EP1479088B1 - Modular electrical breaker and electrical breaker device comprising at least one such breaker - Google Patents

Modular electrical breaker and electrical breaker device comprising at least one such breaker Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1479088B1
EP1479088B1 EP03718914A EP03718914A EP1479088B1 EP 1479088 B1 EP1479088 B1 EP 1479088B1 EP 03718914 A EP03718914 A EP 03718914A EP 03718914 A EP03718914 A EP 03718914A EP 1479088 B1 EP1479088 B1 EP 1479088B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
circuit board
printed circuit
switching element
switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03718914A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1479088A1 (en
Inventor
Joël GAUZIN
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Apem
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Apem
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
    • H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
    • H01H11/0018—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches for allowing different operating parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/006—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button adapted for connection with printed circuit boards

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical switch and an electrical switching device having a number of such switches.
  • dashboard of a vehicle such as a truck, a bus, a boat, a construction or agricultural machinery, or any other type of vehicle.
  • a dashboard of a vehicle such as a truck, a bus, a boat, a construction or agricultural machinery, or any other type of vehicle.
  • it can also be applied to control boxes of machine tools.
  • the electrical switches of the switching device are assembled to a plate of the vehicle dashboard or of the control box of the machine tool, each switch comprising at least one switching element of the micro-switch type fixed by soldering to a printed circuit board secured to the plate behind it by being parallel thereto, the switching element ensuring a desired function and determined, for example switch or inverter in the electronics implanted on the card printed circuit board.
  • the electrical switch further comprises a control gear toggle box of the switching element passing through the dashboard plate being integral, that is to say one-piece, with the switching element, the flip-flop being accessible from the outside so that an operator can control the switching element.
  • This known switching device has the disadvantage of permanently freezing the determined electrical switching function of each set of switching element and control box and, therefore, not to allow some flexibility of change of such a function, other than being forced to unsolder this assembly of the printed circuit board to replace it with another different set, often difficult operation to implement.
  • the electrical functions performed by some of these switches must be changed in a scalable way for the switch to complete not only the electrical function that has been assigned to it but also an additional electrical function.
  • Such could be the case, for example, of an electrical switch originally intended to control the code lights of the truck and which must also be used subsequently to control fog lights not originally present. In this case, it is currently necessary to completely replace the entire switch after desoldering thereof by another switch intended to perform this new additional function by binding the latter on the printed circuit board and rewiring it again fog lights.
  • DE-A-4137890 discloses a modular electrical switch comprising a first switching element fixed by soldering on a printed circuit board to perform a specific electrical function and a control flip-flop provided for controlling the first switching element, a control flip-flop is removably attached relative to the switching element so that it can be replaced by another different control flip-flop for controlling the first switching element so as to change the electrical function or the control mode. actuation of the first switching element with respect to the previous control unit.
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantage of known switching devices by proposing interchangeable electrical switches enabling the function of each of these switches to be modified at will without the delicate operation of desoldering thereof from the card. printed circuit board.
  • the electrical switch of the invention is according to claim 1.
  • Each control rocker housing includes two resilient locking side tabs that are resiliently snap-engaged respectively in two openings of the printed circuit board to removably secure the housing relative to each switching element that is housed in that housing.
  • each box further comprises, integrated in it, at least one optical guide, such as an optical fiber, for backscattering light to the control lever from a light source, such as a electroluminescent diode, fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board.
  • at least one optical guide such as an optical fiber
  • a light source such as a electroluminescent diode
  • Each control lever is made of a plastic material and comprises at least one symbol visible from the outside, such as a pictogram, made by the so-called in-mold technique (over-molding on film).
  • the invention also proposes an electrical switching device with several electrical switches assembled in particular on a plate of a vehicle dashboard, such as a truck, a boat, a public works machine, a forklift, or the like, each switch comprising at least one switching element fixed by welding to a printed circuit board secured to the plate behind it by being substantially parallel thereto, and a flip-flop housing for controlling the switching element passing through the dashboard plate with the externally accessible flip-flop, and characterized in that each housing is removably attached interchangeably to the printed circuit board by enclosing therein the switching element and can be replaced by another different control box for differently controlling the switching element.
  • a vehicle dashboard such as a truck, a boat, a public works machine, a forklift, or the like
  • each switch comprising at least one switching element fixed by welding to a printed circuit board secured to the plate behind it by being substantially parallel thereto, and a flip-flop housing for controlling the switching element passing through the dashboard plate with the externally accessible flip-flop, and characterized in that each housing is
  • the device advantageously comprises two switching elements that can be associated with each control flip-flop and at least one of the switching elements or the two switching elements can be controlled according to the type of control unit chosen to achieve a mode. particular switching or electrical function of the controlled switching element.
  • Each housing comprises a plastron covering the opening of the plate through which the housing is assembled and which can be adjusted and fixed to a position relative to the housing, the plastron being removably attached to the housing by two lateral fingers of the housing engaging elastically respectively on lateral notches of the plastron.
  • Each control box is removably attached to the printed circuit board by two resilient lateral locking tabs secured to the housing and engageable by latching respectively in two openings of the printed circuit board.
  • the electrical switching device of the invention will be described in the application to a dashboard of a vehicle, such as a truck, a bus, a boat, a construction or agricultural machinery, a forklift, or like, but it is understood that it can also be applied to other types of support such as control interface electronic circuit boards of any type of apparatus, equipment or machine, such as than for example a machine tool.
  • the electrical switching device comprises several electrical switches 1, for example three in number, each of which is preferably of the manually operated control rocker type 2, and connected to a plate 3 of a switchboard. edge of the vehicle so that the symbols 2a, such as pictograms, each control lever 2 are visible from the outside.
