EP2302655B1 - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical switch according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In the case of electrical equipment used in harsh operating conditions, precautions must be taken so that the electrical switch is protected against harmful influences that affect its functionality. For example, such harmful influences may be moisture, dust or the like. This applies in particular to switches that are used in devices in building technology, in agriculture, in construction or the like.

Such an electrical switch is from the DE 197 05 068 A1 known. The switch has a housing with a contact system located inside the housing. On the housing, an actuating member, in particular in the manner of a rocker, movably arranged and serves for the switching action on the contact system, wherein an opening in the housing for the switching action of the actuating member is present. For sealing, the opening is provided with a housing attached to the elastic seal.

The contact system of the known switch has a pivotally mounted switching contact on which the actuating member acts by means of a central plunger for switching. The central plunger is attached to the actuator and projects through the opening into the interior of the switch. The housing-mounted seal, which consists of a bellows or an O-ring, continues to rest against the plunger. However, it has been found that between the plunger and the seal pollutants, such as water, in the interior of the Housing can penetrate, which in turn affect the functionality of the switch.

Furthermore, is from the DE 10 2008 034 046 A1 a provided with a seal electrical switch known. In this switch, the actuator comprises a befindliches inside the housing, movable inner part, namely a pivotable inner rocker, and located on the exterior of the housing, movable outer part, namely a pivotable outer rocker. The gasket pushed onto the housing covers the opening, with the outer part having pins passing through the gasket. By means of the pins, the outer part moves over the elastically movable seal, the inner part for the switching action on the contact system.

Finally, in the EP 0 122 465 A2 , of the WO 96/08024 A1 and the DE 18 14 082 U described further electrical switch, in which the outer part of the actuating member via the elastically movable seal moves the inner part for the switching action on the contact system. The seal is in turn attached to the housing.

The invention has for its object to further develop the electrical switch so that the protection against ingress of pollutants is improved in the switch.

This object is achieved in a generic electrical switch by the characterizing features of claim 1.

In the switch according to the invention, the seal and the housing are designed as a two-component (2K) part. For this purpose, the seal is molded in a 2K process to a housing wall containing the opening, at the edge of the opening in the production of the housing wall by injection molding of the housing for the switch. The invention provides a seal improved switch. Furthermore, there is a saving of individual parts and a simplification of the assembly work. In particular, the invention provides a rocker switch, in which an integrated sealing cap is molded onto the switch housing, wherein the outer rocker on the upper part of Sealing cap acts and thereby the inner rocker is moved from the lower part of the sealing cap such that the inner rocker turn switches the contact system.

The seal consists of a visible light at least partially permeable thermoplastic elastomer. In order to provide an illuminable switch having, for example, an illuminable function and / or symbol display, the thermoplastic elastomer is expediently at least partially transparent to visible light. Then penetrates at least one optical fiber of thermoplastic elastomer, the housing wall of the housing to forward the light generated by a light emitting diode, an incandescent lamp o. The like. Inside the housing to illuminate the switch to the outside. For ease of manufacture, the light guide is also molded in the 2K process in the manufacture of the housing wall substantially simultaneously with the seal.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims,

In a further embodiment, the seal may have a dome-shaped elevation. Conveniently, the collection is designed in the manner of an elastic bellows. The survey is movable by the movement of the outer part elastically against the inner part. Next protrudes a pin on the inner part through the opening into the survey, so that upon movement of the outer part, the survey acts on the pin to move the inner part. Such a configuration is characterized by a special reliability and long life.

In another embodiment, the seal may have a dome-shaped elevation. Conveniently, the collection is designed in the manner of an elastic bellows. In this case, a pin on the inner part protrudes through the opening and the elevation, so that the survey abuts the pin sealingly. The outer part then acts as it moves on the pin to move the inner part. Such a configuration is characterized by a special reliability and long life.

For ease of manufacture, the gasket may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer, such as polyurethane or poly-styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene. The housing consists in the usual way of a thermoplastic material, such as polyamide or polypropylene.

For the purpose of easy accessibility when mounting the switch, the housing consists of an upper housing part and a lower housing part. To simplify installation, it is advisable that the upper housing part with the lower housing part during assembly of the switch latched, clipped, clamped o. The like. Is. To seal the two housing parts may be arranged between the lower housing part and the upper housing part located therebetween O-ring. The O-ring may be conventionally a separate part. Of course, it is again possible to simplify the assembly, the O-ring as a molded on the lower housing part or on the upper housing part o. The like.

