EP1552540B1 - Push-button electrical switch with deformable actuation and method for making same - Google Patents

Push-button electrical switch with deformable actuation and method for making same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1552540B1
EP1552540B1 EP03775454.6A EP03775454A EP1552540B1 EP 1552540 B1 EP1552540 B1 EP 1552540B1 EP 03775454 A EP03775454 A EP 03775454A EP 1552540 B1 EP1552540 B1 EP 1552540B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
base
switching element
board
actuator
mounting
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
EP03775454.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1552540A1 (en
Inventor
René Ducruet
Laurent Mounier
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Dav SA
Original Assignee
Dav SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1552540A1 publication Critical patent/EP1552540A1/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/012—Positioning of individual dome
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49105—Switch making

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pressure switch type electrical switch called "blistering", that is to say where the switching is effected by deflection, under the effect of an actuator, a conductive elastic blistering dome against two drivers to connect. More particularly, the invention proposes in this context on the one hand an optimized design and assembly of the component parts of the switch, to improve the tactile performance of the latter, and on the other hand a method of making and conditioning judicious both of said parts and the assembled switch.
  • a typical application of the invention is the low-voltage switching used for servitude controls in a motor vehicle passenger compartment (window lifts, seat positioning, sunroof, car radio, on-board computer, console controls, etc.). , where the switch is mounted directly on a circuit board, for example a printed circuit.
  • FIG. 1 An example of a known blister switch which is particularly advantageous in terms of ergonomics, reliability and ease of implantation by robotic tools is described in the French patent application.
  • This blocking switch 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 , comprises a flexible and deformable actuator 2 which covers a resilient metal dome-shaped switching element forming a blister 4, the latter being positioned just above a switching zone 6 at which there are two end points 8 and 10 of respective tracks 12 and 14 of a printed circuit 16. These end points can thus be electrically connected by the blister 4 when the latter is bent towards the surface of the printed circuit under the action of a pressure transmitted by the actuator 2 .
  • the actuator 2 comprises a base 2a at an upper part 2b terminating on an actuation pin 18 accessible by the user, on which the force necessary to deform the blister 4 is exerted.
  • the blister 4 is housed in the space 20 ( figure 2 ) defined between the upper face of the printed circuit 16 and a curved inner face 22 of the actuator 2.
  • the blister 4 rests on the printed circuit by several peripheral support points 24 curved outwards, by which it is kept raised .
  • the blister has a central inlet portion 26 at the base of one of the 8 end points, with which it creates the contact, the other end point 10 being in permanent contact with the blister near one of the points d 24.
  • the base of the actuator is annular and its periphery constitutes a sealing lip 28.
  • the latter is housed in a groove 30 formed in sealing means constituted by a strapping 32 which is fixed on the printed circuit 16 by fixing lugs 34.
  • orifices 36 are formed in the printed circuit for receive the tabs 34 by clipping.
  • the printed circuit board 16 acts as support for the strapping 32 and, consequently, for the switching device as a whole 1.
  • the strapping 32 is made of a material that is rigid with respect to that of the actuator 2, and more particularly with respect to the sealing lip 28.
  • the groove 30 is constituted by a recess having a horizontal bearing surface 30a and a vertical bearing surface 30b so as to constitute bearing zones for the sealing lip 28 and thus to improve the sealing and the insulation with respect to from the outside of the switching zone 6.
  • the sealing lip is strongly applied at least on the horizontal surface 30a, which prevents any introduction of material into the space 20.
  • the curved inner face 22 of the actuator is provided with four pairs of segments or lips 38, as shown in figure 3 each pair sandwiching a peripheral edge of the blister 4.
  • the invention provides, according to a first aspect,
  • the switching element is supported only by the plate when the device is mounted on it, the base thus providing only a guiding function for the switching element.
  • the switching element naturally disengages the retention means under the effect of a thrust exerted on the switching element by the plate when the device is mounted thereon.
  • the switching element may be floating mounted with respect to the base between a first position where the switching element abuts against the retention means and a second position at which it is disengaged from the retention means. , this second position being adopted automatically by placing the device on the plate.
  • the switching element may comprise at least one appendix whose free end forms a hook, the retention means having a stop for the hook preventing the removal of the switching element by the face of the base facing towards the plate .
  • This appendage is preferably an elastic blade extending from a corner of the switching element and whose end bears against an inner bearing surface of the base, allowing the switching element to be guided with respect to the base.
  • the base can form a frame around the switching element, the peripheral wall of the frame having a contact edge intended to bear against the plate when the device is mounted thereon.
  • This contact edge may constitute a seal protecting the inner part, that is to say the part where the switching zone is located.
  • the peripheral wall may have an edge, opposite to the contact edge, for receiving a base portion of the actuator.
  • the actuator is a part of revolution.
  • the device may further comprise a connecting piece intended firstly to hold the actuator on the base and secondly to ensure the mounting of the device on the plate.
  • this connecting piece fixes the device on the plate by gripping means ensuring a seamless attachment of the device on the plate.
  • the gripping means form latching means intended to pass through at least one hole of the plate and to anchor against the face thereof opposite to that on which the device is mounted.
  • the connecting piece can retain a base portion of the actuator sandwiched against the base.
  • This connecting piece may comprise at least one pin whose end forms an anchoring means on the plate, and a part of which incorporates fastening means intended to cooperate with fastening means connected to the base.
  • the base can be made in one piece of flexible plastic material or elastomer.
  • the switching element is a conductive element.
  • the switching element is in the form of a dome, in particular a dome blistering, metal or having a metallization for providing the electrical connection.
  • the carrier strip of one of the parts of the group is used further for packaging the device once it is assembled.
  • the carrier strip for packaging the assembled device is preferably used to feed a mounting tool of the device on its plate, this tool being of the strip feeding type.
  • the blister 4 (also referred to as "blister dome” or “dome”) has a slightly concave main surface viewed from below (from the printed circuit) with four truncated corners 4a, the latter making permanent contact with an end zone 10 of the a 14 of the conductive tracks.
  • the other track 12 has a contact pad 8 at the top of the concave portion of the blister. This vertex is deflected by elasticity to bear against this contact area 8 and thus establish an electrical connection between the two tracks 12 and 14 in response to a thrust transmitted by the actuator 2 when the user presses the top 18 of this last.
  • the actuator 2 comprises material filling its entire upper part 2b ( figure 5 ). This material forms at its lower part a protruding face 2c of reduced section just above the top of the blister 4, intended to press on the latter to establish the switching.
  • the blister 4 comprises two radial tabs 48 starting from two of its diagonally opposite corners 4a.
  • Each tab is in the form of an elastic blade directed towards the top with a slight inclination, the free edge forming a hook 48a intended to be received in a respective recess 50 formed for this purpose in an inner edge of the base 46 ( figure 5 ).
  • the actuator 2 is mounted on the upper portion of the base 46, the lower face 2d of the peripheral edge of the base 2a being in abutment against the upper edge 46b of the base around the entire periphery of the latter to ensure the sealing at the interface of these two parts.
  • the pins 23 of the connecting element 42 are substantially flat and elongated parallel to the mounting axis A, starting from diametrically opposite points of the outer edge of the connecting element towards the printed circuit 16.
  • the flat faces of the pins 23 are substantially tangential vis-à-vis the upper periphery of the connecting element.
  • the housing 50 of the base 46 has in cross section a lateral bearing 50a (parallel to the plane of the printed circuit) and a vertical bearing 50b.
  • the lateral bearing 50a constitutes for each hook 48a a stopper of the blister 4 which prevents the latter from disengaging the base.
  • the vertical span 50b is a stop for the elastic movement of the blade 48 and serves primarily for positioning or guiding the blister.
  • each blade 48 at the corner of the blister 4 has a bend 4a whose outer curvature is turned towards the printed circuit 16. Prior to mounting on the printed circuit 16, this bend constitutes the point of greatest protuberance of the underside of the switch 1 when the hook 48a is against the lateral bearing 50a ( figure 6a ).
  • the blister 4 is released from the anchor stop 50a of the base 46, as shown in FIG. figure 6b , to become a self-worn element, supported by the elbows 4a on the printed circuit.
  • neither the base 46, nor any other part of the switch supports the blister 4 for forces in the axis A, that is to say those that occur during the switching action.
  • the friction force between the end of the hooks 48 and the vertical bearing surfaces 50b is not to be taken into consideration, as it is small compared with the pressure forces between the printed circuit and the bends 4a, especially when operating the switch.
  • the seal between the inside of the switch, in particular at the switching zone 6, and the external environment is provided by the contact between the lower edge 46c of the base and the surface of the printed circuit 16.
  • this lower edge is made in the form of a peripheral sealing lip 46c capable of deforming when it is pressed onto the printed circuit 16.
  • This lip 46c is made of elastomer material or of flexible plastic, just like the rest of the base 46.
  • the thickness of this lip 46c gradually decreases by a beveled internal profiling of the inner face 46c of the base ( Figures 6a and 6b ), to form a fine contact area with the printed circuit, to better embrace the surface of the latter.
  • the sealing means 46c of the switch 1 are integrally integrated with the base 46, the latter can be easily made in one piece by molding of flexible plastic or elastomer.
  • the sealing of the inside of the switch 1, at the interface with the printed circuit can be provided by the actuator 2 rather than the base.
  • the base 2a of the actuator 2 can then be dimensioned to protrude from the base 46 and completely envelop it, this base being provided with a sealing lip making contact with the printed circuit 16, at the same time.
  • the lip 18 described by reference to Figures 1 to 3 Like the lip 18 described by reference to Figures 1 to 3 .
  • the design of the switch 20 in the form of mechanically simple separate parts also allows to consider manufacturing techniques and packaging particularly fast and judicious.
  • the connecting element 42, the blister 4 and the base 46 can each be made by stamping (or molding for the base) directly on a respective carrier strip.
  • the parts are detached from their carrier band at the assembly site of the switch, which allows the use of the carrier strip for the packaging of parts.
  • the parts which may come from different sources of supply, will for example be packaged in their carrier tape roll for transporting the supplier to the assembly site.
  • the carrier strips can be installed in a tape-fed automation machine.
  • Some of the parts, in particular the blister 4 may be covered with a protective film, for example a film of plastic shovel, to prevent stains or scratches during handling.
  • This packaging under carrier tape allows a more rational industrialization compared to the standard technique of separation of parts at the source of their manufacture, then of their bulk transport to a site for supply on vibrating bins of a switch assembly line. possibly with individual or batch packaging and unpacking before and after transport. However, this technique can obviously be used for the manufacture of this switch.
  • one of its component parts for example the connecting element 42
  • the connecting element 42 can remain at least partially secured to its band.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to use this band to condition the assembly of the assembled switch 1.
  • the band in question can then be transported, for example in the form of a roll, for installation in a tape-fed automaton for mounting the switch on its printed circuit board.
  • the web may be separated into individual switches at the mounting site if another editing technique is provided.
  • a strip of interleaved material is inserted between each winding turn of the strip and / or a pellable film is placed on the blister. Note that it is not necessarily necessary that one of the constituent parts of the switch is kept secured to its band during manufacture for the aforementioned packaging, since the assembled switches can be maintained in any way on one of the bands.
  • the embodiment advantageously provides an initial pre-folding of the pins 23 from their original position, which is in the plane of the annular part in the example.
  • This pre-bending on an angle of the order of 45 °, causes the pins to a flared position vis-à-vis the central axis A in the direction of the spacing towards the free end.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to bring the base 46, provided or not with the metal dome 4, under this connecting piece 42 and to bind the assembly while finishing the bending at 90 °, that is to say by orienting the pins parallel to the axis A, to bring the claws 23a into their respective housing 53 of the base 46.
  • the dome 4 is in contact only with the base 46 (before circuit mounting) or on the plate 16 of the circuit (after mounting) makes it possible to predict the actuator 2 in the form of a piece of revolution (uniform all around its axis of revolution). This simplifies on the one hand its realization and on the other hand the method of assembly. Indeed, no angular orientation of the actuator is to be expected during the transfer of the base on the assembly line, nor during its assembly on the other parts of the switch.
  • the switch according to the invention is furthermore remarkable in that it can be mounted on any type of circuit board, such as a printed circuit board, a connection board, etc., and can perform a switching by direct contact on conductive tracks. Moreover, several such switches can be mounted on the same plate, depending on the applications envisaged. It is therefore not it is necessary to provide a circuit board dedicated to a single switch, which is the case with conventional microswitches (known by the term "micro switch").
  • the switch 1 according to the present invention is unitary even before it is mounted and is suitable for standardization according to many different applications.
  • the invention allows many variations, both in terms of the shape of the parts, their arrangement, fixing means, relative dimensions, materials and manufacturing processes used and circuit supports.
  • the invention finds application in many fields of industrial activity using blister switches.