  • Each electrical switch 1 comprises a casing 4 in which is pivotally mounted the control lever 2, passing through a rectangular passage opening 5 of the dashboard plate 3 and having a front plate 6 for receiving the upper control flip-flop 2 7 bearing on the outer face of the plate 3 to cover the passage opening 5 of the housing 4 of the switch.
  • the switch further comprises at least one switching element 8 of the microswitch type fixed by welding to a plate or printed circuit board 9 to perform a specific electrical function, such as that of a switch, an inverter, in association with the various electronic components (not shown) fixed on this card to perform specific control and / or control functions.
  • a specific electrical function such as that of a switch, an inverter
  • Each switching element 8 consists of a small housing or base 10 soldered to the board 9 and a small push button-shaped switching member 11 housed in the base 10 and movable therein under the control of the flip-flop 2 to make the desired electrical contact on the printed circuit of the card 9.
  • the card 9 is fixed parallel to the dashboard plate 3 behind it by any appropriate means, such as sets screw and spacers schematically 12 ( Figures 2 and 3).
  • each switch 1 is removably attached to the circuit board printed 9 so as to house therein the switching element 8 to allow its actuation.
  • the casing 4 comprises two resilient lateral locking tabs 13 integrally molded with the casing 4 and being able to engage elastically by latching respectively in two openings of the card 9 made in the form of rectangular notches cut in each side of the casing. card 9 being aligned with each other.
  • Each locking lug 13 has its hook-shaped end 13a bearing on the corresponding face of the card 9 opposite to that comprising the switching element 8 to lock the housing 4 to the card 9, the housing 4 having its part lower open allowing passage of the switching element 8 and bearing by its lower edge on the card 9.
  • the housings 4 of the various electrical switches 1 are interchangeable, which already allows a user to choose from the various electrical switches available one that will correspond to the desired electrical function of the switching element 8 and its operating mode by the corresponding flip-flop 2, for example a permanent operating mode in which flip-flop 2 occupies a corresponding fixed position or a mode of impulse actuation at which flip-flop 2 returns to its original position after tilting thereof.
  • each switch housing 4 comprises in it the various mechanical members for defining the operating mode of the associated switching element 8 in its desired function.
  • These members are known per se and may be constituted as shown in the figures by a lever 15 pivotally mounted in the faceplate 6 about a transverse axis under the action of the rocker 2 in a direction to actuate the switching element.
  • corresponding 8 and two identical parallel parts 16 fixed in the housing 4 below the lever 15 and each having at least one ramp 16a whose shape defines the operating mode of the switching element 8 associated with its electrical function by moving thereon an arm 17 forming an integral part lever 15 to allow it to follow the shape of the ramp 16a.
  • Each arm 17 has its lower free end comprising a member.
  • the lever 15 has its two arms 15a each fork-shaped for vertically driving a piston P actuating the switching member 11 of the element 8, the piston P being mounted between the two arms of the lever arm associate 15a.
  • Each electrical switch thus has its own internal configuration associated with the electrical function of the switching element 8.
  • two switching elements 8 are soldered on the printed circuit board 9 while being housed in the corresponding housing 4 configured to actuate suitably one or the other of the members 11 of the two switching elements 8 by switching over. the rocker 2.
  • the switching in a given direction of the flip-flop 2 of a switch makes it possible to actuate the associated switching element 8 operating as a switch, while the tilting of the flip-flop 2 in the other direction makes it possible to actuate the other switching element 8 operating in an inverter.
  • the switching in one direction of the flip-flop is of the impulse type for controlling the associated switching element 8 which will then supply a pulse signal to an electrical circuit of the card 9.
  • the interchangeability of the different switches also makes it possible to add an optional electrical function.
  • the original switch associated with two switching elements 8 may be of the type allowing to operate only one of these two elements and if a new electrical function was to be required later using the other switching element 8 , it suffices to replace the housing 4 of the original switch by another different switch housing 4 to also control the second switching element 8.
  • the addition of a new function of electrical control by simple change of switch housing could consist of controlling fog lights of this vehicle not originally containing.
  • the electrical function changes of the different switching elements by interchangeability of the switch boxes with different internal controls can be facilitated by multiplexing circuits to avoid the addition and / or removal of electrical wires forming part of the wiring present between the card printed circuit board and the various devices to be controlled and / or controlled by the vehicle.
  • the assembly consisting of the housing 4 and the front plate 6 of each electrical switch is made of a plastic material as the latch 2 whose symbols or pictograms 2a representing a specific function are made by the so-called in-mold technique allowing any possibility of color and / or shape of symbols and pictograms and especially allowing an unalterable marking of these symbols or pictograms over time.
  • each electrical switch may include in its housing 4 one or more optical light guides 18, such as optical fibers, for backscattering light to the control lever 2 from a light source (not shown), such as a light-emitting diode, fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board and facing the corresponding optical guide 18 when the housing 4 is fixed to the printed circuit board 9.
  • a light source such as a light-emitting diode
  • the lighting of the light sources can be managed by the control electronics present on the printed circuit of the card 9 to ensure daylight and / or night lighting levels of the flip-flops 2 and / or the validation of the functions associated with the switching elements 8.
  • each electrical switch may be such that the front plate 6 is an independent molded piece mounted in the housing 4 after attachment of the latter to the printed circuit board 9.
  • This configuration may be of interest to allow the mounting of the front plate by the before the plate 3 of the dashboard and, advantageously, the plastron 6 -compendorte, carried out on a portion of its two side walls, a series of notches 19 extending longitudinally on which can snap elastically a lateral finger 20 to curved end molding with the housing 4 and for locking the plastron 6 to a relative position in the housing 4 to catch up any differences in dimension that may exist between the printed circuit board 9 and the dashboard plate 3.
  • Such an assembly of the front plate 6 to the housing 4 allows the latter to be mounted by the rear of the plate 3 when it has been previously locked to the printed circuit board 9 or the front of the plate 3 when the housing 4 must be locked to the card 9 after the latter has been fixed behind the plate 3.
  • Each casing 4 comprises two pins 21 for positioning the casing 4 on the card 9 and thus with respect to the associated switching elements 8.
  • the two pins 21 project from the lower edge of the lower rectangular section portion of the casing 4 while being diagonally opposite. and respectively engaging in two conjugate holes of the card 9.
  • the various electrical switch modules that can be implemented indifferently on the printed circuit board 9 make it possible to modify at will the electrical function or functions performed by the switching elements 8 without any delicate operation of desoldering these elements.
  • This design not only allows flexibility in modifying the electrical functions performed by the electrical switches, but also a perfect adaptability to multiplexing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)