In a further development, the contact system is configured as a snap-action switching system that can be actuated by a shift lever, which ensures high reliability of the switch. The inner part then acts in its movement, in particular so the inner rocker during pivoting, by means of an approach to the shift lever for switching the contact system. In order to be able to largely pre-assemble the contact system as an assembly, the contact system is attached to a socket located inside the housing. The electrical connections for the contact system are also fixed in the base. Furthermore, the inner part is movable, in particular so the inner rocker rotatably mounted on the base. The base is arranged in the housing such that, on the one hand, the connections penetrate one wall on the lower housing part and, on the other hand, the inner part of the housing wall of the housing upper part containing the opening faces.

In order to preserve the seal upon actuation of the switch, the inner rocker and the outer rocker can have mutually parallel axes of rotation, in particular substantially the same axis of rotation. For easy installation, half are the pivot bearing for the axis of rotation of the inner rocker on the base and the pivot bearing for the axis of rotation of the outer rocker on the outside of the housing top. Finally, the inner part, in particular the inner rocker, can be latched by means of a ball engaging in a receptacle on the inner part in the switching position for the contact system, whereby a switch with detent positions is created.

In the other embodiment of the switch, the pin may protrude through a hole in the survey. Conveniently, the pin has a groove for receiving the edge around the hole in the survey. As a result, the edge engages in the groove, in such a way that the seal is sealingly applied to the pin. Despite the hole in the seal for the passage of the pin is thus also there to protect against the ingress of pollutants in the switch.

• eine vom Benutzer betätigbare Außenwippe,
• ein Gehäuse aus einem harten Kunststoff mit einem integrierten elastomeren Betätigungsknopf, wobei das Gehäuse sowie der Betätigungsknopf im ZweiKomponenten-Spritzgießverfahren hergestellt sein können, und
• eine Innenwippe, welche das Kontaktsystem betätigt.

For a particularly preferred embodiment is to be determined below. This embodiment solves two problems, and on the one hand this has a reliable working as well as a prolonged life exhibiting snap-action contact system. On the other hand, a new actuation system with an interface is created. This actuator comprises the following components:

• a user-actuated external rocker,
• a housing made of a hard plastic with an integrated elastomeric actuator button, wherein the housing and the operating knob can be made in two-component injection molding, and
• an inner rocker which actuates the contact system.

• die eine Seite der Innenwippe wirkt auf den Schalthebel des Kontaktsystems ein, wobei das Kontaktsystem eingeschaltet wird,
• die Innenwippe kann in betätigter Stellung verrastbar sein, womit die eingeschaltete Stellung des Kontaktsystems als Raststellung ausgebildet ist, und
• die andere Seite der Innenwippe verschwenkt dabei nach oben, wobei dadurch die andere Seite der Außenwippe ebenfalls nach oben verschwenkt wird und dabei ein weiteres Kontaktsystem ausgeschaltet wird.

When the user actuates the outer rocker on one side, it moves the inner rocker via the actuating button. The inner rocker performs several functions, namely:

• one side of the inside rocker acts on the shift lever of the contact system, turning on the contact system,
• the inner rocker can be latched in the actuated position, whereby the switched-on position of the contact system is formed as a detent position, and
• the other side of the inner rocker pivots upwards, whereby the other side of the outer rocker is also pivoted upwards and thereby another contact system is turned off.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that a switch is provided with improved sealing. This switch significantly reduces the risk of water or other contaminants entering the system. Due to the integration of the seal, the bellows, the actuating knob o. The like. Into the housing, the housing interior of the switch is hermetically sealed to the outside. On the seal, the bellows, the operation knob o. The like. When actuated only a compressive force is exerted, whereby the life of the switch is increased.

Fig. 1

einen elektrischen Schalter entsprechend einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

den Schalter aus Fig. 1 in Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 3

den Schalter wie in Fig. 2, jedoch mit einer Modifikation im Bereich der Anschlüsse,

Fig. 4

einen elektrischen Schalter entsprechend einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 5

den Schalter aus Fig. 4 mit teilweise entferntem Betätigungsorgan,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie 6-6 in Fig. 4, wobei das Betätigungsorgan gemäß Fig. ausgestaltet ist und in der unbetätigten Stellung befindlich ist,

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt wie in Fig. 6, wobei jedoch das Betätigungsorgan gemäß Fig. 4 ausgestaltet ist und in einer betätigten Stellung befindlich ist,

Fig. 8

den Schalter aus Fig. 4 in einer weiteren Ausgestaltung mit teilweise entferntem Betätigungsorgan,

Fig.9a

eine Draufsicht auf den Schalter aus Fig. 8,

Fig. 9b

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie 9b-9b in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10

einen Detailausschnitt aus Fig. 9b mit vollständigem Betätigungsorgan,

Fig. 11

einen Detailausschnitt aus Fig. 2 in vergrößerter Darstellung und

Fig. 12

einen stark vergrößerten Detailausschnitt einer weiteren Ausführung, wobei der Zapfen des Innenteils durch die Dichtung hindurchragt.