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Description

La présente invention concerne un commutateur électrique à actionnement par pression de type dit "cloquant", c'est-à-dire où la commutation s'effectue par déflexion, sous l'effet d'un actionneur, d'un dôme cloquant élastique conducteur contre deux conducteurs à relier. Plus particulièrement, l'invention propose dans ce contexte d'une part une conception et un assemblage optimisés des pièces constitutives du commutateur, permettant d'améliorer les performances tactiles de ce dernier, et d'autre part un procédé de réalisation et de conditionnement judicieux à la fois desdites pièces et du commutateur assemblé.The present invention relates to a pressure switch type electrical switch called "blistering", that is to say where the switching is effected by deflection, under the effect of an actuator, a conductive elastic blistering dome against two drivers to connect. More particularly, the invention proposes in this context on the one hand an optimized design and assembly of the component parts of the switch, to improve the tactile performance of the latter, and on the other hand a method of making and conditioning judicious both of said parts and the assembled switch.

Une application typique de l'invention est la commutation basse tension utilisée pour les commandes de servitudes dans un habitacle de véhicule automobile (lève-vitres, positionnement des sièges, toit-ouvrant, autoradio, ordinateur de bord, commandes sur console, etc.), où le commutateur est monté directement sur une platine de circuit électrique, par exemple un circuit imprimé.A typical application of the invention is the low-voltage switching used for servitude controls in a motor vehicle passenger compartment (window lifts, seat positioning, sunroof, car radio, on-board computer, console controls, etc.). , where the switch is mounted directly on a circuit board, for example a printed circuit.

Un exemple de commutateur cloquant connu qui est particulièrement avantageux en termes d'ergonomie, de fiabilité et de facilité d'implantation par des outils robotisés est décrit dans la demande de brevet français FR-A-2 800 904 déposée au nom de la société DAV S.A. Cet interrupteur cloquant 1, représenté aux figures 1 à 3, comprend un actionneur souple et déformable 2 qui recouvre un élément de commutation sous forme de dôme métallique élastique formant un cloquant 4, ce dernier étant positionné juste au-dessus d'une zone de commutation 6 à laquelle se situe deux points terminaux 8 et 10 de pistes respectives 12 et 14 d'un circuit imprimé 16. Ces points terminaux peuvent être ainsi reliés électriquement par le cloquant 4 lorsque ce dernier est infléchi vers la surface du circuit imprimé sous l'action d'une pression transmise par l'actionneur 2.An example of a known blister switch which is particularly advantageous in terms of ergonomics, reliability and ease of implantation by robotic tools is described in the French patent application. FR-A-2,800,904 filed in the name of DAV SA This blocking switch 1, shown in Figures 1 to 3 , comprises a flexible and deformable actuator 2 which covers a resilient metal dome-shaped switching element forming a blister 4, the latter being positioned just above a switching zone 6 at which there are two end points 8 and 10 of respective tracks 12 and 14 of a printed circuit 16. These end points can thus be electrically connected by the blister 4 when the latter is bent towards the surface of the printed circuit under the action of a pressure transmitted by the actuator 2 .

