EP2187415A2 - Tumbler switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A railroad toggle switch (1) for a set of switching positions, comprises a housing (2), an operating lever (3) supported on the housing (2) and having a pivot axis (4), a switching cylinder (5) supported on the housing (2) and having a rotational axis (6), a set of microswitches (7) and an engaging mechanism (8) for engagement of the operating lever (3) in the switching positions, the housing (2) comprising a housing top side (27) and the switching cylinder (5) including a set of cam disks (9) for operating the microswitches (7). A railroad toggle switch (1) for a set of switching positions, comprises a housing (2), an operating lever (3) supported on the housing (2) and having a pivot axis (4), a switching cylinder (5) supported on the housing (2) and having a rotational axis (6), a set of microswitches (7) and an engaging mechanism (8) for engagement of the operating lever (3) in the switching positions, the housing (2) comprising a housing top side (27) and the switching cylinder (5) including a set of cam disks (9) for operating the microswitches (7), characterized in that the pivot axis (4) of the operating lever (3) is located in the area of the housing top side (27) and differs from the rotational axis (6) of the switching cylinder (5), and furthermore the operating lever (3) is in engagement with the switching cylinder (5).

Description

The invention relates to a railway toggle switch according to the preamble of claim 1. The railway toggle switch is designed for multiple switching positions and comprises a housing, a control lever mounted on the housing with a pivot axis, a mounted on the housing shift drum with a rotation axis, a plurality of microswitches and a latching mechanism for engaging the operating lever in the switching positions. The shift drum usually includes a plurality of cams for actuating the micro-switch.

Such railway toggle switches have long been known from the prior art and find in the control panels of trains, subways, etc. application. In these known from the prior art railway toggle switches of the control lever is integral with the shift drum or firmly connected thereto. The pivot axis of the operating lever thus coincides with the axis of rotation of the shift drum. The outer dimensions of the railway toggle switches are largely subject to the standards of train manufacturers, which is to ensure interchangeability in the control panels.

By standardizing the outer dimensions of the railway toggle switches both the number of microswitches that can be operated by the shift drum, as well as the possible switching positions are limited. In the known from the prior art structure of a railway toggle switch, the microswitches on the opposite side of the operating lever of the shift drum, thus arranged below the shift drum. A schematic representation of a known from the prior art railway toggle switch shows the FIG. 1 , The latching mechanism is not shown. In the direction of the axis of rotation of the shift drum a plurality of microswitches are arranged one behind the other. The maximum possible number of microswitches is due to the standardized outer dimensions of the web toggle switch as well as the minimum dimensions of the microswitches required due to the desired switching capacity. An arrangement of additional microswitch, for example, on the right or left side of the shift drum is not possible due to the proximity of the shift drum axis of rotation to the housing top and the associated tight space. If the axis of rotation of the shift drum, which at the same time represents the pivot axis of the operating lever, would be displaced further down, the operating lever would no longer be able to be swiveled sufficiently. Usually, three switching positions are possible in the known from the prior art railway toggle switches. Are more than three switch positions desired, resulting in independent operation of multiple microswitches is absolutely necessary, so the pivot range of the operating lever must be extended. This is only possible if the pivot axis of the operating lever moves further to the housing top. However, since the pivot axis of the operating lever corresponds to the axis of rotation of the shift drum, this is contrary to a lateral arrangement of the microswitch. Another disadvantage of the known from the prior art railway toggle switch is poor splash water protection due to the relatively large housing opening, which is required for pivoting the operating lever. The opening is the larger, the farther the pivot axis of the operating lever is below the top of the housing. A seal of the housing opening designed in any case difficult and can be accomplished only inadequately. The railway toggle switches are preferably installed on horizontal control panels. Due to the fact that the microswitches in the known from the prior art railway tilt switches must be arranged below the shift drum urgently, the lack of splash water protection is also enhanced by the fact that penetrated through the inlet opening water through the shift drum unhindered on the microswitch. Another disadvantage of the train-tilt switch known from the prior art is that the pivot angle of the operating lever is necessarily coupled to the required rotation of the shift drum and thus usually relatively large fails.

