EP1753001B1 - Switch unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a carrier (10), a mechanically operated switching bridge (102), and a rotary knob (94) comprising an axle (104) and a disk (106) that extends radially from the axle. A trip is provided at the disk and stays in effective connection with the bridge during the rotation of the knob for switching the bridge, where the switching path of the switching bridge is parallel to the axle of the knob. The switching bridge is arranged between the disk and the carrier that is fastened directly to a rear side of a control panel of a household appliance.

Description

The invention relates to a switching unit with a carrier, at least one mechanically operable switching element and an actuator for switching the switching element.

Such switching units are used eg in front panels or control panels of household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers or the like. Behind the front panel is in known solutions a carrier on which switching elements are provided, which point to the front panel. Actuators pass through the front panel so as to be able to act on the switching elements, as in EP 1 008 160 B1 is described. Special fasteners keep the carrier spaced from the front panel.

A switching unit with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is made DE 25 30 341 A1 and DE 17 65 568 B1 known.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a switching unit that ensures a compact design and a simple method of manufacture.

This object is achieved with a switching unit having the features of claim 1. Subclaims are directed to preferred embodiments. Claim 14 is directed to a front panel with at least one switching unit according to the invention.

A switching unit according to the invention has a carrier and at least one mechanically operable switching element. An actuator acts through the carrier to switch the switching element, the actuator comprising a button. The actuator is arranged and / or designed such that when actuated by means of the key, the actuating direction of the key and the switching path of the switching element are substantially opposite to each other.

With such an arrangement, it is possible to mount the carrier directly on the back of the front panel e.g. a household appliance or to use the front panel itself as a carrier, so that no separate holding element for spaced support is necessary. This ensures a compact design, simplified production and less material. The button is used to actuate the actuator through the front panel. In the switching unit according to the invention, the switching path of the switching element of the movement of the key is opposite, ie in the direction of the back of the front panel. The switching element can thus be supported directly on the front panel during the switching process, without further support would be necessary.

The arrangement of the switching element on the side facing away from the front panel side of the carrier or the back of the front panel is also ensured that the switching element against external influences such. Moisture is better protected.

The switching element may be arranged on a printed circuit board, which may be located, for example, on the back of the front panel or the carrier. The switching element is then arranged on the side facing away from the front panel of the circuit board.

In a switching unit according to the invention, the actuator has a lever which is pivotable about a first pivot bearing, wherein the button engages or comprises a lever of the lever arm and the other lever arm of the lever on pivoting of the lever about the pivot axis with the switching element in operative connection , This arrangement ensures a simple realization of a reversal of movement direction, so that the movement of the key and the path of the switching element are substantially opposite to each other. Lever and button can be formed in one simple configuration of one piece.

In a switching unit according to the invention, a second pivot bearing is provided, via which the key is pivotally mounted on the carrier or a front plate. With such a double bearing, a configuration particularly adapted to the circumstances can be chosen, in which the angle, by which e.g. the lever moves, and the angle at which the key moves is different.

In an advantageous development, the second pivot bearing is further away from the key than the first pivot bearing. With such an embodiment can be easily achieved that the key has a lower pivot angle than the lever. So it is possible that when pressing the button gives the impression that the key would be pressed in a substantially straight line in the front panel, without a pivoting movement would take place.

Button and lever can abut each other or be interconnected by a flexible area to ensure a secure operative connection.

In a robust embodiment, the first and / or second pivot bearings conventionally comprise pivotal pivots mounted in bearing blocks, the bearing blocks being e.g. attached to the carrier or the front panel.

The button and / or the lever may be biased by separate spring means so that they move back to their original position after actuation of the switching element.

In another embodiment, the or the pivot bearing is formed by material connections that are sufficiently flexible that they are rotated upon pivoting of the lever to the first pivot bearing or the key to the second pivot bearing in the manner of a torsion spring and form a bridge hinge. At the same time, the effect of the spring causes the key or the lever to return to their initial positions after actuation.

In particular, the first bridge hinge and the lever may e.g. be formed in a plate, wherein the lever is bounded by two U-shaped slots which face each other. The U-shaped slots are dimensioned so differently that bridge material remains between their legs, which forms the bridge hinge.

