EP2135269A1

EP2135269A1 - Electric switch

Info

Publication number: EP2135269A1
Application number: EP08736149A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilhelm SCHNÖDT
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2007-04-12
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-11
Also published as: EP2135269B1; US7932475B2; WO2008125636A1; DE502008001164D1; CN101715599B; CN101715599A; PL2135269T3; US20100084250A1; DE102007017366B3; ES2350415T3; ATE478431T1

Abstract

An electric switch with flexible, fork-shaped contactor having an end area with first and second contact points. At least one tension strip and at least one arched section extends from the contactor in such manner that changing the switch from a normal position, in which the first contact point is in contact with a first contact surface, to a switched position, in which the second contact point is in contact with a second contact surface, and vice-versa, takes place by deformation of the tension strip while an angle formed at the transition, between the arched section and the end area of the contactor, remains substantially unchanged.

Description

ELECTRIC SWITCH

The invention relates to an electrical switch having an elastically deformable contactor which can be moved against a spring force from a basic position to a switching position, wherein a connection of the contactor changes from a first to a second elective contact body. A switch of this type is described for example in EP 0 837 483 A2 mentioned as prior art and is shown in FIG. 24 of the document

In this known switch, a contact body which is common to both switching states, an elastically deformable contactor, an actuating element, a first and a second select contact body and a lift is in a receptacle. arranged in a housing The elastically deformable contactor has a substantially elongated pull tab and a curved portion arranged in parallel to the pull tab in this plan view. The contactor further has an area connecting the pull tab and the arched area, on either side of the arch each contact point has been arranged by a Betätigungsseiement which is operable from the outside, the elastic contactor from a basic position in which it is in communication with a first Wahlkontaktkörper, elastically deformed such that the contactor is brought into contact with a second selective contact body Letting go of the actuating element, the elastically deformable contactor at least partially relaxes and returns to its basic position, with the actuating element also returning to its starting position

Switches of this type are executed, inter alia, in the miniature or subminiaturbereich and serve switching tasks in which a normally closed electrical contact is temporarily interrupted by mechanical action on the actuator or a connection to a second contact is made, which for the time in which the actuator in the switching position is maintained is maintained in another application, however, the actuator or the contactor can also be locked Switches of this type are particularly suitable for tasks of position detection in automatic processes. However, typical application areas can also be locking systems, body and interior areas of a vehicle as well as various position queries in household appliances or other mechanisms.

From DE 1 989 468 the expert gets the indication that a relative movement between the contact points, which is substantially perpendicular to the switching direction, is advantageous, so that the contact points remain free of abrasion or dirt particles. The relative movement in the switch is by a longitudinal expansion reached a divided into two areas central spring / switching spring. In this case, a rigid region of the Umschaltfe- is moved over an angle, which in turn is deflected by an actuating spring, in the longitudinal direction of the switch. In this elongation of the switching spring, the lower meandering part of the switching spring is elastically deformed. This happens in that the actuating spring is deflected around the common fastening point with the switching spring in the housing, the switching spring being restricted in its freedom of movement by the two contacts Beyond the abutment points of the Umschaitfeder extending deflection movement of the actuating spring to a force acting in the longitudinal direction of the actuating spring relative movement between the actuating spring and the Umschaltfeder Such that the contact point is moved parallel to the respective contact plane on the connection point This complicated mechanism not only has the disadvantage that three Components are necessary to produce a relative movement between the contacts, but also the disadvantage that not necessary for the linear movement of the switching spring to generate a large rotary deflection of the actuating spring maneuverable, which in turn leads to a large design of the switch.

