EP1385076B1 - Rotary switch assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotary switch has a switch unit (11) that locates on a carrier (1) that houses the rotary element. The two units are manufactured with features (53, 36) that allow the parts to latch together. The rotary adjustment element has a sleeve that fits over a projecting shaft within the carrier.

Description

The invention relates to a rotary switch device according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the DE 100 44 448 C1 a generic rotary switch device for a household appliance is known. The rotary switch device comprises a switch which is fastened to a carrier plate and passes through the carrier plate with its switch shaft. In the assembled state, the switch shaft is coupled via a cardan coupling with an actuating shaft of an actuating unit. The actuating shaft is mounted via a ball bearing in a panel of the household appliance.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic rotary switch device with reduced design complexity while maintaining advantageous bearing properties for an operating unit. The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a rotary switch device, in particular for a domestic appliance, with a carrier element and a switch whose switch shaft can be actuated via an actuating unit.

It is proposed that a shaft is rotatably molded onto the carrier element, which is coupled in the mounted state with the switch shaft of the switch via a coupling point, namely indirectly or directly. This can components, assembly costs and costs saved and unwanted play are at least largely avoided. It can be achieved with little design effort and a cost effective solution advantageous storage properties for the actuator unit and tolerances are compensated, especially when coupled in the assembled state, the molded shaft and the switch shaft via a offset compensating coupling. Coupling parts of the coupling can be attached to the switch shaft and / or on the molded shaft or advantageously anformt to this, whereby additional components, assembly costs and costs can be saved. If the injection-molded shaft has an undercut with the carrier element, advantageous bearing surfaces and in particular a captive connection between the shaft and the carrier element can be achieved.

Furthermore, solutions can be achieved structurally simple in which standardized actuation units can be used, in particular if the molded shaft is coupled in the mounted state with a molded shaft to the separate actuation shaft of the actuator or can be coupled, whereby the actuator unit or a handle element of Actuation unit also can be easily performed in the carrier element or in a panel retractable. A retractable executed grip element, for example, can be achieved structurally simple by a heart curve is formed on the actuating shaft of the operating unit. However, the molded-on shaft could in principle also be designed in one piece with a shaft of an actuating unit. If the injection-molded shaft has an insertion bevel for coupling to the actuation shaft of the actuation unit, an at least largely play-free mounting of the actuation shaft on the injection-molded shaft can advantageously be achieved with a simple assembly.

In order to achieve the smallest possible space large storage areas and thus small surface pressures, a small wear and a stable storage, it is proposed that the shaft is mounted on corresponding inclined surfaces in the support element. Advantageously, both radial and axial bearing forces can be supported via the inclined surfaces. Furthermore, a kind of self-centering can be achieved.

Particularly advantageously, the carrier element is formed by a switch carrier, in particular by a fastened to a front side of a household appliance switch carrier, whereby many components can be used very flexible for different devices. However, it is also possible that the carrier element is formed by a carrier panel of a household appliance or another component that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the carrier element or the switch carrier and the switch are connected in the mounted state via a latching connection. It can be achieved a simple and quick installation and fasteners formed by additional components can be at least largely avoided. Furthermore, additionally required assembly space can be at least largely avoided and it can structurally simple clearance between the switch and the switch carrier for other components are created, such as for a lighting unit, etc.

If the shaft has a channel, in particular an axial through-passage, material distortions can advantageously be avoided and exact concentricity can be ensured, in particular by arranging a mounted, needle-shaped component of an injection molding tool in the shaft during the injection process Wave is removed.

It is also proposed that the rotary switching device is sprayed with at least two spray nozzles, whereby an advantageous material distribution is achieved during the injection process and in particular an exact receiving area for the shaft in the carrier element can be achieved. In particular, several spray nozzles are advantageously arranged around the receiving region of the carrier element for the shaft.

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Fig. 1

einen Schalterträger und einen Schalter vor deren Montage,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht in Richtung II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie III-III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

einen mit IV gekennzeichneten Ausschnitt aus Fig. 3 in vergrößerter Darstellung und

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 3 mit einer Betätigungseinheit.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a switch carrier and a switch before assembly,

Fig. 2

a view towards II in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a section along the line III-III in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a section marked IV Fig. 3 in an enlarged view and

Fig. 5

a representation accordingly Fig. 3 with an operating unit.

