EP1550142B1 - Navigation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a navigational button comprising an actuating element which is (1) displaceable at least in two directions and controls said navigation button. The inventive actuating element (1) is arranged in a casing (2, 7) and performs an action on a communication element (3). The inventive limitation element (5,6) is disposed between the actuating element (1) and the casing (2, 7) in such a way that it limits actuation efforts performed on the navigational button.

Description

The invention relates to a navigation switch with an actuating element which is tiltable at least in two directions, and by which the navigation switch is operable, a housing receiving the actuator, which has a cavity, a switching element, which acts on the actuating element, and a limiting element, which limits the actuating forces on the switching element.

Such a switch is known from US 4 349 708, wherein the limitation is effected by a pin formed on the housing, against which a ring-shaped element made of elastic plastic and attached to the foot of the tilted actuating element is pressed.

Further switches are known from US Pat. No. 5,821,482 and EP 0 588 239 A1.

Navigation switches generally have a switch housing with a switching element arranged in the interior of the switch housing, which is movable against at least two contact areas and, when moving, reaches a contact position which switches an electrical contact. The switching element has an axially extending an arranged in the interior of the housing shift lever outwardly guided actuating arm. The actuating arm can be pivoted via a control element, which is located in a switch housing, from a central rest position in several directions.

Such navigation switches are known for a variety of applications. They are generally used to control electronic devices of consumer electronics, such. B. in digital cameras, video recorders or cell phones but also used for menu control in electronic data processing devices. In particular, they find use in the reduction of components, if individual components are assigned several functions.

For actuating the switching element, the actuating element has a plunger located on its underside, so that a mechanical contacting of the actuating arm of the switching element can take place. Upon actuation of the actuating element, the plunger of the actuating element transmits the actuating force to the actuating arm of the switching element, so that it comes into a contact position and switches an electrical contact.

The navigation switches described above have no protection against excessive actuation forces at the present time. Improper or excessive actuation of the actuator leads to high actuation force on the actuating arm of the switching element, which can result in destruction of the switching element result. Furthermore, an undefined tilting movement of the actuating element can lead to destruction of the switching element.

The object of the invention is to provide a navigation switch is available, in which the switching element is better protected against premature wear and destruction.

The object is achieved with a navigation switch according to claim 1.

This navigation switch has the advantage that by the use of a limiting element between the actuating element and the housing receiving the actuator any kind of switching elements can be protected against improper or too strong operation.

Characterized in that the limiting element has a centrally provided recess which corresponds to the dimensions of a plunger on the actuating element, the guiding of the actuating element is allowed in tracks and therefore prevents an undefined tilting.

Too large actuation forces are introduced via the limiting element into the side walls of the housing receiving the limiting element. It is possible to safely guide the plunger of the actuating element on the actuating arm of the switching element.

An advantageous development provides that the limiting element is formed integrally with the housing and that the limiting element and the housing are made of an elastomeric plastic.

Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment provides that the limiting element is convex to the actuating element and has a lattice-shaped structure.

Likewise, the limiting element may also be formed as a curved disc made of plastic or metal.

Here, it is favorable that the limiting element has an axial recess for receiving a plunger located on the underside of the actuating element.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the housing receiving the limiting element encloses a circular cavity, wherein at least two notches in the outer region of the cavity bounding the cavity are formed and that the convex boundary element has at least two further counter-detents, which engage in the matingly provided detents of the housing.

Here, the limiting element is inserted into the cavity of the housing, wherein after completion of the mounting the locking element is rotated by 45 degrees clockwise for locking, so that the counter-latches of the limiting element engage in the notches of the housing.

Due to the invention, it is possible to provide a navigation switch with very low manufacturing and assembly costs, in which a wear occurring under normal circumstances due to excessive actuation forces is prevented by means of a limiting element. The assembly of the housing for receiving the actuating element can be stored and handled in preassembled form without having to take particular care.

Large actuating forces occurring on the actuating element are introduced via the additional limiting element in the side walls of the housing. Through the use of limiting elements and micro-switches can be protected against improper or too strong operation. At the same time the limiting element allows a guide of the actuating element in tracks to prevent undefined tilting.