Auslegeschrift 1 168 993 is also concerned with an electric snap-action switch with the aim of making the friction and rolling movements of the contact pieces stronger. A rigid contact arm, which is articulated at its end facing away from the contact points, is pushed by a switching arm between two terminals. and moved. The switching arm is in turn deflected by an actuating element at one end The other end of the switching arm is articulated to a common terminal To support at a first contact in the initial position of the switch is a C-spring, which is more overarched upon actuation of the actuator The total articulated support of the rigid contact arm and the circular deflection of the switching arm cause ken only very small linear movements of the contact point of the rigid contact arm on the contact point of the terminal Again, there is no linear movement of the contact point of the contact on the contact surface of the terminal instead

DE 1 917 411 U, from which the closest prior art is based, describes an electrical switch with a one-piece, elastically deformable contactor which is constructed from three areas: a leaf spring area which is flat in all switching states, a region of a compression spring tongue and a free end area On the BSattfeder- / Umschaltfederbereich a first and a second contact point are arranged on the opposite surfaces. From the Umschaltfederbereich extends a compression spring tongue, which is supported on a knife edge bearing The free end portion is opposite the Umschaltfeder bent by about 180 ° and rests against In a transfer position, in which the switching spring is in contact with a contact, the compression spring tongue is arched over, wherein at the same time the sheet spring region (without experiencing a deformation) is guided by the actuator in the direction of the switching point. After passing the switching point, the switching spring snaps from the upper contact to the lower contact

By changing the over-buckling of the compression spring tongue it comes to reaching the switching point on the connector (contact) to a slight frictional movement of the switching spring on the contact point of the upper connector It is found that the smaller the design of the switch and the shorter the switching paths of the Switches are selected, the smaller is the frictional movement of the switching spring on the respective connection pieces.

in the known switch from the mentioned in EP 0 837 483 A2 prior art, a spring mechanism for the contactor is known, which is responsible for switching from a first contact point to a second contact point Here are specifically the distance between the two selector contact body and the spring strength of Leaf spring important factors So it is advantageous for the known switch to use a relatively strong leaf spring in the curved area to ensure the contact forces at the first and second contact safely By such a strong leaf spring inevitably increase the actuation forces for such a switch and the Pull tab must therefore be formed as rigid as possible The support of the curved portion with its free end to the common contact body causes the contactor is printed upward, the system causes a torque on the first contact parts such that the free end of the pull tab, which is attached to the lever, the Lever prints together with the actuator in the starting position. When the actuator is moved into the housing, the free end of the pull tab moves toward the support point of the arched area, and when it is reached, there is an equilibrium such that further movement of the free end of the pull tab results in linear movement of the end portion However, before the contactor is released from the first contact point, ie before the pull tab reaches the support point of the curved portion, a linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the pull tab is effected at the first contact point Since the pull tab on the lever which is rotatably mounted in the housing, performs a circular arc movement about the pivot point of the lever At the same time, the end portion of the contactor is inhibited by the AnSagepunkt of the contact point in its movement towards the contact surface and completes of half only the part of the movement of the pull tab, which is directed in the longitudinal direction of the switch

After passing through the Schaitpunktes, d h after the pull tab has passed the support point of the curved portion, the end portion changes from the first contact parts to the second contact point. This is done in an approximately linear, directed perpendicular to the pull tab movement or by a substantially parallel displacement of the contactor in the direction of actuation of the actuating element. After switching the second contact point of the contactor completes another arcuate movement with further movement of the pull tab, wherein the second contact point rolls on its support point in the same direction as the arcuate movement of the pull tab. Therefore, a markedly reduced linear movement or greatly reduced sliding or rubbing of the contact parts on the contact surface in the longitudinal direction of the switch occurs at the second contact point. Under certain geometric conditions, the linear movement of the contact points on the contact surfaces against NuIi

Thus, even with often required low actuation forces, can be reliably switched between the two contact points, a linear movement in or against the pulling direction of the pull tab, ie essentially in longitudinal direction on both contact points. Direction of the recording or the housing done by such a linear movement on the individual contact surfaces whose cleanliness is maintained and it can be switched larger loads at the same contact pressure as if such a linear movement does not take place

For the known electrical switch, this means that a higher load could be switched at the first selector contact than at the second selector contact. Thus, the second contact point in the known switch determines the load which can be switched by the electrical switch