Abstract

The electrical switch includes a switching element (8) soldered on to a printed circuit board (9). A cover box (4) carrying the pivoting switch is attached, but can be replaced by an alternative cover in order to provide the switch with different operating characteristics. The modular electrical switch comprises at least one switching element (8) fixed by soldering on to a printed circuit board (9). A box (4) includes a pivoting control element (2) for the switch. The box (4) is removably attached to the switching element, and may be replaced by an alternative box in order to change the electrical function of the switch element, or its mode of operation. The box includes two elastic side tabs (13) which can be engaged in apertures in the printed circuit board, enabling the attachment and removal of the cover. The switch may also include an optical fibre (18) co-operating with a diode light source attached the circuit board to indicate operation of the switch.

Description

La présente invention concerne un commutateur électrique ainsi qu'un dispositif de commutation électrique comportant un certain nombre de tels commutateurs.The present invention relates to an electrical switch and an electrical switching device having a number of such switches.

Elle s'applique notamment et de manière non limitative à un tableau de bord d'un véhicule, tel qu'un camion, un autobus, un bateau, un engin de travaux publics ou agricoles, ou tout autre type de véhicule. A titre d'exemple, elle peut également s'appliquer à des boîtiers de commande de machines outils.It applies in particular and in a non-limiting manner to a dashboard of a vehicle, such as a truck, a bus, a boat, a construction or agricultural machinery, or any other type of vehicle. By way of example, it can also be applied to control boxes of machine tools.

Dans chacune de ces applications, les commutateurs électriques du dispositif de commutation sont assemblés à une plaque du tableau de bord du véhicule ou du boîtier de commande de la machine outil, chaque commutateur comprenant au moins un élément de commutation du genre micro-commutateur fixé par soudage à une carte à circuit imprimé solidaire de la plaque en arrière de celle-ci en y étant parallèle, l'élément de commutation assurant une fonction recherchée et déterminée par exemple d'interrupteur ou d'inverseur dans l'électronique implantée sur la carte à circuit imprimé. Le commutateur électrique comprend en outre un boîtier à bascule de commande de l'élément de commutation traversant la plaque du tableau de bord en étant solidaire, c'est-à-dire formant une seule pièce, avec l'élément de commutation, la bascule étant accessible de l'extérieur de façon qu'un opérateur puisse commander l'élément de commutation.In each of these applications, the electrical switches of the switching device are assembled to a plate of the vehicle dashboard or of the control box of the machine tool, each switch comprising at least one switching element of the micro-switch type fixed by soldering to a printed circuit board secured to the plate behind it by being parallel thereto, the switching element ensuring a desired function and determined, for example switch or inverter in the electronics implanted on the card printed circuit board. The electrical switch further comprises a control gear toggle box of the switching element passing through the dashboard plate being integral, that is to say one-piece, with the switching element, the flip-flop being accessible from the outside so that an operator can control the switching element.

Ce dispositif connu de commutation a pour inconvénient de figer définitivement la fonction de commutation électrique déterminée de chaque ensemble d'élément de commutation et de boîtier de commande et, par conséquent, de ne pas permettre une certaine souplesse de changement d'une telle fonction, sinon que d'être obligé de dessouder cet ensemble de la carte à circuit imprimé pour le remplacer par un autre ensemble différent, opération souvent délicate à mettre en oeuvre. Par exemple, dans le cas d'un tableau de bord d'un camion à plusieurs commutateurs électriques de commande de divers appareillages du camion, les fonctions électriques accomplies par certains de ces commutateurs doivent être changées de façon évolutive pour que le commutateur accomplisse non seulement la fonction électrique qui lui a été attribuée mais également une fonction électrique supplémentaire. Tel pourrait être le cas par exemple d'un commutateur électrique destiné à l'origine à commander les feux de code du camion et qui doit être également utilisé par la suite pour commander des feux anti-brouillard non présents à l'origine. Dans ce cas, il est actuellement nécessaire de remplacer intégralement l'ensemble du commutateur après dessoudage de celui-ci par un autre commutateur destiné à accomplir cette nouvelle fonction supplémentaire en ressoudant ce dernier sur la carte à circuit imprimé et recâblant à nouveau celui-ci aux feux anti-brouillard.This known switching device has the disadvantage of permanently freezing the determined electrical switching function of each set of switching element and control box and, therefore, not to allow some flexibility of change of such a function, other than being forced to unsolder this assembly of the printed circuit board to replace it with another different set, often difficult operation to implement. For example, in the case of a dashboard of a truck with several electrical control switches of various devices of the truck, the electrical functions performed by some of these switches must be changed in a scalable way for the switch to complete not only the electrical function that has been assigned to it but also an additional electrical function. Such could be the case, for example, of an electrical switch originally intended to control the code lights of the truck and which must also be used subsequently to control fog lights not originally present. In this case, it is currently necessary to completely replace the entire switch after desoldering thereof by another switch intended to perform this new additional function by binding the latter on the printed circuit board and rewiring it again fog lights.

Le document DE-A-4137890 décrit un commutateur électrique modulaire comprenant un premier élément de commutation fixé par soudage sur une carte à circuit imprimé pour réaliser une fonction électrique déterminée et un boîtier à bascule de commande prévu pour commander le premier élément de commutation, ce boîtier à bascule de commande étant fixé amoviblement relativement à l'élément de commutation, de manière à pouvoir être remplacé par un autre boîtier à bascule de commande différent pour commander le premier élément de commutation, de manière à changer la fonction électrique ou le mode d'actionnement du premier élément de commutation par rapport au précédent boîtier de commande.DE-A-4137890 discloses a modular electrical switch comprising a first switching element fixed by soldering on a printed circuit board to perform a specific electrical function and a control flip-flop provided for controlling the first switching element, a control flip-flop is removably attached relative to the switching element so that it can be replaced by another different control flip-flop for controlling the first switching element so as to change the electrical function or the control mode. actuation of the first switching element with respect to the previous control unit.