The use of the optionally used limiting element allows an adaptation of the properties regardless of the material of the housing. The life of the Navigation switch or the switching element is positively influenced.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the figures. Identical or corresponding elements in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Navigationsschalters,

Figur 2

die Draufsicht des in Figur 1 gezeigten Navigationsschalters,

Figur 3

einen Vertikalschnitt D-D aus Figur 2,

Figur 4

ein das Betätigungselement aufnehmendes Gehäuse mit integriertem Begrenzungselement in perspektivischer Darstellung von schräg oben,

Figur 5

die Draufsicht auf das in Figur 4 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 6

den Horizontalschnitt A-A durch das in Figur 5 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 7

den Vertikalschnitt B-B durch das in Figur 5 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung eines weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Navigationsschalters,

Figur 9

die Draufsicht des in Figur 8 gezeigten Navigationsschalters,

Figur 10

den Vertikalschnitt C-C durch den in Figur 9 dargestellten Navigationsschalter,

Figur 11

das das Betätigungselement aufnehmende Gehäuse in perspektivischer Darstellung von schräg oben,

Figur 12

eine Draufsicht auf das in Figur 11 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 13

den Vertikalschnitt A-A durch das in Figur 12 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 14

einen Diagonalschnitt B-B durch das in Figur 12 dargestellte Gehäuse,

Figur 15

die Draufsicht auf das Begrenzungselement des erfindungsgemäßen Navigationsschalters gemäß Figur 8,

Figur 16

den Schnitt A-A aus Figur 15 und

Figur 17

eine Seitenansicht des in Figur 15 dargestellten Begrenzungselementes.

Show it:

FIG. 1

an exploded perspective view of a navigation switch according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the top view of the navigation switch shown in Figure 1,

FIG. 3

a vertical section DD of Figure 2,

FIG. 4

a housing receiving the housing with integrated limiting element in a perspective view obliquely from above

FIG. 5

the top view of the housing shown in Figure 4,

FIG. 6

the horizontal section AA through the housing shown in Figure 5,

FIG. 7

the vertical section BB through the housing shown in Figure 5,

FIG. 8

an exploded perspective view of another navigation switch according to the invention,

FIG. 9

the top view of the navigation switch shown in Figure 8,

FIG. 10

the vertical section CC through the navigation switch shown in Figure 9,

FIG. 11

the housing receiving the actuator in a perspective view obliquely from above

FIG. 12

a top view of the housing shown in Figure 11,

FIG. 13

the vertical section AA through the housing shown in Figure 12,

FIG. 14

a diagonal section BB through the housing shown in Figure 12,

FIG. 15

the top view of the limiting element of the navigation switch according to the invention according to Figure 8,

FIG. 16

the section AA of Figure 15 and

FIG. 17

a side view of the limiting element shown in Figure 15.

In Figure 1, the perspective view of a navigation switch according to the invention is shown. The navigation switch has a switching element 3 with a square base, which is arranged for example on a housing part or a circuit board 4. The Switching element 3 has a leading through a recess in the cover of the switching element 3 actuating arm 31, which serves as an axial extension of a arranged in the interior of the switching element 3, not shown, shift lever. The switching lever arranged centrally in the interior of the switching element 3 is movable against at least two contact areas, so that an electrical contact is switched when moving into a contact position.

Furthermore, the navigation switch on a circular actuator 1 with four radially and a centrally disposed switching position. On the underside of the actuating element 1, a plunger 11 arranged in the axial direction is provided. The navigation switch further comprises a housing 2 with a circular, the dimensions of the actuating element 1 corresponding cavity 21. In the assembled state, the actuating element 1 is received by the housing 2 and the housing 2 is arranged above the switching element 3, so that the plunger 11 of the actuating element 1 engages centrally in the actuating arm 31 of the switching element 3.

An actuation of the switching element 3 via the actuating element 1, wherein the plunger 11 of the actuating element 1 transmits the actuating forces on the actuating arm 31 of the switching element 3, so that the actuating arm 31 is moved to a switching position. A limiting element 5 arranged in the housing 2 in this case limits the forces acting on the actuating arm 31 of the switching element 3.

FIG. 2 shows the plan view of the navigation switch described in FIG. 1 with the actuating element 1 arranged centrally in the housing 2.

The section D-D from FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. As already discussed above, the actuating element 1 is to be found in the housing 2, wherein the plunger 11 of the actuating element 1 surrounds the actuating arm 31 of the switching element 3. In the bottom area within the cavity 21 of the housing 2, an integrally formed, convexly disposed to the actuating element 1 limiting element 5 is provided.

As can be seen in detail from the perspective illustration of the delimiting element 5 of FIG. 4 and from the plan view of the housing 2 with integrated delimiting element 5 of FIG. 6, the delimiting element 5 has a central recess 53 which corresponds to the external dimensions of the tappet 11 on the operating element 1. Furthermore, it can be seen that the delimiting element 5 is structured in a lattice-like manner, the delimiting element 5 in the advantageous embodiment shown in FIG. 5 starting from the square rim 51 provided in the middle with the recess in pairs parallel to the transverse and longitudinal axis of the delimiting element 5 has, whose end are integrally formed on the housing.

