EP1859461A1

EP1859461A1 - On/off switching system and electric appliance

Info

Publication number: EP1859461A1
Application number: EP06708095A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Huber; Michael Steffl
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2005-03-03
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2007-11-28
Also published as: DE102005009776A1; CN101133470A; WO2006092354A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an on/off switching system (1) comprising a rocker switch and a pushbutton (2) which is formed independently of the rocker switch. Said pushbutton (2) is resiliently guided and configured so as to act upon a rocker (6) of the rocker switch for switching on and off purposes while being located in the same position in an ON state and an OFF state.

Description

On / off system and electrical appliance

The invention relates to an on / off system and an electrical appliance, in particular a kettle, with a corresponding on / off system.

For switching on / off electrical household appliances, such as coffee machines, kettles, egg cookers, washing machines, ovens, etc., two different concepts have been established in recent years. On the one hand mechanical rocker switches are used, which can already be viewed on the basis of the rocker position, whether the household appliance provided with the switch is turned on or not. On the other hand, electronic switches have proven to be advantageous in which the switch button is in the same position even in the on state and in the off state; However, the switch between on and off state is not based on a mechanical principle, but is essentially realized by the use of suitable electronic means.

Mechanical rocker switches, in addition to having the advantage of automatically indicating whether the affected household appliance is on or off, have the further advantage of being simple and inexpensive to implement. In addition, they have already proven themselves millions of times in the past, so that the rocker switches currently available on the market operate very reliably and virtually error-free over the years. Another advantage is that nearly standardized and adapted to various devices and applications finished rocker switch are available on the market, and so not a new rocker switch must be developed by the home appliance manufacturers themselves for each application.

In contrast, electronic switches have the advantage that they can be realized in a small space, and that they allow easy-care and shapely designs. Because the push button of an electronic switch can be performed almost flush with the surrounding housing, regardless of the switching state. This leads to an overall easy handling of a corresponding device. It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative on / off system that is inexpensive to produce, reliable and easy to use.

This object is achieved by an on / off system according to claim 1. Advantageous and expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an on / off system has a rocker switch and a pushbutton independently formed. In particular, the rocker switch and the push button are not formed together from one piece. The push button is resiliently guided and configured in such a way that it acts on a rocker switch of the rocker switch for switching on and off, and in an on-state and in an off-state in a same position (initial position). In particular, the push button is so resiliently guided and formed that it acts on an actuation on a rocker switch of the rocker switch that the rocker switch or the on / off system is switched, and thus, for example, the electrical device containing the on / off system, - or is turned off.

The term "pushbutton ¹ " in the context of the invention encompasses any type of actuating surface. <br/> Preferably, the pushbutton acts at least partially indirectly, in particular via a pressure ram, a triggering nose and / or a switch-off ram, on the rocker switch / or the Ausschaltstößel form together with the push button an actuating element which can be guided and formed resiliently so that it acts for switching on and off on a rocker switch of the rocker switch, and that it is in an on state and in an off state in a same position located.

The invention is therefore also based on the idea of combining a proven rocker switch with a push button to an entire on / off system, that advantages of a mechanical rocker switch with advantages of an electronic switch are combined, without using an electronic switch.

The rocker switch is preferably a prefabricated rocker switch, which is not specially adapted to the on / off system, but the unchanged can also act as an on / off switch in other devices. This has the advantage that can be used in the context of the invention rocker switch, which are also used for other purposes in large quantities and therefore can be manufactured according to reasonably priced or purchased. The rocker switch comprises a rocker switch, which is mounted in particular in the central region of the switching rocker. The bearing divides the Schaltwip- pe preferably in two legs. The rocker preferably acts on two contact elements which contact each other depending on the position of the rocker switch or have a distance from each other, ie, between which depending on the position of the rocker switch current can flow or no current can flow.

By the invention it is possible to use proven and reliable rocker switch, but still to allow an integration of the on / off system in an electrical appliance, which allows easy handling of the on / off system and the electrical appliance. Thus, it can be achieved by the invention that, when the on / off system is installed in an electrical appliance, the top side of the pushbutton can be made substantially flush with a surrounding housing surface of the electrical appliance in one state and in an off state. This enables the technical realization of elegant designs.

