EP1656685B1 - Electronic component, particularly an electric switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch (1) has a housing (2) provided by a base (3) and a cooperating cover (4) secured to the base for enclosing a contact system (5) acted on by a switch operating element (6). The base has a recess (10) on its underside (8) in which projection (11) of the cover side edge are received, to lie flat with the underside of the base. The electrical switch can be illuminated via a light-emitting element (17) mounted on the base, which illuminates the operating element via an opening (27) in the switch contact disc (14).

Description

The invention relates to an electrical switch according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such electrical switches, which may be designed in the manner of a short-stroke, find especially as Schaltclemente in keyboards, panels o. The like. Use.

From the JP 10 255 579 A a trained in the manner of a Kurzhubtaste electrical switch with a housing is known, wherein in the housing is a contact system. The switch further has an actuator for acting on the contact system. The housing consists of a base and a lid, wherein the flat-shaped lid is attached to the top of the base. A disadvantage has been found in this switch, the complex attachment of the lid. In addition, the housing is not tight against pollutants, so that the switch is error-prone.

Next is from the EP 0 743 663 A1 an electrical switch is known in which the lid is slipped onto the base. As a result, the lid engages over the base at the top and at least partially on the side surface. The cover is fastened by means of locking tabs by latching to locking lugs, which are located on a side surface of the base. This attachment of the lid is complicated and error-prone. Furthermore, the laterally projecting locking lugs on the base are disadvantageous, which make above all a large size of the base required.

Another electrical switch which can be illuminated by means of a light-emitting diode is in the DE 91 05 230 U1 described. In this switch, the contact system located in the housing consists of fixed contacts and a snap-action disc as a switching contact, which is actuated by means of an actuator. The snap-action disc has a hole in the middle, through which the light-emitting diode protrudes.

Finally is still in the EP 0 880 157 A2 an electrical switch shown in the manner of a short-stroke. This switch has a housing consisting of a base and a cover, wherein the cover at least partially overlaps the base on the upper side and on the side surface. An actuator is used for switching action on the housing system located in the contact system, which consists of fixed contacts and an actuatable by means of the actuator switching contact. For attachment of the lid to the base, the base on the side facing away from the bottom of the lid has a recess into which engages a projection on the lid in the manner of a flanging so that the approach is taken in the base completely and flush with the bottom of the base. The electrical connections for the contact system protrude from the socket.

The invention has for its object to improve the electrical switch, in view of the mountability of the switch. In particular, to be mounted on the base of the electrical switch by design of the housing, the lid in a simple and fail-safe manner.

This object is achieved in a generic electrical switch by the characterizing features of claim 1.

In the case of the electrical switch according to the invention, the base has at least one recess on the underside facing away from the cover. In this recess engages a tab-like approach to the lid in the manner of a flanging such a projecting that the approach is completely absorbed in the base. The flanging is easy to perform manufacturing technology. Nevertheless, a reliable attachment of the lid is achieved at the base, the housing is largely sealed against the ingress of pollutants. Since the protruding into the recess approach is at most flush with the underside of the base, so in particular not überstcht on the underside of the base, the switch is advantageously due to its flat bottom surface simply on a support, a printed circuit board o. The like. To assemble.

In a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, a circuit board can be used as a socket for the switch. At the bottom of the base standing electrical connections are arranged with the fixed contacts in electrical connection. For ease of assembly for the sake of the electrical switch, it makes sense to design the electrical connections as solder pads in the manner of SMD (Surface Mounted Device) -Anschiüssen. The flat lower surface of the base, also with regard to the tab-like projections on the lid, then advantageously allows the workability and the placement of the switch in SMD (Surface Mounted Device) technology.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Usually, the lid and the base of the electrical switch has an approximately rectangular shape with four sides. It is then advisable that four lugs on the lid engage in four corresponding recesses on the base, whereby a secure and sufficient attachment of the lid is achieved at the base. Zweekmäßigerweise the lugs and the recesses are approximately centrally associated with the four sides of the lid and the base. In a montage friendly manner, the approach may be formed on the lid in the manner of a side flap from the side surface to the bottom flanged tab.

