Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
  • H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
  • H01H9/161—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" comprising light emitting elements

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for the optical display of n switching states of a switching device or sensor, according to the preamble of claim 1.
• a generic device with a plurality of differently colored lighting devices for the optical representation of the information to be transmitted, each lighting device having at least one lighting element, is described in DE 202 17 773 U1.
• a housing for accommodating an electrical switching device or sensor is proposed there, in which each lighting device has a plurality of lighting elements which are arranged opposite one another on the housing in such a way that from each display device practically every direction of view at least one light element is visible.
• an illuminant in the form of a light bulb or light-emitting diode in particular also as an SMD LED, is often used to indicate switching states.
• very good visibility of the displays should be guaranteed in as far as possible in all three spatial axes. Often, the problem here is that such displays then appear very dim.
• Housings for receiving electrical switching devices or sensors which have display devices for displaying various electrical switching states for monitoring the functional functioning of the electrical circuit, the electrical switching device or sensor, are known, for example, from DE 202 17 773 U1.
• an electrical connecting element such as a plug or coupling, in which a device for deflecting the light that is emitted by the luminous element is present to improve the visibility of a luminous element.
• DE 196 27 211 AI discloses an ultrasonic proximity switch in the form of a parking garage sensor, in which an upper housing part and a lower housing part can be rotated relative to one another, whereby an optical display can be aligned as required.
• DE 200 08 944 U1 relates to a lighting unit in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are inserted into a transparent housing part.
• the object of the invention is to create a device of the type specified above with improved visibility of the optical display even in daylight and more reliable recognition of the information displayed.
• the device of the type mentioned above is further developed according to the invention in that a transparent housing part is provided for receiving the light-emitting elements, that the transparent housing part is divided into segments in which the light-emitting elements with optical separating surfaces to avoid optical crosstalk, in particular with simultaneously active light-emitting elements are recorded, and that the transparent housing part with the segments and the lighting devices is designed and arranged such that the lighting devices are visible to a user from any azimuth angle within a polar angle range.
• electrical switching device is to be understood very generally here. In principle, switching states, for example a transistor stage, of any electrical and / or electronic devices can be represented with the device according to the invention.
• first core concept of the invention it can be considered to make part of a housing for receiving an electrical switching device or sensor transparent, and this transparent housing part for receiving a plurality of display or lighting devices for displaying various electrical switching states of the electrical switching device or sensor with the aid of optical ones Subdivide dividing surfaces into segments. In this way, optical crosstalk can be avoided, in particular if display or lighting devices are active at the same time.
• a further core idea of the invention can be seen to design and arrange the transparent housing part, which can also be designed as a transparent adapter or transparent end closure, with the segments and the lighting devices in such a way that the display or lighting devices, in particular within a useful area, are practical are visible to the user in every spatial direction. This can result in a very good visibility of the lighting devices and thus significantly improved recognizability of the optical information displayed, ie in particular the switching states of the device in question. If one looks at the majority of the, for example, flat or spatial segments of the transparent housing part from any spatial direction, the display or lighting devices are or are simultaneously visible from every spatial direction due to the segmentation.
• the dead region of the visible solid angle can be kept smaller than 20 ° because of the transparent end termination protruding at one sensor end.
• the dead area of the solid angle, in which individual segments of the display cannot be seen can be kept very small, in particular less than 20 °.
• the arrangement and division according to the invention of the display devices or lighting devices enables more than just one illuminant to light up at the same time without the light spots running into one another. This enables very good all-round visibility of one or more displays, which can also light up at the same time.
• the device according to the invention is therefore also suitable for communication with an operator.
• the lighting devices can in particular be activated independently of one another. If the lighting devices are also of different colors, two-bit information can be displayed and transmitted, for example, with two lighting devices regardless of their geometric positioning.
• the segment illuminating light energy is fed into the respective segment of the n-segment display, to which one or more illuminants can be assigned, via the manner in which the illuminants are aligned and through the use of light-conducting mass.
• clear-sighted casting resin can be used because the best coupling is achieved.
• the display devices are designed as, in particular punctiform, lighting devices which, for example, can each have at least one lighting element, in particular at least one incandescent lamp or an LED.
• any device for displaying optical information for example also a liquid crystal display, in particular a sufficiently illuminated liquid crystal display, can be used as the lighting or display device.
• the lighting elements belonging to a lighting device are also expedient to arrange the lighting elements belonging to a lighting device on opposite sides of the transparent housing part. For most applications, two lighting elements per lighting device will be sufficient. However, particularly good all-round visibility can be achieved if more than two, for example three or four, lighting elements are provided, each of which is arranged distributed over the circumference of the transparent housing part.