Short current and voltage peaks, as z. B when switching capacitor or inductive loads may cause welding of the contacts. By the linear friction movement of the contact surfaces to each other during the operation of the switch welds of the contacts immediately broken again the smaller so the linear Reibweg est, the more likely a contact welding In the known switch goes to the second contact point, the linear friction movement by the rotational movement of the contactor in a pure unwinding of the contact point on the contact surface via impurities or particles deposit over the lifetime on the contact surfaces and lead to welds between the contact points and the contact surfaces

In the case of stronger impurities or larger particles, such unrolling can lead to an electrical failure of the switch, since these particles are not removed from the contact surfaces by a frictional movement of the contact points

The object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch with a spring mechanism, in which both on a first contact surface and on a second contact surface sufficient linear movement takes place, and so the disadvantages of the prior art are avoided Here, a simple structure, a be ensured simple production and easy installation and reliable operation with a long life

The solution of this object is achieved with a switch according to claim 1. Preferred developments of the switch according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims

The elastically deformable contactor of the switch according to the invention is movable as well as in the prior art, that the contactor with the contact points alternately with two contact surfaces of elective contact bodies in conductive or non-conductive compound is achieved by a more flexible design of the pull tab against the arched area, that upon movement of the hoist to which the tension spring is tied, deformation of the tension spring is effected and an end portion of the contactor is kept almost unchanged in its angled position relative to the arcuate portion of the contactor by maintaining the angle between the arcuate portion and the end portion it is achieved that between the contact point and the contact surface no rotational movement takes place around the contact point of the contact point on the contact surface at the same time is due to the forced arcuate movement of the pull tab of the contact point on the Kont forced surface in a linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle, since the abutment of the end portion of a contact surface prevents movement in the direction of the surface normal of the contact surface

Regardless of the mounting position of the switch according to the invention, this direction should also be referred to as the horizontal direction of the switch The vertical direction of the switch is defined by the distance between the two contact surfaces, wherein with "top" the side of the contactor is referred to, in which the actuating element is in the normal position

Due to the maintenance or only slight or minimal change in the angle between the end region of the contactor and the curved region of the contactor, a rotation of the contact point around the support point of the contact point on the contact surface is avoided at both contact surfaces Therefore, there is also a contact surface on the second contact surface Linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the recording instead, and impurities or particles can be effectively removed from this Even a welding of the contact point with the contact surface can be largely prevented In case of occurring welds, these can be broken by the forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the switch Preferably, the contactor is configured so that it has two curved areas spaced from each other, between which a pull tab formed in such a way that it is without the angle between the arched area and end to change range, is elastically deformable. In the plan view, the two curved areas are substantially parallel! to the flexible pull tab The end portion of the contactor connects at one side or at one end the two curved portions and one end of the pull tab The contactor has in plan view thus an approximately fork-like appearance, having at least two extensions or tines Here is at least one extension designed as a pull tab and an extension as a curved area. The end of the arched area is based in the installed state on the necessary for both switching states for the passage of an electrical signal common contact body from the end of the pull tab is attached to an end portion of the rotatably mounted lever. Will the rotatably mounted lifting! deflected by the actuator, so deformed essentially only the pull tab, the deformation remains in the elastic region The attachment point of the pull tab at the end of the lever describes at the same time an arcuate movement by the forced arcuate movement of the attachment point or the connection point between pull tab and lever and the simultaneous support of the end region via the contact points on the contact surfaces is achieved that a force is generated in the longitudinal direction of the switch, which moves the contact point on the contact surface linearly approximately horizontally by the relative to the pull tab relatively stiff connection of the curved portion of the contactor to the end portion When the lever is deflected, the contactor will not change an angle in the transitional area between the arched area and the end area.

