EP1459339A1

EP1459339A1 - Electro-mechanism multiple contact switching device with additional time controlled functions

Info

Publication number: EP1459339A1
Application number: EP02787863A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Egon Feisthammel; Dieter Rosmann; Joachim Grützke; Ralf Grobleben
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: BR0215082A; WO2003054897A1; DE10163194A1; US20050017834A1

Abstract

In order to simplify and reduce the production costs of a multiple contact switch with a time function, the electro-mechanical switch can be manually operated and reset by an electric pulse. The inventive switch can be combined with other switches to form a device block switch as usually used in exhauster hoods, whereupon time-controlled intensive steps and time-delay steps can be created. .

Description

Electromechanical tap changer with time-controlled additional functions

The present invention relates to a switching device for controlling devices with a mechanical tap changer 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 a mechanical step switching element which can be switched into a plurality of switching positions, the step switching element having at least one first switching position into which it can be moved manually and from which it can be moved by an electrical pulse into a second switching position is resettable. The advantage of the switching device according to the present invention is that the mechanical tap changer with time function can be carried out by means of a time element, which results in significant cost advantages over purely electronic solutions from the prior art. Such a tap changer can be combined with 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 stand-by operation is necessary for the electromechanical tap changer 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 step switch with pushbuttons is also significantly less susceptible to faults than purely electronic pushbuttons. In particular with respect to electromagnetic interference, the essentially mechanically constructed push button switch can be certified to have a significantly higher electromagnetic compatibility.

Furthermore, the device to be controlled can be clearly separated from the mains using the electromechanical tap changer. 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 sketch of the principle of operation of an electromechanical tap changer according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a switching device with the invention

Step switch and several push buttons;

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

Figure 4A, 4B and 4C views of several variants of a control panel with

Rocker switches for an electromechanical tap changer according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a variant of the control panels of Figures 4A to C with an additional intensive level;

Figure 6 is a plan view of an inventive

Rotary switch as tap changer;

FIG. 7 shows a variant of the rotary switch according to FIG. 6; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of an inventive

Slide switch as a step switch.

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

To explain the principle of operation of the tap changer according to the invention, FIG. 1 shows a pushbutton which is held in the switched-on state after the 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 pushbutton switch then remains in this ON state, since the electrical contact element 4 is held against the spring force of the spring 2 by the permanent magnet 7 via the core of the electromagnet 6.

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 12 are designed as push button switches. The switch 8 is used to switch the light on and off. The switch 9 is used for resetting or switching off and for switching on the fan of the extractor hood.

Intensity levels of the fan or speed levels of the fan motor can be set with a step switch 10, 11. The tap changer 10, 11 is designed as a horizontal rotary switch with two push buttons. The fan level can be switched up using the (+) button 11 and switched down using the (-) button 10.

The rotary switch is coupled via a driver mechanism

Pushbutton moves. It is designed with the ability to turn in both directions to shift the steps up and down. When the fan is switched on and off by the

Button 9 remains the last selected fan level, which makes it more convenient

Way a memory function results. The extractor hood is also equipped with a run-on stage that can be activated using the button 12. Like the tap changer, the button 12 has a time-controlled release mechanism by means of magnetic field superimposition according to FIG. 1. Furthermore, the button 13 can be mechanically coupled to other buttons via slides for the follow-up stage, so that mutual triggering and locking against simultaneous pressing is ensured.

The run-on stage is in every operating state, i.e. in every fan level, switchable. It remains active for a specified period of time and then deactivates itself. The device switches off completely.

The run-on stage can be switched off at any time like the other stages using the switch-off or reset button 9. The fan then continues to run in the last stage used. In addition, the follow-up stage can also be switched off at any time by pressing the follow-up button 12 again. This turns the fan off.

The fan speed can be changed at any time during the run-on period. The fan then continues to run at the newly selected level for the remaining time.

A display field 13 with light-emitting diodes for displaying the active fan level is located between the buttons of the step switch 10, 11. Alternatively, a mechanical slide gate, which is coupled to the tap changer, is also conceivable.

The run-on function could also, in contrast to that shown in FIG. 2, be displayed via a light-emitting diode integrated in the button 12. It would also be conceivable to have a mechanical display element that is integrated in the push-button of the wake stage.

FIG. 3 shows the schematic view of an operating front of a pushbutton switch block which additionally has an intensive switching stage. In other words, the embodiment according to FIG. 3 comprises an intensive stage and a follow-up stage. The intensive stage preferably has a mechanical coupling to the post-stage. This is to ensure that either the intensive stage or the post-stage, but not both, can be switched simultaneously. The (+) button 11 of the step switch is used to activate the intensive level. The end position "+" of the rotary switch has a spring-assisted stop after stage 3. If you want to switch to the intensive stage, the spring force of the stop must be overcome by pressing the button again. A timer element explained in connection with FIG. 1 is installed at this end position. The timer element holds the rotary switch in the intensive stage position for the predetermined period.

