EP1271586B1 - Housing for a push button switch and push button switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a push-button switch housing and a push-button switch, in particular for use in motor vehicles.

In vehicles, a variety of switches is used, which can be used for example for the operation of the hazard warning lights or for other purposes, such as for the operation of the heating or air conditioning. Depending on the installation position of the switch, the available installation depth is limited.

In most switches so-called microswitches are used, which have a small size and therefore take into account the requirement of low installation depth. In addition, a variety of other electrical or electronic components, such as light sources, through which the switch can be illuminated, are provided in switches. These components, together with the microswitch, are usually arranged in a space called a switch chamber.

For contacting the switch with the motor vehicle component to be actuated or a control device, plug contacts are predominantly used in the vehicle industry today. These plug contacts are held in a housing, which is referred to as a plug chamber or connector tray, in particular to provide protection against kinking of the plug contacts.

To operate the switch, a button or a button cap is provided, which can cooperate with the electronic components which are provided in the switch chamber.

The plug chamber and the switch chamber can represent two spaces, which are either formed in one piece, ie have a common base plate, one side of which the plug chamber and of the opposite side, the switch chamber extends. However, the two chambers can also be formed from two different housings, which are connected to each other via clamping connections or locking devices. However, this structure of a switch housing has the disadvantage that the switch housing has a large installation depth and many different parts, which have other configurations depending on the application of the switch, must be manufactured and stored.

From DE 200 01 024 U1 (D1) a membrane switch is known which consists of a housing and a displaceably guided on the housing key. In this membrane switch, the key is guided between an inner and an outer wall of the housing, wherein the inner wall of the housing partially forms a plug chamber. On a separately inserted into the housing circuit board various electronic components, switching contacts, lighting elements and the like are arranged.

From DE 299 14 538 U1 a button for installation in a housing is known. The button is similar to the membrane switch from the aforementioned DE 200 01 024 U1, but in addition has a spring which rests on one side of the housing and on the other side of the button. To receive the spring, a spring seat is provided in the region of the housing facing the push-button. Electronic components are arranged on a circuit board in the case of the pushbutton from DE 299 14 538 U1, wherein the circuit board is a separate component and rests on an inner cylindrical ring formed in the housing.

From EP 1 094 480 A2 a push-button switch with a plurality of individual components and modules is known, which also has a circuit board (circuit board), which is used separately in the housing. In particular, a light barrier wall for limiting the light of the radiation of a light source is provided.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved push-button switch housing and an improved push-button switch, which have a small installation depth, without the Push-button switch over a console in which the switch is installed, more than necessary protrudes, and can be used universally.

The invention is based on the finding that this task can be ideally achieved if a compact design for the push-button switch housing is selected.

The object is therefore achieved according to the invention by a push-button switch housing, which comprises at least one guide for at least part of a button, a base plate and a plug chamber in which at least one plug contact is provided, wherein the plug chamber is at least formed by a part of the guide characterized in that the base plate is integrated in the housing and that at least one electronic component is supported by the base plate.

As the guide of the key is hereinafter referred to the area which receives at least a portion of the key, preferably the frame or the lower edge and allows the movement of the key only in predetermined directions.

By choosing the compact design according to the invention, the guide can except for the leadership of a part of the button and the sheath and thus serve the protection of the plug contacts and thereby an additional space for a separate connector chamber can be avoided. Furthermore, manufacture and assembly are simplified in that already with the inventively designed housing, a base plate is available on which at least one electronic component can be arranged.

Preferably, the guide for the button and the connector chamber form an integral component. This integral construction, the production the pushbutton switch housing economically efficient, since on the one hand, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and precision, which is necessary for individual parts that must be connected to each other by latching or clamping connections, must not be met. Due to the integral design and cheap manufacturing processes, such as a two-component injection molding process with metallization of individual components can be used, which can lead to a further reduction of the installation height of the push-button switch housing and thus the push-button switch.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the guide may simultaneously define a space for receiving electronic components. A separate element defining the space required to accommodate electronic components, such as a microswitch, is therefore possible, thereby again simplifying manufacture. The space that serves to accommodate electronic components is also referred to below as a switch chamber.