• the device according to the invention with a transparent body or housing part serves to display n switching states in the n segments of the display of electrical switching devices or sensors or to transmit information from these switching devices or sensors for the purpose of communication with the operator. For example, sensor information can be read out, whereby the operator can carry out low-level programming with the aid of the illuminated display information.
• the transparent body is designed as an n-segment display on cylindrical, polygonal or round sensor housings.
• the device according to the invention is suitable for all common sensor types in automation technology. Furthermore, the device according to the invention enables very good all-round visibility of the individual lamps of different or the same color at the same time, in particular to the side and behind the sensor, and also, although covered by the inevitable dead area of the sensor itself, from the front, ie at the end of the sensor on which the respective sensor element is located.
• a plurality of lighting elements can expediently be provided in one or more of the lighting devices, for example in the opposite or any other segment, the sphere as a spatial circle or polygonal transparent body or end closure is located (see Fig. 7, 8).
• these light-emitting elements can be arranged in the segments of the transparent housing part, taking into account their respective radiation characteristics and the sequence of the arrangement, namely in series and parallel to the respective extremities of the printed circuit board on a carrier side of the electrical circuit.
• a further improvement in recognizability and visibility can be achieved if the segments of the transparent housing part are designed to be flat and / or spatially extended.
• the segments of the transparent housing part are designed to be flat and / or spatially extended.
• such radiators that are flat and / or spatially extended are less easily covered or overlooked by objects of small extension.
• the display devices for displaying various electrical switching states or switching positions of the switching device or sensor can be clearly identified from any spatial direction.
• Individual or multiple lamps can be used simultaneously and / or light up flat and / or flat-spatial without influencing each other.
• the device according to the invention is extremely economical to implement and, in particular, very easy to assemble.
• the display element is attached, i.e. of the transparent housing part, at the ends of cylindrical, polygonal or round sensors.
• a central installation is also possible with elongated sensors.
• a second dead zone lobe results in the longitudinal direction of the sensor, which depending on the effective diameter of the elongated housing, for example, can additionally have a second dead zone with an opening angle of approximately 20 °.
• the transparent housing part can be designed for the housing of the switching device or sensor, which are essentially cylindrical, round, polygonal, in particular rectangular or cuboid.
• they can be inductive, optical, capacitive, ultrasonic, microwave, temperature, fill level, infrared, ultraviolet, pressure and / or flow sensors.
• at least two differently colored switching displays can be expediently provided.
• the display technology is ideally suited for sensors with plugs and direct cable routing, but also for wireless sensors.
• the application potential of the invention is very high, since the concept is completely independent of the switching device or sensor to be monitored.
• the transparent housing part can be designed for end-side and / or central mounting on a housing.
• the transparent housing part is preferably designed such that the lighting devices, depending on the number of segments, at least in a half space and / or in a specific polar angle range, in particular in a range of the polar angle between 20 ° and 160 ° for central arrangement or 20 ° up to 180 ° for end arrangement, are visible to the user from any azimuthal direction.
• the polar angle is understood to mean the angle against a cylinder axis.
• the azimuthal angle is corresponding to the angle measured in a circumferential direction around the cylinder axis.
• the optical separating surfaces are formed from printed circuit boards which carry the lighting elements. This enables a very compact structure to be achieved and production and material costs to be saved.
• Light-emitting diodes in particular SMD light-emitting diodes, are expediently used as lighting elements.
• a further advantageous development in this context is that a printed circuit board equipped with lighting elements can be inserted into the transparent housing part.
• the device according to the invention can then be produced in a particularly simple manner.
• snap-in connections can be provided for fixing or guiding the circuit board relative to the transparent housing part or the transparent end termination.
• a rigid or flexible printed circuit board that can be fitted with light sources, ie SMD LEDs or conventional light bulbs, is inserted into the transparent body at the ends of the sensor.
• a transparent body can also be arranged centrally on the longest side of the sensor, a printed circuit board or other suitable separating surfaces, for example interfaces made of casting resins, brought in parts, such as cables or separate separation levels, ensure the optical separation of the segments.
• n 1 to 4 of the planar and / or planar-spatially configured light decoupling surface.
• the printed circuit board, a printed circuit board element, cables or other separations introduced in a defined manner can act as optical separating surfaces within the transparent body.
