EP2107644A2

EP2107644A2 - Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device

Info

Publication number: EP2107644A2
Application number: EP09380055A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maria Cristina Moret Codina
Original assignee: Simon SA
Current assignee: Simon SA
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2009-03-16
Publication date: 2009-10-07
Also published as: ES1067707U; EP2107644A3; ES1067707Y

Abstract

It is made up of four quick connection keys -2-, two by two, its lateral cylindrical pins -17- being situated inside semi-cylindrical seats -18- that the base -1- has in the sides of location housings -3-, V-shaped area so that the key swings from the horizontal position prior to placement until the initial vertical position of the wire -19- connection, the key -2- being in this vertical position, until the bottom of the cylindrical hollow -20-, situated on the external face -21- of said key -2-, which features the end of its interior face - 22- fork-shaped, delimiting an upper aperture -23- wherein is situated the front face of the corresponding knife contact -4- and -4a-, face equipped with an aperture -7-, which upon initiating the displacement of the key -2-, penetrates into the aperture -23- both sides of the aperture -7- shearing the insulation of the wire -19-, making contact with its core, and trapping the conductor -19-. The key -2- has one stub -24- located inside the slot -25- of the base -1- and another -26- situated directly below, located outside of the edge of the base -1-. Said key -2- situated inside the "V" of the base -1- has another stub -27-, which resting against a spring -28- of the base -1-, is positioned behind said spring by clipping. Furthermore, it has four teeth -13-, two by two, fitting into slots -14- of the cover -12-, base and cover remaining held shut and the mechanism closed. It has a light emitting device -30- on a swinging element -11-, provided with contacts -31- which penetrate towards the interior of the mechanism through apertures -16a- of the cover -12-.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical mechanism devised for its application in low voltage systems such as a three-way switch, provided with a light device, essentially characterized in that it is provided with a series of elements which permit the quick connection of the conductors related thereto, elements which are characterized both by their structure as well as by the manner of placement and application, also being characteristic of said mechanism the arrangement of the base and the permanent coupling with its cover, once the components have been arranged in the interior thereof. All of this will be described in detail over the course of the present specification.
One of the basic special features of the electrical mechanisms which are used in low voltage systems, generally domestic or in small shops, offices or such like, is that of facilitating the work of the installer as much as possible by means of the presentation of these mechanisms (switches, buttons, etc.) equipped with devices which permit them to carry out, in the wiring process of the assembly, the quick connection of the electrical conductors which come in contact with the mechanism, both at the intake and outlet, thereby guaranteeing that this connection will be sufficient and permanent, establishing the electrical contact necessary and preventing an accidental detachment of the conductor, which will remain in this stable position.
The mechanism object of the present invention offers advantages which meet the previously detailed requirements, as it is equipped with a series of suitable components to carry out this quick connection, the mechanism being complemented with the suitable arrangement of already known components, essential to complete said mechanism.
Another essential characteristic of the three-way switch object of this invention is to feature a variant, based on the positioning of the two groups of two knife-type contacts which is provided, specifically in its positioning, the separation of the two contacts grouped in the front part of the mechanism being smaller than that in the normal position. This forces the variation of the inner shape of the base, in this variant of embodiment.
With the aim of describing the special features of the mechanism in full detail, drawings wherein a practical embodiment thereof has been represented, in a non-limitative manner, have been attached.
In said drawings,

fig. 1: is a perspective and exploded view of the mechanism being disclosed;
fig. 2: is a view equivalent to the previous one but of a variant, showing the different base and the position, closer than the two knife contacts situated on the front of the assembly;
fig. 3: draws a perspective view of the placement of a quick connection key on the base of the mechanism, it previously being positioned horizontally, the base being drawn in cross-section by its theoretical longitudinal plane of symmetry;
fig. 4: draws the same key already placed, situated in horizontal position, and likewise shows the cover in position to close the upper part of the base of the body, being drawn in perspective view and, both the cover and the body, sectioned according to their longitudinal plane of symmetry;
fig. 5: is a perspective view wherein the base is sectioned at its half and the cover at a quarter, of the assembly of the body with its cover attached and a quick connection key attached to the body and in horizontal position;
fig. 6: partially draws and in cross-section the position of the connection key to initiate the connection process of the end of the wire or electrical conductor placed there;
fig. 7: is a view similar to that of the previous figure, wherein the intermediate position of the connection key is shown when the conductor is connected;
fig. 8: draws the final position of the connection key, when this connection operation of the conductor has already been carried out and with the connection key attached to the base by means of clipping;
fig. 9: is a perspective view from above the base, showing the location of the contacts, in the model of the invention;
fig. 10: is a perspective view from below the base;
fig. 11: is a perspective view from above the base showing the location of the contacts in the variant of execution;
fig. 12: is a perspective view from below the base of the previous figure;
fig. 13: is a perspective view from below the cover of the mechanism, in the main execution of the base;
fig. 14: is a perspective view from below the cover of the mechanism in its base
fig. 15: variant; and draws, in perspective and from below, the swinging element, already known in this type of mechanisms.