La présente invention a pour but d'éliminer l'inconvénient ci-dessus des dispositifs de commutation connus en proposant des commutateurs électriques interchangeables permettant de modifier à volonté la fonction de chacun de ces commutateurs sans opération délicate de dessoudage de celui-ci de la carte à circuit imprimé.The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantage of known switching devices by proposing interchangeable electrical switches enabling the function of each of these switches to be modified at will without the delicate operation of desoldering thereof from the card. printed circuit board.

A cet effet, le commutateur électrique de l'invention est selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the electrical switch of the invention is according to claim 1.

Chaque boîtier à bascule de commande comprend deux pattes latérales élastiques de verrouillage pouvant s'engager élastiquement par encliquetage respectivement dans deux ouvertures de la carte à circuit imprimé pour fixer amoviblement le boîtier relativement à chaque élément de commutation qui est logé dans ce boîtier.Each control rocker housing includes two resilient locking side tabs that are resiliently snap-engaged respectively in two openings of the printed circuit board to removably secure the housing relative to each switching element that is housed in that housing.

Avantageusement, chaque boîtier comprend en outre, intégré dans celui-ci, au moins un guide optique, tel qu'une fibre optique, permettant de rétrodiffuser de la lumière à la bascule de commande provenant d'une source de lumière, telle qu'une diode électroluminescente, fixée par soudage à la carte à circuit imprimé.Advantageously, each box further comprises, integrated in it, at least one optical guide, such as an optical fiber, for backscattering light to the control lever from a light source, such as a electroluminescent diode, fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board.

Chaque bascule de commande est réalisée en une matière plastique et comprend au moins un symbole visible de l'extérieur, tel qu'un pictogramme, réalisé par la technique dite in-mold (surmoulage sur film).Each control lever is made of a plastic material and comprises at least one symbol visible from the outside, such as a pictogram, made by the so-called in-mold technique (over-molding on film).

L'invention propose également un dispositif de commutation électrique à plusieurs commutateurs électriques assemblés notamment sur une plaque d'un tableau de bord de véhicule, tel qu'un camion, un bateau, un engin de travaux publics, un chariot élévateur, ou analogue, chaque commutateur comprenant au moins un élément de commutation fixé par soudage à une carte à circuit imprimé solidaire de la plaque en arrière de celle-ci en y étant sensiblement parallèle, et un boîtier à bascule de commande de l'élément de commutation traversant la plaque de tableau de bord avec la bascule accessible de l'extérieur, et qui est caractérisé en ce que chaque boîtier est amoviblement fixé de façon interchangeable à la carte à circuit imprimé en renfermant dans celui-ci l'élément de commutation et peut être remplacé par un autre boîtier de commande différent permettant de commander différemment l'élément de commutation.The invention also proposes an electrical switching device with several electrical switches assembled in particular on a plate of a vehicle dashboard, such as a truck, a boat, a public works machine, a forklift, or the like, each switch comprising at least one switching element fixed by welding to a printed circuit board secured to the plate behind it by being substantially parallel thereto, and a flip-flop housing for controlling the switching element passing through the dashboard plate with the externally accessible flip-flop, and characterized in that each housing is removably attached interchangeably to the printed circuit board by enclosing therein the switching element and can be replaced by another different control box for differently controlling the switching element.

Le dispositif comprend avantageusement deux éléments de commutation pouvant être associés à chaque boîtier à bascule de commande et dont au moins l'un des éléments de commutation ou les deux éléments de commutation peuvent être commandés suivant le type de boîtier de commande choisi pour réaliser un mode particulier de commutation ou une fonction électrique déterminée de l'élément de commutation commandé.The device advantageously comprises two switching elements that can be associated with each control flip-flop and at least one of the switching elements or the two switching elements can be controlled according to the type of control unit chosen to achieve a mode. particular switching or electrical function of the controlled switching element.

Chaque boîtier comprend un plastron permettant de recouvrir l'ouverture de la plaque à travers laquelle est assemblé le boîtier et pouvant être réglé et fixé à une position relativement au boîtier, le plastron étant amoviblement fixé au boîtier par deux doigts latéraux du boîtier s'engageant élastiquement respectivement sur des crans latéraux du plastron.Each housing comprises a plastron covering the opening of the plate through which the housing is assembled and which can be adjusted and fixed to a position relative to the housing, the plastron being removably attached to the housing by two lateral fingers of the housing engaging elastically respectively on lateral notches of the plastron.

Chaque boîtier de commande est fixé amoviblement à la carte à circuit imprimé par deux pattes latérales élastiques de verrouillage solidaires du boîtier et pouvant s'engager par encliquetage respectivement dans deux ouvertures de la carte à circuit imprimé.Each control box is removably attached to the printed circuit board by two resilient lateral locking tabs secured to the housing and engageable by latching respectively in two openings of the printed circuit board.