In another embodiment, only a curved portion is provided on the contactor, which is arranged centrally between two webs of the pull tab in the plan view is the arched area carried out so stable that there is no change in angle between the curved area and in deformation of the lateral Zuglaschenbereiche The free end of the arched area is in turn supported on the common contact body and the two pull tab areas are connected to each other at the end remote from the end area and fastened to the lever. Also in this embodiment, when the lever is deflected or the connection point of the pull tab on the lever substantially only the pull tab or the pull tab areas, which are arranged laterally adjacent to the curved area, deformed at the same time as the deformation of the pull tab, the curvature of the curved area However, the angle, which is strictly mathematically spanned by a tangent to the curved portion at the crease line between curved portion and end portion and the end portion, during the movement of the connection point of the pull tab is not changed substantially. By brushing the contact points on the respective contact surfaces of the selector contact body, the arcuate movement which takes place the connection point of the pull tab on the lever, in a linear movement in the longitudinal direction of the recording or the switch forced .. This happens both at the first contact surface in the the electrical switch is in the home position, as well as on the second contact surface, when the electrical switch is in a switching position

The inventively enforced linear movements of the contact points on the Kontaktflächeπ both on the first Wahlkontaktkörper and on the second Wahlkontaktkörper ensures that disturbing foreign layers are mechanically eliminated The rubbing movement of the contact parts on the contact surfaces is also important if the switch operated under adverse environmental conditions and, for example, oxide layers, silicate layers or other undesirable deposits on the contact surfaces occur. Due to the simple design of the contactor according to the invention can thus be achieved that a self-cleaning of the contact surfaces and the contact points in the electrical switch with spring mechanism according to the invention. The friction movements on both contact surfaces, a welding of the contact points is counteracted with the contact surfaces This has the consequence that with the switch according to the invention larger loads than with the switch according to the prior art can be switched at the same strong trained contact spring / contactor.

By deformable in the elastic region without much effort pull tab can with little effort, i. With a low switching actuation force, a high contact force can be generated by a suitable configuration of the curved area, while at the same time providing a large friction path, ie the length of the friction movement on the respective contact surface.

With regard to the embodiment, the switch according to the invention is not limited to embodiments as are known, for example, from the abovementioned prior art, but rather is essential to the invention in that a rigid connection is provided to the switch. The tension spring moves the end portion of the contactor substantially linearly and parallel to the contact surfaces of the selector contact body with simultaneous elastic overblowing of the contactor to the end portion of the contactor and a flexible connection of the pull tab to the end region arched portion of the contactor

According to the invention, it does not matter whether a pivot point of the lever, which is deflected by the actuating element, is arranged longitudinally in front of or behind the contact area of the contact point and the contact surfaces. Preferably, however, the contact area of the chatter is between the attachment point of the pull tab on the lever and arranged the pivot point of the lever. By such an arrangement, the angular movement of the lever in the fulcrum and thus the loss of force occurring is reduced to a minimum, thus keeping the operating force as low as possible The effective for the rotational movement of the lever lever arm oscillates around its maximum

In addition, it is achieved by a possible elongated design of the lever, ie by an arrangement of the pivot point and the attachment point on different sides of the contact area, that despite high contact forces, which result from the arched area and provide the necessary contact force, the actuating forces for the switch remain low using leverage.

Preferably, the actuating element is moved in a linear direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the selector contact body and thereby deflects the lever so that the connection point at the non-rotatably mounted end of the lever describes a circular motion. This circular movement is supported by the support points of the contact points on the Contact surfaces on the pull tab implemented in a linear movement of the contact points of the contact points on the contact surfaces The deflection, ie the rotation of the lever can also be effected by a rotational movement of the actuating element with a suitable arrangement of the actuating element. In this case, it is conceivable, for example, that an actuating element forms an extension of the pull tab or of the lever.

Conventionally, the actuating element is brought by pressing from a basic position to a switching position in which the second contact point touches the second contact surface When releasing the actuating element, the contactor and the Betätigungsseiement due to the elastic tension within the pull tab and the curved portion brought back into the basic position by the lever, which is in contact with the actuating element

In a further embodiment, the actuating element can also be locked in the switching position in order, for example, to be brought back into the basic position upon repeated actuation of the actuating element by the elastic partial relaxation of the contactor