Particularly advantageous and easy to produce is an arrangement in which the key and / or the lever are made of plastic, e.g. as injection molded parts.

The carrier may be provided separately or formed by the front panel itself.

Preferably, the one switching element is arranged on a preferably flexible printed circuit board, which may be provided directly on the carrier or directly on the back of the front panel. In addition to supporting and contacting other electrical elements such as e.g. LEDs serve.

The switching element may be a conventional pressure switch actuated by the actuator.

In other embodiments, the actuator presses metallic contact elements e.g. on tracks of a circuit board, so as to make contacts between two tracks. The movement of a metallic contact element corresponds to the switching path.

Switching units according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in front panels, e.g. use of household appliances, where little space is available and the cost to be designed. The terms front panel, panel and operator panel are used in the present text as synonyms.

Particularly advantageous is a front panel, which additionally has at least one second switching unit with a carrier, at least one mechanically operable switching element and at least one knob having an axis which projects through the carrier, and behind the carrier radially from the axis of the knob has away extending portion, are provided on the actuating elements, which occur upon rotation of the rotary knob with at least one switching element for switching this switching element in operative connection, wherein the switching path of the switching element is substantially parallel to the axis of the rotary knob and the switching element between which differs from the Axis of the knob away extending area and the carrier is located. The actuators on the region extending away from the axis of the knob cause, as the knob rotates, the switching of the switching element located between the carrier and the region extending away from the axis. The knob is mounted in the carrier itself or eg in the front panel, so that no separate storage on an extra holding element is necessary.

A front panel may comprise a plurality of switching units, in particular both at least one second switching unit with rotary knob and a switching unit with actuator and button. However, the application of the switching units according to the invention is not limited to front panels.

Several individual switching units can be grouped into groups, e.g. share a carrier or circuit board. Such groups may e.g. surrounded by an injection molding rim to provide protection against external influences, e.g. Moisture, to offer.

In the following, embodiments of switching units and front panels according to the invention are explained in detail with reference to the figures. In the figures, the same or similar elements are usually denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht von hinten auf eine erfindungsgemäße Schalteinheit mit Taste,

Fig. 2

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung der Fig. 1 längs der Linie II-II,

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung der Fig. 1 längs der geknickten Linie III-III,

Fig. 4

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Draufsicht auf die Hinterseite der Schalteinheit dieser Ausführungsform zur Erläuterung eines anderen Betriebszustandes,

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung der Fig. 4 entlang der Linie V-V,

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung der Fig. 4 entlang der geknickten Linie VI-VI,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Hinterseite der Tasteneinheit der Fig. 1 bis 6,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rückseite einer anderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schalteinheit mit Tasten,

Fig. 9

eine in der Ausführungsform der Fig. 8 verwendete Leiterplatte,

Fig. 10

eine in der Ausführungsform der Fig. 8 verwendete Hebelgruppe,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Draufsicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schalteinheit mit Tasten,

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf die Anordnung der Fig. 11 von vorne,

Fig. 13

einen Querschnitt durch die Anordnung der Fig. 11 entlang der in Fig. 12 und 14 gezeigten Linie XIII-XIII,

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf die Anordnung der Fig. 11 von hinten,

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer in der Anordnung der Fig. 11 bis 14 verwendeten Leiterplatte,

Fig. 16

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Frontplatte,

Fig. 17

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rückseite der Frontplatte der Fig. 16,

Fig. 18

eine in der Ausführungsform der Fig. 17 und 18 verwendete Leiterplatte,

Fig. 19

einen Querschnitt durch eine Einzelschalteinheit mit Drehknopf, wie sie in der Frontplatte der Fig. 16 verwendet wird,

Fig. 20

ein Detail eines Drehknopfes der in der Ausführungsform der Fig. 16 verwendeten Einzelschalteinheiten mit Drehknopf,

Fig. 21

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rückseite einer anderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Frontplatte, und

Fig. 22

eine Leiterplatte der Ausführungsform der Fig. 21.