In accordance with these drawings, the electrical mechanism with three-way switch and light and additionally provided with a quick connection device is constituted by a base -1-, the lower part whereof adopting the characteristic V-shape, with the purpose of leaving more space for the wiring of the assembly, and whereon the facing sides whereof are placed connection keys -2-, both situated on housings -3- located on the outer part of the aforementioned base -1-.
The assembly or group of contacts is situated in the interior of said base -1-. The contacts, grouped two by two, are known as the so-called type "knife" type -4- and -4a-, open at their front face with a vertical aperture -7-, similar to two facing knives, wherein the end of the conductor wire -19- being connected is held.
These knife contacts -4- are solidly joined at their lower part with the usual and known connections -5- for a three-way application. The two pairs of knife contacts -4- and -4a- are situated facing each other, each pair in a half area opposing the base -1-, all of them being located in housings -6- delimited by small partitions situated in the interior of the base -1-. All of these knife contacts will remain thus positioned, the aperture -7- being situated outwards, specifically towards the bottom of the housings - 3- of the quick connection keys.
This already known contact assembly is completed, thereby making their operation possible, by two moving contacts -8- which rest their base on the bottom in a V-shape of the connections -5- which solidly join to the knife contacts -4- and -4a-, so that they can swing when they are pushed by their respective cylindrical springs -9-, components situated inside of each one of the two lower towers -10- of the known swinging element -11-, which will be actuated by the exterior push button, not represented in the drawings, and which causes the operation of this assembly of contacts, corresponding to the three-way switch application.
The cover -12- closes the assembly of the mechanism in this variant which is attached on the base -1-, as drawn in figs. 4 and 5, being held shut by the action of four teeth -13-, which are part of said base -1- on its upper edges corresponding to the sides where the knife contacts -4- and -4a- are positioned and which fit into the slots - 14- of the cover -12- on the inner edge of its upper face. It is clear that the closure of the cover -12- on the base -1- is performed solely when all of the components of the mechanism (knife contacts, group of contacts, springs, etc.) have been previously placed inside the base -1-.
This cover -12-, whereon the sides -15- whereof are supported the lateral pivots -11a- of the swinging element -11-, has in its interior the apertures necessary -16- for the passage towards the interior of lower towers -10- which have the aforementioned swinging element -11-, in direction towards the moving contacts -8-.
Likewise, it has some holes -16a- for the passage of the contacts of the light emitting device.
Each one of the connection keys -2- is provided, in their rear end, with two cylindrical pins -17-, axial in the direction of an imaginary transversal axis, which allow said connection key -2- to be positioned on the side of the base -1-, these pins -17- fitting into the interior of semi-cylindrical seats -18- of the base -1- in the sides of the corresponding aperture -3- where the key -2- has to be situated.
The positioning and fastening of the connection key -2- is initiated, as can be observed in figures 3 to 5, previously situating it in horizontal position to make it descend until the pins -17- thereof are positioned in the semi-cylindrical seats -18-. Subsequently the cover -12- is placed and then the connection key -2- is turned until reaching its initial stable position for the connection of the electrical conductor wire -19-
This attachment or fastening is carried out by the action of two projecting buffers on the connection key -2- (see fig. 5), practically next to its own edge. In the first place, stub -24- is located inside the slot -25- in the base -1- and stub -26- (directly below stub -24- ), is located outside the edge of the base -1-.
The connection key -2- has a cylindrical hollow -20- on its external face -21-, face provided with a suitable threading for a better grip. Inside of this cylindrical hollow -20- will be placed the end of the electrical conductor -19-, until it runs into the bottom thereof, next to the interior face -22- of the key, face disposed in the shape of a fork and which delimits an upper aperture -23- wherein the front face of the knife contacts -4- and -4a- are situated, where the apertures -7- are.
Said electrical conductor -19- thus placed, upon initiating the displacement of the connection key -2-, as is observed in fig. 6, the front face of the knife contact -4- penetrates towards the interior of the upper aperture -23- of the connection key -1-, actuating the two sides of the aperture -7- as shearing elements, similar to two facing knives which come into contact with the sides of the conductor -19-, cutting the plastic coating of the aforementioned conductor and permitting the direct contact of said sides of the aperture -7- of the knife contact -4- on the copper core of the conductor -19-, which furthermore is sufficiently fastened, trapped by its two sides, preventing the accidental detachment thereof.
Fig. 8 draws the end of the cycle, when the connection key -2- has made it to its final position, with its external face -21- inclined towards the interior of the lower part of the base -1-, position wherein said key will remain perfectly attached.
This attachment or fastening is carried out by the actuation of a cylindrical stub -27-, which in principle leans on the spring -28-, which is in the base -1- in the lower area of the interior face of its side walls. Upon conclusion of the swinging displacement of the connection key -2-, this is stably positioned, the third stub -27- being situated behind the spring -28- by means of a clipping action.
In this final stable position of the quick connection key -2-, the conductor -19- remains perfectly connected, after the retaining action of the key -2- and of the knife contact -4-, by means of its front aperture -7-. As can be observed in figure 8, this final stable position of each one of the connection keys -2- is towards the interior of the lower part of the base -1-, almost coinciding with the V-shape thereof, occupying a minimal space and remaining protected.
In the aforementioned variant wherein the knife contacts -4a- are closer together, the base -1 a-, as observed in figures 2, 11 and 12, features as an essential characteristic the arrangement of the apertures -6-, where the knife contacts -4a- are housed, closer together, so these contacts will also be closer together, the assembly of connections -5a- adapting to these different distances. In this variant, the cover -12a-also features certain differences, specifically the arrangement of the different apertures for location of the corresponding contacts, all of them known and of normal use in similar mechanisms.
Above the swinging element -11- is situated the light emitting device -29-, also known, the contacts -30- whereof penetrating through apertures -16a- both on the cover -12- and its variant -12a-, for access towards the interior of the mechanism.
The essential characteristics of the electrical mechanism object of the present invention having been sufficiently described, it should be pointed out that any variation in dimensions, shapes, finish and types of materials used in the practical embodiment of the aforementioned mechanism, does not in any way alter the essential nature of the invention, which is summarised in the following claims.