Preferably, the convex side of the curved portion of the elastically deformable contactor on the actuating element, ie upwards Here, the support point of the curved portion is chosen so that it is supported on the common contact body on the side of the flexible pull tab on which the buckle is not located Next the support point of the curved portion is arranged on the common contact body at a distance from the flexible pull tab, so that the spring force of the prestressed mounted curved portion generates a torque in the basic position of the contactor and so the first contact parts at the end portion of the contactor with a first Contact surface of the first selector contactor is biased in communication and the actuator remains in its initial position

Upon deflection of the hoist to which the pull tab is attached to a point where the vertical distance between the flexible pull tab and the curved point support point to the common contact body becomes zero, the first contact location remains in connection with the first contact area reaches the switching point, since in this point the torque which prints the first contact point on the first contact point, because of the lack of lever arm is also zero. Preferably, the switching point or the switching time is reached half way of the actuating element from the basic position to Schaltsteliung However, such a configuration is not necessarily required.

If the lever is further deflected and the pull tab is further removed from the arched area, the end area of the contactor is pulled by the pull tab onto the second contact area. The end area describes a nearly linear, essentially vertical movement and the second contact point is in contact with the second contact area in conjunction, the force exerted on the actuator deforms At the same time, the arched area is elastically arched over by the arcuate movement of the pull tab.

Due to the bulging of the curved area, the angle, which is spanned by the arched area and the end area, is not changed. Rather, the joint of end and arched area remains unchanged in their relative position to each other and is only changed by the arcuate trajectory of the pull tab in their spatial position. The farther the lever is deflected, which is preferably done via a perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation of the receptacle, the stronger the arched area is pulled together by the pull tab and arched over. At the same time the Zugiasche is further elastically deformed, being moved in their spatial arrangement in the recording on an arcuate path

By this further movement of the pull tab on the arcuate path and by the Abstutzung or the support of the second contact point on the second contact surface a linear movement of the contact point in the longitudinal direction of the Endbereächs on the second contact surface is generated

Specifically, in the movement of the flexible pull tab from the switching point in the switching division, in which the second contact point is in communication with the second contact surface, is achieved by the almost invariability of the angle between arched portion and end portion that the end portion and the pull tab is not in a plane Due to the relatively rigid connection between the arched area and the end area, where the pull tab is also fastened, and the forced arcuate path, the end area becomes approximately parallel to the contact areas in the direction of the connecting point of the pull tab with the lifting! moved to the second contact point is supported with its contact point on the contact surface, so that the movement component perpendicular to the contact surface of the end portion can not be performed, and the contact force can act in this direction.

In the preferred embodiment, the contactor is arranged in the receptacle that its curved portion is arranged on the same side of the pull tab as the actuator However, an inverted arrangement of the contactor, so with the curved portion on the other side, d. h under the pull tab lent, with a suitable choice of the support point of the curved portion on the ge However, the position of the actuating element does not change in the normal position. However, the actuating element can not only be arranged such that it brings about a deflection of the lever by pressing, but this can Suitable reversing of the movements or lever ratios and suitable change of the translational movement of the actuating element in a rotational or arcuate motion are also suitable for a person skilled in the art for adapting the switch to its operating conditions.

Preferably, the contactor is made of only one material. For example, it can be understood that the curved region, the end region and the flexible pull tab are produced from a flat flat strip material by longitudinal cuts and suitable plastic deformations. The contactor can be made of any electrically conductive material be produced, which can be elastically deformed within the movement limits, especially the pull tab. Furthermore, the material of the contactor in the connection region of the curved region with the end region should have such a stiffness or strength that the Winkei, which is spanned between the curved region and the end region, is not changed in elastic deformations of the pull tab