The contact system of the switch consists in known manner of fixed contacts and an actuatable by means of the actuator switching contact. The fixed contacts may be located at the top of the socket in the housing. Thus, the switch is kleinbauend, the switching contact can be configured as a snap-action disk for bridging the fixed contacts. A particularly good tactile feeling for the user can be achieved by the snap disc is made of metal.

If the switch is configured so that it can be illuminated, then a luminous element, for example a light-emitting diode, is located in the housing. The electrical connections for the lighting element are also arranged on the underside of the base. For processing in SMD (Surface Mounted Deviec) technology, the electrical connections for the lighting element can also be designed in the manner of soldering surfaces.

The fixed contacts can be formed as conductor track surfaces on the top of serving as a base circuit board. The electrical connection from the electrical connection at the bottom of the base to the fixed contact at the top of the base is designed by means of a conductor track and / or a through-connection. Thus, the fixed contacts and the electrical connections can be made by means of proven and reliable PCB technology.

The actuator has a protruding from the housing push button and a resting on the top of the base edge surface. The push button is connected to the edge surface via an elastically buckled bellows. Furthermore, the push button acts by means of an approach to the switching contact. Such a design saves on the one components because the entire functionality of the actuator is realized by means of a part. On the other hand, the switch is then sealed at the top of the housing by means of the actuator, which prevents the ingress of pollutants in the switch.

In such an embodiment, it is advisable that the actuator at least partially, in particular its edge surface and the bellows, consists of elastomeric plastic. For example, silicone may be used as the elastomeric plastic. The push button is at least partially, in particular on the actuating surface of a hard plastic. Cost effective then the actuator can be produced in a two-component technique of the elastomeric and the hard plastic.

For the sake of robustness, the lid can be made of metal. The lid is then designed in the manner of a frame with an opening, so that the frame on the one hand, the edge surface of the actuator profile overlaps and holds on the base and on the other hand allows the passage for the bellows of the actuator. advantageously, the lid fulfills the function of receiving additional components of the switch, in particular the actuator, and their attachment by means of a pressing pressure on the base. This pressing pressure also ensures a tight connection.

In a special development for an illuminable electrical switch, the snap-action disc forming the switching contact is provided with a hole. The luminous element is arranged in the region of the hole on the upper side of the base, so that the light emitted by the luminous element can at least partially pass through the hole in the snap-action disc. As a result, the switch is designed very compact despite additional lighting. Furthermore, it then makes sense that the actuator is at least partially made of translucent material.

The snap-action disc is in electrical contact with the one fixed contact by means of a bearing surface opposite the hole. The other fixed contact is designed annular and arranged corresponding to the edge around the hole. The luminous element is located approximately in the middle of the annular fixed contact. The edge around the hole on the snap-action disc is raised in relation to the support surface. Likewise, the approach to the push button is annular, the approach cooperates with the raised edge around the hole of the snap-action disc for their actuation. As a result, the raised edge passes when operating the snap disc by the actuator snapping into contact with the annular fixed contact. Such a design ensures a space-saving arrangement of the luminous element.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the electrical switch has a low overall height, and therefore is used as a short-stroke key. In addition, the switch is simply further processed, in particular SMD (Surface Mounted Device) -bestückbar, and can thus be easy to install and inexpensive to use in control panels. Despite a simple design, the housing of the switch is largely sealed, whereby the penetration of pollutants is effectively prevented in the housing. The soldering process for the switch on a support, for example in In particular, exposure to a temperature of 260 ° C for at least 30 seconds is not detrimental to the switch, making the switch processable in SMD (Surface Mounted Device) teehnology.

By the invention it is possible to use a printed circuit board for the base of the electrical switch and to connect these with the lid and optionally other components. The circuit board in turn has the advantage of unifying pads, electrical connections, contact surfaces and bottom part of the electrical switch in a component in a cost-effective manner.