L'actionneur 2 comporte une base 2a à une partie supérieure 2b terminant sur un téton d'actionnement 18 accessible par l'utilisateur, sur lequel est exercée la force nécessaire à la déformation du cloquant 4.The actuator 2 comprises a base 2a at an upper part 2b terminating on an actuation pin 18 accessible by the user, on which the force necessary to deform the blister 4 is exerted.

Plus particulièrement, le cloquant 4 est logé dans l'espace 20 (figure 2) défini entre la face supérieure du circuit imprimé 16 et une face interne courbe 22 de l'actionneur 2. Le cloquant 4 repose sur le circuit imprimé par plusieurs points d'appui périphériques 24 recourbés vers l'extérieur, par lesquels il est maintenu rehaussé.More particularly, the blister 4 is housed in the space 20 ( figure 2 ) defined between the upper face of the printed circuit 16 and a curved inner face 22 of the actuator 2. The blister 4 rests on the printed circuit by several peripheral support points 24 curved outwards, by which it is kept raised .

Le cloquant présente une partie entrante centrale 26 à l'aplomb de l'un 8 des points terminaux, avec lequel il crée le contact, l'autre point terminal 10 étant en contact permanent avec le cloquant à proximité de l'un des points d'appui périphériques 24. La base de l'actionneur est annulaire et sa périphérie constitue une lèvre d'étanchéité 28. Celle-ci se loge dans une gorge 30 ménagée dans des moyens d'étanchéité constitués par un cerclage 32 qui est fixé sur le circuit imprimé 16 par des pattes de fixation 34. A cette fin, des orifices 36 sont ménagés dans le circuit imprimé pour recevoir les pattes 34 par clippage. Ainsi, le circuit imprimé 16 fait office de support du cerclage 32 et, par là même, du dispositif de commutation dans son ensemble 1. Le cerclage 32 est réalisé dans une matière rigide par rapport à celle de l'actionneur 2, et plus particulièrement par rapport à la lèvre d'étanchéité 28.The blister has a central inlet portion 26 at the base of one of the 8 end points, with which it creates the contact, the other end point 10 being in permanent contact with the blister near one of the points d 24. The base of the actuator is annular and its periphery constitutes a sealing lip 28. The latter is housed in a groove 30 formed in sealing means constituted by a strapping 32 which is fixed on the printed circuit 16 by fixing lugs 34. For this purpose, orifices 36 are formed in the printed circuit for receive the tabs 34 by clipping. Thus, the printed circuit board 16 acts as support for the strapping 32 and, consequently, for the switching device as a whole 1. The strapping 32 is made of a material that is rigid with respect to that of the actuator 2, and more particularly with respect to the sealing lip 28.

Ainsi que le montre la figure 2, la gorge 30 est constituée par une dépouille comportant une portée horizontale 30a et une portée verticale 30b de manière à constituer des zones d'appui pour la lèvre d'étanchéité 28 et améliorer ainsi l'étanchéité et l'isolation vis-à-vis de l'extérieur de la zone de commutation 6. A l'état de repos, la lèvre d'étanchéité est appliquée fortement au moins sur la portée horizontale 30a, ce qui empêche toute introduction de matière dans l'espace 20.As shown in figure 2 , the groove 30 is constituted by a recess having a horizontal bearing surface 30a and a vertical bearing surface 30b so as to constitute bearing zones for the sealing lip 28 and thus to improve the sealing and the insulation with respect to from the outside of the switching zone 6. In the idle state, the sealing lip is strongly applied at least on the horizontal surface 30a, which prevents any introduction of material into the space 20.

Une description plus complète de cet interrupteur est donnée par le document brevet FR-A-2 800 904 précité.A more complete description of this switch is given by the patent document FR-A-2,800,904 cited above.

Avant le montage de l'interrupteur sur le circuit imprimé 16, il est nécessaire de retenir le cloquant 4 à sa position normale vis-à-vis de l'actionneur 2. A cette fin, la face interne courbe 22 de l'actionneur est pourvue de quatre paires de segments ou lèvres 38, comme le montre la figure 3, chaque paire prenant en sandwich un bord périphérique du cloquant 4.Before mounting the switch on the printed circuit board 16, it is necessary to hold the blister 4 in its normal position with respect to the actuator 2. For this purpose, the curved inner face 22 of the actuator is provided with four pairs of segments or lips 38, as shown in figure 3 each pair sandwiching a peripheral edge of the blister 4.

Ces moyens de rétention agissent en permanence sur le cloquant, le retenant aussi lorsque le commutateur est monté définitivement sur le circuit imprimé. Or, ces moyens n'ont d'utilité que lors de la manutention avant et lors de l'implantation du commutateur, puisque le cloquant est ensuite retenu correctement par le circuit imprimé 16, et ont comme effet secondaire de perturber l'effet tactile du cloquant, ainsi que de complexifier l'assemblage du commutateur et la géométrie de l'actionneur 2. Un dispositif de commutation selon le préambule de la revendication 1est divulgué dans le document US-A-4778952 .These retention means act permanently on the blister, also retaining it when the switch is mounted permanently on the printed circuit. However, these means are only useful during handling before and during the implantation of the switch, since the blister is then correctly retained by the printed circuit 16, and have the side effect of disturbing the tactile effect of the switch. blistering, as well as to complicate the assembly of the switch and the geometry of the actuator 2. A switching device according to the preamble of claim 1is disclosed in the document US Patent 4778952 .

Au vu de ce qui précède, l'invention prévoit, selon un premier aspect,In view of the above, the invention provides, according to a first aspect,

un dispositif de commutation selon la revendication 1.a switching device according to claim 1.

Dans le mode de réalisation préféré, l'élément de commutation n'est soutenu que par la platine lorsque le dispositif est monté sur celle-ci, l'embase n'assurant alors qu'une fonction de guidage pour de l'élément de commutation.In the preferred embodiment, the switching element is supported only by the plate when the device is mounted on it, the base thus providing only a guiding function for the switching element. .

De préférence, l'élément de commutation se désengage naturellement des moyens de rétention sous l'effet d'une poussée exercée sur l'élément de commutation par la platine lorsque le dispositif est monté sur celle-ci.Preferably, the switching element naturally disengages the retention means under the effect of a thrust exerted on the switching element by the plate when the device is mounted thereon.

L'élément de commutation peut être monté flottant vis-à-vis de l'embase entre une première position à laquelle l'élément de commutation est en buté contre les moyens de rétention et une seconde position à laquelle il est désengagé des moyens de rétention, cette seconde position étant adoptée automatiquement par la mise en place du dispositif sur la platine.The switching element may be floating mounted with respect to the base between a first position where the switching element abuts against the retention means and a second position at which it is disengaged from the retention means. , this second position being adopted automatically by placing the device on the plate.

L'élément de commutation peut comprendre au moins un appendice dont l'extrémité libre forme un crochet, les moyens de rétention présentant une butée pour le crochet empêchant le retrait de l'élément de commutation par la face de l'embase tournée vers la platine.The switching element may comprise at least one appendix whose free end forms a hook, the retention means having a stop for the hook preventing the removal of the switching element by the face of the base facing towards the plate .

