67 2 pressure chamber 35 68 3 connection 36 69 4 membrane 37 70 5 Exciter contact element 38 71 6 Collector contact element 39 72 7 contact element 40 73 8th contact element 41 74 9 pivot point 42 75 10 pivot point 43 76 11 pivot point 44 77 12 holding arm 45 78 13 46 79 14 47 15 48 16 49 17 50 18 51 19 52 20 53 e Contact level 21 54 22 55 M membrane level 23 56 24 57 α angle 25 58 β angle 26 59 27 60 28 61 X arrow 29 62 30 63 31 64 32 65 33 66

Claims (17)

1. Switching element, more especially a pressure wave switch for securing clamping points of actuatable gates, doors or the like, said element having at least one pressure chamber, which is provided at least partially with a diaphragm (4), an exciter contact element (5) for establishing a contact with a collector contact element (6) being connectable via the diaphragm (4), characterised in that the exciter contact element (5) and/or the collector contact element (6) can be displaced out of a contact plane (E) by means of pressure or reduced pressure on the diaphragm (4) to establish a common contact, and the two contact elements (5, 6) are pivotable about respective pivot points (9, 11), the contact faces of the contact elements (7, 8) sliding over each other through the displacement of said contact elements.
2. Switching element according to claim 1, characterised in that pivot points (9, 11) of the exciter contact element (5) and collector contact element (6) lie outside the common contact plane (E).
3. Switching element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that contact elements (7, 8) of the exciter contact element (5) and the collector contact element (6) are disposed externally at a spacing from a diaphragm plane (M).
4. Switching element according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that a pivot point (11) of the exciter contact element (5) and a pivot point (9) of the collector contact element (6) are disposed substantially opposite each other, each externally of the contact plane (E).
5. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, when the exciter contact element (5) is acted-upon with pressure against the collector contact element (6), said contact elements are each laterally displaceable away from the plane (E), whereby the individual contact elements (7, 8) of the exciter contact element (5) and of the collector contact element (6) are displaceable so as to abut against each other.
6. Switching element according to at least one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the pivot points (9, 11) of the exciter contact element (5) and of the collector contact element (6) lie substantially in a common diaphragm plane (M).
7. Switching element according to at least one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the contact elements (7, 8) are disposed so as to be orientated in a curved manner relative to each other.
8. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least one retaining arm (12) of the exciter contact element (5) communicates with the diaphragm (4).
9. Switching element according to claim 8, characterised in that the retaining arm (12) is bendable, more especially it can travel along the diaphragm (4).
10. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that, when the pressure chamber is acted-upon with pressure, the diaphragm (4) is displaceable outwardly, and the exciter contact element (5) is hereby displaceable towards the collector contact element (6).
11. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the exciter contact element (5) and/or the collector contact element (6) are or is displaceable out of the diaphragm plane (M) when acted-upon by means of the diaphragm (4) and/or are or is pivotable out of the contact plane (E) about the respective pivot points (9, 11).
12. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that one displacement direction of the exciter contact element (5) and/or of the collector contact element (6) forms an angle (α, β) of substantially 10 to 40 degrees relative to the contact plane (E).
13. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that exciter element (5) and/or collector contact element (6) are or is disposed outside and opposite the contact plane (E) at one end of the housing (1).
14. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that exciter contact element (5) and collector contact element (6) for establishing a common contact in an inoperative position of the diaphragm (4) are spaced apart from each other or are in contact with each other.
15. Switching element according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that, in order to establish an electrical contact, the exciter contact element (5) is displaceable relative to the collector contact element (6) by means of pressure or reduced pressure.
16. Switching element according to claim 15, characterised in that, in order to establish the electrical contact, the exciter contact element (5) is displaceable towards the collector contact element to close the electrical connection in the event of excess pressure being applied to the diaphragm (4), or it is displaceable out of a closed inoperative position away from the collector contact element (6) in the event of reduced pressure.
17. Switching element according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the exciter contact element (5) overlaps the collector contact element (6) externally and establishes an electrical connection in the event of excess pressure or reduced pressure in the pressure wave switch being applied to the diaphragm (4), and an electrical connection is interrupted in the event of reduced pressure in the pressure wave switch being applied to the diaphragm (4).

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