In addition, easy-care electrical appliances can be constructed by the invention. Since the push button is always moved linearly perpendicular to the surface of the housing, but is not tilted or pushed, the push button can be integrated into the device housing so that it is separated only by a defined thin gap from the surface of the device housing. Due to the possible flush design (see above), in a single state and in an off state, for example with a damp cleaning cloth, it can be wiped without resistance over the electrical device without bringing dirt into openings between the electrical device housing and the on / off system.

Another advantage of the invention is that the operation of the on / off system, although only by pressure actuation, but still act on the rocker switch no permanent restoring forces, since there is no positive connection between the rocker switch of the rocker switch and the push button neither in the on state nor in the off state. This is particularly advantageous if the - A -

In addition, an on / off system has automatic shutdown functions, which may be implemented, for example, when integrated into a kettle by a steam switch that shuts off when the water is boiling or a lift off switch that shuts off when the kettle top is lifted from a kettle base. For the realization of automatic shutdown functions, for example by a steam switch or a lift-off switch (see below), more forces must be able to act on the rocker switch, without constant restoring forces of the push button act on the rocker switch. By the invention thus a decoupling between the push button and the rocker switch is achieved. Through this decoupling, an on / off system can be realized, the push button is in the same position in the on and off state, and can be combined with automatic shutdown functions, or can be integrated into the automatic shutdown. Preferably, the rocker switch is part of a steam switch.

Preferably, the push button for a first switching of the rocker switch, in particular the switching acts on a, in particular firmly connected to the push button, push rod on a first leg of the rocker switch. In particular, therefore, the push button and the rocker switch are designed and arranged relative to each other, that upon actuation of the push button, a push rod, which is connected to the push button, acts on the rocker switch, that a first switching the rocker switch or the Ein / Switching off system, and so for example, the electrical appliance containing the on / off system is turned on or off. Thereby, the invention can be reliably and easily put into practice.

Preference is given to an on / off switching system in which a second leg of the rocker switch acts on a Ausschaltstößel with the first switching of the rocker switch, that the Ausschaltstößel is guided in a tripping position. Particularly preferably, a second leg of the rocker is hingedly connected to the Ausschaltstößel. The hinge-like connection is preferably formed in that one end of the Ausschaltstößels a cylindrically formed end of the switching rocker pliers-like manner. The Ausschaltstößel can be performed by any suitable coupling element. Such a formed on / off system is particularly reliable, durable and easy to handle. Particularly advantageous turned out an on / off system, in which for a second switching, in particular switching off, the rocker switch the push button on a, in particular firmly connected to the push button, triggering so on a first end of the Ausschaltstößels, located in the trigger Position acts, acts that a second end of the Ausschaltstößels on the second leg of the rocker switch. In particular, the push button and an associated release tab is configured and arranged relative to the rocker switch and the Ausschaltstößel that an actuation of the push button so on a first end of the Ausschaltstößels, which is in a triggering position, acts that a second end of the Ausschaltstößels acts on the second leg of the rocker switch, that the rocker switch, the rocker switch or the on / off system is switched, and so for example, the electrical appliance, which contains the on / off switching on or off. Preferably, the first end of Ausschaltstößels designed as corresponding to the triggering release hooks, and / or the second end of the Ausschaltstößels - already described above - pliers-like part of a hinge-like connection with the second leg of the rocker.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the on / off switching system with the second switching of the rocker switch the second leg of the rocker switch acts on the Ausschaltstößel that the Ausschaltstößel is guided to a passive position in which the release lug not, in particular not directly, with the Ausschaltstößel interacts. In particular, therefore, the Ausschaltstößel and the rocker switch are designed and arranged relative to each other, that a second switching of the rocker switch causes the second leg of the rocker switch acts on the Ausschaltstößel that the Ausschaltstößel is guided in a passive position.

Preferably, in the on / off system, the push button is fixedly connected to the plunger and the release tab and a guide rod, wherein the guide rod between the plunger and the release tab is arranged. Preferably, a spring for resilient guidance of the push button is arranged around the guide rod. In particular, the push button, the push rod and the release tab are formed in one piece. A preferred embodiment provides that the first switching of the rocker switch to a switching off and the second switching of the rocker switch to a switching off an electrical appliance containing the on / off system leads.