• An increase in light scattering and thus an improvement in the visibility of the lighting devices is achieved if an outer surface of the transparent housing part is roughened at least partially or in some areas.
• light scattering elements are incorporated at least in regions over the area to increase the light scattering in the material of the transparent housing part.
• the all-round visibility can thus be improved by inserting gloss or color pigments and appropriately designing the surface in conjunction with the transparent housing part or transparent body.
• pigments eg pearlescent pigments
• Irodin Pearlescent can be used.
• the transparent light body ie the transparent body or the transparent end closure, the cylindrical, round or polygonal transparent body with elongated sensors and the extension insert appear in a higher quality design.
• the sensor is thus optically upgraded.
• the inside of the transparent housing part can be at least partially mirrored. The light is then coupled in via the transparent housing wall, between the outer surface and the mirror.
• the radiation characteristics of the lighting devices can also be influenced by voids that are defined in the transparent housing part. In particular, this can limit an angle of radiation of the light for a segment.
• the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for devices and sensors with plug connectors and cable outlets with a direct cable connection or with plug devices as are customary in sensors.
• the device according to the invention is also outstandingly suitable for applications in the explosion-protected area.
• the transparent housing part is designed as part of a sensor housing or as a, in particular fully transparent tubular, plug insert, which is, as it were, attachable to the corresponding shape of the housing sleeve and / or can be carried out through the housing sleeve.
• the transparent housing part has one or a plurality of cable bushings, which can in particular be designed as part of an optical separating surface. Number and diameter the cable / s largely determines the number and division of the segments.
• the device according to the invention is also excellently suitable for use in fork-shaped housings, the transparent housing part or the transparent end closure being able to be provided, for example, on the fork ends of the respective fork leg and / or optionally on both fork legs.
• the sensor is enclosed in a completely transparent housing for better visibility of the light in the case of fork-shaped barriers.
• the sensor housing is practically identical to the transparent housing part.
• the dividing surfaces of the housing, printed circuit boards and connecting elements in the housing allow segmentation of the display in this embodiment, preferably in four quadrants, but also in one or two or more segments (n-segments).
• optical separating surfaces which can also be referred to as visible separating surfaces, can be made, for example, from casting resins or other suitable plastics with a three-dimensional shape.
• cables can also serve as part of the separating surfaces.
• a plurality of lighting devices in particular of different colors, are provided in the segments.
• these can be arranged on a circuit board both in parallel and in a row in one of the sensor axes, in particular also in the case of polygonal sensors, so that, for certain display modes, several segments can shine simultaneously in different colors that can be selected by the user.
• the transparent housing part is not only transparent for visible but also for infrared and / or ultraviolet light.
• one or a plurality of segments can be designed as an optical interface for an external computer device, in particular as an IR or UV interface for a PC.
• the transparent body not only divides visible light into a number of segments, but at the same time also enables an inexpensive connection to be established with a PC interface. The interruption of the sensor and thus the shielding on the extended side of the switching device enables not only the status displays but also radio-based communication with other peripherals.
• the segments adjacent to a luminous segment also light up, provided that the illuminants arranged therein are not themselves active.
• the lighting devices of adjacent segments are active at the same time, color mixing should nevertheless be avoided.
• This functionality ie the avoidance of mixing of the colors and also a coupling of the light or a defined transmission of the light from one segment to another segment, can be achieved if the transparent luminous element, such as the middle of the housing, plug part or end cover, at least has a specially shaped optical bridge from one segment to the adjacent segment. In such a device, the optical separating surfaces will be connected to one another with or without potting via the wall of the transparent luminous element.
• the transparent luminous element ensures that part of the light from one segment is transmitted to the other, in particular adjacent, segments, provided that these are not active at the same time, which means that they also light up, especially if the individual segments themselves are filled with potting.
• the optical separating surfaces prevent the colors from mixing when the lighting devices are active simultaneously in two adjacent segments.
• the principle of the n-segment display can be used particularly advantageously in the case of function levers with a longitudinal cylindrical shape, in particular at the end thereof.
• a status display, a function display and / or a simple illumination or lighting function can be achieved.
• an end cap or a lid i.e. the transparent housing part of the device according to the invention, light-milky transparent, that is to say in a white color, or else as so-called smoked glass, that is to say transparent, but with a dark brown or black color.
• the design can be seamlessly integrated into the vehicle design and it is also ensured that an internal circuit board is not visible.
• n-segment principle according to the invention can also serve to shift the flood of information from the cockpit of the motor vehicle to the individual information core centers at which the information is obtained. This means that the driver is only provided with the most important information, especially in the dashboard area, and can therefore concentrate better on what is happening in traffic.