Cet appendice est de préférence une lame élastique partant d'un coin de l'élément de commutation et dont l'extrémité prend appui contre une portée intérieure de l'embase, permettant le guidage de l'élément de commutation vis-à-vis de l'embase.This appendage is preferably an elastic blade extending from a corner of the switching element and whose end bears against an inner bearing surface of the base, allowing the switching element to be guided with respect to the base.

L'embase peut former un cadre autour de l'élément de commutation, la paroi périphérique du cadre présentant un bord de contact destiné à prendre appui contre la platine lorsque le dispositif est en monté sur celle-ci.The base can form a frame around the switching element, the peripheral wall of the frame having a contact edge intended to bear against the plate when the device is mounted thereon.

Ce bord de contact peut constituer un joint d'étanchéité protégeant la partie interne, c'est-à-dire la partie où se situe la zone de commutation.This contact edge may constitute a seal protecting the inner part, that is to say the part where the switching zone is located.

La paroi périphérique peut présenter un bord, opposé au bord de contact, destiné à recevoir une portion de base de l'actionneur.The peripheral wall may have an edge, opposite to the contact edge, for receiving a base portion of the actuator.

Avantageusement, l'actionneur est une pièce de révolution.Advantageously, the actuator is a part of revolution.

Le dispositif peut comprendre en outre une pièce de raccordement destinée d'une part à retenir l'actionneur sur l'embase et d'autre part à assurer le montage du dispositif sur la platine.The device may further comprise a connecting piece intended firstly to hold the actuator on the base and secondly to ensure the mounting of the device on the plate.

De préférence, cette pièce de raccordement fixe le dispositif sur la platine par des moyens préhension assurant une fixation sans soudure du dispositif sur la platine.Preferably, this connecting piece fixes the device on the plate by gripping means ensuring a seamless attachment of the device on the plate.

Dans le mode de réalisation, les moyens de préhension forment des moyens d'encliquetage destinés à passer à travers au moins un trou de la platine et à s'ancrer contre la face de celle-ci opposée à celle sur laquelle le dispositif est monté.In the embodiment, the gripping means form latching means intended to pass through at least one hole of the plate and to anchor against the face thereof opposite to that on which the device is mounted.

La pièce de raccordement peut retenir une portion de base de l'actionneur en sandwich contre l'embase.The connecting piece can retain a base portion of the actuator sandwiched against the base.

Cette pièce de raccordement peut comprendre au moins une broche dont l'extrémité forme un moyen d'ancrage sur la platine, et dont une partie intègre des moyens fixation destinés coopérer avec des moyens de fixation liés à l'embase.This connecting piece may comprise at least one pin whose end forms an anchoring means on the plate, and a part of which incorporates fastening means intended to cooperate with fastening means connected to the base.

L'embase peut être réalisée d'une seule pièce en matière plastique souple ou en élastomère.The base can be made in one piece of flexible plastic material or elastomer.

Avantageusement, l'élément de commutation est un élément conducteur. De préférence, l'élément de commutation se présente sous forme de dôme, notamment un dôme cloquant, en métal ou comportant une métallisation permettant d'assurer la liaison électrique.Advantageously, the switching element is a conductive element. Preferably, the switching element is in the form of a dome, in particular a dome blistering, metal or having a metallization for providing the electrical connection.

Selon un deuxième aspect, l'invention concerne un procédé de fabrication du dispositif selon le premier aspect, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une des pièces, et avantageusement chacune des pièces, parmi le groupe comprenant :

  • l'élément de raccordement,
  • l'élément de commutation, et
  • l'embase,
est fabriquée sur une bande porteuse, et la pièce est reliée à la bande porteuse lors de l'assemblage du dispositif, la bande porteuse servant également de moyen de conditionnement de la pièce entre sa fabrication et l'assemblage du dispositif.According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing the device according to the first aspect, characterized in that at least one of the parts, and advantageously each of the parts, among the group comprising:
  • the connection element,
  • the switching element, and
  • the base,
is manufactured on a carrier strip, and the piece is connected to the carrier strip during assembly of the device, the carrier strip also serving as a means of packaging the part between its manufacture and assembly of the device.

Avantageusement, la bande porteuse de l'une des pièces du groupe est utilisée en outre pour le conditionnement du dispositif une fois celui-ci assemblé.Advantageously, the carrier strip of one of the parts of the group is used further for packaging the device once it is assembled.

La bande porteuse servant au conditionnement du dispositif assemblé est de préférence utilisée pour alimenter un outil de montage du dispositif sur sa platine, cet outil étant du type à alimentation par bande.The carrier strip for packaging the assembled device is preferably used to feed a mounting tool of the device on its plate, this tool being of the strip feeding type.

Le procédé peut en outre comprendre les étapes, appliquées à la pièce de raccordement lorsque celle-ci est munie de broches, de :

  • orienter les broches évasées vis-à-vis de l'axe central de la pièce de raccordement, l'évasement étant dans le sens de l'écartement de cet axe en allant vers leur l'extrémité libre,
  • réunir la pièce de raccordement avec l'embase, munie ou non de l'élément de commutation, et
  • lier l'ensemble en orientant les branches parallèles à l'axe central, afin d'amener leurs moyens de fixation dans leur logement respectif de l'embase.
The method may further comprise the steps, applied to the connection piece when it is provided with pins, of:
  • orienting the flared spindles with respect to the central axis of the connecting piece, the flare being in the direction of the spacing of this axis towards their free end,
  • connect the connection piece with the base, provided or not with the switching element, and
  • bind the assembly by orienting the branches parallel to the central axis, to bring their fixing means in their respective housing of the base.

L'invention est les avantages qui en ressortent apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description qui suit des modes de réalisation préférés, ceux-ci étant donnés purement à titre d'exemples non-limitatifs par référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1, déjà décrite, et une vue éclatée en perspective du commutateur et d'un circuit imprimé représenté partiellement et schématiquement, selon le document brevet FR-A-2 800 904 ,
  • la figure 2, déjà décrite, est une vue en coupe du commutateur de la figure 1 après montage sur un circuit imprimé,
  • la figure 3, déjà décrite, est une vue plongeante sur l'intérieur de l'actionneur du commutateur de la figure 1, montrant plus particulièrement comment les moyens de préhension retiennent le cloquant,
  • la figure 4 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'un commutateur et d'un circuit imprimé selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe du commutateur de la figure 4 après montage sur un circuit imprimé,
  • la figure 6a est une vue en coupe partielle et simplifiée du commutateur selon la coupe VI-VI' de la figure 4, montrant l'agencement des moyens de rétention du cloquant vis-à-vis de l'embase avant le montage sur le circuit imprimé, et
  • la figure 6b est une vue en coupe partielle et simplifiée du commutateur selon la coupe VI'-VI' de la figure 4, montrant l'agencement des moyens de rétention du cloquant vis-à-vis de l'embase après le montage sur le circuit imprimé.
The invention is the advantages which emerge from it will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows of the preferred embodiments, these being given purely by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 , already described, and an exploded perspective view of the switch and a printed circuit shown partially and schematically, according to the patent document FR-A-2,800,904 ,
  • the figure 2 , already described, is a sectional view of the switch of the figure 1 after mounting on a printed circuit,
  • the figure 3 , already described, is a plunging view on the inside of the switch actuator of the figure 1 , showing more particularly how the gripping means hold the blister,
  • the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a switch and a printed circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
  • the figure 5 is a sectional view of the switch of the figure 4 after mounting on a printed circuit,
  • the figure 6a is a partial and simplified sectional view of the switch according to section VI-VI 'of the figure 4 showing the arrangement of the retention means of the blister with respect to the base before mounting on the printed circuit, and
  • the figure 6b is a partial and simplified sectional view of the switch according to section VI'-VI 'of the figure 4 , showing the arrangement of the retention means of the blister vis-à-vis the base after mounting on the printed circuit.