Preferably, the push-button switch housing in the form of a trough, which is open at one side and the side walls are double-walled. Such a form of push-button switch housing is advantageous, since their production can also be carried out with favorable methods, such as injection molding. In addition, the wall thickness can be selected low in such a trough shape with double-walled side walls, since the housing already has a certain stability by this shape. The double-walled side walls can serve as a guide for the button. In this guide reinforcements can be provided to further stabilize the housing. These can be formed by webs in the guide shaft formed by the double-walled side walls.

Preferably, the push-button switch housing has a base plate which can carry on one side at least one electronic component and on the other side has at least one plug-in contact. This base plate, which is preferably flat, may have projections for fastening individual electronic components. Due to the planar design of the base plate all electronic components can be mounted side by side on this. The installation height of the Push-button switch is therefore largely determined only by the height of the electronic components, but these days are available in small sizes and thus with low heights available.

On the housing, in the region of the space which serves to receive the electronic components, a spring seat for a compression spring, which can cooperate with the button, may be provided. By providing the compression spring in the area which is also used for the electronic components, a further reduction of the installation depth can be achieved. Conventional pushbutton switches typically require a compression spring to engage the bottom of the button to ensure even depression of the button. In the housing according to the invention, however, it is sufficient if the compression spring is provided in the switch chamber and thus is in engagement with a region of the inside of the button. The reason for this simple arrangement of the spring is that uneven depression and thus tilting of the key is prevented by the large guide length of the edge of the key which is possible in the housing according to the invention. The compression spring therefore only has to apply a certain force against the button in order to prevent inadvertent actuation of one of the electronic components. In addition, the compression spring of the so-called "Entklapperung" serve. This means that even if there is a slight clearance between the microswitch and the button, the key has a bias due to the compression spring and therefore does not rattle. Since provision of a pressure spring in the pressure switch according to the invention, for example in the guide shaft, is not necessary, reinforcing webs can be provided in it, for example, which increase the stability of the push-button switch housing.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a push-button switch comprising at least one button, a push-button switch housing with a guide for at least part of the button and at least one electronic component, and at least one plug contact, wherein at least part of the guide for the part of Button surrounds the at least one plug-in contact, characterized in that the push-button switch housing in particular comprises a base plate according to the invention, on which at least one electronic component is arranged.

This reduces the amount of work involved in the manufacture and assembly of a push-button switch. It must neither a separate base plate must be made nor must such be used in a housing.

In one embodiment, the guide of the part of the button adjoins the edges of the base plate. At least part of this guide represents the lateral boundary for a room in which the at least one plug contact is located.

The at least one electronic component provided in the push-button switch and preferably arranged on the base plate of the pushbutton switch housing may constitute a micro-switch. This can be actuated by depressing the button and be electrically connected to at least one of the plug contacts, which are preferably provided on the other side of the base plate.

However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide other electronic components, such as lighting devices or function control devices. These may serve to indicate the push-button switch or indicate that the component connected to the push-button switch is activated or turned on. As lighting devices or function control devices known devices, in particular the devices used in the automotive industry, can be used.

In particular, in push-button switches comprising lighting devices or function control devices which operate with light sources, the button of the push-button switch preferably comprises at least one light guide. This can be brought into contact with the respective lighting device or function control device upon depression of the button and can be seen on the top of the button a light spot or a symbol. Even in the non-depressed state of the button, the symbol illumination and function control light are preferably illuminated. This is effected by the light of the light sources used also bridging the necessary distance for a Tastenhub to the coupling point at the light guides.

In push-button switches which have more than one light source, for example push-button switches having lighting devices and function control devices to prevent influence of one light source on the display associated with another light source, the push-button switch may have at least one light bulkhead limiting the emission of a light source. This is preferably arranged on the underside of the button.

The push-button switch may further comprise a compression spring which acts between a base plate of the push-button switch housing, from which the electronic components are carried, and the button, which is guided in the push-button switch housing. The advantages of the arrangement of the compression spring between the key and the base plate in contrast to other possible installation locations, such as at the bottom of the key, have already been described above with reference to the push-button switch housing.