Embodiments of the invention with various developments and refinements are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

an electrical switch according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

the switch off Fig. 1 in exploded view,

Fig. 3

the switch as in Fig. 2 but with a modification in the area of the connections,

Fig. 4

an electrical switch according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 5

the switch off Fig. 4 with partially removed actuator,

Fig. 6

a section along the line 6-6 in Fig. 4 wherein the actuator is designed according to FIG. 1 and is in the unactuated position,

Fig. 7

a cut like in Fig. 6 However, wherein the actuator according to Fig. 4 is configured and is in an actuated position,

Fig. 8

the switch off Fig. 4 in a further embodiment with partially removed actuator,

9a

a plan view of the switch off Fig. 8 .

Fig. 9b

a section along the line 9b-9b in Fig. 8 .

Fig. 10

a detail from Fig. 9b with complete actuator,

Fig. 11

a detail from Fig. 2 in an enlarged view and

Fig. 12

a greatly enlarged detail of a further embodiment, wherein the Pin of the inner part protrudes through the seal.

In Fig. 1 an electrical switch 1 with a housing 2 can be seen. The housing 2 can be used by means of locking arms 29 in a receptacle on a panel of an electrical appliance. On the housing 2 a designed in the manner of a rocker actuator 4 is movably arranged, with the help of which the user can turn on the switch 1 and / or off. At the switch 1 according to Fig. 1 the switch is designed such that the actuator 4 is located above the aperture. In another embodiment, the in Fig. 4 can be seen, the actuator 4 is located below the aperture and protrudes from the receptacle in the aperture for actuation by the user.

The items of the switch 1 are closer in an exploded view Fig. 2 shown. The switch 1 has a contact system 3 located in the interior of the housing 2, to which the actuating member 4 acts in a switching manner when actuated by the user. For the switching action of the actuator 4 is located in Fig. 6 visible opening 5 in the housing 2. In order to prevent ingress of pollutants into the interior of the housing 2, an elastic seal 6 for the opening 5 is attached to the housing 2.

How further the Fig. 2 can be seen, the actuator 4 is formed in two parts. For this purpose, the actuating member 4 comprises a movable inner part 7 located inside the housing 2 and a movable outer part 8 located on the exterior of the housing 2. Since the switch 1 is a rocker switch, the inner part 7 is expediently designed as a pivotable inner rocker and the outer part 8 thus formed as a pivotable outer rocker. According to Fig. 6 the opening 5 is completely covered by the seal 6. How to continue on the basis of Fig. 7 sees the outer part 8 moves upon actuation of the actuating member 4 via the elastically movable seal 6, the inner part 7 for switching action on the contact system. 3

The seal 6 has a dome-shaped elevation. In one embodiment, the in Fig. 5 or Fig. 8 can be seen closer, the dome-like elevation of the seal 6 in the manner of a bellows 9 is configured. In a further embodiment, however, in the figures not shown further, the dome-like elevation of the seal 6 is designed in the manner of a dome. These embodiments of the seal 6 allow the survey 6 by the movement of the outer part 8 is elastically movable against the inner part 7, as based on Fig. 7 can be seen. According to the Fig. 6 as well as the Fig. 7 further protrudes a pin 11 on the inner part 7 through the opening 5 into the elevation 6 and the bellows 9 into it, so that upon movement of the outer part 8, the survey 6 acts on the pin 11 for movement of the inner part 7.

In order to provide the necessary elasticity, the seal 6 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, which may be, for example, polyurethane or poly-styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene. The housing 2 consists in a conventional manner of a thermoplastic material, which may be, for example, polyamide or polypropylene. Conveniently, the housing 2 is produced by injection molding. It then makes sense to design the seal 6 and the housing 2 as a two-component (2K) part by the seal 6 in the 2K process to a housing wall 12 containing the opening 5 in the manufacture of the housing wall 12 and the housing 2 is molded by injection molding. The molding of the seal 6 takes place at the edge of the opening 5, as the Fig. 6 can be seen.

According to the invention, the seal 6 is made of visible light at least partially permeable thermoplastic elastomer.

The opacity can be achieved, for example, by appropriately coloring the raw material for the thermoplastic elastomer. However, the switch 1 should be designed to be illuminated by a existing example of a light emitting diode 13 according to Fig. 2 is arranged in the interior of the housing 2, it is advisable that the thermoplastic elastomer is at least partially transparent to visible light.

