EP1912231A2 - Push button - Google Patents

Push button Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1912231A2
EP1912231A2 EP20070075859 EP07075859A EP1912231A2 EP 1912231 A2 EP1912231 A2 EP 1912231A2 EP 20070075859 EP20070075859 EP 20070075859 EP 07075859 A EP07075859 A EP 07075859A EP 1912231 A2 EP1912231 A2 EP 1912231A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
connector
push
button assembly
assembly according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20070075859
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Edwin André Roodenburg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Suzo International NL BV
Original Assignee
Suzo International NL BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suzo International NL BV filed Critical Suzo International NL BV
Publication of EP1912231A2 publication Critical patent/EP1912231A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5866—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals characterised by the use of a plug and socket connector
    • 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
    • H01H9/162—Means to facilitate removal or replacement of light-emitting elements
    • 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
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H01H9/181—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a push-button assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a push-button assembly of the abovementioned type is known from WO 9424683 (Figs. 3-6 thereof).
  • the known push-button assembly comprises a miniature switch which is provided on the circuit board.
  • the transfer element for operating the switch is only situated between the key and the operating element of the switch on the circuit board.
  • the spring means for forcing the key out of the housing in one direction are provided by the miniature switch.
  • the shank portion of the housing is provided with external screw thread onto which a nut can be turned in order to attach the housing to a panel when the shank portion has been inserted in an opening of the panel.
  • the connector is arranged on an edge of the circuit board.
  • the connector is oriented in such a manner that its terminals, in particular pins, are accessible from the underside of the panel parallel to the centre axis of the shank portion.
  • the circuit board extends in a radial plane with respect to the centre axis of the shank portion to such a distance beyond the shank portion that the connector is accessible and the nut can be turned between the connector and the shank portion.
  • a major drawback of the known push-button assembly is the fact that, as a result of the location of the connector, an opening in an operating panel in which the assembly is to be fitted has to be large and has to have a particular, non-circular shape. Making such an opening is time-consuming and expensive.
  • the assembly takes up a relatively large amount of space on the panel, as a result of which a designer is limited in his choices when designing the panel comprising, for example, various operating members, signalling elements, texts and images.
  • Said object is initially achieved according to the invention by providing a push-button assembly according to claim 1.
  • This makes it possible to limit an opening in a panel in which the push-button assembly is to be fitted to a simple round hole due to the relatively small diameter of the shank portion of the housing.
  • the spring means are formed by a separate spring, i.e. a spring which is outside the switch.
  • a separate spring can always be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner with the same properties. As a result, it will be possible to ensure a constant quality of the push-button assembly with regard to the switching function.
  • the spring is arranged under the circuit board and substantially in the shank portion of the housing.
  • the surface of the circuit board can be used in an optimum manner for mounting electronic components thereon, with the designs of an arrangement of the electronic components not being hampered by the fixed location of the spring.
  • the spring may be a coil spring
  • the panel-shaped section of the transfer element may extend over almost the entire bottom of the head section of the housing and the key can act on an edge portion of the panel-shaped section, as a result of which a uniform counterforce on the key is generated when the key is pressed, so that toppling of the key is prevented and a pleasant operation of the push-button assembly is provided.
  • the switch of the push-button assembly according to the invention can be of various different kinds, such as mechanical, capacitive, inductive or optical, and may or may not be mounted on the circuit board.
  • the connector unit is provided with securing means for securing a microswitch on the connector unit.
  • the first embodiment of the push-button assembly according to the invention and according to Fig. 1 comprises a key 2, a cap 4 with a window 6, and a cover 8 covering the window 6, a circuit board 10, a transfer element 12, a coil spring 14, a housing 16 consisting of an upper section or top section 18 and a shank portion 20, a nut 22 and a connector unit 24.
  • the key 2 may be transparent and may be printed on.
  • the top section 18 is in the shape of a bowl, the bottom of which has a central opening which is in line with an axial passage 26 through the shank portion 20 of the housing 16.
  • projections 28 with threaded holes which are open at the top are formed.
  • the transfer element 12 has a panel-shaped section which extends preferably over said entire bottom and which has vertical edge sections 30 along the periphery thereof, a central passage 32, which is in line with the passage 26 of the shank portion 18 of the housing 16, and smaller passages 34 formed on either side of the passage 32.
  • the circuit board 10 has passages 36 which are in line with the passages 34 and the projections 28. Via the passages 34 and 36, screws 38 are screwed into the threaded holes of the projections 28, so that the circuit board is fixedly secured in the top section 18 of the housing 16.
  • the edge sections 30 of the transfer element 12 are outside the periphery of the circuit board 10.
  • the transfer element 12 can move axially along the height of the projections 28 and the cap 4 can rest on the edge sections 30 of the transfer element 12 and the key 2 in turn can be disposed on or over the cap 4 in a clamping manner, in such a manner that the key 2 and the transfer element 12 follow each other's movement.
  • the spring 14 is provided around the passage 32 of the transfer element 12 and against one or more projections arranged in a circle on the inner wall of the shank portion 20 of the housing 16, in such a manner that the transfer element 12, together with the cap 4 and the key 2 on top thereof, is forced upwards.
  • an upward displacement of the transfer element 12 is limited by the circuit board 10 which is arranged in a fixed position above the latter.
  • said displacement can be limited by the legs 40 and 42 with respective radially outwardly extending bottom end sections 44 and 46 which extend under a bottom boundary surface of the shank portion 20 of the housing 16.
  • legs 40 and 42 has the advantage that an assembly of the housing 16, the transfer element 12 and the spring 14 and, if desired, a nut screwed onto the shank portion 20 of the housing 16 can be treated as a unit without components which can be lost. As a result thereof, other components can easily be added and/or replaced.
