EP2184746A2 - Electromechanical adjusting device with a rotary axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (11) has a rotating axle (14) and a housing (13), which mounts the rotating axle and accommodates engaging devices (30, 32, 33), where angularity and/or rotation of the rotating axle is detected at the engaging devices. The housing is separated into two parts with a separation between housing parts, where the separation runs perpendicular to the rotating axle. Supports (50a - d) run along the separation of the housing parts.

Description

The invention relates to an electromechanical adjusting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a setting device with a heating power for electrical appliances such as hobs or the like. can be adjusted, for example, from the DE 198 33 983 A1 known.

The US 5,847,640 also describes such a setting device. A front housing part is plate-like with a protruding projection formed in the central region. The other housing part is substantially pot-shaped and receives the first housing part.

The US 2,691,087 describes another setting device with a housing having continuous small openings for cooling. These openings run along the outside of the housing along a circle.

Task and solution

The invention has for its object to provide an adjustment device mentioned above, which has a simple and simultaneously variably capable basic structure and thereby is as variable as possible and can be used in many ways.

This object is achieved by a setting device according to claim 1. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the further claims and are explained in more detail below. The wording of the claims is incorporated herein by express reference.

It is provided that the setting device has a rotation axis and a housing, wherein the housing supports the axis of rotation or it is mounted therein and receives a detection device. The detection device is used to detect angular position and / or rotation of the axis of rotation, from which control commands are generated. The detection device has a plurality of slider tracks on a carrier, wherein on the axis of rotation corresponding wiper are provided, which cooperate with the slider tracks. One possibility here is a so-called Gray code encoder. The housing is in two parts with two housing parts, which are separated in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

According to the invention, a housing part is constructed from webs, in particular the front housing part, from which protrudes the axis of rotation. He is in plan view, in particular in plan view along the axis of rotation, lattice-like, so here are the webs although narrow but highly trained for sufficient mechanical stability. The webs can on the one hand form a peripheral and thereby substantially closed outer contour of the housing part. With similar or equal wall thickness the webs can form supports between the outer contours, in particular from the outer contour towards a central receptacle or mounting for the axis of rotation. Advantageously, for example, in the case of a rectangular or square housing part, a web extends from the sides to a rotary axis bearing arrangement. Likewise, webs can run obliquely over the corners of the housing and stabilize the sides against compression. In particular, webs can also extend to the aforementioned wings on the housing part, both to share this to stabilize the housing as well as to be able to transfer their holding forces in a screw better into the housing can.

The structure of the housing of webs allows on the one hand a stable construction while ensuring cooling effect for parts inside and, for example, the aforementioned openings for optical fibers or the like .. The webs may be thin in relation to their extension in the direction of the axis of rotation. This ratio can be 1: 5 to 1:20, especially about 1:10, so they are relatively thin and relatively high. Advantageously, such a housing part made of plastic and in particular in one piece, particularly advantageously by an injection molding process.

In a further embodiment, the webs for maximum stability can have a height which extends over a substantial height of the front housing part. It is advantageous, however, if sufficient space is available in the interior of the housing for the above-mentioned grinder odgl ..

In a further embodiment, passage openings can be formed between the webs in the direction of the axis of rotation. In this light guide or the like. be introduced or be provided therein, for example, mechanically fastened by clipping or the like .. So in particular a light guide system with a plurality of bulbs and light guides are provided, wherein advantageously the bulbs are provided on said support.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the carrier extends approximately along the separation of the housing parts, so for example between the two. For example, there is the possibility to vary the carrier to adapt to different requirements or installation conditions. Above all, as will be explained in more detail below, the carrier can be formed differently and varied.

In an embodiment of the invention, the carrier may in addition to a passage of the rotation axis through it still have passage openings. By means of these passage openings, for example, connecting parts of the two housing parts can engage in order to connect to one another for holding the housing together or also for holding on to the support. In particular, it may be sufficient that only the two housing parts are mechanically connected to each other while holding the carrier between them.

