EP2043119B1 - Pushbutton - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a push button with a housing in which a push button is resiliently received, wherein the push button and the housing are sealed against each other via a sealing element and the sealing element is formed resiliently for returning the push button to a starting position after operation.

Such pushbuttons are regularly used for command input to, for example, so-called machine / human interfaces. Not only a use for the switching of control currents, but also for power circuits is conceivable by the push-button is used as a trigger for circuit breakers. At this push button high demands are made in terms of life, robustness, sealing of the electrical part against water and dirt as cost-effective and process-reliable manufacturability.

Out DE 199 50 367 is a push button with resilient sealing element known, which is very cost-effective due to the dual function of the sealing element, which also takes over the function of a spring in addition to the sealing function. However, the sealing function still has deficiencies in extreme liquid loading, wherein the sealing effect can fluctuate in the actuated and unactuated state due to different forces.

The DE 20 2004 015 U1 describes a waterproof pushbutton comprising a housing having an open proximal end with a hollow body, a key housing formed on top of the hollow body, and a connector extending from a distal end of the hollow body, the key housing including one a lower surface of the proximal end and trained upwardly from this extending inner longitudinal directional elevation surface and having an outer left directional elevation surface formed on the lower surface of the open proximal end and extending upward therefrom. In addition, the key housing includes a movable push-button actuator with an annular shoulder and an elastic seal mounted around the annular shoulder of the push-button actuator.

From the DE 42 08 088 C1 For example, an electromechanical pushbutton for vehicle doors projects with a housing having an annular end wall having a central recess which receives a spring-biased push-button of a non-flexible material. In order to obtain a simple reliable switch is provided that the annular end wall on the inside a concave circumferential, extending substantially to the central recess bearing surface for a diaphragm seal, the outer and inner edge portion of corresponding recesses in the housing or on the circumference of the push button are added , wherein the acted upon by the spring push button positively against the contact surface pressed membrane sealing ring limits the stroke of the push button to the outside.

The invention has for its object to provide a pushbutton, in which a reliable return of the print head is ensured in the starting position and at the same time has a position-independent, increased sealing effect.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a push-button of the type mentioned, which is characterized by a sealing element which is clamped on the housing and the push button.

When the push button according to the invention, the sealing element in addition to a sealing function also assumes a spring function and is used to return the operated push button to a starting position when you release the push button. It comes at the same time its sealing function between the housing and the push button after. For this purpose it is clamped on the housing and also on the push button. It is advantageous that the dual function of the sealing element can be maintained and also an increased density is achieved, which is ensured regardless of the position of the push button or the state of the pushbutton. In an advantageous embodiment, a clamping ring, in particular an elastic or resiliently widening clamping ring, is used to clamp the sealing element on a clamping surface provided for sealing the same to an inner wall of the housing. For this purpose, the inner wall of the housing is made round and has a larger radius than the outer radius of a clamping ring used. In this way, the clamping ring provokes an expansion of the sealing element between the clamping ring and the inner wall and thus a clamping.

Advantageously, the clamping ring also consists of a non-elastic material, in particular metal or plastic. Thus, the clamping ring of the clamping of the sealing element gives an important room stability and, if the outer diameter of the not yet mounted sealing element has an excess over the inner diameter of the push-button housing, a good tightness. Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture the sealing element together with the clamping ring as an elastomer-metal composite part and thus to arrive at a cost automated insertion of the metal part or automated gripping during the manufacturing process. This can namely insert the problem, a purely elastic part to be bypassed. A special stability is the clamping ring and thus also the clamping allocated when the clamping ring has an L-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. Due to the L- or U-shape bending of the clamping ring are almost impossible, also can be avoided by an additional stop due to this form further slipping into the housing of the push button.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sealing surface on circumferential ribs, which can unite the clamping force, whereby the force acts on smaller exposed zones and thus an increased sealing force per area can be implemented. The ribs may in this case have a collar-like shape, in order to also achieve a reliable seal when pressurized.

In an advantageous embodiment of the clamping ring is achieved by a partial stiffening of the elastic sealing element. Due to the partial curing, it is possible to produce the clamping ring of the same material as well as the sealing element, wherein the clamping ring is formed by the hardened parts of the sealing element. Within certain limits, chlorine treatment or radiation crosslinking by means of electromagnetic, radioactive radiation can advantageously be used for partial reinforcement.

Advantageously, even for partially cured sealing elements an advantageous handling against completely soft parts, especially in an automatic assembly by the radial press-fitting, by linear feed or by pressing with automatic centering no intermediate step for final fixation is necessary.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing element is partially clamped between a push-button shell and a push-button base. Here, too, a higher density is achieved due to the clamping effect, wherein the push-button top and the -unterteil possibly separated from each other or latched together, screwed or can be connected to each other in a similar manner.

Advantageously, the pushbutton upper part and / or the lower part has an upper or lower recess for mounting the sealing element. Here, only the push button side part of the sealing element is clamped. By the upper or lower recess, the storage of the sealing element in the push button is improved, whereby a high tightness can be maintained even in the immediate pressure movement, because slipping or detachment of the sealing element is effectively prevented by the respective recess.

Advantageously, the sealing element for clamping on the push button is bead-shaped or collar-like. This allows it to fit very well in an upper or lower extent and increase the sealing effect.

Further advantageous embodiments and preferred developments of the invention can be taken from the description of the figures and / or the dependent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described and explained in the figures.