At least one light guide 14, which penetrates the housing wall 12 of the housing 2, is made of the same thermoplastic elastomer as for the seal 6. In a single operation then the light guide 14 in the 2K process at the production of the housing wall 12 and the housing 2 molded substantially simultaneously with the seal 6.

How to get the Fig. 2 or the Fig. 3 takes the contact system 3 is attached to a located in the interior of the housing 2 pedestal 18. In the described embodiment, the contact system 3 is configured as a snap-action switching system which can be actuated by a shift lever 19. The inner part 7 acts during its movement, in the present case the inner rocker 7 during pivoting, by means of a projection 20 on the shift lever 19 for switching the contact system 3 a. Furthermore, electrical connections 21 for the contact system 3 and for the light sources 13 in the base 18 are fixed. Finally, the inner part 7 is movably mounted on the base 18, so in the present case, the inner rocker 7 is rotatably mounted on the base 18. The base 18 can be completely pre-assembled with these parts, as based on Fig. 11 you can see.

As in the rest also in Fig. 11 can be seen, in the base 18, a further contact system 3 'is located, which is actuated by a projection 20' on the inner part 7 by means of a shift lever 19 '. If the actuator 4 is pivoted counterclockwise, the contact system 3 is turned on. If, however, the actuator 4 is pivoted clockwise, the contact system 3 'is turned on. In contrast, in the non-pivoted starting position of the actuating member 4, both contact systems 3, 3 'are switched off.

How to continue on the basis of Fig. 2 or the Fig. 3 sees, the housing 2 consists of an upper housing part 15 and a lower housing part 16. During assembly of the switch 1, which are located in the interior of the housing 2 parts, so especially the preassembled base 18, in the upper housing part 15 and / or in the lower housing part 16th used. In this case, the base 18 is arranged in the housing 2, that the terminals 21 penetrate a wall 22 on the housing base 16 and the inner part 7 of the opening 5 containing housing wall 12 of the housing upper part 15 faces. The connections 21 can according to Fig. 3 be pressed through the wall 22 through, wherein the plastic of the housing base 16 is conditioned during assembly accordingly. If necessary, instead of the wall 22, a in Fig. 2 see visible sealing surface 23 of rubbery material o. The like. Use, so that the terminals 21 are pressed through the rubbery material during assembly. Subsequently, the upper housing part 15 and the lower housing part 16 are connected to each other. This is the upper housing part 15 with the lower housing part 16 latched, verclipsbar, clamped o. The like. Designed. For sealing is between the lower housing part 16 and the upper housing part 15 according to Fig. 3 an intermediate O-ring 17 is disposed. The O-ring 17 may be a separate part. Of course, instead of the O-ring 17, a molded-on sealing part may also be present on the lower housing part 16 or on the upper housing part 15.

The arrangement and design of the actuator 4 is in detail in Fig. 10 to see. The inner rocker 7 and the outer rocker 8 have mutually parallel axes of rotation, in fact substantially the same axis of rotation 24. This ensures that the seal 6 is only slightly stressed upon actuation of the actuator 4, which increases their life The pivot bearing 25 for the axis of rotation 24th the inner rocker 7 is also located on the base 18, as the Fig. 11 can take. The pivot bearing 26 for the axis of rotation 24 of the outer rocker 8 is located on the exterior of the housing upper part 15, as the Fig. 8 can take. Finally, the switch-on position of the contact system 3,3 'is formed as a detent position. Corresponding Fig. 9b For this purpose, the inner part 7, so the inner rocker, by means of a engaging in a receptacle 27 on the inner part 7 ball 28 in the in Fig. 7 shown actuated position of the actuator 4 latched. The respective actuated position of the actuating member 4 corresponds to the switch-on position for the respective contact system 3, 3 '.

Fig. 12 shows a further embodiment of the switch 1, wherein the outer end of the pin 11 of the inner rocker 7 protrudes through a hole 6a in the seal 6 and 6 elevation. The pin 11 has an annular groove 11 a. The groove 11a has an inner, lateral dimension which is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole 6a through the seal 6. The seal 6 engages by means of the edge around the hole 6a in the groove 11 a. As a result, seal 6 is tightly secured to the pin 11 and provides a waterproof and dust-tight barrier in the interior of the housing. 2

The execution after Fig. 12 is especially preferred when the material of the seal 6 is not sufficiently resistant to wear by the direct movement contact with the underside of the outer rocker 8. The fact that the external rocker 8 then a direct Contact with the pin 11 has, a contact between the outer rocker 8 and the seal 6 is prevented, which in turn increases the life of the seal.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the invention can be found not only on the rocker switch described but also on pushbuttons, slide switches o. The like. Types of electrical switches use.