Out DE 741078 In addition, a cord switch for operating a heating pad is known. The cord switch comprises a housing, a shift drum and an operating lever. On the housing arranged terminals are connected depending on the switching position directly through the switching drum or running through the switching drum trace. In order to ensure the required switching performance in multiple switching positions, there is a translation device between the operating lever and the switching drum, through which the rotation angle of the operating lever are smaller than the rotational angle of the switching drum. The switch is not designed to operate microswitches. The required for operating the operating lever housing opening is very large and does not provide adequate protection against water spray.

As in modern trains more and more devices and functions are operated from the control panel, there is a demand for toggle switches, the additional switching positions and the operation of additional micro-switch is made possible with constant outer dimensions of the railway toggle switch. The demand for additional actuated micro-switches is also already justified by the fact that in modern transport systems by operating a toggle switch now not only the relevant Device or the desired function switched but also an information signal must be sent to the on-board computer by simultaneous operation of an additional microswitch. Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a railway toggle switch, can be operated by the one more microswitches than by the well-known from the prior art railway toggle switch, and can be realized by the other more switching positions on the one hand. In addition, the other disadvantages of the known from the prior art railway toggle switches are to be overcome.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a solution according to the invention is the task, when the pivot axis of the operating lever is in the region of the housing top and is different from the axis of rotation of the shift drum. Further, the operating lever is engaged with the shift drum. The inventive arrangement results in significant advantages. By independent of the pivot axis of the operating lever arrangement of the axis of rotation of the shift drum, the necessary space can be created to order more microswitches around the shift drum can around. By arranging the pivot axis of the operating lever in the region of the upper side of the housing required for the operating lever housing opening can be kept small, resulting in an improved splash water protection. The fact that the operating lever is not fixedly connected to the shift drum, but is engaged with this, a suitable translation can be realized between the control lever and shift drum. It is thus possible to achieve the required rotation angle of the shift drum with relatively small pivoting angles of the operating lever.

Further embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment, the control lever and shift drum are engaged via gear segments. For this purpose, a first gear segment with the operating lever and a second gear segment is connected to the shift drum. In this way it is possible to establish a transmission ratio between the control lever and shift drum. If, for example, low pivoting angles of the control lever are desired for operation, then the required rotational angles of the shift drum can be achieved by means of a corresponding transmission ratio. Engagement and translation can alternatively be achieved by a sliding joint.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cams are arranged individually replaceable on the shift drum. Be some or all microswitches on one another position of the shift drum arranged or more microswitch positioned around the shift drum, so does not need to be replaced the entire shift drum. It is sufficient if the corresponding cams are adapted or rotated on the shift drum with respect to the other cams. The adjustment can also be made when a microswitch is to be operated in a different switching position than the original one.

Preferably, the second gear segment connected to the shift drum is designed as part of one of the cam disks. These gear segment and cam can be made in one piece.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sprocket of one of the two gear segments is closed laterally by walls. The walls extend radially to the tips of the teeth. Thus, it can be prevented that the gear segments are laterally shifted from each other. It ensures that the gear segments mesh perfectly at all times.

In a further preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises at least one detent element connected to the operating lever, each having one detent per switching position and one detent cam per detent element. The locking cam is arranged on a spring-mounted on the housing lever arm and engages in a switching position in the switching position corresponding catch of the detent element.

Preferably, the latching mechanism comprises two detent elements, wherein the two detent elements are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the first gear segment and connected to the first gear segment. Per catch element is provided as a counterpart in each case a latching cam. Both locking cams are arranged together on a spring-mounted lever arm. Due to the symmetrical arrangement, a one-sided load of the mechanism and thus jamming is avoided and ensures the ease of the toggle switch.

Preferably, the locking cams are not fixedly connected to the lever arm, but designed as rotatably mounted on the lever arm roller. The rollers roll upon actuation of the train toggle switch on the associated detent elements, whereby the ease of the toggle switch is further increased.

