EP1459338A1

EP1459338A1 - Electromechanical push-button switch with time-controlled additional functions

Info

Publication number: EP1459338A1
Application number: EP02781336A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Egon Feisthammel; Dieter Rosmann
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-11-28
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Also published as: WO2003054896A1; US20040263298A1; DE10163193A1; US7726297B2; BR0215230A

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical switch. In order to simplify and reduce the production costs of a push-button switch, especially a push switch or a rocker switch, said switch has time functions, is manually operated and can be reset by an electric pulse. The inventive electromechanical rocker or push-button switch can be combined to form a device block switch with other rocker or push-button switches as usually used in exhauster hoods. As a result, time-controlled intensive and follow-up steps can be carried out.

Description

Electromechanical key switch with time-controlled additional functions

The present invention relates to a switching device for controlling devices with at least one mechanical key switch for mechanically switching a functionality of a device. In particular, the present invention relates to a switching device for controlling the intensity levels of an extractor hood.

An extractor hood with electronic control is known from US Pat. No. 5,690,093 A1. The control unit essentially consists of a microprocessor that controls the fan motor accordingly. The desired functions must be entered using a keyboard. In addition to several pushbuttons for different intensity levels, there is also a pushbutton for the run-on of the extractor hood. However, the push buttons only serve as a pulse generator for the microprocessor. There is therefore a purely electronic touch control. Such electronic key controls are relatively expensive in terms of manufacturing costs.

An electric rocker switch is known from German published patent application DE 198 02 332 A 1, in which a movable contact part bridges fixed contacts. The movable contact part is loaded by a spring after one switching position and by a magnet in the other switching position, which is designed as a permanent magnet. The magnetic field of this permanent magnet can be influenced by the magnetic field of an electromagnet in such a way that the preloaded movable contact part is transferred into its other switching position when the magnetic field of the electromagnet is built up.

The object of the present invention is to propose a switching device with lower manufacturing costs, with which a device can be controlled.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a switching device for controlling devices with at least one mechanical push-button switch for mechanically switching a functionality of a device, the at least one mechanical push-button switch being resetable by an electrical pulse. In addition, the above object is achieved by a switching device for controlling devices with a plurality of mechanical key switches, in particular rocker switches, for mechanically switching a number of functionalities of a device, at least one of the mechanical key switches being able to be operated manually and being reset by an electrical pulse.

The advantage of the switching device according to the present invention is that a mechanical push button switch or a button switch combination with a time function can be implemented, which results in significant cost advantages over purely electronic solutions from the prior art. Such a rocker or push button switch with time function can be combined with further rocker or push button switches and other switches to form a switch block for household appliances, air conditioning and ventilation devices, small appliances and the like.

Further advantages are that no standby operation is necessary for the electromechanical key switch according to the invention, since this can always be operated mechanically. This means that the not inconsiderable energy consumption for stand-by operation can be eliminated.

The electromechanical key switch is also significantly less susceptible to faults than purely electronic pressure switches. In particular with regard to electromagnetic interference, the essentially mechanically constructed rocker switch or pushbutton switch can be certified as having a significantly higher electromagnetic compatibility.

Furthermore, the device to be controlled can be clearly separated from the mains using the electromechanical key switch. This is not only advantageous for safety aspects, but also for the design of other electronic components of the device.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electromechanical push button according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a switching device with several push buttons;

Figure 3 shows a variant of the switching device according to Figure 2;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are perspective views of switching states of a four-way rocker switch according to the invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are perspective views of switching states of a five-way rocker switch according to the invention; and

Figures 6A and 6B are perspective bottom views of the switch of Figures 5A to 5D.

The following exemplary embodiments represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a pushbutton which is kept in the switched-on state after actuation and can be switched off by an electrical pulse after a desired time interval. A button element 1 is held resiliently by a spiral spring 2 against a housing 3, which is only shown in part. An electrical contact element 4 is attached to the end of the touch element 1 opposite the touch surface. The electrical contact element 4 is opposed in the direction of movement of the push button by an electrical counter contact 5 which is arranged on one side of the core of an electromagnet 6. A permanent magnet 7 is located at the other end of the core of the electromagnet 6.

If the button is now operated manually, the electrical contact between the contact elements 4 and 5 closes, so that the button is in an electrical ON state. The push button switch then remains in this ON state, since the electrical contact element 4 is held by the permanent magnet 7 above the core of the electromagnet 6 against the spring force of the spring 2. To switch the push button switch to the OFF state, a short pulse is applied to the electromagnet 6. The electrical pulse is directed so that its magnetic field generated in the coil of the electromagnet counteracts the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 7. As a result, the magnetic force exerted on the electrical contact element 4 is reduced, so that the spring 2 presses the pushbutton element 1 upward, opens the electrical contact and thus sets the pushbutton switch in the OFF state.

