EP2413341B1 - Push button with mechanical signal display - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a push button with a mechanical signal display for the circuit of a switching unit, comprising an actuating head and a housing, wherein the mechanical display is arranged in the actuating head and has at least one recess and a recognizable by the recess display area.

Electromechanical command devices are widely used to operate and control machinery and equipment. They occur in various forms, for example as pushbuttons, toggle switches, key switches or emergency stop switches. Command devices are mounted on control panels, control panels, control cabinet doors or enclosure covers. By manually operating the command devices electrical switching state changes and thus the desired control effects are generated. Command devices are equipped as standard with a mechanical display to indicate prevailing switching states, the mechanical display optionally optionally or additionally equipped with a luminous or illuminated unit.

Command devices are generally modular. That is, they consist of a push button, a fastening part, such as a ring nut or a mounting bracket and one or more switching elements, which are designed as normally closed or normally closed contacts. For installation, the actuator is usually guided from the front through a hole in the dash panel and mounted from behind by means of a fastening part. The switching elements are mechanically fastened with screws, snap hooks or bolts on the actuator or on the fastening part. The electrical connection of the switching elements to the controller via terminals. For safety applications such as emergency stop command devices, it is mandatory that the signal be sent through the Opening of positively-opening contacts is generated. This means that with an unconfirmed emergency stop command device, the contacts and thus the associated circuit are closed. In the event of a fault or emergency, the normally closed contact is interrupted by striking the emergency stop actuator, which is located in front of the control panel, and the system or machine is put into a safe state. However, this only works if the spatial allocation between actuator and switching element is ensured. Due to poor installation or due to the effects of force, it may happen that the switching elements are mechanically separated from the actuator. In this case, the emergency stop command device is no longer functional. That is, in an emergency operation, the contacts are not opened and thus there is no elimination of the dangerous condition. This can lead to fatal damage to man and machine. Therefore, the secure connection between actuator and switching element is essential.

The requirement for an integrated optical display, which is both a mechanical and / or electrical switching display, leads to a problem with regard to the accommodation of the required components, since the total volume of the device, in particular by a standard mounting diameter (for example 22, 5 mm), can only be varied within narrow limits. So far, if an integration of the display in the command device was not possible, usually an additional command point, for example, attached with a light. Due to the extra space required, for example on a panel of the installation unit and the mandatory use of a separate display, this solution is unfavorable.

From the prior art goes to the from DE 10 2007 046 999 B3 an actuator provided for switching a switching unit and having a mechanical display, the mechanical display having a window and a display surface recognizable by the window. there the display surface is connected to a spring bar attached to an actuating part of the actuator and is provided, during an actuating movement of the actuating part, together with at least a part of the spring bar for partially rotating about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the actuating movement of the actuating part.

From the EP 0 713 321 A1 , of the EP 0 667 631 A1 and the US 3,721 . 789 go push button with a mechanical signal display for the circuit of a switching unit, the push button having an actuating head and a housing, wherein the mechanical display is arranged in the actuating head and has at least one recess and a recognizable by the recess display surface.

The disadvantage of the prior art is that the mechanical display surface is guided over very delicate mechanical components that can easily tilt or deform due to the spatial tightness in the command device and as a consequence no longer allow a proper operation of the command device.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a push button with a mechanical signal display, which is structurally simple and allows reliable operation.

This object is achieved by a push-button with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a push-button with the features of claim 1.

The pushbutton according to the invention is designed structurally simple, but still so robust designed that ensures reliable operation is. The slide contours, which are in operative connection with one another, are mounted on the outside of the housing, so that the interior of the pushbutton, which is already very limited anyway, can be used elsewhere. The outside attachment of the sliding contours, which are arranged on the one hand on the outside of the housing, and on the other on the actuating head in a partial area which is guided over the housing, has the further advantage that even if the sliding contours are damaged, the detached part does not engage in fall inside the push button and prevent actuation of the pushbutton there. Another decisive advantage is that the sliding contours are structurally kept so simple that they are preferably arranged in a plurality on the housing or on the actuating head, so that even if a sliding contour damage the other sliding contours can still work properly and the pushbutton therefore not a total must be replaced.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment it is provided that the housing is designed as a rosette, so as a cylindrical basic shape. This body has proven to be particularly advantageous for the actuation of the actuating head, since the cylindrical shape offers no edges at which the actuating head could get caught in the actuation case.

According to the invention, the sliding contour is formed on the housing as a sliding web. This sliding web according to the invention acts as a guide web and is in operative connection with the bevelled cylinder jacket part section surface of the actuating head. After actuation of the actuating head, the slanted Zylindermantelteilabschnittsfläche is then arranged between two guide webs.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the sliding webs are arranged at preferably regular intervals around the housing. This results in several Sliding contour pairs of sliding webs and bevelled cylindrical shell section areas, which allow the pushbutton to continue to be used if one of these sliding pairs is damaged.