Showing:

Fig. 1

a top view from behind of a switching unit according to the invention with a button,

Fig. 2

a cross-section through the arrangement of Figure 1 along the line II-II,

Fig. 3

a cross-section through the arrangement of Figure 1 taken along the bent line III-III,

Fig. 4

1 corresponding plan view of the rear side of the switching unit of this embodiment for explaining another operating condition,

Fig. 5

a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 4 along the line VV,

Fig. 6

a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 4 along the broken line VI-VI,

Fig. 7

3 is a perspective view of the rear side of the key unit of FIGS. 1 to 6,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the back of another embodiment of a switching unit according to the invention with buttons,

Fig. 9

a printed circuit board used in the embodiment of FIG. 8,

Fig. 10

a lever group used in the embodiment of FIG. 8,

Fig. 11

a perspective top view of another embodiment of a switching unit according to the invention with buttons,

Fig. 12

a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 11 from the front,

Fig. 13

a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 11 along the line XIII-XIII shown in FIGS. 12 and 14,

Fig. 14

a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 11 from behind,

Fig. 15

a perspective view of a printed circuit board used in the arrangement of FIGS. 11 to 14,

Fig. 16

a perspective view of a front panel according to the invention,

Fig. 17

a perspective view of the back of the front panel of FIG. 16,

Fig. 18

a printed circuit board used in the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18,

Fig. 19

a cross section through a single switching unit with knob, as used in the front panel of FIG. 16,

Fig. 20

a detail of a rotary knob of the individual switching units with rotary knob used in the embodiment of FIG. 16,

Fig. 21

a perspective view of the back of another embodiment of a front panel according to the invention, and

Fig. 22

a circuit board of the embodiment of Fig. 21.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, a first embodiment with a key 12 and a lever 18 will be described. 1 to 3, the switching unit 11 in a state in which the key 12 is not pressed.

On the back of a carrier 10, e.g. the back of a front panel or a panel, a bearing block 16 for a pivot axis 14 is provided. With this pivot axis of the lever 18 is connected, which has a reinforcing rib 20. Via a flexible region 22, the lever 18 is connected to the key 12. About connections 28, the key 12 is connected to a pivot axis 24 which is mounted on a bearing block 26 on the front panel 10. The lever 18, the flexible portion 22 and the key 12 may e.g. be formed by a plastic part. A sufficient flexibility of the range 22 results z. B. in that the flexible portion 22 does not have the lateral dimensions of the key 12. On the other hand, the lever 18 is reinforced by the reinforcing rib 20 such that the area 22 is more flexible than the lever 18.

Furthermore, a switching element in the form of a pressure switch 30 and the pressure piece 31 are shown in the figures, which are opposite to each other, that upon pivoting of the lever 18, the pressure piece 31 is in operative connection with the pressure switch 30 to switch it. Not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the board or printed circuit board on which the pressure switch 30 is mounted and which is arranged on the back of the panel 10.

Figs. 4 to 6 show the operation of this embodiment. When pressing the button 12 in the direction of arrow A, the key 12 moves about the pivot axis 24 by the angle α (Fig. 6). Due to the fixation of the lever 18 on the pivot axis 14, the lever 18 thereby moves by an angle β (FIG. 6). These different angles, which arise when the key 12 is pressed, are made possible by the flexible region 22.

The pressure piece 31 comes into contact with the pressure switch 30. The embodiment with two pivot axes 14, 24 ensures that the angle α, by which the key 12 pivots, is smaller than the angle β, by which the lever 18 pivots. The user gets approximately the impression that the key 12 moves exclusively in the printing direction A, without any pivoting being present.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible portion 22 is replaced by a hinge or by a loose connection, in which the lever 18 rests only on the key 12. In such an embodiment, the lever 18 is e.g. biased by a separate spring against the button 12.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment 38 of a switching unit according to the invention. On the back of the panel 10 is a flexible circuit board 40, z. As a printed circuit board or board, provided, which is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 9. In particular, Fig. 9 shows the circuit board mounted on the switching elements 30 and light-emitting diodes 56, which serve, for example, to illuminate the switching unit or to indicate operating conditions of the household appliance operated therewith. As can be seen in FIG. 9, some of the light-emitting diodes 56 are arranged in such a way and extend through the printed circuit board 40 that they can illuminate the button 12 from behind. It is also possible to use back-emitting LEDs. Printed conductors, which contact the switching elements and / or the light-emitting diodes, are not shown for the sake of simplicity. An area 58 of the circuit board 40 is bent out of the plane.