Preferably, the push button together with plunger, the triggering lug, the Ausschaltstö- ßel and the rocker switch are designed and arranged relative to each other, that a contact between the push button with plunger and rocker switch and a contact between the push button together with release lug and Ausschaltstößel exists only during the switchover, but not in the state or in the off state. For example, when switching on a contact between the push button, including plunger and rocker switch, and when you turn off a contact between the push button with release lug and Ausschaltstößel. Preferably, when switching off via the Ausschaltstößel indirectly an action of the push button together with release lug on the rocker switch.

All of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments make possible reliable and easy-to-handle implementations of the invention.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical appliance, in particular a kettle, which is inexpensive to produce, reliable and easy to handle.

This object is solved by the features of claim 7. Advantageous and expedient developments are specified in the dependent claims.

Thus, according to the invention, an electrical appliance, in particular a kettle, is equipped with an on / off system according to the invention or correspondingly developed.

In a kettle, a steam switch is preferably arranged under one of the legs, in particular the first leg, the rocker switch, which acts on a switching to the leg of the rocker switch. A steam switch is required in a kettle for safety reasons. It may for example be based on a suitably designed bimetallic element or another suitable sensor element or be a suitably designed bimetal element, which folds over when a predetermined temperature is reached, thereby acting on a leg of the switching rocker the rocker switch toggles, in particular switches off. The bimetallic element may also be part of a steam switch together with the rocker switch.

By the invention it is now achieved that a steam switch with a rocker switch of an on / off system can interact in a mechanical manner, and the push button of the on / off system in the on and off state can still be in the same position.

Preferably, the top of the push button, d. H. arranged on an outer surface of the housing of the electrical appliance outside of the push button, the on / off system in the on and off state substantially flush with the surrounding the push button housing surface of the electrical appliance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the top of the push button is surrounded by an electrically illuminated light ring. This technical teaching allows a self-explanatory, elegant and easy-care visual signaling of the on or off state of the kettle.

Preferably, such a kettle has a lift-off switch, which is designed in such a way, and acts on a leg of the rocker switch via a push rod, that the rocker switch is automatically switched by a Wasserkocherbasiselement when lifting the kettle. Such a realization of a lift-off switch when using a push button, which is in the same position in the on and off state, is possible only in combination with the on / off system according to the invention. This is the only way to achieve the necessary decoupling between the push button and the rocker switch (see above). The lift-off switch ensures that the kettle is then switched off automatically when the water tank of a kettle is separated from the kettle base, in particular raised.

In the context of the invention, of course, not only kettle, but any E lektrogeräte, such as electric egg cooker or electric coffee machines, in which an inventive on / off system is integrated, in particular integrated so that the surface of the push button in a single state and in a Out- condition is carried out substantially flush with a surrounding housing surface of the electrical appliance.

In this case, in particular, the variant described above with a steam switch in other electrical appliances, in which a switching operation is to be triggered when reaching a certain steam temperature, be advantageous, such as egg cookers. Likewise, the variant with a lift-off switch in other electrical appliances may be advantageous, which have a withdrawable from an electrical appliance base element electrical appliance shell, such. Eg iron.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures with reference to several embodiments. They show:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an on / off system in the off state;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of an on / off system during the power-on;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of an on / off system in the on state;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of an on / off system during the turn-off;

Figures 5 and 6 are two sectional views of a kettle with lift-off switch.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an on / off system 1 in the off state, ie in a switching position in which an electrical appliance, here as an example a kettle that contains the on / off system is turned off.

It is shown an actuating element, which is formed as a piece and a push button 2, a plunger 3, a triggering nose 4 and a guide rod 8 summarizes. The triggering nose 4 is supported by a support element, which is also part of the actuating element, at a suitable distance from the push button 2. The guide rod 8 is disposed between the push rod 3 and the release tab 4. The Guide rod 8 has longitudinally aligned guide springs (not shown) which are guided in corresponding guide grooves (not shown). In this longitudinal direction or vertical direction, the actuating element is movable by a user. In this case, the actuating element is resiliently mounted by a helical spring (not shown) arranged around the guide rod in such a way that the actuation element is pushed upwards again after each actuation and automatically returns to the initial position shown in this figure. In the initial position, in which the actuating element is in the on and in the off state, the upper side of the push button 2 is substantially flush with the housing surface 10 surrounding the push button 2.