Dans la description qui suit, les éléments fonctionnellement analogues à ceux des figures 1 à 3 portent les mêmes références et sont considérés comme déjà décrits dans le cadre de ces figures ; seules leurs éventuelles différences seront précisées par souci de concision.In the description that follows, the functionally similar elements to those of the Figures 1 to 3 have the same references and are considered as already described in the context of these figures; only their possible differences will be specified for the sake of brevity.

Ainsi que le montre la figure 4, le commutateur de type cloquant 40 selon le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention se compose de quatre pièces qui se superposent sur un axe central de montage A qui est perpendiculaire au plan d'un circuit imprimé 16 destiné à le recevoir :

  • un élément de raccordement 42 en matériau métallique de forme générale annulaire, formant un boîtier qui coiffe les trois autres éléments, muni de deux broches 23 permettant un ancrage dans des trous respectifs 44 du circuit imprimé 16,
  • un actionneur 2 en matière souple, par exemple un élastomère, sous forme de pièce de révolution, comprenant une base périphérique 2a et une partie centrale surélevée 2b qui forme un poussoir traversant l'ouverture centrale 42a de l'élément de raccordement,
  • un cloquant conducteur 4 de type métallique en forme de dôme, qui constitue un exemple d'élément de commutation assurant la liaison électrique entre deux pistes conductrices 12, 14 du circuit imprimé 16 lorsque le commutateur est activé, et
  • une embase 46 sous forme d'entretoise qui prend appui de manière étanche sur le circuit imprimé, dotée d'une ouverture centrale 46a par laquelle le cloquant 4 peut établir un contact avec le circuit imprimé. Elle sert en outre à retenir le cloquant avant le montage du commutateur sur le circuit imprimé, et à supporter la base de l'actionneur.
As shown in figure 4 , the blister type switch 40 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of four parts which are superimposed on a central axis of assembly A which is perpendicular to the plane of a printed circuit 16 intended to receive it:
  • a connecting element 42 of metal material of generally annular shape, forming a housing which covers the other three elements, provided with two pins 23 allowing anchoring in respective holes 44 of the printed circuit 16,
  • an actuator 2 of flexible material, for example an elastomer, in the form of a piece of revolution, comprising a peripheral base 2a and a raised central portion 2b which forms a pusher passing through the central opening 42a of the connecting element,
  • a dome-shaped metal-type conductive blister 4, which is an example of a switching element providing the electrical connection between two conductive tracks 12, 14 of the printed circuit board 16 when the switch is activated, and
  • a base 46 in the form of a spacer which bears tightly on the printed circuit, provided with a central opening 46a through which the blister 4 can make contact with the printed circuit. It also serves to retain the blister before mounting the switch on the circuit board, and to support the base of the actuator.

Le cloquant 4 (aussi désigné "dôme cloquant" ou "dôme") présente une surface principale légèrement concave vue du dessous (depuis le circuit imprimé) avec quatre coins tronqués 4a, ces derniers établissant un contact permanent avec une zone terminale 10 de l'une 14 des pistes conductrices. L'autre piste 12 présente une plage de contact 8 à l'aplomb du sommet de la partie concave du cloquant. Ce sommet est défléchi par élasticité pour s'appuyer contre cette plage de contact 8 et établir ainsi une liaison électrique entre les deux pistes 12 et 14 en réponse à une poussée transmise par l'actionneur 2 lorsque l'utilisateur appuie sur le sommet 18 de ce dernier. Afin d'assurer cette fonction de transmission d'effort sur le cloquant, l'actionneur 2 comprend de la matière remplissant toute sa partie supérieure 2b (figure 5). Cette matière forme à sa partie inférieure une face protubérante 2c de section réduite juste au-dessus du sommet du cloquant 4, destiné à presser sur ce dernier pour établir la commutation.The blister 4 (also referred to as "blister dome" or "dome") has a slightly concave main surface viewed from below (from the printed circuit) with four truncated corners 4a, the latter making permanent contact with an end zone 10 of the a 14 of the conductive tracks. The other track 12 has a contact pad 8 at the top of the concave portion of the blister. This vertex is deflected by elasticity to bear against this contact area 8 and thus establish an electrical connection between the two tracks 12 and 14 in response to a thrust transmitted by the actuator 2 when the user presses the top 18 of this last. In order to ensure this force transmission function on the blister, the actuator 2 comprises material filling its entire upper part 2b ( figure 5 ). This material forms at its lower part a protruding face 2c of reduced section just above the top of the blister 4, intended to press on the latter to establish the switching.

Le cloquant 4 comporte deux pattes radiales 48 partant de deux de ses coins 4a diagonalement opposés. Chaque patte se présente sous la forme d'une lame élastique dirigée vers le sommet avec une légère inclinaison, le bord libre formant un crochet 48a destiné à être reçu dans un logement respectif 50 ménagé à cet effet dans un bord intérieur de l'embase 46 (figure 5).The blister 4 comprises two radial tabs 48 starting from two of its diagonally opposite corners 4a. Each tab is in the form of an elastic blade directed towards the top with a slight inclination, the free edge forming a hook 48a intended to be received in a respective recess 50 formed for this purpose in an inner edge of the base 46 ( figure 5 ).

L'actionneur 2 est monté posé sur la partie supérieure de l'embase 46, la face inférieure 2d du bord périphérique de la base 2a étant en appui contre le bord supérieur 46b de l'embase sur tout le pourtour de ce dernier pour assurer l'étanchéité au niveau de l'interface de ces deux pièces.The actuator 2 is mounted on the upper portion of the base 46, the lower face 2d of the peripheral edge of the base 2a being in abutment against the upper edge 46b of the base around the entire periphery of the latter to ensure the sealing at the interface of these two parts.

Les broches 23 de l'élément de raccordement 42 sont sensiblement planes et allongées parallèlement à l'axe de montage A, partant de points diamétralement opposés du bord extérieur de l'élément de raccordement vers le circuit imprimé 16. Les faces planes des broches 23 sont sensiblement tangentielles vis-à-vis du pourtour supérieur de l'élément de raccordement.The pins 23 of the connecting element 42 are substantially flat and elongated parallel to the mounting axis A, starting from diametrically opposite points of the outer edge of the connecting element towards the printed circuit 16. The flat faces of the pins 23 are substantially tangential vis-à-vis the upper periphery of the connecting element.

Ces broches 23 ont une double fonction :

  • d'une part de fixer commutateur 1 dans son ensemble sur le circuit imprimé 16, comme mentionné supra. Cette fonction est réalisée par l'extrémité libre de chaque broche, celle-ci ayant une languette 52 en forme de "U", découpée dans la matière de la broche et infléchie vers l'intérieur. La languette 52 forme un moyen élastique de clippage (ou d'encliquetage) dont l'extrémité est destinée à s'ancrer contre une portion de surface inférieure du circuit imprimé 16, à l'abord d'un des trous 44 ; et
  • d'autre part de solidariser l'élément de raccordement 42 à l'embase 46 et de maintenir l'actionneur 2 entre ces deux pièces 44 et 46. A cette fin, les deux broches 23 comportent chacune une paire de griffes 23a. Celles-ci partent des bords longitudinaux opposés respectifs d'une broche et sont tournées vers l'intérieure pour s'engager dans des logements correspondants respectifs 53 ménagés dans des faces extérieures opposées de l'embase 46. Lors de l'assemblage du commutateur, l'actionneur 2 est ainsi maintenu serré en sandwich entre l'élément de raccordement 42 et l'embase 46.
These pins 23 have a dual function:
  • on the one hand to set switch 1 as a whole on the printed circuit 16, as mentioned above. This function is performed by the free end of each pin, the latter having a tongue 52 shaped "U", cut in the material of the pin and inflected inwardly. The tongue 52 forms an elastic means of clipping (or latching) whose end is intended to be anchored against a lower surface portion of the printed circuit 16, at the approach of one of the holes 44; and
  • secondly to secure the connecting member 42 to the base 46 and maintain the actuator 2 between these two parts 44 and 46. For this purpose, the two pins 23 each comprise a pair of claws 23a. These start from the longitudinal edges respective opposite of a pin and are turned inward to engage respective corresponding housings 53 formed in opposite outer faces of the base 46. When assembling the switch, the actuator 2 is thus maintained sandwiched between the connecting member 42 and the base 46.