Fig. 1 shows a switch carrier 10 and a switch 11 of a rotary switch device according to the invention for a Haushaltsgargerät. The cup-shaped switch carrier 10 has on its open side a bayonet lock 25, with which the switch carrier 10 can be attached to a front plate of Haushaltsgargeräts not shown ( Fig. 1 and 2 ). On the switch carrier 10 groove-shaped receptacles 26, 27 are integrally formed on the outer circumference, in which in the region of a bottom 28 of the switch carrier 10, in the outer wall 29 recesses 30, 31 are introduced. In the region of the recesses 30, 31 bridging webs 32, 33 are integrally formed on the groove-shaped receivers 26, 27. The switch carrier 10 has, in the axial direction facing away from the bottom 28, a decreasing wall thickness, so that advantageous draft angles arise on the inner circumference and on the outer circumference.

The switch 11 comprises a cylindrical switch housing 34, from which a switch shaft 16 protrudes at an end face 35. On the same end face 35 are on the switch housing 34 in the longitudinal direction extending, on the switch shaft 16 protruding locking elements 36, 37 integrally formed. When mounting the switch 11 this can be easily inserted in the axial direction 38 with its locking elements 36, 37 in the groove-shaped receptacles 26, 27, wherein the locking elements 36, 37 by the webs 32, 33 radially inwardly into the recesses 30, 31st be deflected. In a continued axial movement, the locking elements 36, 37 spring back radially outward and engage behind their barb-shaped ends, the webs 32, 33 of the switch carrier 10 and thereby fix the switch 11 in the axial direction 38, 39 and circumferentially on the switch carrier 10. In the assembled state is between the switch 11 and the switch carrier 10, a lighting unit, not shown in arranged, which is engaged in the floor 28 of the switch carrier 10 in three evenly distributed in the circumferential direction arranged recesses 50, 51, 52. Further, for a further, not shown functional unit at the bottom 28 of the switch carrier 10 in the direction of the switch 11 extending latch hooks 53, 54 are integrally formed.

At the bottom 28 of the switch carrier 10, which is formed by a first plastic injection molded part, formed by a second plastic injection molded part, rotatably mounted shaft 13 is molded captive using a so-called two-component injection molding ( Fig. 1 and 3 ). In order to selectively achieve different material shrinkage in the switch carrier 10 and the molded shaft 13 and thereby conditionally advantageous play-free mounting of the shaft 13 in the switch carrier 10 in the manufacture, the switch carrier 10 and the shaft 13 different material components, and indeed the shaft 13th made of polyoxymethylene (POM) and the switch carrier 10 made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBTP). In particular, by the shaft 13 made of POM advantageous sliding properties of the shaft 13 can be achieved in the switch carrier 10 made of PBTP.

The switch carrier 10 is hosed down first. In order to obtain in particular an exact receiving area for the shaft 13, in the region of the bottom 28, three spray nozzles 23, 23 ', 23 "are distributed uniformly around the receiving area, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is indicated. In the receiving area, an annular recess 19 and in the axial direction in the axial direction facing away from the open side of the switch carrier 10 axial direction is formed in the axial direction to the open side of the switch carrier 10 outwardly extending oblique surface 22 in the radial direction. To the subsequently molded shaft 13, a coupling area adapted to the receiving area is formed, which in the axial direction to the open side of the switch carrier 10 has a first collar 20 engaging in the recess 19 and a second collar 24 in the axial direction facing away from the open side of the switch carrier 10 includes. The second collar 24 has a corresponding with the inclined surface 22 of the switch carrier 10 inclined surface 21 and forms an undercut 15. The shaft 13 is mounted on the first and second collar 20, 24 captive and backlash in the receiving area of the switch carrier 10.

In order to avoid unwanted accumulation of material and in particular to achieve an exact alignment and an accurate concentricity of the shaft 13, a needle-shaped component is arranged during the injection process in the shaft 13, which is mounted on the bottom 28 of the switch carrier 10 side facing in a corresponding injection mold and having a shaft 13 corresponding shape. The shaft 13 and the needle-shaped component have on their outer circumference in each case over the length of the Components extending flattening, wherein the flattening of the shaft 13 for forming a positive connection in the direction of rotation with an actuating shaft 17 of an actuating unit 12 is used ( Fig. 5 ). After the injection process, the needle-shaped component is removed from the shaft 13, so that in the shaft 13, a through-channel 47 remains.

In the assembled state, the molded onto the switch carrier 10 shaft 13 is coupled to the switch shaft 16 via an offset compensating Kardansteckkupplung 14. A first part 14 a of the particular tumbling movements of the switch shaft 16 compensating Kardansteckkupplung 14 is formed on a free end of the switch shaft 16 and a second part 14 b of the Kardansteckkupplung 14 is formed on a bottom 28 of the switch carrier 10 mounted end of the molded shaft 13. The integrally formed on the switch shaft 16 first part 14a of the Kardansteckkupplung 14 includes a pin-like element 40 which is configured at its free end 43 is substantially hemispherical and has a reduced diameter relative to the remaining switch shaft 16. Furthermore, the first part 14a of the cardan plug coupling 14 comprises two driving webs 41, 42 which are formed on the pin-like element 40 and which extend opposite one another and extend radially outward to the diameter of the remaining switch shaft 16.