Furthermore, illuminants such as LEDs can be provided on the carrier, in particular within the housing. These can serve to illuminate the setting device for better visibility from the outside. Likewise, an optical signal display is possible, for example, depending on an operation or an operating state of the setting device. Furthermore, a light-guiding system of lighting means may be provided, in particular with one or more light guides from a lighting means to an exit point in a front or accessible area of the corresponding housing part. Such a light guide, for example, as a transparent plastic part lead away from a light source on the carrier and be attached to the carrier or to a housing part.

To attach the two housing parts to each other generally hook-shaped gripper or generally locking means may be provided. Thus, the housing parts can either be attached to itself or with the carrier in between or from each side to the carrier. Advantageously, however, the housing parts are fastened to each other, wherein the carrier is enclosed depending on the aforementioned size or training or intervening.

The above-mentioned grinder on the axis of rotation is advantageously captive held or fixed thereto, for example by embossing or gluing a corresponding wearer carrier it. Particularly advantageously, the grinder extends approximately in the plane of the dividing line between the two housing parts, ie very close to the carrier with the slider tracks thereon. In this case, a part of the slider carrier or the axis of rotation can be supported on the carrier or stored therein, in particular in the axial direction for a constant distance between the slider carrier and slider tracks.

About an adapter or the like. On the rear housing part, an expansion function unit can be attached to the setting device. Under certain circumstances, this can also be done on the front, with the attachment to the back is considered more advantageous. Such expansion functional unit may be additional switch, for example, circuit breaker for switching high electrical power, while advantageously flow to the setting only small signal currents. Adapters may in particular be projections or depressions on the corresponding housing part both for precise alignment and possibly for the mechanical fastening of the expansion functional unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an extension unit for additional functions can be attached to the front. It can then also be actuated by the same movement or axis of rotation as the setting device. It may for example be an extension unit with a push-turn function with a stop function. As another example, an essay switch or the like. conceivable, for example, as a rotary switch for mains voltage.

It may be provided by means of a receiving device, a single central attachment or a central attachment of the housing part. For this purpose, an external thread around the axis of rotation or about the front rotary axis receptacle on the front housing part is particularly advantageous. With this external thread, the setting device by a correspondingly large opening in a panel or the like. be plugged and then secured from the front with a matching nut. Likewise, the setting device can be screwed with the external thread directly into a corresponding internal thread on a panel or cover. As a further alternative, attachment via notches or clips can take place.

It may be provided that further hook-shaped grippers or locking means are provided on one of the two housing parts, advantageously on a front, for attachment to a further adjusting or switching device. Thus, a unit can be created here as well.

In a further embodiment of the invention, an arrangement of fixing and / or coding pins can be provided on the front housing part. These can form a specific pattern, whereby they only at certain matching surfaces or backs of panels or the like. can be set for mounting.

These and other features will become apparent from the claims but also from the description and drawings, wherein the individual features each alone or more in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and advantageous and protectable Represent embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections as well as intermediate headings does not restrict the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Fig. 1

drei Ansichten einer ersten Ausführung eines vorderen Gehäuseteils des erfindungsgemäßen Einstellgeräts,

Fig. 2

Abwandlungen des Einstellgeräts nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht des Aufbaus eines gesamten Einstellgeräts mit vorderem und hinterem Gehäuseteil sowie einem Träger dazwischen,

Fig. 4-7

verschiedene Ausführungsformen von zwischen den Gehäuseteilen angeordneten Trägern und

Fig. 8-10

eine alternative Ausführung eines vorderen Gehäuseteils mit angebrachtem Zusatzschalter.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

three views of a first embodiment of a front housing part of the setting device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

Modifications of the setting device Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a schematic view of the structure of an entire setting device with front and rear housing part and a carrier in between,