Lorsque les quatre pièces 42, 2, 4 et 46 du commutateur 1 sont assemblées, celles-ci sont donc toutes couplées pour former un tout solidaire avant même le montage sur le circuit imprimé 16. En ce qui concerne le cloquant 4, le logement 50 de l'embase 46 présente en section transversale une portée latérale 50a (parallèle au plan du circuit imprimé) et une portée verticale 50b. La portée latérale 50a constitue pour chaque crochet 48a une butée de retenu du cloquant 4 qui empêche ce dernier de se désunir de l'embase. La portée verticale 50b constitue une butée pour le débattement élastique de la lame 48 et sert essentiellement au positionnement, ou au guidage, du cloquant.When the four pieces 42, 2, 4 and 46 of the switch 1 are assembled, they are all coupled to form an integral before even mounting on the printed circuit board 16. With regard to the blister 4, the housing 50 of the base 46 has in cross section a lateral bearing 50a (parallel to the plane of the printed circuit) and a vertical bearing 50b. The lateral bearing 50a constitutes for each hook 48a a stopper of the blister 4 which prevents the latter from disengaging the base. The vertical span 50b is a stop for the elastic movement of the blade 48 and serves primarily for positioning or guiding the blister.

Comme le montrent les figures 6a et 6b, ces deux portées 50a et 50b permettent un montage flottant du cloquant 4, avec un jeu e1. dans le sens de l'axe de montage A. Ce montage flottant permet de libérer le cloquant de son ancrage constitué par la portée latérale 50a lorsque le commutateur est monté sur le circuit imprimé 16.As shown by Figures 6a and 6b these two bearings 50a and 50b allow a floating mounting of the blister 4, with a game e1. in the direction of the mounting axis A. This floating assembly releases the blister from its anchorage constituted by the lateral bearing 50a when the switch is mounted on the printed circuit board 16.

Plus particulièrement, le point de départ de chaque lame 48 au niveau du coin du cloquant 4 présente un coude 4a dont la courbure extérieure est tournée vers le circuit imprimé 16. Avant montage sur le circuit imprimé 16, ce coude constitue le point de plus grande protubérance de la face inférieure du commutateur 1 lorsque le crochet 48a est en buté contre la portée latérale 50a (figure 6a).More particularly, the starting point of each blade 48 at the corner of the blister 4 has a bend 4a whose outer curvature is turned towards the printed circuit 16. Prior to mounting on the printed circuit 16, this bend constitutes the point of greatest protuberance of the underside of the switch 1 when the hook 48a is against the lateral bearing 50a ( figure 6a ).

Lors du montage du commutateur 1 sur le circuit imprimé 16, le premier contact physique avec ce dernier s'établit par les coudes 4a. Ces coudes se rétractent alors vers l'embase, grâce au jeu el, jusqu'à ce que le bord inférieur 46c de l'embase vienne à son tour en buté contre la face du circuit imprimé pour adopter la position de montage définitive, à laquelle les languettes d'encliquetage 52 s'écartent pour s'ancrer sous le circuit imprimé. Comme le montre la figure 6b, les coudes 4a et le bord inférieur 46c de l'embase sont alors tous deux au niveau de la face du circuit imprimé, et les crochets 48a sont dégagés de la portée latérale 50a par une distance égale au jeu précité el.When mounting the switch 1 on the printed circuit 16, the first physical contact with the latter is established by the bends 4a. These elbows then retract to the base, thanks to the game el, until the lower edge 46c of the base comes in turn abuts against the face of the printed circuit to adopt the final mounting position, to which the detent tabs 52 separate to anchor under the printed circuit. As shown in figure 6b , the elbows 4a and the lower edge 46c of the base are then both at the face of the printed circuit, and the hooks 48a are released from the lateral bearing 50a by a distance equal to the above game el.

A cette position de montage, le cloquant 4 est libéré de la butée d'ancrage 50a de l'embase 46, comme le montre la figure 6b, pour devenir un élément auto porté, soutenu par les coudes 4a sur le circuit imprimé. Autrement dit, lorsque le commutateur 1 est monté sur le circuit imprimé, ni l'embase 46, ni aucune autre pièce du commutateur, ne supporte le cloquant 4 pour des forces dans l'axe A, c'est-à-dire celles qui interviennent durant l'action de commutation. On note à ce propos que là force de frottement entre l'extrémité des crochets 48 et les portées verticales 50b n'est pas à prendre en considération, tant elle est faible par rapport aux forces de pression entre le circuit imprimé et les coudes 4a, notamment lors de l'actionnement du commutateur.At this mounting position, the blister 4 is released from the anchor stop 50a of the base 46, as shown in FIG. figure 6b , to become a self-worn element, supported by the elbows 4a on the printed circuit. In other words, when the switch 1 is mounted on the printed circuit, neither the base 46, nor any other part of the switch, supports the blister 4 for forces in the axis A, that is to say those that occur during the switching action. It should be noted in this connection that the friction force between the end of the hooks 48 and the vertical bearing surfaces 50b is not to be taken into consideration, as it is small compared with the pressure forces between the printed circuit and the bends 4a, especially when operating the switch.

L'étanchéité entre l'intérieur du commutateur, notamment au niveau de la zone de commutation 6, et l'environnement extérieur est assurée par le contact entre le bord inférieur 46c de l'embase et la surface du circuit imprimé 16. A cette fin, ce bord inférieur est réalisé sous forme de lèvre périphérique d'étanchéité 46c propre à se déformer lorsqu'elle est plaquée sur le circuit imprimé 16. Cette lèvre 46c est en matériau élastomère ou en plastique souple, tout comme le reste de l'embase 46. L'épaisseur de cette lèvre 46c diminue progressivement par un profilage intérieur biseauté de la face intérieure 46c de l'embase (figures 6a et 6b), jusqu'à former une plage de contact fine avec le circuit imprimé, permettant de mieux épouser hermétiquement la surface de ce dernier. Dans cet exemple de réalisation, les moyens d'étanchéité 46c du commutateur 1 sont donc intégrés de manière monobloc à l'embase 46, celle-ci pouvant être réalisée aisément d'une seule pièce par moulage de plastique souple ou d'élastomère.The seal between the inside of the switch, in particular at the switching zone 6, and the external environment is provided by the contact between the lower edge 46c of the base and the surface of the printed circuit 16. For this purpose this lower edge is made in the form of a peripheral sealing lip 46c capable of deforming when it is pressed onto the printed circuit 16. This lip 46c is made of elastomer material or of flexible plastic, just like the rest of the base 46. The thickness of this lip 46c gradually decreases by a beveled internal profiling of the inner face 46c of the base ( Figures 6a and 6b ), to form a fine contact area with the printed circuit, to better embrace the surface of the latter. In this embodiment, the sealing means 46c of the switch 1 are integrally integrated with the base 46, the latter can be easily made in one piece by molding of flexible plastic or elastomer.