In a further preferred embodiment, the microswitches are arranged laterally next to the shift drum on one side of the shift drum. Due to the lateral arrangement, the microswitches are better protected against splashing with respect to an arrangement below the shift drum.

If more microswitches are to be actuated than microswitches can be arranged on one side of the shift drum, the arrangement of the microswitches preferably takes place on both sides of the shift drum. Again, there is a good protection of the microswitch from splashing, which may possibly occur due to the required for the operating lever housing opening.

If more microswitches are to be actuated than can be accommodated on both sides of the shift drum, the microswitches are preferably arranged on both sides of the shift drum and below the shift drum. The cams are to be adapted accordingly.

The microswitches are preferably preassembled on carrier plates. On these carrier plates and terminals can be provided, which allow easy wiring of the railway toggle switch. The housing has for the attachment of the carrier plates preferably on both sides of the shift drum receptacles.

In a further preferred embodiment, the operating lever is mounted on the housing in a bearing, wherein the bearing is designed as a ball joint. The ball joint significantly improves the seal against sprayed water. The operating lever is in principle freely movable, the pivot axis of the operating lever thus represents only an imaginary pivot axis. The ball of the ball joint is part of the operating lever, the ball joint shell is formed by a part of the housing.

Preferably, the ball joint comprises a sealing ring. The sealing ring can be introduced into a groove of both the ball and the ball joint cup and is usually made of rubber or a swelling felt material. A higher operating comfort is achieved with a felt material.

Since the operating lever is in principle freely movable by the ball joint, the housing in the region of the bearing preferably has guide surfaces for guiding the operating lever. By these guide surfaces, the pivoting direction is clearly defined and restored the pivot axis of the operating lever.

Figur 1

die schematische Darstellung eines Bahn-Kippschalters aus dem Stand der Tech- nik,

Figur 2

eine schräge Außenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Bahn-Kippschalters,

Figur 3

eine vereinfachte geschnittene Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Bahn- Kippschalters aus Figur 2,

Figur 4

eine Seitenansicht der mechanischen Schalterbaugruppe des erfindungsgemäßen Bahn-Kippschalters aus den Figuren 2 und 3, ohne Darstellung des Gehäuses,

Figur 5

eine Schrägansicht der mechanischen Schalterbaugruppe aus Figur 4,

Figur 6

das Rastenelement der mechanischen Schalterbaugruppe aus den Figuren 4 und 5 für fünf Schaltstellungen,

Figur 7

ein alternatives Rastenelement für drei Schaltstellungen,

Figur 8

ein alternatives Rastenelement für zwei einrastbare Schaltstellungen,

Figur 9

ein alternatives Rastenelement ohne Einrastfunktion,

Figur 10

eine Schrägansicht der Schaltwalze des erfindungsgemäßen Bahn-Kippschalters aus den Abbildungen 2 bis 5 mit einem Zahnradsegment,

Figur 11

die Schaltwalze aus Figur 10 mit einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Zahnrad- segments.

A preferred embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

the schematic representation of a railway toggle switch from the prior art,

FIG. 2

an oblique external view of a railway toggle switch according to the invention,

FIG. 3

a simplified sectional side view of the railway toggle switch according to the invention FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4

a side view of the mechanical switch assembly of the railway toggle switch according to the invention from the Figures 2 and 3 , without representation of the housing,

FIG. 5

an oblique view of the mechanical switch assembly FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6

the latch member of the mechanical switch assembly from the FIGS. 4 and 5 for five positions,

FIG. 7

an alternative detent element for three switch positions,

FIG. 8

an alternative detent element for two latchable switch positions,

FIG. 9

an alternative detent element without latching function,

FIG. 10

1 is an oblique view of the shift drum of the railway toggle switch according to the invention from Figures 2 to 5 with a gear segment,

FIG. 11

the shift drum off FIG. 10 with a preferred embodiment of the gear segment.