Fig. 4-7

various embodiments of arranged between the housing parts straps and

Fig. 8-10

an alternative embodiment of a front housing part with attached additional switch.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In Fig. 1 a front housing part 13 is shown, which is part of an electromechanical adjusting device 11, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 in an exploded View is shown. This front housing part 13 has an axis of rotation 14 which projects when mounting the setting device 11 from behind to a panel of an electrical appliance, as is usually done by the panel to the front and a rotary knob or the like. wearing. The housing part 13 consists essentially of a housing shell 16 in a rectangular or approximately square shape. Furthermore, it has two wings 17, which clearly project beyond the housing jacket 16 and each have two through-holes 18. Within the wings 17 extends an inner channel 19 with stepped or wide T-section. In the upper wide area a threaded disc 20 is mounted, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the inner channel 19. In a manner known per se, a screwing of the setting device 11 to the abovementioned diaphragm takes place by means of screws which engage at any desired point through the through-holes 18 in the threaded disc 20 set behind. Through the two through holes 18 per wing 17 a variable attachment is possible or can adapt to various predetermined dimensions or the like. respectively.

Furthermore, the housing part 13 on webs 21. These extend both across the corners of the housing shell 16 and to the central region of the wings 17, where they pass into a storage for the axis of rotation 14. So this results in the top left in Fig. 1 shown grid-like image of the front housing part 13, at least with respect to the areas of the housing next to the wings 17th

Through the webs 21 through holes 22 are formed in different shapes, both in the corners of the housing shell 16 and the wings 17 adjacent and left and right next to the support for the axis of rotation 14, so to speak in extension of the wing 17 itself. These passage openings 22 have different purposes. On the one hand, the lattice-like structure with bars is enough for the required Stability of the housing part 13. Furthermore, the through holes 22 allow various functions such as the passage of light in the manner of windows. Likewise, optical fibers or the like. or other parts, such as latching hooks or similar fasteners, reach through. The height of the webs 21 advantageously corresponds to a multiple of their thickness. For example, they may be as high as the front half of the front housing part 13.

On the rear side of the housing part 13 locking hooks 24 are attached. With this attachment to the carrier 50 according to Fig. 3 , On the housing shell 16 locking projections 25 are provided as a further fastening means for fixing the rear housing part 40 thereto.

In the Fig. 1 shown rightmost rear view of the front housing part 13 shows that a hub 30 is held captive on the axis of rotation 14, so that together they form a captive rotor. It may also be provided an unrepresented locking star, having predetermined locking positions. Such a starter can be provided directly on the rotor. This hub 30 carries grinder 32 as grinding arms 33 of a thin spring plate. The six grinding arms 33 are arranged at the same distance in the radial direction in a line. This is known per se to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained in more detail. An optional latching device 35 is also provided, in which a spring presses a movable projection against the outside of the rotary disk 30. This is also known to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained in more detail.

Due to the bearing of the axis of rotation 14 on the front housing part 13 or the attachment of the turntable on the back of these parts are captively mounted on the housing part 13.

In the modification of the front housing part 113 according to Fig. 2 only the front and side views are shown. The main difference here is that there the wings 117 are shorter, but otherwise the same design. They only slightly over the housing shell 16 and have only one through hole 118 per wing 117. It is also conceivable to shorten the wings 117 a little further, so that they do not protrude beyond the housing shell 116.

Furthermore, right is in Fig. 2 shown in the side view of the housing part 113, as around the rotation axis 114 around a thread 127 is provided which forms a pivot bearing for the rotation axis 114 at the same time. With this thread 127, either a central screw of the setting device 111 behind a panel can be done by a single patch from the front mother. Likewise, the housing part 113 can thus directly into a corresponding internal thread on a bracket or the like. be screwed.

In Fig. 3 a rear housing part 40 is shown for the setting device 11. It has a housing jacket 42, projecting from the locking tabs 43. These engage with the latching projections 25 of the front housing part 13 and connect the two housing parts firmly together. Otherwise, the rear housing part 14 may be formed very diverse. It may, for example, have further switching devices, which are actuated by the axis of rotation 14, which is then extended accordingly. It is also conceivable that here also another turntable including grinders according to those according to Fig. 1 the front housing part 13 is provided, which is moved by engagement of the end of the rotation axis 14.

Between the two housing parts 13 and 40 is according to Fig. 3 one of the various carriers 50a-c arranged. Different embodiments of these carriers 50a-c are in the Fig. 4 to 7 shown.