The intensive level enables a short shift up to a maximum engine speed range. It can be switched on after stage 3 of the fan and remains switched on for the specified period of time, unless it is interrupted by the pushbutton switch 9 by switching off the fan motor. After the intensive level has been switched on, the electromagnet releases the contact and a switching element is automatically pushed back to position 3 by a spring-supported stop. The fan then continues to run at level 3. The intensive level can also be switched off manually at any time by means of the button 10 before the specified time period has expired.

The tap changer according to the invention can also be used to control other special functions in addition to the intensive or follow-up function. Advantageously, the tap changer is part of a modular system, which further pressure switches, e.g. Buttons 8, 9 and 12 are included and can be used to implement any control panel concept.

In the following, further embodiments of the electromechanical tap changer according to the invention are explained in connection with FIGS. 4 to 8. Their basic functions correspond to those which have already been described in connection with the push-button tap changers according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 4A shows the operating front of a switch block for extractor hoods with rocker switches. In a basic version, a rocker switch 14 is provided for switching the light of the extractor hood on and off. The rocker switch 15 is used for switching on and off as the main switch of the fan. The rocker switch 16 is used to switch the speed of the fan motor up or down in several stages. A stage display 17 informs the operator of the currently active fan stage. FIG. 4B shows an expanded version of the tap changer with rocker buttons according to FIG. 4A. In this variant, the fan stage switch is designed in four stages, which can be seen on the stage display 17. It is advantageous if the extended version has a memory function so that the last fan level used is saved.

In a top version, which is shown in FIG. 4C, the rocker switch according to the invention has a follow-up function in addition to the features of the variant shown in FIG. 4B. For this purpose, the rocker switch 15 is designed such that it has three switch positions. In the ZERO position, the rocker is not tilted, in the ON position of the fan, the rocker is tilted to the right, and in the ON position of the overrun function, the rocker is tilted to the left. After the run-on time has elapsed, the rocker of the rocker switch 15 automatically jumps from the position tilted to the left into the horizontal ZERO position.

The mode of operation of the rocker switch is similar to the push-button switch according to FIGS. 2 and 3. Here too, you can choose between continuous operation and a time-limited operating period (run-on). The activated overrun is indicated by a light indicator. The operating time for the run-on can be set at the factory, and in the case of further development it can also be selected by the customer.

Both the run-on operation and the continuous operation can be interrupted by switching the rocker switch 15 to the ZERO position. The last used stage remains set on the step switch 16, so that a memory function results.

The follow-up function is not tied to a specific level. Rather, it can be called up at any level. In addition, the selected run-on level can also be changed at any time during the run-on period. The fan then runs in the newly selected stage for the remaining time.

The run-on stage can also be interrupted by switching to continuous operation. During this switchover from run-on to continuous operation, the fan continues to run in the last run-on stage used. FIG. 5 shows a variant of the rocker stage switch with an additional time-controlled intensive stage. This additional function can only be recognized externally on the stage display 17 by means of a light-emitting diode specially assigned for the intensive stage.

As in the embodiments according to FIGS. 4a to 4c, the tap changer 16 has a rocker, the rocking movement of which is converted into a rotary movement for actuating a rotary switch. The individual fan levels, including the intensive level, correspond to a rotary position of the rotary switch. The right end position of the rotary switch has a spring-assisted stop. If you want to operate the intensive level, you have to overcome the spring force of the stop by pressing the "(+)" key and continue to turn the rotary switch toggle from the "Level 3" position. For this purpose, a further time switch element is installed in addition to that for the run-on function. The timer can be used to hold the rotary switch magnetically in the "intensive level" position.

When the intensive stage has switched on, the electromagnet releases the intensive stage and the rotary switch is automatically moved back to the "stage 3" position by the spring-assisted stop. The fan then continues to stage 3.

If you want to interrupt the intensive level before the scheduled time has expired, you can switch back to level 3 by pressing the "minus" button. To do this, you only have to overcome the holding force of the magnet. This means that no electrical pulse is required for the electromagnet to interrupt.