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts caractéristiques, détails et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement de la description explicative qui va suivre faite en référence faite en référence aux dessins annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple illustrant un mode de réalisation de l'invention et dans lesquels :

  • La figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une plaque de tableau de bord d'un véhicule comprenant plusieurs commutateurs électriques conformes à l'invention ;
  • La figure 2 est une vue de côté suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
  • La figure 3 est une vue de côté suivant la flèche III de la figure 2 ;
  • La figure 4 est une vue en perspective agrandie d'un commutateur des figures 1 à 3 en position montée sur une carte à circuit imprimé ;
  • La figure 5 est une vue en perspective en coupe avec arrachement partiel du commutateur électrique de la figure 4 ;
  • La figure 6 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement du commutateur électrique de la figure 4 en position démontée de la carte à circuit imprimé ;
  • La figure 7 est une vue en perspective de dessous d'une partie du commutateur électrique de la figure 4 ; et
  • La figure 8 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement d'une partie du commutateur électrique de la figure 4.
The invention will be better understood, and other characteristic purposes, details and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent from the explanatory description which follows, given with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example, illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which:
  • Figure 1 is a top view of a dashboard plate of a vehicle comprising a plurality of electrical switches according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a side view along the arrow II of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a side view along the arrow III of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a switch of Figures 1 to 3 in mounted position on a printed circuit board;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view in section with partial cutaway of the electrical switch of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the electrical switch of Figure 4 in the disassembled position of the printed circuit board;
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view from below of a portion of the electrical switch of Fig. 4; and
  • FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of a portion of the electrical switch of FIG. 4.

Le dispositif de commutation électrique de l'invention va être décrit dans l'application à un tableau de bord d'un véhicule, tel qu'un camion, un autobus, un bateau, un engin de travaux publics ou agricoles, un chariot élévateur, ou analogue, mais il est bien entendu qu'il peut également s'appliquer à d'autres types de support tels que des plaques de circuits électroniques d'interface de commande de tout type d'appareil, d'équipement ou de machine, tel que par exemple une machine outil.The electrical switching device of the invention will be described in the application to a dashboard of a vehicle, such as a truck, a bus, a boat, a construction or agricultural machinery, a forklift, or like, but it is understood that it can also be applied to other types of support such as control interface electronic circuit boards of any type of apparatus, equipment or machine, such as than for example a machine tool.

En se reportant aux figures, le dispositif de commutation électrique comprend plusieurs commutateurs électriques 1, par exemple au nombre de trois, qui sont chacun de préférence du type à bascule de commande 2 manoeuvrable manuellement, et assemblés à une plaque 3 d'un tableau de bord du véhicule de façon que les symboles 2a, tels que des pictogrammes, de chaque bascule de commande 2 soient visibles de l'extérieur.Referring to the figures, the electrical switching device comprises several electrical switches 1, for example three in number, each of which is preferably of the manually operated control rocker type 2, and connected to a plate 3 of a switchboard. edge of the vehicle so that the symbols 2a, such as pictograms, each control lever 2 are visible from the outside.

Chaque commutateur électrique 1 comprend un boîtier 4 dans lequel est montée pivotante la bascule de commande 2, traversant une ouverture de passage rectangulaire 5 de la plaque de tableau de bord 3 et comportant un plastron 6 de réception de la bascule de commande 2 à collerette supérieure 7 venant en appui sur la face externe de la plaque 3 pour recouvrir l'ouverture de passage 5 du boîtier 4 du commutateur.Each electrical switch 1 comprises a casing 4 in which is pivotally mounted the control lever 2, passing through a rectangular passage opening 5 of the dashboard plate 3 and having a front plate 6 for receiving the upper control flip-flop 2 7 bearing on the outer face of the plate 3 to cover the passage opening 5 of the housing 4 of the switch.

Le commutateur comprend en outre au moins un élément de commutation 8 du genre microcommutateur fixé par soudage sur une plaque ou carte à circuit imprimé 9 pour réaliser une fonction électrique déterminée, telle que celle d'un interrupteur, d'un inverseur, en association avec les différents composants électroniques (non représentés) fixés sur cette carte pour accomplir des fonctions de contrôle et/ou de commande spécifiques.The switch further comprises at least one switching element 8 of the microswitch type fixed by welding to a plate or printed circuit board 9 to perform a specific electrical function, such as that of a switch, an inverter, in association with the various electronic components (not shown) fixed on this card to perform specific control and / or control functions.

Chaque élément de commutation 8 est constitué d'un petit boîtier ou socle 10 soudé sur la carte 9 et d'un organe de commutation en forme de petit bouton poussoir 11 logé dans le socle 10 et déplaçable dans celui-ci sous la commande de la bascule 2 pour réaliser le contact électrique souhaité sur le circuit imprimé de la carte 9.Each switching element 8 consists of a small housing or base 10 soldered to the board 9 and a small push button-shaped switching member 11 housed in the base 10 and movable therein under the control of the flip-flop 2 to make the desired electrical contact on the printed circuit of the card 9.

La carte 9 est fixée parallèlement à la plaque de tableau de bord 3 en arrière de celle-ci par tout moyen approprié, tel que des ensembles à vis et entretoises schématisés en 12 (figures 2 et 3).The card 9 is fixed parallel to the dashboard plate 3 behind it by any appropriate means, such as sets screw and spacers schematically 12 (Figures 2 and 3).

Selon l'invention, le boîtier 4 de chaque commutateur 1 est amoviblement fixé à la carte à circuit imprimé 9 de façon à loger dans celui-ci l'élément de commutation 8 pour permettre son actionnement.According to the invention, the housing 4 of each switch 1 is removably attached to the circuit board printed 9 so as to house therein the switching element 8 to allow its actuation.

A cet effet, le boîtier 4 comprend deux pattes latérales élastiques de verrouillage 13 intégralement moulées avec le boîtier 4 et pouvant s'engager élastiquement par encliquetage respectivement dans deux ouvertures de la carte 9 réalisées sous forme d'encoches rectangulaires découpées dans chaque côté de la carte 9 en étant alignées l'une par rapport à l'autre. Chaque patte de verrouillage 13 a son extrémité 13a en forme de crochet venant en appui sur la face correspondante de la carte 9 opposée à celle comportant l'élément de commutation 8 pour verrouiller le boîtier 4 à la carte 9, le boîtier 4 ayant sa partie inférieure ouverte permettant le passage de l'élément de commutation 8 et venant en appui par son bord inférieur sur la carte 9.For this purpose, the casing 4 comprises two resilient lateral locking tabs 13 integrally molded with the casing 4 and being able to engage elastically by latching respectively in two openings of the card 9 made in the form of rectangular notches cut in each side of the casing. card 9 being aligned with each other. Each locking lug 13 has its hook-shaped end 13a bearing on the corresponding face of the card 9 opposite to that comprising the switching element 8 to lock the housing 4 to the card 9, the housing 4 having its part lower open allowing passage of the switching element 8 and bearing by its lower edge on the card 9.