• Figur 1: eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenschalters;
• Figur 2: eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines herkömmlichen Drucktastenschalters mit aufgesetzter Steckerkammer;
• Figur 3: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenschaltergehäuses von oben;
• Figur 4: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenschaltergehäuses von unten;
• Figuren 5 und 5a: perspektivische Ansichten einer erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Taste;
• Figur 6: eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Drucktastenschalters (ohne Taste);
• Figur 7: eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in Figur 6; und
• Figur 8: eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B in Figur 6.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which relate to embodiments of the invention. Show it:

• Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of a push-button switch according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic, perspective view of a conventional push-button switch with attached connector chamber;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pushbutton switch housing according to the invention from above;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pushbutton switch housing according to the invention from below;
• Figures 5 and 5a: perspective views of a key used in the invention;
• Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a push-button switch according to the invention (without a button);
• Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 6; and
• FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view along the line BB in FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the push-button switch 1 according to the invention. At the front of the key 2 is shown, which is connected to the pushbutton switch housing 3 shown behind via locking lugs 21 which engage in openings 31 of the push-button switch housing. At the front of the button 2, a light indicator 22 is shown. The push-button switch housing 3 will be described later in detail with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 6 to 8.

In Figure 2, a push-button switch according to the prior art is shown. At the part of the push-button switch housing, in which the electronic components are accommodated and in which the key is guided, a connector tray is placed. As is apparent from this representation in comparison to Figure 1, the length and thus the installation depth of the push-button switch according to the prior art is considerably greater than that of the push-button switch 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of a push-button switch housing 3 according to the invention. The housing 3 has a base plate 32 which is surrounded by a guide shaft 33 which has substantially the shape of an annular gap. This annular gap represents the leadership of the key, in particular the key frame. The guide shaft 33 is limited in the illustrated embodiment by two substantially parallel walls. The first wall 331 immediately adjoins the base plate 32 and extends substantially perpendicularly downwardly therefrom. The first wall 331 is connected to a second wall 332, which is substantially parallel thereto, at the end of the first wall 331 remote from the base plate 32. The second wall 332 extends substantially parallel to the first wall 331 from the junction thereof beyond the base plate 32.
The amount by which the second wall 332 is longer than the first wall 331 is thus the height to which the second wall 332 overlies the base plate protrudes. This protruding portion 333 defines the height of the switch chamber 4, which will be described later in more detail.

As can also be clearly seen in FIG. 3, reinforcing struts 35 are incorporated in the guide shaft 33 and extend between the two walls 331 and 332 of the guide shaft 33 substantially perpendicular to them. The reinforcing struts 35 extend from the lower end of the first and second walls 331 and 332 preferably to half the total height of the first wall 331. Due to this relatively low height of the connecting struts, the frame 24 of the key 2 need not be provided with slits 25 over its entire height be. This contributes to the fact that the stability of the key through the slots 25 is not or only slightly affected.

On the base plate 32, a spring seat 36 is schematically indicated in the figure 3, which is formed in the form of a projection on the base plate 32. Furthermore, elevations 37 and passages 38 are shown. These can serve the positioning and contacting of the applied to the base plate 32 electronic components.

On the opposite side of the base plate 32, as shown in Figure 4, plug contacts 39 are provided in the form of contact pins. The plug contacts 39 are arranged in a trough 5. The tub 5 is bounded from above by the base plate 32 and at the sides of the walls 331 of the guide shaft 33. The plug chamber or pan 5 is open at the bottom.

An embodiment of a key 2 which can cooperate with the pushbutton switch housing 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and which is also referred to as a push-button cap, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. The cover plate 23 of the button 2, which is in the illustration above, serves as a touch surface for the user and as a display panel. This front can be flat as desired, or be formed in a slightly curved shape.

On the inside of the cover plate 23, a frame 24 connects, which extends substantially perpendicularly from the inside of the cover plate 23 from. The frame 24 forms together with the cover plate 23, the cup shape of the key 2. The frame 24 represents the part of the key 2, the in the guide shaft 3 is guided. The frame 24 is preferably not disposed on the outer edge of the lid 23 but at a small distance therefrom. As a result, the size of the cover plate 23 can be selected independently of the dimensions required for the frame 24. In addition, by the transition from frame 24 to cover plate 23, a shoulder 26 is formed on the outer edges of the cover plate 23, with which the key 2 when pressing together with the upper edge of the portion 333 of the guide wall 332 can meet. The way by which key 2 can be pressed down is thus limited. The frame 24 is interrupted by slots 25 in the illustrated form. The slots 25 are distributed in the frame 24 so as to engage with the reinforcing ribs 35 provided in the guide shaft 33 of the push-button switch housing 3. As a result, the key 2 can be moved without it colliding with the reinforcing webs 35.