A rocker switch 6, which can be tilted about an axis of rotation, of a rocker switch with two legs 11, 12 is connected via a hinge connection to a switch-off tappet 5. The hinge connection is realized, for example, in that the lower end of the Ausschaltstößels 5 pliers 13 (only partially shown), which encompass corresponding cylindrically shaped ends of the switching rocker 6, in particular of the leg 11. The Ausschaltstößel 5 is located in Figure 1 in a passive position in which the triggering lug 4 would not engage in a vertical movement of the actuating element down into the upper end of the trigger plunger 5.

In the off state, the switching rocker 6 exerts a force on the lower of the two contact elements 7, so that they are kept apart, and thus no current can flow between the contact elements 7. The electrical appliance containing the on / off system is thus not powered and is therefore turned off.

To the push button 2, a circumferential light ring 9 is formed which optically signals whether the electrical appliance is turned on or off.

FIG. 2 shows the on / off switching system 1 according to FIG. 1 during the switch-on process, in which the switching rocker 6 or the rocker switch is switched over. If the push button 2 and thus the actuator together with plunger 3 moves vertically downwards, then the plunger 3 exerts a vertical force down on the first leg 12 of the rocker switch 6, so that it is switched. Thus, the second leg 11 is moved upward and thus exerts no force on the lower of the two contact elements. 7 so that they touch due to a suitable bias. Current flows between the two contact elements 7. The on / off switching system 1 is in the on state and the electrical appliance is switched on (see FIG. 3).

With the switching of the switching rocker 6, the Ausschaltstößel 5 of a passive position (see in particular Figure 1), in which the triggering lug 4 does not engage in vertical movement of the actuating element down into the upper end of the trigger plunger 5, brought into a triggering position in which the triggering lug 4 engages in the vertical movement of the actuating element down into the upper end of the trigger plunger 5 and pushes the trigger plunger 5 along with the second leg 11 of the rocker switch 6 down (see Figure 4).

After switching the switching rocker 6, the actuator is automatically moved by the spring described above again vertically up to the starting position. The upper end of the Ausschaltstößels 5 first slides along the support element, which carries the release lug 4, in the direction of release lance and finally snaps over the release lug 4 in the release position, in which it rests against the lower part of the support element (see FIG 3).

FIG. 3 shows the on / off switching system 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the on state, that is to say in a switching position in which an electrical appliance which contains the on / off switching system is switched on.

The actuator together with push button 2 is back in the starting position. The contact elements 7 touch each other, since no force is exerted on the lower contact element 7 by the second leg 11 of the switching rocker 6.

The Ausschaltstößel 5 is, as already described above, in the tripping position, in which the upper end of the Ausschaltstößels 5 at the lower part of the support element, which carries the release lug 4, rests.

FIG. 4 shows the on / off switching system 1 according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 during the switch-off operation, in which the switching rocker 6 or the rocker switch is switched over. If the push button 2 and thus the actuator together with release lug 4 vertical moved down, so the triggering lug 4 engages in the upper end of Ausschaltstößels 5 corresponding to the Auslösase 4 formed. This leads inter alia to a movement of the lower end of the Ausschaltstößels 5 down, which in turn - has a movement of the second leg 11 of the rocker switch 6 down - on the above-described hinge connection. As a result, the switching rocker 6 and thus the rocker switch is switched. This eventually leads to a downward force on the lower of the two contact elements 7, whereby the contact elements 7 are separated from each other. Subsequently, the actuator is automatically transported back by the spring back to the starting position. The switching rocker 6 remains switched. The trigger plunger 5 is again in the passive position. The on / off system is again in the off state, which has already been described with reference to FIG.

Under the leg 12 of the rocker switch 6, a bimetallic element 13 is additionally arranged, which is flowed around by a heated steam of the kettle via a steam channel 14 connected to the upper end of the heating container of the kettle. This bimetallic element 13, which is part of a steam switch or forms a commercial steam switch together with the rocker switch, is designed such that it folds upon reaching a predefined threshold temperature, while in the on state of the rocker switch, a vertical force up on the left leg 12 of the rocker 6 exercises. As a result, the switching rocker 6, d. H. the rocker switch and the on / off switch system, and thus turned off the kettle.