In Fig. 4 the carrier 50a consists of a in any direction far beyond the setting device 11 also extending circuit board. It is an axle 51 a as a bore for passing through and supporting the axis of rotation 14 is provided. To this axle 51a around engagement openings 52a are provided. In this grip the latching hooks 24 of the front housing part 13 in and thus connect these two parts together. In particular, the latching hooks 24 engage with the edges of the engagement openings 52a facing towards the axle receptacle 51a. The locking tabs 43 extend through the engagement openings 52 a and extend to the front housing part thirteenth

There are electrical connections 54a provided in the form of a plurality of conductor tracks 55a, which pass inwardly to the individual, schematically illustrated slider tracks 56a. This arrangement, for example, corresponds to a gray code and is clear to the person skilled in the art, so that it need not be further illustrated here. The printed conductors 55a go to various devices or an evaluation on the circuit board 50a, for example, a control circuit. On such a circuit board 50a, a plurality of the setting devices 11 may be directly attached, for example, to form a quadruple arrangement of setting devices, as shown in EP 860 846 A1 is known.

An alternative embodiment of the carrier 50b is shown in FIG Fig. 5 shown. Here, the terminals 54b are provided on a projection 53b formed by side notches, as contact pads 57b into which the conductor tracks 55 pass from the slider tracks 56. These terminals 54b are designed for direct plugging of a multiple plug. This is the arrangement, as at the top edge of the carrier 50b, provided on a side edge of the carrier. Again, the carrier is advantageously a circuit board.

Furthermore, in Fig. 5 shown how an LED 60 is provided in the vicinity of an engagement opening 52b, bottom left. The LED 60 is electrically contacted by means of LED connection tracks 61. Their light can be seen from the front through the through openings 22 in a corner of the front housing part 13 on the turntable 30 and can for example be used as a function indicator, in particular as a status indicator for the setting 11. For better visibility can be provided in the passage opening 22, a light guide part made of transparent plastic, colored under certain circumstances. It can be provided at each through hole 22, an LED. Various other modifications of such lamps or LEDs are possible. This is thus an example of a combination of a printed circuit board with an LED.

In Fig. 6 another carrier 50c is shown. This is considerably smaller than the arbitrarily extensible printed circuit board according to Fig. 4 or 5 , Furthermore, such a carrier 50c is designed for a setting device 11 as a separate part. The terminals 54 c correspond to those of Fig. 5 Also, engaging holes 52c are provided. The carrier 50c also has, except for the projection 53c, a surface which corresponds in plan view to that of the setting device 11. Thus, the carrier 50c forms in an arrangement according to Fig. 3 an intermediate layer between the front housing part 13 and the rear housing part 40, so to speak. Here too, an LED 60 together with LED connecting tracks 61 is provided, again close to an engagement opening 52c, this time right above. One of the LED connection tracks 61 can go to a contact field 57b.

The further modification of the carrier 50d according to Fig. 7 is compared to Fig. 6 a further reduction of the area. Here, the surface of the carrier 50d becomes more or less corresponding to the engaging holes Fig. 6 cut off so that the carrier 50d according to Fig. 7 can disappear completely between the housing parts 13 and 40 except for the protruding projection 53d. This means that the housing parts 13 and 40 accordingly Fig. 3 directly abut each other and carry the carrier 50d in it, so that it is not visible except for the projection 53d from the outside. Here, no LED are usefully provided, since the carrier 50d is very small or too small.

So while according to the carriers 4 and FIG. 5 Advantageously, several setting devices can be arranged on a larger circuit board, for example, to form a finished control unit, with the carriers according to 6 and 7 individual setting devices made. For the formation of the housing parts 13 and 40, however, this is essentially irrelevant.

As mentioned above, it is possible to provide the slider tracks 56 not only at the front of a carrier 50, but also at the rear side thereof. Then just another turntable including grinders 32 is accordingly Fig. 1 provide in the rear housing part 40. However, this is not a problem for the skilled person.