The electrical pulse for the electromagnet 6 can be a control pulse from a control device, not shown, in particular the pulse of a time switching element.

Figure 2 shows schematically a front view of an operating element of an extractor hood. All switches 8 to 13 are designed as push button switches. The switch 8 is used to switch the light on and off. The switch 9 is used to reset or switch off the fan of the extractor hood. The switches 10, 11 and 12 correspond to corresponding intensity levels of the fan or speed levels of the fan motor. The buttons 9 to 12 are mechanically coupled in such a way that they trigger each other when a button is pressed and a simultaneous pressing of the buttons is mechanically prevented.

The push button switch 13 is used to activate an intensive level. The intensive level means a short shift up to the maximum speed range. This intensive level expands the conventional switch block 8 to 12 by a full-value intensive level with the aid of a push-button switch 13 with a time function. The intensive level is in every operating state, i. H. at any speed of the fan motor, switchable. It remains switched on for the specified period, unless it is interrupted by the pushbutton switch 9 by switching off the fan motor. After the specified period of time, the intensive level deactivates itself. The device then continues to run in the level originally used.

For this additional intensive level, the switch for the intensive level must be mechanically decoupled from the other switches. The pushbutton 13 for the intensive stage is also preferably equipped with its own time switching element. When the intensive level is activated, the previously active level is switched off and only then is the intensive level activated. As already mentioned, the intensive level can be switched off manually at any time before the specified period of time has expired.

When the intensive level is switched off, whether automatically or manually, the previously used level is automatically activated, as already mentioned. The button of this level is still in the actuated position so that the operator can recognize the last level used.

According to a further embodiment, the extractor hood is equipped with a trailing stage instead of an intensive stage. The keys 8 to 12 are assigned, as in the first embodiment. However, the switch block has been expanded to include a full trailing stage. In contrast to the first embodiment, the button 13 for the follower stage is mechanically coupled to the other buttons 9 to 12 via sliders, so that mutual triggering and locking against simultaneous pressing is ensured.

The follow-up stage, like the intensive stage, can be activated in any operating state. When the overrun level is activated, each previously active level is unlocked. The follow-up stage remains active for a specified period of time and then deactivates itself. The device switches off completely. Like the other stages, the run-on stage can be switched off using the switch-off or reset button 9. It can also be switched off by switching on another stage.

FIG. 3 shows the schematic view of an operating front of a pushbutton switch block, which represents a combination of the embodiments shown in connection with FIG. 2. In other words, the embodiment according to FIG. 3 comprises an intensive stage and a follow-up stage. For this purpose, the switch block of FIG. 2 is expanded by a push button 14. Here too, as in the previous embodiment, the button for the overrun function is mechanically coupled to the buttons of the remaining stages. The intensive level has no mechanical coupling to the fan levels corresponding to buttons 10 to 12, but has a mechanical coupling to the run-on level. This is to ensure that either the intensive stage or the post-stage, but not both, can be switched simultaneously. FIGS. 4A to 4D show perspective views of a rocker switch block according to the invention which contains four rockers 15, 16, 17 and 18 as operating elements. In the case of an extractor hood, these rockers are assigned the following functions: The rocker switch 15 is used to switch the light of an extractor hood on or off. With the rocker switch 16, the fan of the extractor hood can be switched on in a step "1" or switched off in a step "0". By means of the rocker switch 17, the fan can be switched up to a stage "2". Finally, the rocker switch 18 is used to activate an intensive level.

Figure 4A now shows an initial position of the rocker switch block. All rockers are in the same position here. When stage 1 is switched on according to FIG. 4B, the rocker 16 is actuated and mechanically held in its position. The fan of the extractor hood runs at level 1.

FIG. 4C shows the fan stage 2 being switched on. For this purpose, the rocker 17 is actuated and the rocker 16 for the stage 1 remains in its switched-on position according to FIG. 4B if it was previously switched on.

The rockers 15 to 18 can be mechanically coupled to one another in a functionally meaningful manner. Thus, when level 2 is turned on directly, i.e. stage 1 was not yet switched on, the rocker 16 for stage 1 is also brought into the switched-on position via the driver.