The following applies to the entire further description: If reference numerals are contained in a figure for the purpose of graphic uniqueness but are not explained in the associated descriptive text, reference is made to the explanation thereof in the preceding description of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a known from the prior art railway toggle switch according to the preamble of claim 1. The railway toggle switch itself is designated by the reference numeral 1. It comprises the housing 2, the control lever 3 mounted on the housing with the pivot axis 4, which is rotatably mounted on the housing Shifting roller 5 with the axis of rotation 6 and at least one microswitch 7. In the railway tilt switches from the prior art fall pivot axis 4 of the operating lever 3 and the axis of rotation 6 of the shift drum 5 together. The actuation of the micro-switch 7 via corresponding cam discs 9, which are arranged on the shift drum 5. The operating lever 3 protrudes from an unillustrated opening in the housing top 27. The latching mechanism of the known from the prior art railway toggle switch 1 is not shown.

FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of a web-tilt switch according to the invention 1. The pivot axis 4 of the operating lever 3 is different from the axis of rotation 6 of the shift drum 5 and is disposed in the region of the upper housing side 27 of the housing 2. The axis of rotation 6 of the shift drum 5 is below the pivot axis 4 of the operating lever 3. The micro-switch 7 are arranged on both sides of the shift drum 5. The housing 2 comprises on both sides of the shift drum 5 each have a Aufnehmung 19, which serves in each case for fastening one of the two support plates 20. On each of the two support plates 20 up to three microswitches 7 can be pre-assembled side by side. The microswitches 7 are connected by an unspecified circuit with the terminals 26 also mounted on the carrier plates.

In FIG. 3 is the railway toggle switch of the invention FIG. 2 shown in a sectional schematic view. Here it can be clearly seen that a first gear segment 10 with the operating lever 3 and a second gear segment 11 are connected to the shift drum 5, and control lever 3 and shift drum 5 via the two gear segments 10 and 11 are engaged. A pivoting of the operating lever 3 thus results in a rotational movement of the shift drum 5. The bearing 21 of the operating lever 3 is designed as a ball joint 22. The housing 2 has below the bearing 21 guide surfaces 23 for guiding the operating lever 3. The pivoting direction of the operating lever 3 is thereby determined in the drawing plane. As it is at FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, the latching mechanism of the web toggle switch is not shown.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanical switch assembly of the railway toggle switch according to the invention from the Figures 2 and 3 , An oblique view of this picture is in FIG. 5 shown. In both FIGS. 4 and 5 the housing 2 is not shown. The FIGS. 4 and 5 serve to understand the latching mechanism 8. The latching mechanism 8 comprises on the side of the operating lever 3, two detent elements 14, which are arranged on both sides of the first gear segment 10 and connected to the gear segment 10. On Side of the housing 2, the latching mechanism 8 comprises a lever arm 16, which is rotatably mounted on the housing 2 via a Hebelarmlager 25. The supported on the housing 2 lever arm 24 ensures that the two located on the lever arm 16 locking cam 17 engage in a switching position in the switching position associated with detents 15 of the latch members 14. In FIG. 5 It can be seen that the two locking cams 17 are formed by two rollers 18 rotatably mounted on the lever arm 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the web toggle switch according to the invention is designed for five switching positions. In FIG. 5 are also the three cams 9 of the shift drum 5 can be seen. The second gear segment 11 is made in one piece with the central cam disc 9. By using two detent elements 14, which are arranged symmetrically to both sides of the gear segment 10, and the likewise symmetrical design of the lever arm 16 is a one-sided load and jamming of the switch mechanism is avoided and ensures the ease of the toggle switch.