Les boîtiers 4 des différents commutateurs électriques 1 sont interchangeables, ce qui permet déjà à un utilisateur de choisir parmi les différents commutateurs électriques disponibles celui qui correspondra à la fonction électrique recherchée de l'élément de commutation 8 et à son mode d'actionnement par la bascule correspondante 2, par exemple un mode d'actionnement permanent auquel la bascule 2 occupe une position fixe correspondante ou un mode d'actionnement par impulsion auquel la bascule 2 revient à sa position d'origine après basculement de celle-ci.The housings 4 of the various electrical switches 1 are interchangeable, which already allows a user to choose from the various electrical switches available one that will correspond to the desired electrical function of the switching element 8 and its operating mode by the corresponding flip-flop 2, for example a permanent operating mode in which flip-flop 2 occupies a corresponding fixed position or a mode of impulse actuation at which flip-flop 2 returns to its original position after tilting thereof.

Bien entendu, chaque boîtier 4 de commutateur comprend dans celui-ci les différents organes mécaniques permettant de définir le mode d'actionnement de l'élément de commutation associé 8 dans sa fonction recherchée. Ces organes sont connus en soi et peuvent être constitués comme représentés aux figures par un levier 15 monté pivotant dans le plastron 6 autour d'un axe transversal sous l'action de la bascule 2 dans un sens permettant d'actionner l'élément de commutation correspondant 8, et deux pièces parallèles identiques 16 fixées dans le boîtier 4 en dessous du levier 15 et comportant chacune au moins une rampe 16a dont la forme définit le mode d'actionnement de l'élément de commutation 8 associé à sa fonction électrique par déplacement sur celle-ci d'un bras 17 faisant partie intégrante du levier 15 pour lui permettre de suivre la forme de la rampe 16a. Chaque bras 17 a son extrémité libre inférieure comportant un organe. 17a assurant son déplacement sur la rampe 16a et pouvant être constitué par une bille ou un frottoir retenu dans cette extrémité à l'encontre de la force de rappel d'un ressort. Le levier 15 a ses deux bras 15a chacun en forme de fourche permettant d'entraîner verticalement un piston P d'actionnement de l'organe de commutation 11 de l'élément 8, le piston P étant monté entre les deux branches du bras de levier associé 15a.Of course, each switch housing 4 comprises in it the various mechanical members for defining the operating mode of the associated switching element 8 in its desired function. These members are known per se and may be constituted as shown in the figures by a lever 15 pivotally mounted in the faceplate 6 about a transverse axis under the action of the rocker 2 in a direction to actuate the switching element. corresponding 8, and two identical parallel parts 16 fixed in the housing 4 below the lever 15 and each having at least one ramp 16a whose shape defines the operating mode of the switching element 8 associated with its electrical function by moving thereon an arm 17 forming an integral part lever 15 to allow it to follow the shape of the ramp 16a. Each arm 17 has its lower free end comprising a member. 17a ensuring its movement on the ramp 16a and may be constituted by a ball or a friction retained in this end against the restoring force of a spring. The lever 15 has its two arms 15a each fork-shaped for vertically driving a piston P actuating the switching member 11 of the element 8, the piston P being mounted between the two arms of the lever arm associate 15a.

Chaque commutateur électrique a ainsi sa propre configuration interne associée à la fonction électrique de l'élément de commutation 8.Each electrical switch thus has its own internal configuration associated with the electrical function of the switching element 8.

De préférence, deux éléments de commutation 8 sont soudés sur la carte à circuit imprimé 9 en étant logés dans le boîtier correspondant 4 configuré pour actionner de façon appropriée l'un ou l'autre des organes 11 des deux éléments de commutation 8 par basculement de la bascule 2.Preferably, two switching elements 8 are soldered on the printed circuit board 9 while being housed in the corresponding housing 4 configured to actuate suitably one or the other of the members 11 of the two switching elements 8 by switching over. the rocker 2.

Ainsi, par exemple, le basculement dans un sens déterminé de la bascule 2 d'un commutateur permet d'actionner l'élément de commutation associé 8 fonctionnant en interrupteur, tandis que le basculement de la bascule 2 dans l'autre sens permet d'actionner l'autre élément de commutation 8 fonctionnant en inverseur. On pourrait également envisager que le basculement dans un sens de la bascule soit du type à impulsion pour commander l'élément de commutation associé 8 qui fournira alors un signal impulsionel à un circuit électrique de la carte 9.Thus, for example, the switching in a given direction of the flip-flop 2 of a switch makes it possible to actuate the associated switching element 8 operating as a switch, while the tilting of the flip-flop 2 in the other direction makes it possible to actuate the other switching element 8 operating in an inverter. It could also be envisaged that the switching in one direction of the flip-flop is of the impulse type for controlling the associated switching element 8 which will then supply a pulse signal to an electrical circuit of the card 9.

Si, par la suite, l'utilisateur devait changer la configuration d'actionnement des éléments de commutation 8, par exemple en supprimant la fonction inverseur de l'un de ces deux éléments tout en gardant la fonction interrupteur de l'autre élément, il lui suffit de retirer le boîtier 4 du commutateur comportant les organes internes d'actionnement des éléments de commutation respectivement en interrupteur et inverseur et de le remplacer par un autre boîtier 4 de commutateur intérieurement agencé de façon que la bascule 2 ne bascule pas dans le sens d'actionnement de l'élément de commutation 8 dont on souhaite arrêter la fonction, et ce sans dessouder cet élément de la carte à circuit imprimé 9.If, subsequently, the user had to change the operating configuration of the switching elements 8, for example by removing the inverter function of one of these two elements while keeping the switch function of the other element, it suffices to remove the casing 4 of the switch having the internal actuators of the switching elements respectively switch and inverter and replace it with another switch housing 4 internally arranged so that the flip-flop 2 does not switch in the direction of actuation of the switching element 8 whose function is to stop, and without unsolder this element of the printed circuit board 9.