According to the invention, the sliding contour is formed on the actuating head as a chamfered cylinder jacket part portion surface. It is provided in the case of actuation that the slanted Zylindermantelteilabschnittsfläche slides down on an edge of a guide bar until the actuating head has arrived in the end position.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the mechanical signal display for the status display of at least two switching states is formed. These two different switching states may be indicated by different colors, such as green and red, applied in a lid member of the actuator head which terminates in the beveled cylindrical shell portion portion.

It is advantageous if the sliding contours are formed from plastic. This material allows for a smooth sliding action between the beveled cylinder shell portion surfaces and the sliding webs. In addition, plastic is dimensionally stable and is not subject to major aging processes.

According to the invention, the sliding contours are arranged on the outside of the housing and on the actuating head. The external attachment of the sliding structures results in that the interior of the pushbutton can be used elsewhere. In addition, sprayed plastic parts do not fall into the interior of the pushbutton, where they could oppose an actuation of the pushbutton.

The pushbutton according to the invention is structurally simple in design, but still designed so robust that a reliable operation is guaranteed. The slide contours, which are in operative connection with one another, are mounted on the outside of the housing, so that the interior of the pushbutton, which is already very limited anyway, can be used elsewhere. Another decisive advantage is that the sliding contours are structurally kept so simple that they are preferably arranged in a plurality on the housing or on the actuating head, so that even if a sliding contour damage the other sliding contours can still work properly and the pushbutton therefore not a total must be replaced.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the drawing.

• Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung einen erfindungsgemäßen Drucktaster mit Gleitkonturen;
• Fig. 2 in einer Schnittdarstellung den Drucktaster nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 in einer Draufsicht eine Kappe des Drucktasters mit Anzeigenflächen;
• Fig. 4 in einer Draufsicht ein Deckelelement mit farblich unterschiedlichen Anzeigenflächen.

Here are shown schematically:

• Fig. 1 in a perspective view of a pushbutton according to the invention with sliding contours;
• Fig. 2 in a sectional view the push button to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 in a plan view of a cap of the push button with display areas;
• Fig. 4 in a plan view of a cover element with different color display surfaces.

Fig. 1 shows a pushbutton 1 according to the invention with an actuating head 2, which is formed from a cap 3 and a cover member 4, and a housing 5 which is formed as a rosette with a cylindrical base body. The cap 3 is preferably concentric and has a A plurality of preferably regularly arranged recesses 6, which allow a view of the underlying cover element 4. Below the cap 3, the lid member 4 is arranged, which is also formed concentrically and the color different display surfaces 7 provides for the switching state detection. The lid member 4 opens laterally into beveled cylinder shell part section surfaces 8, which serve as a sliding contour and form the first part of a sliding pair. On the outside 5 Gleitstege 9 are arranged on the housing, which also serve as a sliding contour and form the second part of a sliding pair. The sliding webs 9 are preferably arranged regularly around the housing 5.

This constructive structure works out as well Fig. 2 out.

In Fig. 3 the cap 3 is shown with the preferably regularly arranged recesses 6. Through the recesses 6, the color differently shaped display surfaces 7 of the lid member 4 can Fig. 4 are displayed.

The pushbutton according to the invention is structurally simple in design, but still designed so robust that a reliable operation is guaranteed. The slide contours, which are in operative connection with one another, are mounted on the outside of the housing, so that the interior of the pushbutton, which is already very limited anyway, can be used elsewhere. Another decisive advantage is that the sliding contours are structurally kept so simple that they are preferably arranged in a plurality on the housing or on the actuating head, so that even if a sliding contour damage the other sliding contours can still work properly and the pushbutton therefore not a total must be replaced.

Claims (5)

1. Pushbutton (1) with a mechanical signal display for switching a switching unit, having an operating head (2), which is formed from a cap (3) and a cover element (4), and having a housing (5), wherein the mechanical display is arranged in the operating head (2) and has at least one recess (6) and also has a display area (7) which can be seen through the recess (6), wherein sliding contours (8, 9) which are operatively connected to one another are arranged on the operating head (2) and on the housing (5), characterized in that the cover element (4) opens laterally into the bevelled cylinder casing partial section surfaces (8) which serve as a sliding contour and form the first part of a sliding pair, and wherein sliding webs (9) are arranged on the outside of the housing (5) and likewise serve as a sliding contour and form the second part of a sliding pair.
2. Pushbutton (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (5) is in the form of a rosette.
3. Pushbutton (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sliding webs (9) are arranged at regular intervals around the housing (5).
4. Pushbutton (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical signal display is designed for displaying at least two switching states.
5. Pushbutton (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding contours (8, 9) are formed from plastic.

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