En variante, l'étanchéité de l'intérieur du commutateur 1, au niveau de l'interface avec le circuit imprimé, peut être assurée par l'actionneur 2 plutôt que par l'embase. Dans ce cas, la base 2a de l'actionneur 2 peut être alors dimensionnée pour déborder de l'embase 46 et l'envelopper complètement, cette base étant munie d'une lèvre d'étanchéité prenant contact avec le circuit imprimé 16, à l'instar de la lèvre 18 décrite par référence aux figures 1 à 3.Alternatively, the sealing of the inside of the switch 1, at the interface with the printed circuit, can be provided by the actuator 2 rather than the base. In this case, the base 2a of the actuator 2 can then be dimensioned to protrude from the base 46 and completely envelop it, this base being provided with a sealing lip making contact with the printed circuit 16, at the same time. Like the lip 18 described by reference to Figures 1 to 3 .

La conception du commutateur 20 sous forme de pièces séparées mécaniquement simples (boîtier 42, actionneur 2, cloquant 4 et embase 46) permet par ailleurs d'envisager des techniques de fabrication et de conditionnement particulièrement rapides et judicieuses.The design of the switch 20 in the form of mechanically simple separate parts (housing 42, actuator 2, blister 4 and 46 base) also allows to consider manufacturing techniques and packaging particularly fast and judicious.

Ainsi, l'élément de raccordement 42, le cloquant 4 et l'embase 46 peuvent chacun être réalisés par emboutissage (ou moulage pour l'embase) directement sur une bande porteuse respective. Avantageusement, les pièces ne sont détachées de leur bande porteuse qu'au site d'assemblage du commutateur, ce qui permet d'utiliser la bande porteuse pour le conditionnement des pièces. Les pièces, qui peuvent provenir de sources d'approvisionnement différentes, seront par exemple conditionnées dans leur bande porteuse en rouleau pour le transport du fournisseur au site d'assemblage. A ce site, les bandes porteuses peuvent être installées dans un automate de montage à alimentation sur bande. Certaines des pièces, notamment le cloquant 4, peuvent être recouvertes d'un film protecteur, par exemple une pellicule en plastique pellable, pour éviter les salissures ou rayures lors de la manutention. Ce conditionnement sous bande porteuse permet une industrialisation plus rationnelle par rapport à la technique classique de séparation des pièces à la source de leur fabrication, puis de leur transport en vrac vers un site pour alimentation sur des bacs vibreurs d'une chaîne de montage du commutateur, éventuellement avec emballage et désemballage individuel ou par lots avant et après le transport. Toutefois, cette technique peut bien évidemment être utilisée pour la fabrication du présent commutateur.Thus, the connecting element 42, the blister 4 and the base 46 can each be made by stamping (or molding for the base) directly on a respective carrier strip. Advantageously, the parts are detached from their carrier band at the assembly site of the switch, which allows the use of the carrier strip for the packaging of parts. The parts, which may come from different sources of supply, will for example be packaged in their carrier tape roll for transporting the supplier to the assembly site. At this site, the carrier strips can be installed in a tape-fed automation machine. Some of the parts, in particular the blister 4, may be covered with a protective film, for example a film of plastic shovel, to prevent stains or scratches during handling. This packaging under carrier tape allows a more rational industrialization compared to the standard technique of separation of parts at the source of their manufacture, then of their bulk transport to a site for supply on vibrating bins of a switch assembly line. possibly with individual or batch packaging and unpacking before and after transport. However, this technique can obviously be used for the manufacture of this switch.

Lors de l'assemblage du commutateur 1, l'une de ses pièces constitutives, par exemple l'élément de raccordement 42, peut rester au moins partiellement solidarisée à sa bande. Cette disposition permet d'utiliser cette bande pour conditionner l'ensemble du commutateur assemblé 1. La bande en question peut alors être transportée, par exemple sous forme de rouleau, pour installation dans un automate à alimentation sur bande servant au montage du commutateur sur son circuit imprimé. En variante, la bande peut être séparée en commutateurs individuels au site de montage si une autre technique de montage est prévue. De préférence, une bande de matériau intercalaire est insérée entre chaque spire d'enroulement de la bande et/ou un film pellable est placé sur le cloquant. On note qu'il n'est pas forcément nécessaire que l'une des pièces constitutives du commutateur soit maintenue solidarisée à sa bande lors de la fabrication pour le conditionnement précité, dès lors que les commutateurs assemblés peuvent être maintenus d'une manière quelconque sur l'une des bandes.When assembling the switch 1, one of its component parts, for example the connecting element 42, can remain at least partially secured to its band. This arrangement makes it possible to use this band to condition the assembly of the assembled switch 1. The band in question can then be transported, for example in the form of a roll, for installation in a tape-fed automaton for mounting the switch on its printed circuit board. Alternatively, the web may be separated into individual switches at the mounting site if another editing technique is provided. Preferably, a strip of interleaved material is inserted between each winding turn of the strip and / or a pellable film is placed on the blister. Note that it is not necessarily necessary that one of the constituent parts of the switch is kept secured to its band during manufacture for the aforementioned packaging, since the assembled switches can be maintained in any way on one of the bands.

En ce qui concerne la fixation de l'élément de raccordement 42 avec l'embase 46 lors de l'assemblage du commutateur 40, le mode de réalisation prévoit avantageusement un pré-pliage initial des broches 23 depuis leur position d'origine, qui est dans le plan de la partie annulaire dans l'exémple. Ce pré-pliage, sur un angle de l'ordre de 45°, amène les broches à une position évasée vis-à-vis de l'axe central A, dans le sens de l'écartement en allant vers l'extrémité libre. Cette disposition permet d'amener l'embase 46, munie ou non du dôme métallique 4, sous cette pièce de raccordement 42 et de lier l'ensemble en terminant le pliage à 90°, c'est-à-dire en orientant les broches parallèles à l'axe A, afin d'amener les griffes 23a dans leur logement respectif 53 de l'embase 46.As regards the fixing of the connecting element 42 with the base 46 during the assembly of the switch 40, the embodiment advantageously provides an initial pre-folding of the pins 23 from their original position, which is in the plane of the annular part in the exemple. This pre-bending, on an angle of the order of 45 °, causes the pins to a flared position vis-à-vis the central axis A in the direction of the spacing towards the free end. This arrangement makes it possible to bring the base 46, provided or not with the metal dome 4, under this connecting piece 42 and to bind the assembly while finishing the bending at 90 °, that is to say by orienting the pins parallel to the axis A, to bring the claws 23a into their respective housing 53 of the base 46.

Au niveau de l'architecture de produit, on note que le fait que le dôme 4 ne soit en contact qu'avec l'embase 46 (avant montage sur circuit) ou sur la platine 16 du circuit (après montage) permet de prévoir l'actionneur 2 sous forme de pièce de révolution (uniforme tout autour de son axe de révolution). Cela simplifie d'une part sa réalisation et d'autre part le mode d'assemblage. En effet, aucune orientation angulaire de l'actionneur n'est à prévoir lors du transfert de l'embase sur la ligne d'assemblage, ni lors de son montage sur les autres pièces du commutateur.At the level of the product architecture, it is noted that the fact that the dome 4 is in contact only with the base 46 (before circuit mounting) or on the plate 16 of the circuit (after mounting) makes it possible to predict the actuator 2 in the form of a piece of revolution (uniform all around its axis of revolution). This simplifies on the one hand its realization and on the other hand the method of assembly. Indeed, no angular orientation of the actuator is to be expected during the transfer of the base on the assembly line, nor during its assembly on the other parts of the switch.