Preferably, in this embodiment shown, the limiting element 5 is made in one piece with the housing 2 from, for example, an elastomeric plastic.

Figures 6 and 7 respectively show the horizontal section AA and the vertical section BB of Figure 5. The convex curved Limiting element is formed in a manufacturing process with the housing.

FIG. 8 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the navigation switch according to the invention. Here, a separate limiting element 6 is provided, which is inserted into the bottom of a housing 7.

FIG. 9 shows the plan view of the navigation switch described in FIG. 8 with the actuating element 1 arranged centrally in the housing 7.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show different perspectives of the housing 7 accommodating the actuating element 1. The housing 7 encloses a circular cavity 71 and, at the bottom, as shown in detail in FIGS. 11 to 14, has four notches arranged radially on the side walls of the cavity 71 72 on.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show an embodiment of the delimiting element 6. The delimiting element 6 is designed as a convexly curved disk with four counter-detents 61 arranged at a side edge 62, which are arranged radially equidistant.

The limiting element 6 has centrally a recess 63, which corresponds to the dimensions of the plunger 11 of the actuating element 1. In this recess, the plunger 11 of the actuating element 1, so that a safe guiding of the plunger 11 allows and thus an uncontrolled operation of the actuating arm 31 is prevented.

For locking the actuator 6 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise, and thus is firmly connected to the housing 7.

The particular operation of the limiting elements 5 and 6 can be seen from the sectional views of Figures 3 and 10.

In the assembled state, the underside of the actuating element 1 has a minimum distance d from the upper side 54, 64 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 10) of the limiting elements 5, 6 located in the housing 2, 7. A force introduction f on the actuator 1 can be done centric or eccentric. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 10, a centric introduction of force f results in that the operating element 1 shifts the actuating arm 31 of the switching element 3 downwards into the switching element 3 by way d. The path l represents a stroke limitation realized by the limiting elements 5 and 6. Furthermore, the limiting element 5 and 6 causes a Kippbegrenzung at an eccentric force due to the distance d of the actuating element 1 to the top 54, 64 of the limiting element 5, 6. In case of too large centric or eccentric force introduction f is a derivative of the pressure force on the actuator 1 in the walls of the housing 2 and 7.

Claims (10)

1. Navigation switch having:

   - an operating element (1) which can be tilted in at least two directions and which can be used to operate the navigation switch,

   - a housing (2, 7) holding the operating element (1) and having a cavity (21, 71),

   - a switching element (3) on which the operating element (1) acts, and

   - a limiting element (5, 6) which limits the operating forces on the switching element (3),

   characterized in that
   the limiting element (5, 6) is convex relative to the operating element (1) and is integrally formed within the cavity (21, 71) in the base region of the housing (2) or is inserted into the base of the housing (7),

   - the underside of the operating element (1) is at a distance (d) from the top (54, 64) of the limiting element (5, 6), so that the limiting element (5, 6) limits tilting when a force is introduced eccentrically to the operating element (1).
2. Navigation switch according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the switching element (3) has an operating arm (31) and the operating element (1) displaces the operating arm (31) into the switching element (3) by a path (1) when a force is introduced centrally, the path (1) being limited in movement by the limiting element (5, 6).
3. Navigation switch according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the limiting element (5) and the housing (2) are made of elastomeric plastic.
4. Navigation switch according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the housing (2, 7) is arranged above the switching element (3).
5. Navigation switch according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the limiting element (5) is in the form of a lattice.
6. Navigation switch according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the limiting element (6) is in the form of a curved plate.
7. Navigation switch according to Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the limiting element (6) is made of plastic or metal.
8. Navigation switch according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the limiting element (5, 6) has an axial cutout for holding a tappet (11) located on the underside of the operating element (1).
9. Navigation switch according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   the cavity (71) of the housing (7) is circular, with the outer region of the base which limits the cavity (71) containing at least two latches (72), and the convex limiting element (6) having at least two further mating latches (61) which engage in the matching latches (72) on the housing (7).
10. Navigation switch according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the limiting element (6) is inserted into the cavity (71) in the housing (7), with the limiting element (6) being rotated clockwise through 45° in order to latch it, so that the mating latches (61) on the limiting element (6) engage in the latches (72) on the housing (7).

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