Of course, with suitable connection of the arched area to the end area - always on the premise that the angle between the arched area and the end area is essentially unchanged when the arched area and the pull tab are deformed - the pull tab, the arched area or A further possibility of forming the contactor would be an integrally produced curved area with an invariably angled in its angle end portion, to which a pull tab is so rotatably attached, for example, that it can be connected to the lever, and such a tensile force in the direction of the pull tab transmits to the end region, whereby on the one hand the linear movements of the contact points on the contact surfaces is ensured, and on the other hand, the change of contact points from one contact surface to the other contact surface by deflecting the He bels is accomplished. In the embodiment of the contactor so many possibilities are conceivable, but always the immutability of the angle between the curved portion and end portion of the contactor with elastic deformation of the contactor and a continuous conductivity of the contact point of the contactor with the Ab-point of the curved portion on must be ensured the common contact body. However, it is conceivable that one of the two sides of the end portion of the contactor on one of the two selective contact body forms no conductive connection to form solely a switch, which accomplished either a conductive connection or a non-conductive connection A so-called on / off switch

As with the contactor, the material of the contact points of the contact body also has to be such that it does not have to match the material of the contactor and may preferably consist of the material of the contact surfaces of the contact contact body

Furthermore, the contact surfaces which are applied to the selector contact bodies must not consist of the material of the selector contactors, just as the materials of the two selector contact bodies need not correspond to one another. However, the common contact body and the two selector contact bodies with the contact surfaces must be - at least for one Selective contact body with contact surface - have an electrically conductive material, so that the function of the switch is guaranteed Preferably, however, one will choose the material of the contact points equal to the material of the contact surfaces

Preferably, the actuating element, the common contact body, the contactor and the two selector contact body is arranged in a housing which is closed by a disgust However, this housing may also be a receptacle which is largely unlocked. If the switch is used in moist outdoor areas, it is preferred in addition to a suitable seal between the housing and cover that the actuating element, which is movable, is additionally sealed by, for example, a membrane with respect to the housing or the lid.

Even if the present invention caused linear movement of the contact points on the contact surfaces provides good protection against welding of the contact points with the contact surfaces, this protection can be enhanced by turning the contact points about an axis, which is preferably parallel to the pull tab, or a detachment of the Welding favored by a so designed twisting of the end with respect to the pull tab occurs during forced linear movement at the same time to a kind of screw movement on the contact surfaces and the welds of the contact points with the contact surfaces can be easily broken or solved each other

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the switch according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switch of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 a) to d) show the switch according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 1 in the various switching positions,

FIGS. 4 a) and b) show further embodiments of the contactor

FIG. 1 shows a contact transmitter 8 arranged approximately centrally in a receptacle 2 or in a housing 2, which has a curved region 16, a pull tab 14 and an end region 18. An angle 17 is clamped between the end region 18 and the curved region 16 , which remains almost unchanged with elastic deformation of the contactor

In the switch according to the invention shown in the basic division shown in Figure 1 according to the invention is a first contact point 10 in the end portion 18 of the contactor 8 to a first contact surface 22 of a first selective contact body 20 and forms over the support point 34 is a continuous conductive connection between the common contact body 6, the Contactor 8, the first contact point 10, the support point 34, the first contact surface 22 and the first select contact body 20 In Figure 1 below and approximately parallel to the contactor 8, or to the pull tab 14 is arranged in parallel, there is a lever 28, which with a The end portion is pivotally mounted in the housing 2 at the pivot point 30 The lever 28 is further connected to an attachment point 32 with the pull tab 14 of the contactor 8. If the lever 28 by pressing the actuator 4 to the Fulcrum 30 is rotated, the pull tab 14 is guided in an arcuate path around the pivot point 30

At the same time the contactor 8 is attached to the free end of the curved portion 16 at Ab-point 36 on the contact body 6 such that the elastic deformation of the curved portion 16 via the support point 36 which is mounted below the pull tab 14, a torque on the Contactor 8 exerts, so that the support point 34 is pressed against the first contact surface 22. Due to the much stronger design of the curved portion 16 relative to the pull tab 14, the torque released by it pushes the support point 34 further against the first contact surface 22, while the pull tab 14 is forced into the arcuate path until the pull tab 14 reaches the support point 36. In this case, only the force component directed in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle 2 shifts the end region 18 of the contactor 8 in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle 2 on the contact surface 22

This means that a linear movement of the support point 34 on the contact surface 22 is achieved by the arcuate movement of the pull tab 14 about the pivot point 30.