Recesses 60 are provided between the switching elements 30, which serve to receive supports 44 of a lever group 42, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 10, which shows the front of the recognizable in Fig. 8 from the rear lever group 42. The switching unit 38 has three similar Einzelschalteinheiten. In FIG. 8, by way of example, the average individual switching unit is provided with reference numerals, while in FIG. 10 the reference numerals are indicated for a lateral individual switching unit.

An individual switching unit has a lever 68 with a first lever arm 64 and a second lever arm 66. The lever group 42 is made of a plastic part in which a lever 68 is defined by two U-shaped slots 47, 48 in the plastic part. Through the U-shaped slots 47, 48 arise bridge-like material portions 50, 52 which connect the lever 68 with the remaining part of the lever assembly 42 and serve as a pivot bearing or bridge hinge. 62 shows the pressure pieces, with which the first lever arms 64 in a manner to be explained on the switching elements 30 act. 46 denotes a spray edge which improves the stability of the lever group 42 and serves as protection against external influences.

In Fig. 8 is also seen that on the back of the lever 68 reinforcing ribs 54 are provided.

The lever group 42 is fixedly connected via supports 44 with the diaphragm 10, z. B. glued or screwed. The folded-out region 58 of the printed circuit board 40 abuts against the respective second lever arms 66 of the individual switching units. The respective first lever arms 64 are located in the view of FIG. 8 above the pressure switch 30.

Pressure on a key 12 acts on the second lever arm 66 of the corresponding individual switching unit. A transmission of the pressure effect of the key 12 on the second lever arm 66 through the printed circuit board 40 is made possible by their flexibility. The lever 68 pivots about the bridge hinge 50, 52, so that the first lever arm 64 presses on the pressure switch 30 via the pressure piece 62.

A further embodiment of a switching unit 70 is the subject matter of FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view, in which it can be seen that five keys 12 arranged in a circle are arranged, which group around a center key 78.

Fig. 12 shows a plan view in which is indicated by the broken section line XIII-XIII, which lateral section in Fig. 13 is visible. Similarly, Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view, and the section visible in Fig. 13 is also indicated by the broken line XIII-XIII.

In particular, it can be seen from FIG. 14 that the five individual switching units which are arranged here in a circle are constructed similarly to the individual switching units of the switching unit 38, which was explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. In this respect, the same reference numerals are used.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the pressure switches 30 are mounted on a circular portion 72 of the flexible circuit board 71. Another area 74 of the printed circuit board is bent out of the printed circuit board 71 in parallel. Via the connection region 82, a middle region 80 of the printed circuit board 71 is connected to the region 74.

The operation of the keys 12 and the lever 68 corresponds to the already explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 operation.

In addition, here is still a middle button 78 is provided. Pressing the center button moves the central area 80 of the flexible printed circuit board 71 together with the pressure switch 76 in the illustration of Fig. 13 down or in the illustration of FIG. 15 upwards. The pressure switch 76 hits the center 75 of the switching unit 70 and is operated in this manner.

16 to 20 show a combined switching unit 90 with a plurality of individual switching units comprising rotary knobs 94 and keys 12. Fig. 16 shows an oblique plan view from the front, in which the handles 92 of the knobs 94 in the panel 10 can be seen.

Fig. 17 shows an oblique plan view of the rear side. In particular, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the keys 12 with a Lever group 42 are operated with levers 68, as explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

In addition, rotary knobs 94 are provided which have lower parts 96, which can be inserted from behind through the panel 10 and are explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 20. Finally, in Fig. 17, the flexible circuit board 98 can be seen, which will be explained with reference to Fig. 18.