Reference numeral list:

1:

(electrical) switch

2:

casing

3,3 ':

Contact system

4:

actuator

5:

Opening (in the housing)

6:

Seal / survey

6a:

Hole (in gasket)

7:

Inner part of the inner rocker

8th:

Outdoor unit / outdoor rocker

9:

bellows

11:

spigot

11a:

Groove (in pin)

12:

housing wall

13:

light source

14:

optical fiber

15:

Housing top

16:

Housing bottom

17:

O-ring

18:

base

19.19 ':

gear lever

20.20 ':

Approach (on the inner part)

21:

(electrical) termination

22:

wall

23:

sealing surface

24:

axis of rotation

25:

Pivot bearing (for inside rocker)

26:

Pivot bearing (for external rocker)

27:

admission

28:

Bullet

29:

detent arm

Claims (11)

1. Electrical switch comprising a housing (2) with a contact system (3, 3') located inside the housing (2), with a movably arranged actuating member (4) on the housing (2) for a switching action on the contact system (3, 3'), with an opening (5) in the housing (2) for the switching action of the actuating member (4), and with a resilient seal (6) fixed on the housing (2) for the opening (5), wherein the actuating member (4) comprises a movable inner part (7) inside the housing (2), and a movable outer part (8) outside the housing (2), wherein the seal (6) at least partially covers the opening (5), and wherein the outer part (8) moves the inner part (7) for the switching action on the contact system (3, 3') via the elastically movable seal (6), characterised in that the seal (6) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer that is at least partially permeable to a visible light, that the seal (6) and the housing (2) are in the form of a two-component (2K) part, wherein, in the 2K method, the seal (6) is injection-moulded at the edge of the opening (5) in the production of the housing wall (12) containing the aperture (5) through injection moulding, that at least one light guide (14) made of the thermoplastic elastomer penetrates the housing wall (12) of the housing (2), and that during production of the housing wall (12) in the 2K method, the light guide (14) is injection-moulded substantially simultaneously with the seal (6).
2. Electrical switch according to claim I, characterised in that the actuating member (4) is designed as a rocker having a pivotable inner rocker as an inner part (7) and a pivotable outer rocker as an outer part (8).
3. Electrical switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the seal (6) has a dome-like elevation configured in the manner of a bellows (9).
4. Electric switch according to claim 3, characterised in that a pin (11) on the inner part (7) projects through the opening (5) into the elevation (6) and, upon movement of the outer part (8), the elevation (6) acts on the pin (11) to move the inner part (7), or that a pin (11) projects through the opening (5) as well as the elevation (6) on the inner part (7), wherein the elevation (6) sealingly abuts against the pin (4) and the outer part (8), whose movement acts upon the pin (11) to move the inner part (7).
5. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the housing (2) is made of a thermoplastic synthetic material.
6. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the housing (2) consists of an upper housing part (15) as well as a lower housing part (16), wherein the upper housing part (15) can be latched, clipped or clamped with the lower housing part (16) during assembly of the switch (1), wherein an O-ring (17) is located between the lower housing part (16) and the upper housing part (15), and that the O-ring (17) is in the form of a separate part, or is an injection-moulded part on the lower housing part (16) and/or on the upper housing part (15).
7. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the contact system (3, 3') is in the form of a snap-action switching system actuated by a control lever (19, 19'), and that the inner part (7), upon its movement by means of a lug (20, 20'), acts on the control lever (19, 19') to switch the contact system (3, 3').
8. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the contact system (3, 3') is attached to a base (18) located inside the housing (2), the electrical connections (21) for the contact system (3, 3') are fixed in the base (18), the inner part (7) is movably mounted on the base (18), and the base (18) is so arranged in the housing (2), that the connections (21) penetrate a wall (22) on the lower housing part (16), while the inner part (7) faces the housing wall (12) of the upper housing part (15) containing the opening (5).
9. Electric switch according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the inner rocker (7) and the outer rocker (8) have mutually parallel axes of rotation (24), and that a pivot bearing (25) for the inner rocker (7) is located on the base (18), while a pivot bearing (26) for the outer rocker (8) is located outside the upper housing part (15).
10. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the inner part (7) can be latched in the switching position for the contact system (3, 3') by means of a ball (28) engaging in a recess (27) on the inner part (7).
11. Electrical switch according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the pin (11) projects through a hole (6a) in the elevation (6) and that the pin (11) has a groove (11 a) to receive the edge around the hole (6a) in the elevation (6), so that the seal (6) rests sealingly against the pin (11).

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