L'interchangeabilité des différents commutateurs permet également de rajouter une fonction électrique prévue en option. Par exemple, le commutateur d'origine associé à deux éléments de commutation 8 peut être du type permettant d'actionner seulement l'un de ces deux éléments et si une nouvelle fonction électrique devait être exigée ultérieurement en utilisant l'autre élément de commutation 8, il suffit de remplacer le boîtier 4 du commutateur d'origine par un autre boîtier 4 de commutateur différent permettant de commander également le deuxième élément de commutation 8. Dans le cas par exemple d'un camion, le rajout d'une nouvelle fonction de commande électrique par simple changement de boîtier de commutateur pourrait consister à commander des feux anti-brouillard de ce véhicule n'en comportant pas à l'origine.The interchangeability of the different switches also makes it possible to add an optional electrical function. For example, the original switch associated with two switching elements 8 may be of the type allowing to operate only one of these two elements and if a new electrical function was to be required later using the other switching element 8 , it suffices to replace the housing 4 of the original switch by another different switch housing 4 to also control the second switching element 8. In the case for example of a truck, the addition of a new function of electrical control by simple change of switch housing could consist of controlling fog lights of this vehicle not originally containing.

Les changements de fonction électrique des différents éléments de commutation par interchangeabilité des boîtiers de commutateur à commandes internes différentes peuvent être facilités par des circuits de multiplexage permettant d'éviter le rajout et/ou la suppression de fils électriques faisant partie du câblage présent entre la carte à circuit imprimé du tableau de bord et les différents appareillages à commander et/ou à contrôler du véhicule.The electrical function changes of the different switching elements by interchangeability of the switch boxes with different internal controls can be facilitated by multiplexing circuits to avoid the addition and / or removal of electrical wires forming part of the wiring present between the card printed circuit board and the various devices to be controlled and / or controlled by the vehicle.

L'ensemble constitué par le boîtier 4 et le plastron 6 de chaque commutateur électrique est réalisé en une matière plastique de même que la bascule 2 dont les symboles ou pictogrammes 2a représentant une fonction déterminée sont réalisés par la technique dite in-mold autorisant toute possibilité de couleur et/ou de forme de symboles et pictogrammes et surtout permettant un marquage inaltérable de ces symboles ou pictogrammes dans le temps.The assembly consisting of the housing 4 and the front plate 6 of each electrical switch is made of a plastic material as the latch 2 whose symbols or pictograms 2a representing a specific function are made by the so-called in-mold technique allowing any possibility of color and / or shape of symbols and pictograms and especially allowing an unalterable marking of these symbols or pictograms over time.

Avantageusement, chaque commutateur électrique peut comporter dans son boîtier 4 un ou plusieurs guides optiques de lumière 18, tels que des fibres optiques, permettant de rétrodiffuser de la lumière à la bascule de commande 2 provenant d'une source de lumière (non représentée), telle qu'une diode électroluminescente, fixée par soudage à la carte à circuit imprimé et venant en regard du guide optique correspondant 18 lorsque le boîtier 4 est fixé à la carte à circuit imprimé 9. L'allumage des sources de lumière peut être géré par l'électronique de commande présente sur le circuit imprimé de la carte 9 pour assurer des niveaux d'éclairage de jour et/ou de nuit des bascules 2 et/ou la validation des fonctions associées aux éléments de commutation 8.Advantageously, each electrical switch may include in its housing 4 one or more optical light guides 18, such as optical fibers, for backscattering light to the control lever 2 from a light source (not shown), such as a light-emitting diode, fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board and facing the corresponding optical guide 18 when the housing 4 is fixed to the printed circuit board 9. The lighting of the light sources can be managed by the control electronics present on the printed circuit of the card 9 to ensure daylight and / or night lighting levels of the flip-flops 2 and / or the validation of the functions associated with the switching elements 8.

La conception de chaque commutateur électrique peut être telle que le plastron 6 soit une pièce moulée indépendante montée dans le boîtier 4 après fixation de ce dernier à la carte à circuit imprimé 9. Cette configuration peut être intéressante pour permettre le montage du plastron par l'avant de la plaque 3 du tableau de bord et, avantageusement, le plastron 6 -comporte, réalisée sur une partie de ses deux parois latérales, une série de crans 19 s'étendant longitudinalement sur lesquels peut s'encliqueter élastiquement un doigt latéral 20 à extrémité recourbée venant de moulage avec le boîtier 4 et permettant de verrouiller le plastron 6 à une position relative dans le boîtier 4 pour rattraper les différences de cote éventuelles pouvant exister entre la carte à circuit imprimé 9 et la plaque de tableau de bord 3. Un tel assemblage du plastron 6 au boîtier 4 permet à ce dernier d'être monté par l'arrière de la plaque 3 lorsqu'il a été préalablement verrouillé à la carte à circuit imprimé 9 ou par l'avant de la plaque 3 lorsque le boîtier 4 doit être verrouillé à la carte 9 après que cette dernière a été fixée en arrière de la plaque 3.The design of each electrical switch may be such that the front plate 6 is an independent molded piece mounted in the housing 4 after attachment of the latter to the printed circuit board 9. This configuration may be of interest to allow the mounting of the front plate by the before the plate 3 of the dashboard and, advantageously, the plastron 6 -compendorte, carried out on a portion of its two side walls, a series of notches 19 extending longitudinally on which can snap elastically a lateral finger 20 to curved end molding with the housing 4 and for locking the plastron 6 to a relative position in the housing 4 to catch up any differences in dimension that may exist between the printed circuit board 9 and the dashboard plate 3. Such an assembly of the front plate 6 to the housing 4 allows the latter to be mounted by the rear of the plate 3 when it has been previously locked to the printed circuit board 9 or the front of the plate 3 when the housing 4 must be locked to the card 9 after the latter has been fixed behind the plate 3.