In the right-hand part of the flexible printed circuit board 98 in FIG. 18, light-emitting diodes 56 and pressure switches 30 are provided which function similarly as explained for the switching unit 38 of FIGS. 8-10. The middle part 100 of the flexible printed circuit board 98 is bent backwards to provide additional stability or to serve as a holder. On the left in Fig. 18 part of the flexible printed circuit board 98 metallic flexible contact elements are provided.

Are not shown on the circuit board 98 traces, which serve to contact the individual elements in a conventional manner.

The lower part 96 of a rotary knob 94, which is shown in FIG. 20, has an axle 104 with latching elements 110. From the axis 104, a region extends radially away, which here has the shape of a disk 106. Thereupon cam-like projections 108 are provided over different circumferential dimensions. The lower parts 96 of the knobs 94 are inserted with their respective axis region through corresponding openings in the aperture 10. On the outside of the rotary handles 92 are plugged to lock with the locking elements 110. Between the disk 106 and the diaphragm 10 is the left-hand part of the printed circuit board 98, as shown in FIG. 18, so that the metallic flexible contact elements 102 come into contact with the cam 108. Upon rotation of a knob 94, the cams 108 move past the metallic flexible contact bridges and press them against printed circuit boards 98 correspondingly provided conductor tracks for their mutual contacting. Different cams 108 act on different parts of the metallic flexible contact bridges, so that different interconnects are contacted. Depending on the position of the knob different electrical connections using the different cams on the circuit board 98 are generated in this way. For the sake of clarity, only the contact bridges 102 are shown in the lateral sectional view of FIG. 19 of the printed circuit board 98. In Fig. 20, in addition to explaining the cooperation with the cams 108, the flexible metal contact bridges 102 are shown attached to the printed circuit board 98 shown in Fig. 18.

The disk 106 has on its outer periphery a number of recesses 97 which cooperate with locking cam 95, which are indicated in Fig. 17. In this way, the knob 94 locks on rotation in predetermined angular positions.

Figs. 21 and 22 show another embodiment.

In the panel 10 switching units 11 are provided, as they have been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In addition, this embodiment has a knob 94, as it has already been explained as part of the embodiment of FIGS. 16 to 20. The area with the knob 94 is protected by a cover plate 126 to the rear.

The switching units 11 and the knob 94 share a flexible circuit board 120, are provided on the LEDs 56 to illuminate the individual elements.

Fig. 22 shows the circuit board 120 in detail. The left-hand extension 122 in FIG. 22 has pressure switches 30 which are operated by the switching units 11, as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

The right in Fig. 22, circular part 123 has metallic flexible switching bridges 102, which are operated analogous to the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 16 to 20 by the knob 94. On the circuit board 120 light-emitting diodes 56 are distributed to illuminate the buttons and switching elements. The loop 124 serves to support against the end plate 126 and may e.g. also be used for grounding. Reference numeral 128 denotes attachment points, e.g. B. openings for clicking on holding elements 129, as can be seen in Fig. 21.

The light-emitting diodes 56 protrude through the printed circuit boards.

The embodiments of FIGS. 16 to 20 on the one hand and FIGS. 21 and 22 on the other hand have rotary knobs 94 and a plurality of switching units which can be operated by keys. Of course, embodiments can be realized in which only one or more switching units are provided with buttons.

Notwithstanding the described embodiments, pressure switches can also be provided, which are arranged analogously to the pressure switches 30 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 15 and are actuated with the aid of rotary knobs if the cams are correspondingly shaped. on the other hand It is also possible to realize flexible metal contact bridges as switching elements which are pressed onto tracks by keys and actuators in order to produce electrical connections there, the movement of the contact bridges being opposite to the movement of the keys.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Aperture, carrier