The arrangement of the two selector contact body 20 and 24 and the common contact body 6, the contactor 8 and the actuating element 4 is only one embodiment, which can be modified to meet a variety of conditions of use of such a switch

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the switch from FIG. 1. It can easily be seen that the curved region 16 of the contactor 8 is substantially stronger, ie, h. more stable, is formed as the pull tab 14 also with respect to the curved portion angled end portion 18 can be seen, which is in Figure 2 in the normal position, ie the first contact point 10 ast in conductive connection with the first election contact body 20. By slightly in the elastic Area deformable pull tab 14 is achieved that upon transfer of the contactor from the basic position into the switching point and further into the switching position, essentially only the pull tab 14 is elastically deformed and the radius of curvature of the curved portion is more curved due to the linear movement of the end region Next is From Figure 2 it can be seen that the angular position between the curved portion and the end portion will not change FIGS. 3 a) to d) show the switch according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in different positions. FIG. 3 a) shows the switch in the basic position, in which the first contact point 10 is in conductive connection with the first contact surface 22 on the first select contact body 20 Due to the vertical spacing of the support point 36 of the curved region on the common contact body 6, a torque is generated by the curved region 16, which presses the contact point 10 against the contact surface 22

Upon actuation of the actuating element 4, the lever 28 is first in the switching point, which is shown in Figure 3 b) brought. In this position, the vertical distance between pull tab 14 and support point 36 is no longer present and thus the torque which presses the contact point 10 to the contact surface 22, has dropped to zero As in the comparison of Figures 3 a) and 3b) can be seen is By contrast, only the pull tab 14 is elastically deformed by the deflection of the lever 28. On the curved portion 16, however, a slight decrease in the radius of curvature can be detected. However, the end portion undergoes virtually no change in its angular position with respect to the lever or with respect to the selection contact body 20. The support point 34 is moved closer to the contact body 6 only in its horizontal position by the linear movement, as from the distance of the two vertical lines which from the support point 34 in Figures 3 a) and 3 b) down or moved up, is recognizable. This distance represents the length of the friction path or the linear movement of the contact point 10 on the contact surface 22.

If the lever 28 in FIG. 3 b) is pressed further down, then the vertical movement is initially transmitted directly without any further deformation of the contactor 8, and the contactor 8 closes a conductive connection with the second selection contact body 24 after the end region 18 the contactor 8 has completed a vertical movement. Now, the second contact point 12 with a second support point 35 on the second Kontaktfiäche 26 Upon further movement of the Actuate element 4, the lever 28 is further deflected and forces the pull tab 14 on an arcuate path around the pivot point 30 of the lever 28. Since the support point 35 the arcuate movement of the pull tab 14 can not nachvolfziehen due to its investment on the second contact surface 26, moves on further deflection of the lever 28 of the support point 35 approximately horizontally on the second contact surface 26 on the common contact body 6 to the friction that the support point 35th between the switching time, which is also shown in Figure 3 d), and the switching position, which is shown in Figure 3 c) passes, is by the distance between the two vertical lines, by the two figures 3 c) and 3 d), from the support point 35 to This distance represents the length of the friction path or the linear movement of the contact point 12 on the contact surface 26. This friction path improves the self-cleaning of the contact surface 26 and at the same time makes it more difficult to weld the contact point 12 to the contact surface 26

The switch according to the invention is transferred from the switching division of FIG. 3 c) into the switching point of FIG. 3 d) by reducing the pressure on the actuating element 4 so that the potential energy stored in the elastically deformable contactor 8 is the actuating element 4 moves upward in the plane of the drawing When the pull tab sweeps over the switching point, as shown in Figure 3 d) and in which the pull tab is at the level of Abstutzpunktes 36, causes a further movement of the pull tab 14 upwards simultaneously a linear movement of the end portion 18 upwards whereby the second contact point 12 lifts from the second contact surface 26 and the first contact point 10 again comes into conductive connection with the first contact surface 22.