The second part 14b of the gimbal coupling 14 formed on the shaft 13 is correspondingly adapted to the first part 14a of the gimbal coupling 14 and comprises a hemispherical recess 44 for the hemispherical end 43 of the pin-like element 40 and two radially outwardly extending groove-shaped recesses 45, 46 for the driving webs 41, 42. In the assembled state, the pin-like element 40 is inserted with the driving webs 41, 42 via a clamping connection in the recesses 44, 45, 46 of the shaft 13, so that largely a backlash-free and yet, in particular due to elastic deformations , offset compensating coupling of the shafts 13, 16 is achieved.

In the mounted state, the molded-on shaft 13 is coupled to the actuating shaft 17 of the actuating unit 12, which is embodied separately from the shaft 13 and by means of which the switch 11 can be actuated by an operator ( Fig. 5 ). The shaft 13 forms a bearing point for the actuating shaft 17, and indeed the actuating shaft 17 is mounted in the mounted state on the shaft 13 and is positively connected to the shaft 13 in the direction of rotation. In order to easily attach the operating shaft 17 to the shaft 13 and yet To achieve an at least largely free connection between the shaft 13 and the actuating shaft 17, an insertion bevel 18 is formed at a free end of the shaft 13.

To the actuating shaft 17 of the actuating unit 12, a heart curve, not shown, is formed in which a between the actuating shaft 17 and a knob 48 of the actuator 12 captive mounted metal pin is guided. The knob 48 is mounted axially displaceable and rotationally fixed on the actuating shaft 17 and can be secured via the heart cam and the metal pin in a lowered position and out of the lowered position again in an extended position. By a resulting during countersinking and extension stroke movement can be actuated with the actuating unit 12 another, not shown in detail switch element, which is mounted in a molded-on the inner circumference of the switch carrier channel 49.

reference numeral

10

support element

11

switch

12

operating unit

13

wave

14

clutch

15

undercut

16

switch shaft

17

actuating shaft

18

chamfer

19

recess

20

Federation

21

sloping surface

22

sloping surface

23

nozzle

24

Federation

25

bayonet catch

26

admission

27

admission

28

ground

29

outer wall

30

recess

31

recess

32

web

33

web

34

switch housing

35

front

36

locking element

37

locking element

38

direction

39

direction

40

element

41

Take Steg

42

Take Steg

43

The End

44

recess

45

recess

46

recess

47

channel

48

knob

49

channel

50

recess

51

recess

52

recess

53

latch hook

54

latch hook

Claims (11)

1. Rotary switch device, particularly for a domestic appliance, with a support element (10) and a switch (11), the switch shaft (16) of which is actuable by way of an actuating unit (12), characterised in that a shaft (13), which in the mounted state is coupled with the switch shaft (16) of the switch (11) by way of a coupling point, is injection-moulded at the support element (10) to be rotatable.
2. Rotary switch device according to claim 1, characterised in that the shaft (13) together with the support element (10) has an undercut (15).
3. Rotary switch device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in the mounted state the injection-moulded shaft (13) and the switch shaft (16) are coupled by way of a coupling (14) compensating for offset.
4. Rotary switch device according to claim 3, characterised in that at least a part of the coupling (14) is formed at the injection-moulded shaft (13) and/or at the switch shaft (16).
5. Rotary switch device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the injection-moulded shaft (13) in the mounted state is coupled with an actuating shaft (17), which is constructed separately from the shaft (13), of the actuating unit (12).
6. Rotary switch device according to claim 5, characterised in that the injection-moulded shaft (13) has an introduction chamfer (18) for coupling with the actuating shaft (17) of the actuating unit (12).
7. Rotary switch device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft (13) is mounted in the support element (10) by way of corresponding inclined surfaces (21, 22).
8. Rotary switch device according to any one of the preceding claim, characterised in that the support element (10) is formed by a switch carrier.
9. Rotary switch device according to claim 8, characterised in that the support element (10) and the switch (11) in the mounted state are connected by way of a detent connection.
10. Rotary switch device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft (13) has a channel (47).
11. Method for producing a rotary switch device, particularly for a domestic appliance, with a support element (10) and a switch (11), the switch shaft (16) of which is actuable by way of an actuating element (12), characterised in that the support element is injection-moulded by at least two injection-moulding nozzles (23, 23', 23"), that a shaft (13) is injection-moulded at the support element (10) to be rotatable and that the shaft (13) is, for mounting, coupled with the switch shaft (16) of the shaft (11) by way of a coupling point.

Images