• the driver's visual perception and haptic perception i.e. the sense of touch
• the driver is concentrated at one point within the vehicle at a crucial moment, and the driver can immediately understand the operating status of the respective equipment on the vehicle.
• This acceleration of information gives the driver more freedom to concentrate on the essentials, namely the traffic.
• the push button present in all motor vehicle hand brake levers for locking or releasing the hand brake can be used in a particularly advantageous manner with the device according to the invention equipped, ie illuminated or illuminated.
• green lighting can be provided as a status indicator for the released state of the handbrake.
• red lighting is possible as a status display for the locked state of the handbrake.
• a red and green glowing display can be provided as proof of the locked state of the handbrake and, when the handbrake system is in perfect condition, as a combined status and function display. A flashing red display could then serve as a function check for the faulty state of the handbrake system.
• the vehicle driver can also be given an additional optical function and / or status check at night.
• the design clearly stands out from the handbrake systems previously used.
• the currently selected gear is displayed via an optical fiber coupling via the multi-row staggered LEDs in the upper part of the gear lever cover.
• the currently selected gear can be illuminated with a defined light color.
• the dome-shaped, transparent end closure of the gear shift lever below one can also be used Brand emblems are illuminated with the appropriate color, so that a short side glance of the driver on the gear lever is sufficient to check the currently selected gear.
• the windshield wiper lever for the turn signal lever and, in general, for multifunction or instrument levers which are arranged in the region of the steering wheel.
• a cylindrically shaped indicator lever which is generally arranged to the left of the steering wheel
• lighting can take place at the end and / or in the middle, as a result of which the driver is informed in the dark whether or in which direction the indicator is set.
• You can set a color for the current direction of travel, for example green for right and red for left, or simply illuminate a right-left arrow through an internal circuit board.
• a circuit board lying in the cylindrical end unit can display the respective windshield wiper functions, in particular interval switching or current windshield wiper speed.
• a color combination can also pass on the fundamental data of the current settings to the driver of the vehicle.
• a control button for the air conditioning system can also benefit from the principle of the n-segment display. It must generally be indicated whether warm and cold air is being supplied. In general, this is done by using the .
• red-blue circle which can be illuminated in particular and which changes over the circumference, often 180 °, from full red to full blue.
• the innovation according to the invention consists in this context in that this display takes place on the rotary knob itself, in such a way that on the one hand the printed circuit board attached to the center of the rotary knob, which contains all the lighting elements, together with the rotary knob, can be plugged onto the corresponding rotary knob receptacle and that a temperature display , e.g. as a mixed color combination with red and blue LEDs, depending on the position of the rotary knob in the transparent housing part of this rotary knob itself.
• a temperature display e.g. as a mixed color combination with red and blue LEDs
• the exterior mirrors are usually adjusted today with the aid of a button, in particular a cylindrical button, which is fitted in the vehicle interior.
• This button can advantageously be illuminated with the aid of the n-segment display according to the invention.
• the alternate activation of white light-emitting diodes for example, enables one directional arrow for the direction of adjustment of the mirror to be driven, so that the driver of the vehicle knows immediately in the dark in which direction one of the exterior mirrors is currently being adjusted when the mirror adjustment button is actuated.
• a window lifter button can indicate whether the window is closed properly, for example by lighting the lifter button in green, or whether the window is still open, for example by lighting the lifter button in red.
• a function check and a function display can advantageously be carried out with the aid of the n-segment display according to the invention.
• the End positions of the sunroof control can be carried out in such a way that, for example, a green LED illuminates the sunroof button and a red indicator is displayed while the sunroof is opening, i.e. for the open and dangerous state.
• n-segment display according to the invention for a door locking button.
• the state of the door lock that is to say locked or open, can in turn be represented here with the aid of differently colored lighting elements.
• the device according to the invention also exist in the outside area of motor vehicles and in motorcycles, scooters or mopeds. These vehicles each have orange or yellow-orange flashing lights for the external display of the turn signals, which are generally housed in a suitably colored transparent housing.
• a parking light for example red or white, can additionally be added by the n-segment display according to the invention.
• only differently colored illuminants, for example light-emitting diodes have to be used and it is not necessary, as was previously the case, to change the color of the, for example monochrome, transparent covering material.
• the device according to the invention can be used for computer games, that is to say in the consumer sector, but also in avionics, ie for aircraft control.
• the device according to the invention can be used to provide the user with a particularly effective amount of information about the joystick, at the end of which the transparent housing part of the device is arranged.