The operation and the other components of a possible embodiment of the push-button switch according to the invention will now be explained with reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The plan view of a push-button switch 1, in which, for reasons of easier recognizability, the key is not shown, can be seen on the base plate 32 of the push-button switch housing 3 components. In the illustrated embodiment, a search light LED (light emitting diode) 6 as a light source, and a micro switch 7 are arranged side by side. Offset to this are also juxtaposed a compression spring 8 and a function control LED. 9

The section shown in FIG. 7 along the line A - A of FIG. 6 also shows the button 2 located above the view shown in FIG. 6 and its components. The key 2 has a cover plate 23 with a frame 24 adjoining the rear side of the cover plate 23. This frame 24 is inserted into the guide shaft 33 of the push button switch housing 3 and guided over most of its length therein. The shoulder 26 formed between cover plate 23 and frame 24 is preferably in the depressed state on the upper edge of the outer wall 332 of the guide shaft 33 and thus limits the displacement of the key 2 down and determines the height of the switch chamber. 4

On the inside of the cover plate 23, which faces in the inserted state of the base plate 32 of the push button switch housing 3, a search illumination light guide 27 is arranged in the illustrated embodiment. This has a projection 271, via which it can come into contact with the search light LED 6 in the depressed state. To an area 272 of the search light guide 27, which is spaced from the projection 271, the actuating element 71 is applied to the micro-switch 7.

On the side of the base plate 32, which is opposite to the side on which the electronic components of the push-button switch 1 are arranged, a plug contact 39 is shown in the form of a contact finger. This extends away from the base plate 32 substantially perpendicular. This plug-in contact 39, as well as possibly further provided plug contacts 39, which are not visible in the section in Figure 7, is arranged in a plug-in chamber 5. This is bounded by the base plate 32 upwards and to the sides by the guide shafts 33, more precisely by the first walls 331. The plug-in chamber 5, which has a trough shape in the illustrated embodiment, has a depth which is greater than the length of the plug contacts 39 therein. This ensures that the plug contacts 39 are not bent during the storage of the push-button switch 1 be and that a to be connected to the plug contacts 39 connector is not angled, which can also lead to a kinking of the plug contacts 39. Finally, the greater length of the plug chamber 5 can provide a greater guide length for the frame 24 of the key 2, since the side walls of the plug chamber 5 also simultaneously constitute part of the guide slot 33 for the frame 24 of the key 2.

Finally, in FIG. 8, a section along the line BB in FIG. 6 is shown. On the base plate, a spring seat 36 is provided in the form of a projection. To this spring seat 36, a compression spring 8 is mounted, which is supported down against the base plate 32 and up against the inside of the cover plate 23 of the key 2. Furthermore, on the cover plate 23rd the button 2, a function control light guide 28 is provided which extends through the cover plate 23 and terminates outside in the light display 22. Between the compression spring 8 and the function control light guide 28, a Lichtschottwand 29 is provided. This is attached to the inside of the cover plate 23 and extends in the installed state of the button 2 in the direction of the base plate 23. Preferably, the light bulkhead 29 is formed integrally with the cover plate 23 of the key 2 and extends angularly around the function control light guide 28th

On the base plate, a function control LED 9 is arranged in a position corresponding to the position of the functional inspection light guide 28. This can, as shown, be protected by a survey 37 on the base plate 32 against displacement. Furthermore, this elevation 37 with the light bulkhead 29 of the key 2 serve to prevent light from the function control LED 9 and the function control light guide 28 from entering other areas of the switch chamber 4.

Also in the figure 8, a plug contact 39 on the underside of the base plate 32 can be seen, which is surrounded by the guide 33, which thus forms together with the base plate 32, the plug chamber or trough 5.

The push-button switch housing 3 according to the invention can be used for all, especially in the automotive industry provided connectors. For example, the push-button switch housing can be used for 4-pole plug connections, as shown in the figures, but also for plug connections with more or fewer poles.

The production of the push-button switch housing can be done by different methods. However, the pushbutton switch housing is produced particularly advantageously by a so-called MID (molded interconnected device) method. This process is a two-component injection molding process in which a component becomes metallized and thus conductive. The advantage of this method is that it eliminates the need for conventionally required printed circuit boards and thus increases the overall height of the pushbutton switch housing and thus the entire push-button switch by more than 1.0 mm, usually by 1.5 mm can be reduced. This method can be used particularly well in the push-button switch housing according to the invention, since in a manufacturing process both the guide for the key, in particular the key frame, the base plate of the switch chamber and at the same time the connector tray with the plug contacts protected therein can be generated.