  • the circuit board 10 is suitable for carrying electronic components.
  • the circuit board 10 carries a row 48 of light-emitting elements, such as LEDs, for example at its top side in a location underneath the window 8, in such a manner that the light emitted by the light-emitting elements is transmitted to the outside via the window 6, the cover 8 and the key 2 and is visible for a user.
  • Other configurations are likewise possible, such as the use of several rows of light-emitting elements arranged at a distance from one another on the circuit board 10, the use of a display screen, such as an LCD, and one or more windows 6 adapted thereto, and one or more adapted covers 8.
  • the electronic components arranged on the circuit board 10 may also comprise control circuits which are suitable for controlling other electronic components, such as the row 48 of light-emitting elements and/or the display screen, and which is itself controlled from outside the push-button assembly.
  • an internal connector 50 is provided on the underside of the circuit board 10, seen from the key 2.
  • the internal connector 50 is elongate, in such a manner that it extends through the shank portion 20 of the housing 16 to near the bottom end of the housing 16.
  • the internal connector 30 contains a number of conductors which are connected to conductors of the circuit board 10 near the top end of the internal connector 30 and which end in terminals, such as pins and/or buses (not shown), near the bottom end of the internal connector 30.
  • the shank portion 20 of the housing 16 is intended to be inserted into a suitable round opening of an operating panel (not shown) and then to be attached to the panel by means of the nut 22.
  • the other components mentioned can be installed in the housing 16 before or after, with the exception of the connector unit 24.
  • the connector unit 24 can be coupled to the housing 16 in the manner explained below, in such a manner that a top connector 52, referred to as auxiliary connector 52 below, of the connector unit 24 and the internal connector 50 engage with one another.
  • the connector unit 24 also has another connector 54, referred to as external connector 54 below, terminals of which are connected to terminals of the auxiliary connector 52 of the connector unit 24.
  • the external connector 54 can be connected to an electric circuit (not shown) outside the push-button assembly, so that this external circuit is connected to an internal circuit formed on the circuit board 10.
  • the external connector 54 of the connector unit 24 has an orientation such that a connector of the external circuit can be coupled to the external connector 54 in the radial direction with respect to the push-button assembly. This is advantageous in order to use or work in a space which is available underneath the operating panel.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show the connector unit 24 on an enlarged scale.
  • the figures show some terminals, in particular pins 56, of the auxiliary connector 52 and terminals, in particular pins 58, of the external connector 54.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show a connector unit 60 which only differs from the connector unit 24 by the fact that the connector unit 60 comprises securing means which are suitable for securing a microswitch 62 (see Fig. 6).
  • the securing means In a first plane, which is axial with respect to the push-button assembly, the securing means comprise first legs 64 with projections 66 and, in a second plane at a distance from and parallel to the first plane, second legs 68.
  • the distance between the two planes with the legs 64 and 68 is such that the microswitch 62 can be clamped between the legs 64 and 68 and the projections 66 of the first legs 64 are received in holes 70 of the microswitch 62.
  • the microswitch 62 has electric terminals 72, 74 and 76 which can be connected to said external circuit.
  • the microswitch 62 has an operating element 78 which can be pushed in axially with respect to the push-button assembly.
  • the radially projecting end section 46 of the leg 42 of the transfer element 12 rests on the operating element 78 of the microswitch 62.
  • the microswitch 62 can be operated by pressing and releasing the key 2.
  • the leg 42 is longer than the other leg 40 of the transfer element 12 and, correspondingly, the shank portion 20 next to the leg 42 is longer than next to the leg 40.
  • the push-button assembly according to the invention may optionally be provided with a microswitch 62 which is provided outside the housing 16.
  • a microswitch 62 which is provided outside the housing 16.
  • the connector unit 60 which is suitable for securing a microswitch 62, it is therefore not obligatory to actually use a microswitch 62.
  • the push-button assembly according to the invention may comprise different types of switches instead of or in addition to the microswitch 62, in particular electronic switches which are mounted on the circuit board 10, such as capacitive, inductive and optical switches.
  • the connector unit 60 has two grooves, which, once the auxiliary connector 52 has been coupled to the internal connector 50, substantially extend in a radial plane of the shank portion 20 of the housing 16.
  • a substantially U-shaped wire spring 80 has legs 82 which can slide into said grooves of the connector unit 60. As is most clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the legs 82 of the spring 80 are bent at their free ends in such a manner that they form widened sections or locking sections 84 having free ends 86 which extend obliquely towards one another.
  • the shank portion 20 of the housing 16 and the connector unit 60 have slots which are aligned, once the coupling of the connector unit 24 to the housing 16 has been effected, and through which the locking sections 84 of the spring 80 extend following the coupling, as can be seen in Figs. 2 to 5 and 8.
  • the base of the spring 80 is pushed, the oblique end sections 86 thereof will hit the narrow edges of said slots, as a result of which the locking sections 84 bend towards one another and eventually bear against the inner wall of the shank portion 20.
  • the connector unit 60 can then be pulled out of the shank portion 20. When coupling the connector unit 60 to the housing 16, this procedure is reversed.
  • the connector unit 60 can thus be fitted to the housing in a simple and quick manner, after which the locking sections 84 of the spring 80 provide a simple and inexpensive, yet effective locking action. If necessary, the connector unit 60 can be removed from the housing 16 again in an equally simple and quick manner.
  • the connector unit 24 is coupled to the housing 16 or removed from the latter in the same manner.
  • the push-button assembly according to the invention can be installed on an operating panel in a simple and inexpensive manner, i.e. without the need for a large hole in the panel, which hole is not round and is consequently difficult to produce, the assembly can be used in many kinds of electronic and mechanical switches and a counterforce which is exerted when a user of the assembly pushes the key can be determined substantially independently of spring means of a mechanical switch.
  • the slim design of the push-button assembly according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with a serial communication connection, such as a USB-type connection (Universal Serial Bus), in which case the connectors 50, 52 and 54 only have to comprise few terminals 56, 58 and likewise only few conductors connected to the latter.
  • USB-type connection Universal Serial Bus