Chaque boîtier 4 comporte deux pions 21 de positionnement du boîtier 4 sur la carte 9 et donc par rapport aux éléments de commutation associés 8. Les deux pions 21 font saillie du bord inférieur de la partie inférieure de section rectangulaire du boîtier 4 en étant diagonalement opposés et s'engageant respectivement dans deux perçages conjugués de la carte 9.Each casing 4 comprises two pins 21 for positioning the casing 4 on the card 9 and thus with respect to the associated switching elements 8. The two pins 21 project from the lower edge of the lower rectangular section portion of the casing 4 while being diagonally opposite. and respectively engaging in two conjugate holes of the card 9.

Les différents modules de commutateurs électriques pouvant être implantés indifféremment sur la carte à circuit imprimé 9 permettent de modifier à volonté la ou les fonctions électriques accomplies par les éléments de commutation 8 sans aucune opération délicate de dessoudage de ces éléments. Cette conception permet non seulement une souplesse sur la modification des fonctions électriques accomplies par les commutateurs électriques, mais également une parfaite adaptabilité au multiplexage.The various electrical switch modules that can be implemented indifferently on the printed circuit board 9 make it possible to modify at will the electrical function or functions performed by the switching elements 8 without any delicate operation of desoldering these elements. This design not only allows flexibility in modifying the electrical functions performed by the electrical switches, but also a perfect adaptability to multiplexing.

Claims (7)

  1. Modular electrical switch including a first switching element (8) fixed by soldering to a printed circuit board (9) in order to perform a predetermined electrical function, a second switching element (8) fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board (9) in order to perform a predetermined electrical function identical to or different from that of the first switching element, and a housing (4) with rocker control (2) provided to control the first and/or the second switching element (8), this housing (4) with rocker control (2) being removably fixed relative to the two switching elements (8), in such a way as to be capable of being replaced by another different housing with rocker control (4) also to control the first and/or the second switching element, in such a way as to change the electrical function or the method of operation of the first and/or the second switching element (8) relative to the previous control housing (4).
  2. Switch according to claim 1, characterised in that each housing with rocker control (4) includes two resilient lateral locking prongs (13) capable of engaging resiliently by latching respectively in two openings (5) in the printed circuit board (9) in order to removably fix the housing (4) relative to each switching element (8) which is accommodated in this housing.
  3. Switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each housing (4) includes, integrated within it, at least one optical waveguide (18), such as an optical fibre, allowing the backscattering onto the rocker control of light from a light source, such as a light emitting diode, fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board (9).
  4. Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rocker control (2) is made of a plastic material and includes at least one symbol (2a) visible from the exterior, such as a pictogram, produced by what is known as the in-mould technique.
  5. Electrical switching system with several electrical switches (1) assembled in particular on a plate (3) on the instrument panel of a vehicle, such as a lorry, a boat, a construction vehicle, a lifting truck, or the like, this system including a printed circuit board (9) situated to the rear of the plate (3) and being approximately parallel to this plate (3), this system including at least one modular electrical switch according to claim 1 having both its switching elements fixed by soldering to the printed circuit board (9) and its housing (4) with rocker control (2) fixed in a removable manner to this printed circuit board (9).
  6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that each housing (4) includes a cover (6) which allows the opening (5) in the plate (3) through which the housing (4) is fitted to be covered and which can be adjusted and fixed in a position relative to the housing (4), which is removably fixed to the printed circuit board (9), by two lateral catch fingers (20) of the housing (4) fitting resiliently onto the respective lateral catches (19) of the cover (6).
  7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that each control housing (4) is removably fixed to the printed circuit board (9) by two resilient lateral locking prongs (13) integral with the housing (4) and capable of engaging by latching respectively in two openings (14) in the printed circuit board (9).
EP03718914A 2002-02-28 2003-02-27 Modular electrical breaker and electrical breaker device comprising at least one such breaker Expired - Lifetime EP1479088B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0202561 2002-02-28
FR0202561A FR2836593B1 (en) 2002-02-28 2002-02-28 MODULAR ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH SWITCH
PCT/FR2003/000638 WO2003073455A1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-27 Modular electrical breaker and electrical breaker device comprising at least one such breaker

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EP1479088A1 EP1479088A1 (en) 2004-11-24
EP1479088B1 true EP1479088B1 (en) 2006-05-17

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EP03718914A Expired - Lifetime EP1479088B1 (en) 2002-02-28 2003-02-27 Modular electrical breaker and electrical breaker device comprising at least one such breaker

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US (1) US7202431B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1479088B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005527937A (en)
CN (1) CN100362608C (en)
AT (1) ATE326764T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003222948A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2476850A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60305297T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1479088T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2265103T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2836593B1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA04008366A (en)
WO (1) WO2003073455A1 (en)

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ATE326764T1 (en) 2006-06-15
WO2003073455A1 (en) 2003-09-04
ES2265103T3 (en) 2007-02-01
US7202431B2 (en) 2007-04-10
DK1479088T3 (en) 2006-09-18
CA2476850A1 (en) 2003-09-04
JP2005527937A (en) 2005-09-15
AU2003222948A1 (en) 2003-09-09
DE60305297D1 (en) 2006-06-22
EP1479088A1 (en) 2004-11-24
MXPA04008366A (en) 2005-07-05
DE60305297T2 (en) 2007-02-01
CN100362608C (en) 2008-01-16
FR2836593A1 (en) 2003-08-29
US20060021865A1 (en) 2006-02-02
FR2836593B1 (en) 2005-07-15
CN1639817A (en) 2005-07-13

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