By integrating the plug chamber in the guide of the button, a reduction of up to 50% of the height of the push button switch housing and thus the push button switch compared to conventional push button switches, in which the plug chamber is placed, can be achieved.

The installation depth of the push-button switch is determined in the embodiment of the invention essentially by the height of the electronic components and the height of the key, which is necessary for a good feel and a secure guide against tilting. With the push-button switch housing according to the invention, the key can be guided over a length of, for example, 13.6 mm. In conventional pushbutton switches, where the depth is considerably higher, the key is usually performed only a small length, for example, to about 12.0 mm. Accordingly, the guide length of the key can be increased by the push button switch housing according to the invention with considerable reduction of the mounting depth.

The dimensions in the width and length of the cover plate and thus the area to be illuminated by the switch can be varied depending on the intended use. For example, a symbol field of 11 x 11mm may be illuminated, which is sufficient for the automobile key buttons used today.

The push-button switch and the push-button switch housing according to the invention have been described above essentially for single-contact switches. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be readily applied to multiple-touch switches.

Thus, the push-button switch according to the invention and the push-button switch housing according to the invention can be a universal Provide pushbutton switches for almost every shift task in a vehicle, which avoids a large variety of products.

With the push-button switch and push-button switch housing according to the invention can therefore be provided in a simple manner, a switch that can be universally used due to its low installation depth, without that the function of the switch, or security against, for example, kinking the plug contacts is reduced, or losses other quality determining sizes, such as the wall thickness must be made. The pushbutton switch according to the invention and the pushbutton switch housing according to the invention thus make it possible to save development costs and capacities, as well as manufacturing and storage costs, and also to advance the desire to standardize the switch feel.

Claims (17)

1. Push-button switch housing (3), comprising at least one guide (33) for at least one part (24) of a push-button (2), a base plate (32) and a connector chamber (5) in which at least one plug-in contact (39) is provided, the connector housing (5) being formed by at least one part (331) of the guide (33), characterised in that the base plate (32) is integrated in the housing (3) and in that at least one electronic component (6, 7, 9) is carried by the base plate (32).
2. Push-button switch housing according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide (33) and the connector chamber (5) form an integral component.
3. Push-button switch housing according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that at least one part (333) of the guide (33) defines at the same time a space (4) for accommodating electronic components (6, 7,9).
4. Push-button switch housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it has the shape of a tub which is open on one side and which has twin-wall side-walls.
5. Push-button switch housing according to claim 4, characterised in that a guide slot (33) for guiding the part (24) of a push-button (2) is located in at least one part of the side-walls.
6. Push-button switch housing according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the base plate (32) has a flat configuration.
7. Push-button switch housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that reinforcements (35) for strengthening the housing (3) are provided in the guide (33).
8. Push-button switch housing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a seating (36) for a compression spring (8) which can cooperate with the push-button (2) is provided on the housing (3) in the region of the space (4) which serves to accommodate the electronic components.
9. Push-button switch (1), comprising at least one push-button (2), a push-button switch housing (3) with a guide (33) for at least one part (24) of the push-button (2), at least one electronic component (6, 7, 9) and at least one plug-in contact (39), at least one part (31) of the guide (33) for the part (24) of the push-button (2) surrounding the at least one plug-in contact (39), characterised by a push-button switch housing according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. Push-button switch according to claim 9, characterised in that the guide (33) of the part (24) of the push-button (2) adjoins the edges of the base plate (32) and at least one part (331) of this guide (33) forms the lateral boundary for a space (5) in which the at least one plug-in contact (39) is located.
11. Push-button switch according to either of claims 9 and 10, characterised in that the electronic component comprises a microswitch (7).
12. Push-button switch according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the electronic component comprises an illumination device (6).
13. Push-button switch according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the electronic component comprises at least one function control device (9).
14. Push-button switch according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the push-button (2) includes at least one light guide (27, 28).
15. Push-button switch according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterised in that it includes a compression spring (8) which acts between a base plate (32) of the push-button switch housing (3) on which the electronic components (6, 7, 9) are carried and the push-button (2) which is guided in the push-button switch housing (3).
16. Push-button switch according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterised in that it includes at least one light bulkhead (29) which delimits the radiation of a light source (9).
17. Push-button switch according to claim 16, characterised in that the light bulkhead (29) is arranged on the underside of a cover plate (23) of the push-button (2).

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