Figures 5 and 6 show two sectional views of the kettle 20 with an on / off system and an additional lift-off switch (lift off switch). In FIG. 5, the water tank portion 21 of the kettle 20 stands on a kettle base 22, whereas in the illustration in FIG. 6, the water tank portion 21 has been lifted from the kettle base 22.

If the water tank part 21, as shown in Figure 6, not on the Wasserkocherbas siselement 22, arranged in the bottom region of the water tank part 21 rocker 23 of the lift-off switch by a spring (not shown) biased such that the left leg of the rocker 23 protrudes from an opening in the bottom of the water tank part 21 also. In this position, the rocker 23 presses the right leg the rocker 23 a push rod 24 upwards, which presses on the upper side against a coupled with the rocker switch 6 switching cap 25 and thus acts on a leg 12 of the rocker switch 6 of the rocker switch of an on / off switch system described above, that the contact elements 7 described above do not touch. In this case, the kettle 20 is turned off in any case. Preferably, the push rod 24 acts from below on the same leg 12 of the rocker switch 6 as the push rod 3 of the push button 2 from above for manual switching on and off.

If, as shown in Figure 5, the water tank part 21 is placed on the Wasserkocherbasiselement 22, the biased by the spring rocker 23 is tilted or switched against the spring force, whereby the push rod 24 is pulled down. As a result, the push rod 24 does not act on the leg 12 of the rocker switch 6 of the rocker switch. In this case, so the on / off system is free from influences of the lift-off switch, and responds as described above to the operations of an operator on the push-button 2 for manual on and off.

The above examples show how advantageous the decoupling of the switching rocker 6 of the push button 2 in the on and off state, to ensure reliable operation of the lift-off switch and the steam switch can. Because the push button 2 would affect a force on the rocker switch 6 even in the on and off state or even block them in a switching state, the safety-relevant automatic shutdown functions could be impaired in their function.

Claims

claims

1. An on / off system with a rocker switch, characterized by a push button (2) which is formed independently of the rocker switch, and which is guided and formed resiliently such that it acts for switching on and off on a rocker switch (6) of the rocker switch , and that he is in an on-state and off-state in a same position.

2. On / Off switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that the push button (2) for a first switching of the rocker switch via a pressure ram (3) on a first leg (12) of the switching rocker (6) acts.

3. On / Off switching system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the first switching of the rocker switch, a second leg (11) of the switching rocker (6) acts on a Ausschaltstößel (5), that the Ausschaltstößel (5) in a triggering position is performed.

4. An on / off system according to claim 3, characterized in that for a second switching of the rocker switch of the push button (2) via a triggering lug (4) in such a manner to a first end of the Ausschaltstößels (5), which is in the triggering position, acts, that a second end of Ausschaltstößels (5) on the second

Leg (11) of the switching rocker (6) acts.

5. On / Off switching system according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that with the second switching of the rocker switch, the second leg (11) of the rocker switch (6) on the Ausschaltstößel (5) acts such that the Ausschaltstößel

(5) is guided in a passive position in which the release lug (4) does not interact with the Ausschaltstößel.

6. An on / off system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push button (2) with the push rod (3) and the triggering lug (4) and a guide rod (8) is firmly connected, that the guide rod (8) between the Plunger (3) and the release tab (4) is arranged, and that a spring for resilient guidance of the push button (2) is arranged around the guide rod (8).

7. Electrical appliance, characterized by an on / off system according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Electrical appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical appliance comprises a kettle (20).

9. Electrical device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that under a leg (12) of the rocker switch, a steam switch is arranged, which acts on a switching to the leg (12) of the rocker switch.

10. Electrical appliance according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that on a housing outer surface of the electrical appliance (20) arranged outside of the push button (2) is surrounded by an electrically illuminated light ring.

11. Electrical device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a lift-off switch is designed in such a way and via a push rod (24) on a leg (12) of the rocker switch acts that the rocker switch at a lifting of a Electric appliance upper part (21) is automatically switched by an electrical appliance base element (22).