The further relaxation of the elastically deformed contactor 8 leads to a further lifting of the pull tab 14 and thereby to a return of the actuating element 4 in its initial position and the contactor 8 in its normal position, which is shown in Figure 3 a). Thus, from Figures 3 a) to 3 d) a complete switching cycle can be taken, which is shown here only by way of example on an exemplary embodiment of an electrical switch with spring mechanism

Two embodiments for a contactor 8 are shown in FIGS. 4 a) and 4 b), wherein in FIG. 4 a) the curved region 16 has two bulges outside a centrally arranged pull tab 14. The contactor, which is shown in FIG. 4 b) , Has a central curved portion 16, on whose outer edges in each case the pull tab 14 is guided past, which are connected to each other at the ends 18 opposite ends.

From the two embodiments in FIGS. 4 a) and 4 b), it can easily be seen that the curved region 16 is made considerably more stable in comparison to the pull tab 14, and thus the connection of the end region 18 to the curved region 16 is so stable, that at an elastic deformation of the pull tab 14, an angle 17 between the end portion 18 and the curved portion 16 is not changed substantially

βezugszeichenliste

admission

cover

Actuator common contact body

Contactor first contact point second contact point

Pull tab arched area

angle

End region of first election contact body first contact surface of second election contact body second contact surface

lever

pivot point

Fixing point first point of support second point of support

support point

Claims

claims

1 . Electric switch, comprising a one-piece, elastically deformable, in particular fork-type, contactor (8) having an end region (18) on which a first contact point (10) and a second contact point (12) are arranged, and from which end region (18) at least one pull tab (14) and at least one curved portion (16) extend, wherein a Überfuhren a Betätigungsseiements (4) from a basic position in which the first contact point (10) with a first contact surface (22) in communication, in a Switching position in which the second contact point (12) with a second contact surface (26) is in communication, and vice versa characterized in that the pull tab (14) elastically deformed and the curvature of the curved portion (16) by linear displacement of the contact points (10; 12) on the respective contact surfaces

(22; 26) is elastically deformed

2. Electric switch according to claim 1, having a receptacle in which are arranged: a) a common contact body (6), b) the elastically deformable contactor (8), on the convex side of the end region (18) the first contact point (10 ) and on the concave side of the end portion (18) has the second contact point (12), and the said end portion (18) opposite end of the curved portion (16) on the common contact body (6) is truncated, c) an actuating element ( 4) which, when actuated, transfers the switch from the basic position into the switching pitch, d) a first selection contact body (20) with the first contact surface (22) and a second selection contact body (24) with the second contact surface (26), wherein between the two E) a two end portions having lever (28), wherein the one end portion is rotatably supported about a pivot point (30) and at the other end region, which rests against the actuating element (4), the pull tab (14) of the contactor (8) is fixed

3 switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pull tab (14) compared to the curved portion (16) is formed more flexible or easily deformed.

4. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact points (10, 12) on actuation of the actuating element (4) before and after a change of the connection movements in the longitudinal direction of the recording on the respectively associated contact surface (22;

5. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the convex side of the curved portion (16) of the contactor (8) facing the actuating element (4) or facing away.

6. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the pivot point (30) of the lever (28) and the attachment point (32) of the pull tab (14) on the lever (28) is greater or smaller than the distance between a Aufjagepunkt (34; 35) of a contact point (10; 12) on the associated contact surface (22; 26) and the attachment point (32) of the pull tab (14).

7 Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch or the contactor (8) is temporarily locked in the switch position

8. Electric switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact points (10; 12) of the contactor (8) consist of a different material than the pull tab (14) and / or the curved area (16).

9. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact surfaces (22; 26) of the selector contact bodies (20; 24) consist of the same material as the contact points (10; 12)

10. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the selector contact bodies (20; 24) consist of a different material than the contact surfaces (22; 26)

11. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (2) is a housing which is closed by a lid (3)

12. Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact points (10; 12) are rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle An electric switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact parts (10; 12) are substantially not rotated about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle upon operation of the switch

Electrical switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which one of the two contact surfaces serves only as a limit for the contactor and is not designed to be conductive.