Fig. 1

einen elektrischer Schalter in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 2

den elektrischen Schalter in Explosions-Darstellung,

Fig.3

einen Längsschnitt durch den elektrischen Schalter in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

den Längsschnitt aus Fig. 3 in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 5

den Längsschnitt aus Fig. 3 in einer anderen Perspektive und

Fig. 6

die Unterseite des elektrischen Schalters.

An embodiment of the invention with various refinements and developments is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

an electrical switch in perspective view,

Fig. 2

the electric switch in exploded view,

Figure 3

a longitudinal section through the electrical switch in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

the longitudinal section Fig. 3 in perspective view,

Fig. 5

the longitudinal section Fig. 3 in a different perspective and

Fig. 6

the bottom of the electrical switch.

In Fig. 1 is an electrical switch 1 to see in perspective view, which is designed in the manner of a Kurzhubtaste. Such a switch 1 is particularly suitable for use in control panels for motor vehicles, for home appliances, for other electrical equipment o.

The switch 1 has a housing 2. In the housing 2 is an in Fig. 2 visible contact system 5. Next, the switch 1 has an actuator 6, which is used for manual switching action on the contact system 5 by the user. The housing 2 consists of a base 3 and a lid 4, wherein the lid 4 is fixed to the base 3. For this purpose, the lid 4 overlaps the base 3 at the top 7 and at the side surface 9 at least partially, as based on Fig. 3 can be seen. Furthermore, the base 3 on the side facing away from the lid 4 bottom 8 at least one recess 10. In the recess 10 engages a designed in the manner of a tab approach 11 on the lid 4 such that the projection 11 is completely received in the base 3. The approach 11 is therefore not on the bottom 8 of the base 3, but is at most flush with the bottom 8 of the base 3, which is clearly visible in accordance Fig. 3 is.

Again Fig. 6 can be seen, in the present case each side surface 9 of the approximately rectangular or square-shaped base 3 is associated with a recess 10, so that the switch 1 has a total of four recesses 10. Thus, the rectangular or square cover 4 has four corresponding lugs 11 for engagement in the recesses 10 in the manner of a flanging on. The lugs 11 and the recesses 10 are assigned approximately centrally to the four sides of the lid 4 and the base 3. The flanging by means of the side surface 9 to the bottom 8th reaching lashing attachment 11 causes a secure attachment of the lid 4 on the base. 3

As based on Fig. 2 can be seen, the contact system 5 consists of fixed contacts 12, 13 and an actuatable by means of the actuator 6 switching contact 14. The fixed contacts 12, 13 are located on the top 7 of the base 3 in the housing 2. The switching contact 14 is designed as a snap-action disk for bridging the fixed contacts 12, 13. The snap disk 14 may be made of metal.

The base 3 consists of a printed circuit board. In Fig. 6 visible electrical connections 15, 16 which are in electrical connection with the fixed contacts 12, 13 are arranged on the underside 8 of the base 3. Further electrical connections 18 for a light element 17 located in the housing 2 are likewise arranged on the underside 8 of the base 3. The light-emitting element 17 may be, for example, a light-emitting diode. The electrical connections 15, 16, 18 are designed in the manner of solder pads, so that the switch 1 in SMD (Surface Mounted Device) technology is processable. The fixed contacts 12, 13 are formed as conductor track surfaces on the upper side 7 of the base 3, as based on Fig. 2 you can see. The electrical connection from the electrical connection 15, 16, 18 on the underside 8 of the base 3 to the fixed contact 12, 13 on the upper side 7 of the base 3 is designed by means of a conductor 19 and / or a through-hole 20.

How further the Fig. 3 or 4 can be seen, the actuator 6 has a protruding from the housing 2 push button 21 and a resting on the top 7 of the base 3 edge surface 23. The push button 21 is connected to the edge surface 23 via an elastically buckled bellows 22. By means of a projection 24 of the push button 21 acts on the switching contact 14 a. The actuator 6 is at least partially, in particular its edge surface 23 and the bellows 22, made of an elastomeric plastic, for example made of silicone. The push button 21 is at least partially, in particular on the actuating surface 25, made of a hard plastic. It is then appropriate that the actuator 6 is made by injection molding in a two-component technique of elastomeric and hard plastic.