• a red light element can signal "fire” and accordingly a green light element "no fire”.
• the security-relevant area is particularly important. For example, with crane controls it can easily be displayed whether the crane is leaving a specified swivel range or a specified load is being exceeded. It goes without saying that appropriate sensors for recording the relevant data are installed.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention
• Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 in schematic perspective part of another embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a partial step in the manufacture of the device according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• 11 to 14 are schematic perspective views of further exemplary embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a display device according to the prior art.
• FIG. 16 shows a further cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8;
• FIG. 17 shows a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 18 is a partial view of the device shown in Fig. 13.
• a prior art display device 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 15. Such a full display is described, for example, in DE 195 12 915 C1 and essentially comprises a segment 18 in which, for example, a plurality of LEDs can be arranged as lighting elements.
• the devices 10 each have, according to the invention, a transparent housing part or end closure 14 which, with one or more optical separation surfaces 16, which form optical separation planes 50, in two, three; four; or n segments is divided.
• the transparent housing parts 14 shown schematically in a sectional view in FIGS. 1 to 3, 16 can be designed, in particular, for end mounting on a cylindrical, polygonal plug or cable housing 46, as is illustrated in FIG. 4 for an end termination with a cable outlet.
• light from lighting devices arranged in the segments 18 can be directed in the directions indicated by the arrows 40, 42 and 44, that is to say in the entire half space in front of the transparent housing part 14, and in the rear space of the end closure up to the optical limit through the sensor, ie from the optical dead area of approximately 20 °.
• the arrow 40 also shows the limitation of the dead area.
• the transparent housing part 14 shown schematically in FIG. 4 is also provided with cable bushings 30, which will be discussed below in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.
• n six segments 18.
• the lighting elements 20 can in principle be of the same or different colors. For example, yellow, green or red lighting elements, such as LEDs, are often used in automation technology.
• 18 luminous elements 20 of the same color are arranged in opposite segments. If lighting elements 20 of the same color are now activated at the same time, at least one of the lighting elements 20 is largely visible to the user, regardless of the direction of observation.
• the illuminants or light elements 20 are arranged next to one another on printed circuit boards 22, for example on rigid-flex printed circuit boards.
• the spatial position of the parting planes 50 in the example shown in FIG. 8 is shown schematically in FIG. 16.
• FIG. 5 An example in which the lighting elements 20 are arranged in series on a printed circuit board 22 in series with any number and combination of LEDs, but preferably mostly with two, or in parallel, is shown in FIG.
• the printed circuit board 22 with the lighting elements 20 arranged thereon, which in turn can be of different colors, is also designed such that it can be inserted into the transparent housing part 14 in the direction of the arrow 56 for assembly.
• a red and a green light-emitting diode and a red and a yellow light-emitting diode on the right-hand side can be provided on the circuit board 22.
• the segmentation of the transparent housing part 14 is ensured by the circuit board 22 itself or by any angular geometric shape that represents a segmentation. Further examples of devices according to the invention are shown schematically in FIGS. 5 and 6.
• the transparent housing part 14 can also be designed as a part to be arranged in the center.
• the lighting elements 20 can be positioned centrally on the circuit board 22, which is designed to be pushed through the housing part 14.
• lighting devices 20 can be arranged not only on the upper side, as shown in FIG. 7, but also on the underside of the printed circuit board 22 in a row and / or in parallel.
• the optical separation of the segments 18 in the transparent housing part 14 is ensured by a printed circuit board 22 on which the lighting elements 20 are arranged and by cable bushings 30.
• the lighting elements in turn have different colors, for example yellow, green and red, which is illustrated by the different hatching in FIG. 5.
• the lighting elements can also be placed in parallel, as also indicated in FIG. 5.
• a further optical parting plane 50 is also provided by the cable bushings 30, provided that this introduces a further parting plane (here air) into the transparent closure through an insertion bevel.
• the possibilities of light emission are shown schematically in FIG. 5 by arrows 52.
• the light emanating from a luminous element 20 can on the one hand exit directly through the transparent housing part 14, which is shown by a solid arrow in FIG. 5.
• the light can be coupled out by total reflection on a medium with a significantly different refractive index than the exit medium. This is through the dashed arrows 52 illustrates.
• an outer side 24 of the transparent housing part 14 is roughened in segments and if necessary. the transparent material is colored.
• the body is made of a plastic, which is preferably inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
• FIG. 6 A further development of the example shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 6.