FIG. 4D finally shows the rocker switch position with the intensive stage switched on. In contrast to the other switches 15 to 17, the rocker switch 18 for the intensive stage is time-controlled. This means that it is magnetically held in contact position after actuation. After the end of the duration for the intensive stage, the rocker 18 is brought into its starting position by a spring. The intensive level switches off automatically. After the automatic switch-off of the intensive stage, the rocker switch position according to FIG. 4C results and the device continues to run in fan stage 2. As already explained in connection with stage 2, the rocker 18 for the intensive stage can also be mechanically coupled to the rockers 16 and 17. The rockers 16 and 17 are thus automatically brought into the switch-on position according to FIG. 4D when the rocker 18 is actuated. The intensive stage can be switched off at any time by actuating the rocker 18. The device then switches back to the maximum normal level, ie level 2 in the present case. However, the intensive stage can also be switched off in that stage 0, ie the device, is switched off with the rocker 16. The housing 19 of the rocker switch block comprises a cuboid receptacle 20 below the rocker switch 18 for mounting a timer element. In principle, the time switch element has the structure according to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show perspective views of a five-way rocker switch block according to the invention. The rockers 15 to 18 have the same functions as those in the four-way rocker switch block according to FIGS. 4A to 4D. In addition, however, there is a further time-controlled rocker switch 21 for a follow-up function. Accordingly, the five-way rocker switch block has, in addition to the time switching element for the intensive stage, a further time switching element in an additional receptacle 22 for the follow-up function.

In the starting position according to FIG. 5A, the rocker 21 for the follow-up function is raised from the position of the other rockers 15 to 18. This has proven to be advantageous for operating an extractor hood. Similar to the four-way rocker switch block, the rockers are mechanically coupled to one another with drivers.

The switching of stage 1, stage 2 and intensive stage takes place, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, in accordance with the four-way rocker switch block according to FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D. When the overrun function is actuated, the rocker 21 is magnetically held in the contact position, as is the case with the rocker 18 for the intensive stage. All other rockers are brought into their zero position via a mechanical driver. This also applies to the rocker switch 18 of the intensive level.

After the end of the overrun function, the rocker 21 is brought into its initial position by a spring. After the automatic switch-off, the switch position corresponds to that of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective underside views of the five-way rocker switch block according to FIGS. 5A to 5D. Below the rocker 18 for the time-controlled intensive stage, the cuboid receptacle 20 for a control element 23 is provided in the base of the five-way rocker switch block. Likewise, the cuboid receptacle 22 for a control element 24 for the follow-up function is provided below the rocker 21.

As the exploded drawing in FIG. 6B shows, the control elements 23 and 24 are pushed into the receptacles 20 and 22 and preferably clipped in there. The control element is pushed with the magnet ahead through the base 19. The rocker 21 is covered on the underside with an iron-containing material that adheres to the magnet.

In summary, it can therefore be stated that an electromechanical switch is implemented with this, which is oriented in its operating characteristics to the electronic controls already used, but is considerably less expensive. This is possible by combining robust mass-produced parts with modified and newly developed components to form a pushbutton switch or a switch block with a time function. This new switch can also be used to implement device block switches with several switches. The area of application of the switch or block switch is not limited to the range of extractor hoods, but can also extend to any household appliances, air conditioning or ventilation devices, small appliances etc.

Claims

claims

1. Switching device for controlling devices with at least one mechanical push button switch (1 to 7) for mechanical switching of a functionality

Device, characterized in that the at least one mechanical

Push button switch (1 to 7) can be operated manually and reset by an electrical pulse.

2. Switching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical push button switch (1 to 7) can be fixed in a first position by magnetic force.

3. Switching device according to claim 2 with a permanent magnet (7), which applies the magnetic force for the first switching position, and an electromagnet (6), the magnetic field of which can be superimposed on the magnetic field of the permanent magnet (7).

4. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims with a spring element (2) to support a reset movement of the mechanical push button switch.

5. Switching device according to claim 4, wherein the electromagnet (6) is designed such that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet (7) is temporarily reduced by the electrical pulse so that the mechanical push button switch is reset by the spring force of the spring (2).

6. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a time switching element for emitting the electrical pulse for resetting the at least one mechanical pushbutton switch (1 to 7) after a selectable period of time.

7. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of mechanical pushbutton switches are mechanically coupled, in particular via a slide.

8. Switching device according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of mechanical pushbutton switches are mechanically coupled such that a plurality of them can be reset together by the electrical pulse.

9. Switching device for controlling devices with several mechanical key switches, in particular rocker switches, for mechanical switching of several functionalities of a device, characterized in that at least one of the mechanical key switches can be operated manually and reset by an electrical pulse.

10. Switching device according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the plurality of mechanical key switches are mechanically coupled, in particular via a slide.

11. Switching device according to claim 10, wherein the mechanical key switches are mechanically coupled such that a plurality of them can be reset together by the electrical pulse.

12. Device, in particular household appliance, air conditioning or ventilation device, with a switching device according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a plurality of intensity levels can be switched on and off by a key switch, in particular a push-button switch, and an intensive level can be switched off in a time-controlled manner by the electrical pulse according to one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the or a further mechanical switch resettable by an electrical pulse is provided for a follow-up function, so that a selected functionality of the device can be switched off after a predetermined or predeterminable time.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein functionalities of the device, in particular intensity levels, are freely selectable during the wake.