8 and 9 show a modification of a housing part 213 similar Fig. 1 , and that Fig. 8 in oblique view from behind and the Fig. 9 in an oblique view from the front. The housing part 213 has here as an innovation of the wing 217 projecting or integrally formed in the area, further latching hooks 245. Here, a latching hook 245 is slightly above a wing 217 left and right and the opposite latching hooks 245 is located a whole distance below the respective wing 217. Overall, the housing part 213 is advantageous in one piece Made of plastic. Within the bore of the receptacle 227 for the rotation axis 214, an inwardly projecting collar 228 is provided. This collar engages in a corresponding annular recess in the manner of a groove in the rotor or in the axis of rotation 214, so that it is thereby held captive in the receptacle 227, after it has been pressed. Such a prepared unit can be shipped and mounted easier because the rotor just can not get lost. For the aforementioned push-turn function, this groove can be slightly extended in the direction of the axis of rotation 214, for example 2 or 3 mm. The groove can then be moved axially in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation 214 by just this length, but is still held captive.

The latch hooks 245 serve to hold a in Fig. 10 latched or fixed auxiliary switch 264. The axis of rotation 214 passes through this additional switch 264 and thereby rotates a disc assembly 266, for example, a cam. This can in turn via a basically known in the field of such switch cam training or the like. Actuate switch or switching devices that abut it. At the additional switch 264 also plug-in lugs 268 are provided for electrical connection. So while the main setting device, of which the front housing part 213 is a part, as described above, can sit on a circuit board, the electrical connection to the auxiliary switch 264 is made via plugs with cables. Instead of a here shown, substantially open design of the additional switch 264, this can also be located in a substantially closed housing. Of course, only the plugs 268 must be reachable or alternative contacts are provided. It is advantageous here just the provision of additional switches on the setting, which can be operated simultaneously with the same axis of rotation 214.

Claims (9)

An electromechanical adjusting device (11, 111) having a rotation axis (14, 114, 214) and a housing (13, 40, 113, 213) which supports the axis of rotation and a detection means (30, 32, 33, 56), wherein angular position and / or rotation of the axis of rotation can be detected at the detection device for conversion into control commands and the detection device for this purpose a plurality of grinders (32, 33) on the axis of rotation (14, 114, 214) and slider tracks (56) on a support (50a-d) wherein the housing is in two parts with a separation between the two housing parts (13, 40, 113, 213) and the separation perpendicular to the axis of rotation (14, 114, 214), characterized in that a, in particular front, housing part (13 , 113, 213) in such a way from webs (21, 121, 221) is constructed such that it is formed like a lattice in plan view, wherein the webs a circumferential and substantially closed outer contour (16, 116, 216) of the housing part (13, 113, 213) form as well as supports form between the outer contour leading to a central receptacle or storage for the axis of rotation (14, 114, 214) on the housing part. Adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the webs (21, 121, 221) are thin in relation to their extension in the direction of the axis of rotation (14, 114, 214), in particular their height is five times to 20 times as large as her thickness. Adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that most, in particular all, webs (21, 121, 221) extend over a height which corresponds substantially to the height of the front housing part (13, 113, 213). Setting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by passage openings (22, 122, 222) between the webs (21, 121, 221) in the direction of the axis of rotation (14, 114, 214), preferably for the introduction of optical fibers or the like. or with light guides in it. Setting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light-guiding system of lighting means (60), in particular on the carrier (50a-d), through the front housing part (13, 113, 213) is provided and preferably comprises lighting means. Adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one of the two housing parts (13, 113, 213) hook-shaped gripper (24, 124, 224) or locking means are provided for fixing the carrier (50a-d) according to the characterizing part of the claim 1 or on the corresponding other housing part (40). Setting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an adapter for the mechanical connection of an extension functional unit to the setting device (11, 111), in particular on the rear side of the setting device. Setting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a receiving device for a central fastening of a housing part (13, 40, 113), in particular a threaded bushing (127) about the axis of rotation (14, 114) on the front housing part (13, 113). Setting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provided on one of the two housing parts (213) further hook-shaped gripper (245) or locking means are for attachment to a further adjustment or switching device (264).

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