The lid 4, which is made of metal, is designed in the manner of a frame with an opening 26, as shown in more detail in FIG Fig. 2 is shown. As a result, the frame 4 engages over a profile like the edge surface 23 of the actuator 6 and holds them firmly on the base 3. On the other hand allows the frame 4 at the opening 26 the passage for the bellows 22 of the actuator 6. Due to the beading means of the tab-like projections 11 of the frame 4 thus exerts a certain contact pressure on the housing 2 parts for their secure attachment. In addition, this is also ensured for a seal into the interior of the housing 2, which by a in Fig. 4 or 5 visible sealing lip 30 on the edge surface 23 can be improved.

As already stated, the electrical switch 1 is designed to be illuminated, for which purpose a luminous element 17 is located on the printed circuit board 3. Furthermore, according to the Fig. 2 the snap-action disc forming the switching contact 14 is provided with a hole 27, and the light-emitting element 17 is arranged in the region of the hole 27 on the upper side 7 of the base 3, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting element 17 at least partially passes through the hole 27 in the snap-action disc 14 can. Moreover, the actuator 6 is at least partially made of translucent material so that the emitted light is visible to the user.

How to use the Fig. 3 detects the snap-action disc 14 by means of a hole 27 opposite the bearing surface 28 in electrical contact with the one fixed contact 12. The other fixed contact 13 is, as especially with reference to Fig. 2 can be seen, designed ring-shaped and arranged corresponding to the edge 29 to the hole 27 on the snap disk 14. The luminous element 17 is arranged approximately in the middle of the annular fixed contact 13. The edge 29 around the hole 27 on the snap disk 14 is corresponding to the Fig. 3 raised designed opposite the support surface 28. The projection 24 on the push button 21 is also designed annular. The projection 24 cooperates with the raised edge 29 around the hole 27 of the snap-action disc 14 for their actuation, so that the raised edge 29 snaps into engagement with the annular fixed contact 13 upon actuation of the snap-action disc 14 by the actuator 6. In this switched-on state of the switch 1, therefore, the two fixed contacts 12, 13 are bridged by the snap disk 14. in the turned off state of the switch 1, however, the raised edge 29 is removed from the fixed contact 13, and thus the electrical connection between the two fixed contacts 12, 13 interrupted.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. So this can not only be used as described in an electric switch, but can also be found on other electrical components, such as capacitors, resistors, coils o. The like., Use, which have a housing consisting of a base and a lid. To attach the lid to the base of the lid over the base on the top and on the side surface at least partially, and the base has on the side facing away from the underside recesses into the lugs on the lid in the manner of a flanging engage such that the approaches in Sockets are completely absorbed and do not protrude beyond the bottom of the socket.

Reference numeral list:

1:

electrical switch

2:

casing

3:

Socket / circuit board

4:

Cover / frame

5:

Contact system

6:

actuator

7:

Top (of the base)

8th:

Bottom (of the base)

9:

side surface

10:

Recess (in the base)

11:

Approach (on the lid)

12.13:

fixed contact

14:

Switch contact / snap-action disc

15, 16:

electrical connection (for fixed contact)

17:

light element

18:

electrical connection (for light element)

19:

conductor path

20:

via

21:

Pushbutton (of actuator)

22:

Bellows (from actuator)

23:

Edge surface (of actuator)

24:

Approach (from actuator)

25:

Actuating surface (on push button)

26:

Opening (in the lid)

27:

Hole (in the snap-action disc)

28:

Bearing surface (of snap-action disc)

29:

Edge (from snap disk)

30:

Sealing lip (on edge surface)

Claims (11)