FIG. 6 shows a detent element 14 of the mechanical switch assembly of Figures 4 and 5. The detent element 14 has five notches 15, are realized by the five switching positions. In the FIGS. 7 to 9 Alternative embodiments of the locking element 14 are shown. So shows FIG. 7 a detent element 14 for three switching positions. The latch member 14 off FIG. 8 is designed for three or four switching positions, whereby only in three switching positions, a snap occurs. FIG. 9 shows a detent element 14 without latching function. By using different locking elements 14 from the FIGS. 6 to 9 can the railway toggle switch 1 according to the invention meet different requirements with basically the same switch design. By replacing the detent elements, different or different types of switching positions can be achieved. If necessary, the cams 9 of the shift drum 5 must also be adapted or replaced. Also, the number of microswitches 7 used changes depending on the requirements of the railway toggle switch 1. The carrier plates 20 can be equipped to a different extent with the micro-switches 7.

FIG. 10 shows an oblique view of the shift drum 5 from the FIGS. 2 to 5 , The shift drum 5 comprises three cam discs 9, wherein the central cam disc 9 is formed integrally with the second gear segment 11. The gear segment 11 has a toothed rim 12.

FIG. 11 shows the shift drum 5 FIG. 10 with a preferred embodiment of the gear segment 11. The ring gear 12 of the gear segment 11 is up to the height the teeth laterally closed by two walls 13. The lying on the side of the operating lever 3, not shown gear segment 10 which engages with the second gear segment 11 is guided by the walls 13 laterally. Thus, a lateral slippage of the two gear segments 10 and 11 is prevented from each other and ensures optimal engagement at all times.

Claims (15)

Web-to-toggle switch (1) for a plurality of switch positions with a housing (2), an operating lever (3) mounted on the housing (2) with a pivot axis (4), a shift drum (5) mounted on the housing (2) with an axis of rotation (6), a plurality of microswitches (7) and a latching mechanism (8) for engaging the operating lever (3) in the switching positions, wherein the housing (2) has a housing top (27) and the switching roller (5) a plurality of cam discs (9) for Operation of the microswitch (7), characterized in that the pivot axis (4) of the operating lever (3) in the region of the upper housing side (27) and is different from the axis of rotation (6) of the shift drum (5), and further the operating lever ( 3) with the shift drum (5) is engaged. Railway toggle switch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first gear segment (10) with the operating lever (3) and a second gear segment (11) with the shift drum (5) are connected and first and second gear segment (10, 11 ) are engaged with each other. Railway toggle switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cam discs (9) are arranged individually replaceable on the shift drum (5). Railway towing switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the second gear segment (11) is designed as part of one of the cam discs (9). Railway toggle switch (11) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that one of the gear segments (10, 11) has a toothed rim (12), wherein the toothed rim (12) for lateral guidance of the respective other toothed wheel segment (10, 11) is completed laterally by walls (13) in radial expansion. Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching mechanism (8) at least one with the operating lever (3) connected to the detent element (14) each having a detent (15) per switching position and a latching cam (17) per Locking element (14), wherein the latching cam (17) on a sprung on the housing (2) mounted lever arm (16) is arranged and engages in a switching position in the switching position corresponding latch (15) of the detent element (14). A railway toggle switch (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the latching mechanism (8) comprises two detent elements (14) arranged symmetrically on both sides of the first gear segment (10) and connected to the first gear segment (10) the associated two locking cams (17) are arranged together on the spring-loaded lever arm (16). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that each of the locking cams (17) is designed as a rotatably mounted on the lever arm (16) roller (18). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microswitches (7) are arranged on one side of the shift drum (5). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the microswitches (7) are arranged on both sides of the shift drum (5). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the microswitches (7) are arranged on both sides of the shift drum (5) and below the shift drum (5). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the housing (2) has recesses (19) for fastening carrier plates (20) on both sides of the shift drum (5), the microswitches (7 ) are mounted on the carrier plates (20). Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (4) of the operating lever (3) is an imaginary pivot axis and the operating lever (3) is mounted on the housing (2) in a bearing (21) , wherein the bearing (21) is designed as a ball joint (22). Railway toggle switch (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the ball joint (22) comprises a sealing ring. Railway toggle switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the housing (2) in the region of the bearing (21) has guide surfaces (23) for guiding the operating lever (3).

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