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
EP20070075859 2006-10-09 2007-10-04 Push button Withdrawn EP1912231A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1032647A NL1032647C2 (nl) 2006-10-09 2006-10-09 Drukknopsamenstel.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1912231A2 true EP1912231A2 (en) 2008-04-16

Family

ID=38001159

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20070075859 Withdrawn EP1912231A2 (en) 2006-10-09 2007-10-04 Push button

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1912231A2 (nl)
NL (1) NL1032647C2 (nl)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010058208A1 (en) * 2008-11-18 2010-05-27 Gamesman Limited Amusement machine and push button assembly
ITVI20090231A1 (it) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-25 Pizzato Elettrica Srl Interruttore modulare e kit per il suo assemblaggio
CN102956380A (zh) * 2011-08-31 2013-03-06 深圳市泰昂能源科技股份有限公司 微断开关指示灯
CN105225869A (zh) * 2014-06-24 2016-01-06 王丽平 隐藏式多功能手控开关
US11699560B2 (en) 2021-05-07 2023-07-11 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Button deck with non-penetrating pushbutton

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0341376Y2 (nl) * 1986-04-30 1991-08-30
GB8620393D0 (en) * 1986-08-21 1986-10-01 British Aerospace Function indicating switches
GB9308381D0 (en) * 1993-04-22 1993-06-09 Maygay Machines Push-button switches
GB0008057D0 (en) * 2000-04-03 2000-05-24 Gamesman Ltd Switch assemblies
DE20321821U1 (de) * 2003-06-10 2010-10-07 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Schaltervorrichtung

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010058208A1 (en) * 2008-11-18 2010-05-27 Gamesman Limited Amusement machine and push button assembly
ITVI20090231A1 (it) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-25 Pizzato Elettrica Srl Interruttore modulare e kit per il suo assemblaggio
EP2302652A1 (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-30 Pizzato Elettrica S.r.l. Modular switch and kit for the assembling thereof
CN102956380A (zh) * 2011-08-31 2013-03-06 深圳市泰昂能源科技股份有限公司 微断开关指示灯
CN102956380B (zh) * 2011-08-31 2015-01-21 深圳市泰昂能源科技股份有限公司 微断开关指示灯
CN105225869A (zh) * 2014-06-24 2016-01-06 王丽平 隐藏式多功能手控开关
US11699560B2 (en) 2021-05-07 2023-07-11 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Button deck with non-penetrating pushbutton
US11915897B2 (en) 2021-05-07 2024-02-27 Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Button deck with non-penetrating pushbutton

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1032647C2 (nl) 2008-04-10

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