11

switching unit

12

button

14

first pivot axis

16

Bearing block for the first pivot axis

18

lever

20

reinforcing rib

22

flexible area

24

second pivot axis

26

Bearing for second pivot axis

28

Connection second swivel axis - button

30

pressure switch

31

Pressure piece

38

switching unit

40

flexible circuit board

42

lever group

44

support

46

spray edge

47, 48

U-shaped slots

50, 52

bridge hinge

54

reinforcing rib

56

led

58

bent out area of flexible circuit board

60

supports recording

62

Pressure piece

64

first lever arm

66

second lever arm

68

lever

70

switching unit

71

flexible circuit board

72

first level of the flexible circuit board

74

second level of the flexible circuit board

75

Center of the switching unit

76

pressure switch

78

Center button

80

Centerpiece of the flexible printed circuit board

82

Connection of the second level with the middle piece

90

combined switching unit

92

Handle of the knob

94

knob

95

locking cams

96

Knob base

97

recess

98

flexible circuit board

100

folded part of a flexible printed circuit board

102

metallic flexible contact elements

104

axis

106

disc

108

cam

110

locking element

120

flexible circuit board

122

Extension of the flexible printed circuit board

123

circular part of the flexible circuit board

124

support loop

126

End plate

128

fastening opening

129

retaining element

A

Keystroke direction

α

Movement angle of the key

β

Movement angle of the lever

Claims (17)

1. A switching unit (11, 38, 70) comprising

   - a carrier (10),

   - at least one switching element (30) to be actuated mechanically, and

   - at least one actuator (18, 68) acting through the carrier (10) to switch the switch element (30),

   - wherein the actuator (18, 68) includes a push button (12) and is arranged and/or designed such that, on the actuation of the actuator (18) with the help of the push button (12), the direction of actuation (A) of the push button (12) and the switch path of the switch element (30) are essentially opposite to one another; and

   - wherein the actuator includes a lever (18, 68) which is pivotable about a first pivot bearing (14, 50, 52), wherein the push button (12) engages at a lever arm (66) of the lever or encloses it and the other lever arm (64) of the lever enters into active connection with the switch element (30) on pivoting of the lever about the pivot axle (14, 50 52).

   characterized by
   a second pivot bearing (24) via which the push button (12) is pivotably supported on the carrier (10)
2. A switching unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lever (18) and the push button (12) are made in one piece.
3. A switching unit in accordance with one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the first pivot bearing includes a first pivot axle (14).
4. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the first pivot bearing includes a first bridge hinge (50, 52).
5. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the second pivot bearing includes a second pivot axle (24).
6. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the second pivot bearing includes a bridge hinge.
7. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the second pivot bearing (24) is further away from the push button (12) than the first pivot bearing (14).
8. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the first pivot bearing (14) is further away from the carrier (10) than the second pivot bearing (24).
9. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the push button (12) and the lever (18) are connected to one another via a flexible region (22).
10. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the carrier includes a front plate (10).
11. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one switch element (30) is arranged on a preferably flexible circuit board (40, 71, 98, 120).
12. A switching unit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least one switch element includes a flexible metallic contact bridge (102) which is pressed onto at least two conductor tracks of the circuit board (98, 120) to contact them to one another.
13. A switching unit in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one switch element includes a pressure switch (30).
14. A front plate, in particular for domestic appliances comprising at least one switching unit (11, 38, 70, 90) in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 13.
15. A front plate in accordance with claim 14 comprising a preferably flexible circuit board (40, 71, 98, 120) which is fastened to the front plate (10) and on whose side remote from the front plate the at least one latch element (30, 102) is located.
16. A front plate in accordance with one of the claims 14 or 15 comprising at least one switching unit (11, 38, 70) in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 13 and a second switching unit (90) comprising

    - a carrier (10);

    - at least one switch element (102) to be actuated mechanically; and

    - at least one rotary knob (94) which has an axle (104) which projects through the carrier (10) and a region (106) which extends behind the carrier (10) radially away from the axle (104) of the rotary knob (94) and at which at least one actuation element (108) is provided which enters into active connection with at least one switch element (102) to switch this switch element on rotation of the rotary knob (94);

    wherein the switch path of the switch element (12) is substantially parallel to the axle (104) of the rotary knob (94) and the switch element (102) is located between the region (106) extending away from the axle (104) of the rotary knob (94) and the carrier (10).
17. A front plate in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one actuation element includes a cam (108) on which the region (106) which extends radially away from the axle (104) is located.

Images