• inner surfaces of the transparent housing part 14 are provided with mirrors 54.
• the transparent housing part 14 shown in FIG. 6 has in each segment 18 a defined cavity or cavity 28 through which the radiation angle of the light for a segment 18 can be limited by total reflection if the segments are to appear smaller. By omitting the blowholes, an entire segment is fully illuminated. Light scattering and focusing can also be achieved using the optical waveguide effect (LWL effect) if approximately the same optical material is used within the edge of the end closure, ie the transparent housing part 14.
• LWL effect optical waveguide effect
• each quadrant or each segment 18 is optically decoupled from adjacent segments 18 by optical separating surfaces 16.
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention, in which transparent housing parts 14 are provided on the side and at the end of a plug insert 42 as part of a plug housing 46.
• a printed circuit board 22 also serves to hold lighting elements and to provide an optical interface.
• each quadrant is clearly distinguishable for a user even when the lighting elements are activated at the same time.
• PLC sensors programmable control sensors
• one of the segments 18 can be configured as an infrared interface. be educated.
• a printed circuit board (PCB) can serve as a support for the light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements, that is to say, for example, the LEDs, being arranged diagonally opposite one another for switching display or error display in order to achieve quasi all-round visibility.
• FIG. 10 A variant of the example shown in FIG. 10 is shown in FIG.
• the transparent housing part 14 which in this case can also be regarded as an end closure, excellent full all-round visibility is achieved.
• FIGS. 11 to 14 Further exemplary embodiments and possible uses of the device 10 according to the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 each show fork-shaped sensor housings 34.
• lighting elements 20 are provided, which are arranged on a circuit board 22, the circuit board serving as an optical separating surface in the manner already described above.
• the vertical parting plane is provided either by specially and additionally introduced parting planes or by non-transparent webs (e.g. insert parts) in the plastic molded part which forms the transparent housing part or end closure 14.
• a corresponding transparent housing part 14 can of course also be provided at the lower end 36 of the fork-shaped sensor housing 34 or at both ends.
• the invention therefore also provides excellent all-round visibility for fork barriers.
• Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention, in which, with the exception of a rotatable connecting piece 58, the entire, essentially cube-shaped sensor housing 34 is transparent, i.e. is designed as a transparent housing part 14.
• the individual segments 18 are in turn separated by means of optically non-transparent separation planes (insert part in the plastic housing or metal partition which is soldered onto the circuit board or plastic part which is clicked onto the circuit board) 16, again using a circuit board or circuit board 22 as the separation plane 16 can act.
• LEDs light-emitting diodes
• SMD LEDs are preferably used as lighting elements 20 due to the inexpensive assembly.
• the cube-shaped sensor housing 34 can also be only partially transparent.
• the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 13 has six spatially flat segments 18, three surfaces being illuminated for each segment. All polygonal housings can be divided accordingly.
• FIG. 14 finally shows an example of a device 10 according to the invention, in which the transparent housing part 14 is designed for central arrangement on a cylindrical sensor housing 34.
• At least one light-emitting diode is in turn arranged as a light-emitting element 20 in each of the segments 18.
• the central housing part can also be only partially transparent.
• the entire cylindrical sensor housing can be made transparent, so that it can light up in its entirety and, depending on the segmentation into n-segments.
• the elongated side of the sensor housing can also be polygonal, particularly quadrangular.
• the present invention provides a device for the optical display of switching states of a switching device or sensor, which is particularly suitable for all cylindrical sensors with one or more switching displays.
• Appropriate application of the concept can achieve a quasi all-round visibility of the display.
• More complex applications where the user via LEDs communicate 'with the sensor would like, can be realized with the inventive device very simple.
• the device according to the invention reconciles the all-round visibility of the displays with the variety of displays of switching states and information that can be deliberately displayed.
• the device according to the invention is furthermore outstandingly suitable for sensors with plugs and with a direct cable outlet. The possible uses of the present invention are very wide, since the device is in no way specific to the switching principle.

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• Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
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• Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
• Liquid Crystal (AREA)
• Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-09-19 DE DE10343529A patent/DE10343529A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2004
  • 2004-09-17 US US10/572,199 patent/US7794107B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-09-17 ES ES04765377T patent/ES2365016T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-09-17 DE DE502004012454T patent/DE502004012454D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-09-17 EP EP04765377A patent/EP1673792B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-09-17 AT AT04765377T patent/ATE507570T1/de active
  • 2004-09-17 WO PCT/EP2004/010486 patent/WO2005029522A1/fr active Application Filing

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