One or more time switching elements can be used for the switch block of FIG. If two time switch elements are used, they can be programmed for different operating times. For example, the intensive level could be switched back to level 3 after just five minutes and the run-on function operated for 15 minutes. If only one central time switching element is used, two holding magnets are actuated by it. This further reduces the costs for the electronic components. As already mentioned, the tap changer with the pushbuttons according to FIGS. 2 and 3 and the tap changer with the rocker buttons according to FIGS. 4a to 5 are preferably implemented by a rotary switch installed horizontally. It is therefore advisable to design the tap changer with a rotary knob 18 as an operating element according to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the variant shown in FIG. 6, the light switch 19 is designed as a conventional push-button switch, so that the light and step switches are present separately. The fan level switch switches three basic levels of fan motor speeds. The right end position of the rotary switch, like the rocker switch described above, has a spring-assisted stop for the time switch element of the intensive stage. This results in the mode of operation already described above.

In the left end position of the rotary switch, the switch reaches its ZERO position. This end position also has a spring-supported stop. If the force of the stop is overcome, the run-on function is activated. The run-on function is controlled by a second timer element analogous to the mode of operation of the intensive stage. When the run-on function of the run-on function has expired, the magnet releases and the switching element is automatically pushed into the ZERO position via the spring-supported stop. The device switches off. Here too, the follow-up function can be switched off, analogously to the intensive stage, before the intended period of time has elapsed, by actuating the knob or the rotary knob 18.

FIG. 7 shows a rotary knob variant in which the light switch is combined with the step switch. The control of the fan levels works analogously to the previous version, i.e. a rotary movement of the toggle is required to switch. In contrast, the light switch is switched in the axial direction by actuating the toggle. For this purpose, the toggle is coupled to a microswitch. The toggle can be locked when the light is switched on using a Hertz curve with short travel paths or magnetically using a permanent magnet.

A further variant of the rotary stage switch is that the fan stages are controlled by rotating the knob according to the embodiment in FIG. 6, and the follow-up stage is also carried out by turning the knob beyond the ZERO position activated and the intensive stage is switched analogously to the embodiment according to FIG. 7 by pressing the toggle. The initially active level is switched off and the intensive level is activated. The toggle is magnetically held in the "intensive level ON" position. After the time for the intensive level has elapsed, the magnet releases and the switching element switches back to the level originally used, ie to any level previously used.

The intensive level can be interrupted at any time by pulling the gag. The switching element then automatically switches back to the level originally used.

Versions with one or two time switch elements, as already described above, are also conceivable in the rotary switch version. The concept of the modular system can also be used here. This would enable switches with intensive level and overrun, switches only with intensive level, switches only with overrun and pure step switches without extras.

Figure 8 shows the implementation of the tap changer as a slide switch. The light switch has the switch positions "on" 20 and "off" 21. The fan level switch has the switching levels "run-on" 22, "off" 23, "level 1" 24, "level 2" 25, "level 3" 26 and "intensive" "27. The right end position of the slide switch in turn has a spring-assisted stop of a timer element already described above. If you want to interrupt the intensive level before the specified time has elapsed, slide the slider back to position "Level 3". All you have to do is overcome the holding force of the magnet.

In the left end position of the slide switch, the switch reaches its ZERO position. This ZERO position can be overcome to activate a run-on function against the spring force of a second timer element. Here, too, basically the same variants of the tap changer are conceivable as for the push button, rocker or rotary button tap changer.

In summary, it can be stated that the above concept realizes an electromechanical switch whose operating characteristics are based on the electronic controls already used, but which is considerably cheaper in price. This is possible because robust mass-produced parts with modified and new developed components can be combined to form a switch with a time function. With this new type of switch, new types of device block switches with several switches can usually also be realized with a reduced size. 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

a mechanical tap changer that can be switched into several switching positions (22 to 27)

characterized in that

the tap changer element has at least one first switching position (22, 27), into which it can be moved manually and from which it can be reset to a second switching position (23, 26) by an electrical pulse.

2. Switching device according to claim 1, wherein the step switching element (1 to 7) can be fixed by magnetic force in the first position (22, 27).

3. Switching device according to claim 2 with a permanent magnet (7) which applies the magnetic force for the first switching position (22, 27), and an electromagnet (6) whose magnetic field 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 from the first switching position (22, 27) into the second switching position (23, 26).

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 such that the step switching element by the spring force of the spring (2) in the second switching position ( 23, 26) is reset.

6. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a time switching element for emitting the electrical pulse for resetting the step switching element after a selectable period of time.

7. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step switching element comprises a rotary switch.

8. Switching device according to claim 7, wherein the rotary switch via at least two push buttons (10, 11) or a rocker button (16) can be actuated.

9. Switching device according to claim 8, wherein a step indicator (13), in particular with light-emitting diodes, is arranged between the pushbuttons (10, 11).

10. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step switching element comprises a slide switch.

11. Device, in particular household appliance, air conditioning or ventilation device, with a switching device according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a plurality of intensity levels including an intensive level and / or post-stage can be switched by the step switching element.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein functionalities of the device, in particular intensity levels, are freely selectable during the wake.