FIG 1

eine geschnittene Ansicht von montierten Bauteilen eines runden Drucktasters,

FIG 2

eine Vergrößerung eines Bereiches aus FIG 1.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a sectional view of assembled components of a round pushbutton,

FIG. 2

an enlargement of an area FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 1 a sectional view of assembled components of a round push button. The round pushbutton is constructed substantially rotationally symmetrical, wherein the axis of rotation is located in the cutting surface and extends in the plane of the drawing from bottom to top. Furthermore, the housing 1.5 in the FIG. 1 shown only on the left side. Its interior is also rotationally symmetrical.

The housing 1.5 is designed such that during assembly, the sealing element 1.6 can be introduced together with the push-button shell 1.8 and the push-button lower part 1.9 in the direction of actuation in the housing 1.5. Corresponding embodiments on the inside of the housing 1.5 ensure that the sealing element 1.6 are arranged together with the clamping ring 1.2 for operation at a fixed position. It proves to be advantageous in this case the L-shaped cross-section of the clamping ring 1.2, which also serves as a contact surface on the housing 1.5.

The main function of the clamping ring 1.2 is to press the sealing surface 1.4 with the sealing rings 2.2 to the inside of the housing 1.5 and thus pinch the sealing element 1.6. The clamping is conveniently carried out by the excess of the clamping ring 1.2, which by the L-shaped cross-section a clamping force easily, i. can be maintained without a occurring on the sealing surface 1.4 material deformation. Upon proper operation of the push button shell 1.8, the collar 2.1 is moved downward in the direction of clamping ring 1.2, so that the sealing element 1.6 is elastically deformed and its spring action, which is opposite to the actuating movement, builds. Especially in this state, a detachment of the sealing element 1.6 is effectively prevented by the inner wall of the housing 1.5 by the clamping by means of the clamping ring 1.2.

The push-button upper part 1.8 and the push-button lower part 1.9 can be made in one piece or connected to each other by a fastening. Form the push button upper part 1.8 and the push button lower part 1.9 a single push button shell, so its installation achieved by a simple gluing, so that the collar 2.1, the upper recess 1.7 of the push button shell 1.8 and the lower Recess 1.3 of the push-button lower part 1.9 slips. Due to the collar 2.1 or its extension slipping or slipping on actuation or on recovery is effectively prevented. This can be further supported, in which in two-part design of the push button clamping by the fastening device between the push button shell 1.8 and the push button base 1.9 is additionally caused. Thus, for example, by a screw not only the attachment of Druckknopfteiler be realized, but also - at least partially - a clamping of the collar 2.1 and thus of the sealing element 1.6.

Advantageously, the collar 2.1 and / or the clamping ring 1.2 is additionally suitable by a stiffener better for sealing when pressurized. Here, both the clamping ring 1.2 and / or the collar 2.1 components of the sealing element represent 1.6 and are formed only by a curing or stiffening. Alternatively, the collar 2.1 and / or the clamping ring 1.2 may be made of a different material, e.g. Metal or plastic.

Both the partially stiffened, membrane-type sealing element 1.6 and a two-material-based sealing element 1.6, such as e.g. an elastomer-metal composite part, lead to a more cost-effective production and assembly. Both versions are suitable for automated insertion of the metal part in an injection molding or pressing tool and also for automated gripping and inserting or pressing both versions are ideally suited.

The sealing element 1.6 represents an axially operating flexing membrane. The active region 1.1 of the sealing element 1.6 changes its shape when actuated and develops an elastic counterforce to the actuating movement. This counter force places the push button 1.8,1.9 back in the starting position as soon as the user stops the operation.

As a result, the sealing element 1.6 combines a reset function as well as a sealing function. In an advantageous embodiment of the sealing element 1.6 with partially stiffened elements, such as the collar 2.1 and / or the clamping ring 1.2, an automatic assembly can be advantageous, since the radial pressing through a linear feed with automatic centering without intermediate step to the final fixation let execute.

FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of the area X. FIG. 1 ,

In summary, the invention relates to a push button with a housing in which a push button is resiliently received and wherein the push button and the housing are sealed by a sealing element against each other and the sealing element is formed for returning the print head to an initial position after actuation. The object of the invention is to ensure an increased sealing function of the sealing element for each working position of the pushbutton. For this purpose, the sealing element is clamped to the housing and the push button. For this purpose, a clamping ring and / or a collar are provided, which are integrally connected to the sealing element or constitute separate components. The clamping ring and the collar can be formed by partial stiffening of the membrane-like sealing element. Both for the production and for the installation of the push button there are significant advantages compared to known push buttons.

Claims (5)

1. Push switch comprising a housing (1.5) in which a press button (1.8, 1.9) is resiliently received, the press button (1.8, 1.9) and the housing (1.5) being sealed from each other by a sealing element (1.6) and the sealing element (1.6) being resiliently embodied for resetting the press button (1.8, 1.9) into a starting position following actuation, characterised in that the sealing element (1.6) is clamped on the housing (1.5) and the press button (1.8, 1.9), wherein the clamping ring (1.2) is formed from a non-elastic material, in particular metal or plastic, and wherein the sealing face (1.4) comprises one or more circumferential elevation(s) (2.2).
2. Push switch according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element (1.6) comprises a clamping ring (1.2) which is provided on an inner wall of the housing (1.5) for clamping a sealing face (1.4) of the sealing element (1.6).
3. Push switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (1.6) is clamped partially between a press button upper part (1.8) and a press button lower part (1.9).
4. Push switch according to claim 3, wherein the press button upper part (1.8) has an upper recess (1.7) and/or the press button lower part (1.9) has a lower recess (1.3).
5. Push switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (1.6) comprises a bead or a collar (2.1) for clamping on the press button (1.8, 1.9).

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