Le commutateur conforme à l'invention est en outre remarquable par le fait qu'il peut être monté sur tout type de platine de circuit électrique, telle qu'une carte de circuit imprimé, une planche de connexion, etc., et peut effectuer une commutation par contact directe sur des pistes conductrices. Par ailleurs, plusieurs tels commutateurs peuvent montés sur une même platine, selon les applications envisagées. Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de prévoir une platine dédiée à un seul commutateur, ce qui est le cas avec les micro-interrupteurs classiques (connus par le terme anglais de "micro switch").The switch according to the invention is furthermore remarkable in that it can be mounted on any type of circuit board, such as a printed circuit board, a connection board, etc., and can perform a switching by direct contact on conductive tracks. Moreover, several such switches can be mounted on the same plate, depending on the applications envisaged. It is therefore not it is necessary to provide a circuit board dedicated to a single switch, which is the case with conventional microswitches (known by the term "micro switch").

On comprend de ce qui précède que le commutateur 1 conforme à la présente invention est unitaire avant même son montage et se prête à une standardisation suivant de nombreuses différentes applications.It is understood from the foregoing that the switch 1 according to the present invention is unitary even before it is mounted and is suitable for standardization according to many different applications.

Par ailleurs, il :

  • offre une protection efficace de la zone de commutation 6 contre les pollutions extérieures ;
  • permet de réaliser directement la commutation par contact sur les pistes conductrices 8, 10 du circuit imprimé 16 ;
  • peut se monter sur différents types de circuit uniquement par clippage sans requérir de soudure ultérieure ; et
  • nécessite peu de pièces pour réaliser les fonctions.
Moreover, he:
  • offers effective protection of switching zone 6 against external pollution;
  • allows direct commutation by contact on the conductive tracks 8, 10 of the printed circuit 16;
  • can be mounted on different types of circuit only by clipping without requiring subsequent soldering; and
  • requires few parts to perform the functions.

L'invention permet de nombreuses variantes, tant au niveau de la forme des pièces, de leur agencement, des moyens de fixation, des dimensions relatives, des matériaux et procédés de fabrication utilisés et des supports de circuit.The invention allows many variations, both in terms of the shape of the parts, their arrangement, fixing means, relative dimensions, materials and manufacturing processes used and circuit supports.

Par ailleurs, l'invention trouve application dans de très nombreux domaines d'activité industrielle faisant appel à des commutateurs cloquants.Moreover, the invention finds application in many fields of industrial activity using blister switches.

Claims (22)

  1. Switching device (40) intended for mounting on an electrical circuit board (16) having contacts (8,10) to be electrically connected during switching, the device comprising a switching element (4), connected to an actuator (2), making it possible to establish the electrical connection between said contacts when it is deflected under a pressure transmitted by the actuator, the device furthermore comprising a base (46) in the form of a spacer that rests in a sealed manner on the electrical circuit board (16), the base being endowed with a central aperture (46a) via which the switching element (4) can establish contact with the printed circuit and endowed with closing stops (50a) for retaining the switching element (4) in the base (46), the device being characterized in that the switching element is retained in a floating mount with clearance (e1) in the direction of mounting (A) and forming a stop for retaining the switching element (4), so that the switching element (4) is retained before the mounting of the device on the board (16) and disengaged from the closing stops when the device is mounted on the board in the direction of mounting.
  2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the switching element (4) is only sustained by the board (16) when the device is mounted on the latter, the base (46) then only performing a guide function for the switching element.
  3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching element (4) disengages naturally from the retaining means (50a) under the effect of a push exerted on said switching element by the board (16) when the device is mounted on the latter.
  4. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching element (4) is mounted floating with respect to the base (46) between a first position at which the switching element is abutting the retaining means (50) and a second position at which it is disengaged from the retaining means, this second position being adopted automatically by the installation of the device on the board (16).
  5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching element (4) comprises at least one appendix (48), the free end of which forms a hook (48a), the retaining means having an end stop (50a) for the hook preventing the retraction of the switching element via the face of the base (46) turned towards the board (16).
  6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the appendix is a flexible band (48) starting from a corner (4a) of the switching element (4) and the end of which rests on an internal seating (50b) of the base (46), allowing the guiding of the switching element with respect to the base.
  7. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base (46) forms a frame around the switching element (4), and in that the peripheral wall of the frame has a contact edge (46c) intended to lean against the board (16) when the device is mounted on the latter.
  8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the contact edge (46c) constitutes a seal protecting the internal part (6).
  9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the peripheral wall has an edge (46b), opposite the contact edge (46c), intended to receive a base portion (2a) of the actuator (2).
  10. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuator (2) is a component of revolution.
  11. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a connector (42) intended on the one hand to retain the actuator (2) on the base (46) and on the other hand to perform the mounting of the device on the board (16).
  12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the connector (42) fixes the device on the board (16) by gripping means (52) providing a fixation without soldering the device onto the board.
  13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the gripping means (52) form locking means intended to pass through at least one hole (44) of the board (16) and to be firmly fastened against the face of the latter opposite that on which the device is mounted.
  14. Device according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the connector (42) retains a base portion (2a) of the actuator (2) sandwiched against the base (46).
  15. Device according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the connector (42) comprises at least one pin (23) the end of which forms a means (52) for fastening onto the board (16), and a part of which incorporates fixing means (23a) intended to cooperate with fixing means (53) connected to the base (46).
  16. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the base (46) is produced from a single part made of flexible plastic material or of elastomer.
  17. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said switching element (4) takes the form of a dome, notably a snap dome, preferably metallic or with metallization making it possible to provide said electrical connection.
  18. Method for fabricating the device (40) defined according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least one of the parts among the group comprising:
    - the connector (42),
    - the switching element (4), and
    - the base (46), is fabricated on a carrier strip, and in that said part is connected to the carrier strip during the assembly of the device, said carrier strip also serving as means for packaging the part between its fabrication and the assembly of the device.
  19. Method according to Claim 18, characterized in that each of the parts (42, 4, 46) of said group is produced on a respective carrier strip.
  20. Method according to Claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the carrier strip of one of the parts of said group is furthermore used for the packaging of the device (40) once the latter is assembled.
  21. Method according to Claim 20, characterized in that the carrier strip serving as packaging for the assembled device (40) is used for feeding a tool for mounting the device on its board (16), this tool being of the strip-feed type.
  22. Method according to any one of Claims 18 to 21, implementing a device according to Claim 15, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
    - orienting the flared pins (23) with respect to the central axis (A) of the connector, the flaring being in the direction away from this axis going towards their free end,
    - reuniting the connector with the base (46), equipped with the switching element (4), and
    - linking the whole by orienting the branches parallel with the central axis (A), in order to bring the fixing means (23a) into their respective housing (53) in the base.
EP03775454.6A 2002-10-16 2003-09-29 Push-button electrical switch with deformable actuation and method for making same Expired - Lifetime EP1552540B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0212882 2002-10-16
FR0212882A FR2846143B1 (en) 2002-10-16 2002-10-16 PRESSURE-TYPE PRESSURE-OPERATING ELECTRIC SWITCH AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
PCT/FR2003/002856 WO2004036609A1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-09-29 Push-button electrical switch with deformable actuation and method for making same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1552540A1 EP1552540A1 (en) 2005-07-13
EP1552540B1 true EP1552540B1 (en) 2014-04-02

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EP03775454.6A Expired - Lifetime EP1552540B1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-09-29 Push-button electrical switch with deformable actuation and method for making same

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US (1) US7151236B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1552540B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2006503409A (en)
AU (1) AU2003283482A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2846143B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004036609A1 (en)

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Publication number Publication date
WO2004036609A1 (en) 2004-04-29
FR2846143A1 (en) 2004-04-23
FR2846143B1 (en) 2005-01-07
EP1552540A1 (en) 2005-07-13
US20050259382A1 (en) 2005-11-24
US7151236B2 (en) 2006-12-19
JP2006503409A (en) 2006-01-26
AU2003283482A1 (en) 2004-05-04

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