1. An electric switch, in particular in the form of a short-stroke key, with a housing (2) consisting of a base (3) and a cover (4), with a contact system (5) located in the housing (2) and with an actuating element (6) for performing a switching action on the contact system (5), whereby the contact system (5) consists of fixed contacts (12, 13) and a switching contact (14) activated by means of the actuating element (6), whereby the cover (4) overlaps at least partly the base (3) on the upper side (7) and on the side surface (9), whereby the cover (4) is secured onto the base (3), whereby the base (3) on the lower side (8) facing away from the cover (4) comprises a recess (10), and whereby a shoulder (11) on the cover (4) connects in the form of a border with the recess (10) such that the shoulder (11) is completely mounted in the base (3), in particular is flush with the lower side (8) of the base (3), characterised in that the base (3) consists of a circuit board, and in that electric terminals (15, 16) that are in electrical connection with the fixed contacts (12, 13) and are designed in the form of soldering surfaces are arranged on the lower side (8) of the base (3), such that the switch (1) can be processed in SMD (Surface Mounted Device) technology.
2. The electric switch according to claim 1, characterised in that the shoulder (11) on the cover (4) is designed in the form of a bordered tab extending from the side surface (9) to the lower side (8), in that preferably the cover (4) and the base (3) have an approximately rectangular shape with four sides, and in that also preferably four shoulders (11) on the cover (4) connect with four corresponding recesses (10) on the base (3), whereby in particular the shoulders (11) and the recesses (10) are assigned roughly centrally to the four sides of the cover (4) and the base (3).
3. The electric switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fixed contacts (12, 13) are located on the upper side (7) of the base (3) in the housing (2), and in that preferably the switching contact (14) is designed as snap disc made in particular of metal for bridging the fixed contacts (12, 13).
4. The electric switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that electric terminals (18) for a lighting element (17) located in the housing (2), for example a light-emitting diode, are arranged on the lower side (8) of the base (3), and in that preferably the electric terminals (18) are designed in the form of soldering surfaces for processing in SMD (Surface Mounted Device) technology.
5. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fixed contacts (12, 13) are designed as conductor surfaces on the upper side (7) of the base (3), and in that preferably the electrical connection from the electric terminal (15, 16) on the lower side (8) of the base (3) to the fixed contact (12, 13) on the upper side (7) of the base (3) is formed by a conductor (19) and/or a through-plating (20).
6. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the actuating element (6) comprises a push-button (21) projecting out of the housing (2), in that preferably the actuating element (6) comprises an edge surface (23) lying on the upper side (7) of the base (3), in that also preferably the push-button (21) is connected to the edge surface (23) by means of an elastically bendable diaphragm (22), and in that also preferably the push-button (21) acts by means of a shoulder (24) on the switching contact (14).
7. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the actuating element (6) is made at least partly of elastomeric plastic, in particular the edge surface (23) and the diaphragm (22), in that preferably the push-button (21) is made at least partly, in particular on its activating surface (25), of a hard plastic, and in that also preferably the actuating element (6) is produced in a two-component technique of elastomeric and hard plastic.
8. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the cover (4) is made of metal, and in that preferably the cover (4) is designed in the form of a frame with an opening (26), such that the frame (4), on the one, hand overlaps in a profile-like manner the edge surface (23) of the actuating element (6) and secures onto the base (3), and, on the other hand, allows the passage of the diaphragm (22) of the actuating element (6).
9. The illuminable electric switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snap disc (14) forming the switching contact is provided with a hole (27), in that the lighting element (17) is arranged in the region of the hole (27) on the upper side (7) of the base (3), such that the light radiated by the lighting element (17) can pass at least partly through the hole (27) in the snap disc (14), and in that preferably the actuating element (6) is made at least partly from a light-permeable material.
10. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the snap disc (14) by means of a bearing surface (28) lying opposite the hole (27) is in electrical contact with one fixed contact (12), in that preferably the other fixed contact (13) is designed to be annular and is arranged in particular corresponding to the edge (29) around the hole (27), in that also preferably the lighting element (17) is arranged approximately in the middle of the annular fixed contact (13), and in that also preferably the edge (29) around the hole (27) on the snap disc (14) is designed to be raised relative to the bearing surface (28), such that the raised edge (29) on activating the snap disc (14) by the activating element (6) snaps to bear against the annular fixed contact (13).
11. The electric switch according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the shoulder (24) on the push-button (21) is designed to be annular, and in that preferably the shoulder (24) cooperates with the raised edge (29) about the hole (27) of the snap disc (14) for the activation thereof.

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