Claims

Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, consisting of a base -1- in whose suitably compartmented interior are located the knife contacts -4- and -4a-, together with the moving contacts -8-, actuated by the swinging element -11-, situated above the closure cover -12- of the base -1-, characterized in that it has four quick connection keys -2- which are positioned, two by two, on the sides opposite the base -1-, its lateral cylindrical pins -17- being situated axially in transversal direction, in the interior of semi-cylindrical seats -18- of the base -1- on its sides of corresponding location housings -3- of each connection key -2-, situated in the lower area of the base -1-, an area which adopts a V-shaped characteristic, all of this so that the key can swing from the horizontal position prior to placement until the vertical starting position of the connection of the electrical conductor wire -19-, previously inserted, until the bottom of the cylindrical hollow -20-, situated on the external face -21- of said connection key -2-.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claim 1, in the interior of whose base -1- are located, in the corresponding spaces -6-, the four knife contacts -4- and -4a-, provided on its external face with a vertical aperture -7-, the edges whereof are similar to two facing knives, said external face being situated facing towards the bottom of the housing -3- of the connection key -2-, characterized in that this connection key -2- features the end of its interior face -22- in the shape of a fork, which delimits an upper aperture -23- wherein the front face of the corresponding knife contact -4- and -4a- is situated. This face is provided with the aperture -7-, so that upon initiating the displacement of the connection key -2- towards the interior, the aforementioned front face of the knife contact -4- and -4a- penetrates into the interior of the aperture -23- of the connection key -2- actuating the two sides of the aperture -7- of said knife contact as shearing elements of the sides of the insulating coating of the conductor -19- remaining in direct and sufficient contact on its copper core, while it suitably traps the conductor -19- and prevents its detachment.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the swinging displacement from an initial vertical stable position of each connection key -2-, beginning of the connecting action of the electrical conductor -19-, until the final stable position of said key, permits this quick connection of the aforementioned conductor -19-, characterized in that in its initial stable position, the quick connection key -2- has two stubs, , practically next to its own edge, of which stub -24- is located inside the slot -25- of the base -1- and stub -26- situated directly under stub -24-, is located outside of the edge of the base -1-.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in its initial stable position, the connection key -2- is situated towards the interior of the lower V-shaped part of the base -1-, a shape which allows the entire assembly to occupy less space and facilitates the connection, each connection key -2- being provided with a stub -27-, which, after resting against the spring -28- that the base -1- has on the lower part of the interior face of its side walls, is finally positioned behind said spring by means of a clipping action.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the assembly of its different contacts for the specific application of a three-way switch are suitably situated inside its base -1- before being closed by its cover -12-, characterized in that the aforementioned base -1- has four teeth -13-, situated two by two on its upper edges corresponding to the position of the knife contacts -4- and -4a-, which fit into slots -14- in the interior edge of the upper face of the cover -12-, both components, base and cover, remaining held shut and, in this manner, the mechanism being closed.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that it features a variant in the positioning of the knife contacts -4a-, situated closer together, so that the base -1a- will be adapted interiorly for this variation of measurement, as well as the corresponding cover -12a-, permitting the placement of the various components which constitute the already known block of contacts.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that it has a light emitting device -30-, positioned above the swinging element -11-, provided with contacts -31- which penetrate towards the interior of the mechanism through apertures -16a- which the cover -12- has for said purpose.
Electrical three-way switch mechanism, provided with a quick connection device, according to claims 1, 6 and 7, characterized in that the cover -12a- of its second variant is also provided with apertures -16a- wherethrough the contacts -30- of the light emitting device -30- will be disposed, located in the upper part of the mechanism, above the swinging element -11-.