EP4088297B1

EP4088297B1 - Electrical switch

Info

Publication number: EP4088297B1
Application number: EP20842314.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Volpato; Antonio Cavalli
Original assignee: Vimar SpA
Current assignee: Vimar SpA
Priority date: 2019-12-24
Filing date: 2020-12-24
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-24
Also published as: IT201900025546A1; EP4088297A1; WO2021130721A1; EP4088297C0

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical switch capable of closing or switching electrical contacts, of the type comprising a switching mechanism, housed inside a main body capable of controlling the opening and closing of an electrical contact by an oscillation movement of a relative actuation element.
In the technical field of civil and industrial electrical systems, electro-mechanical switches through which electrical contacts are closed or switched are commonly used, for example for switching on or off light sources.
In one of their most common configurations, switches comprise a control mechanism, operable by a manual pressure action, which moves a movable anchor. The movable anchor comprises a flexible conductive foil which is brought from a first position, in which an electrical contact is open, to a second position, in which the contact is closed.
An example of such mechanisms is described in U.S. patent 5,436,421 which relates to a switch in which a tilting actuator moves a movable leaf contact through the action of a pin. Document EP1732096 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.
The interface with which a user interacts with the switch control mechanism generally comprises a button.
In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical switch of the tilting type.
In a tilting control mechanism for switches, the button generally rotates between two positions, at which the switching of the electrical contact takes place.
It is known that the mechanisms for actuating switches by means of a tilting button provide, between the button and the movable contact-holder anchor, an element which follows the tilting movement of the button and works to overcome a dead point.
In the case of compression actuation mechanisms, the element interposed between the button and the movable contact-holder anchor is normally a pin which is pushed by a compression spring against the anchor, so that the displacement of the pin which follows the tilting of the button produces the oscillation of the movable contact-holder anchor when the dead point is overcome.
These compression actuation mechanisms, although widespread, have several drawbacks.
For example, they require a rather high oscillation angle of the tilting button and also require a certain force of actuation of the button, giving an unpleasant feeling to the users.
Sometimes it is necessary to make buttons of considerable length, for example for aesthetic reasons or for needs related to the arrangement thereof on a wall of a house. The buttons of considerable length used in the tilting control mechanisms for switches will have the drawback of being not very ergonomic. The tilting angle of the button is generally roughly corresponding to that of the tilting angle of the pin, or more generally of the control mechanism. The button of a tilting control mechanism will "sink" on one side while it will "project" on the other. This sinking and projection are accentuated by the length of the button, causing an operation that is not easy for the user and is not aesthetically pleasing.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of providing an electrical switch which is structurally and functionally designed to overcome, at least in part, one or more of the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the cited prior art.
Within the scope of this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch which is particularly reliable and easily operable by the user.
This problem is solved and this object is achieved by the invention by means of an electrical switch made according to one or more of the appended claims.
In particular, the electrical switch of the present invention includes a mechanism for amplifying the oscillation movement of an actuation element which comprises a motion transformation element, preferably including a lever, connected to the main body and jointed to the actuation element itself. The motion transformation element is associated with the switch button in such a way that said motion transformation element is urged by the tilting of the button so as to move the actuation element and obtain the opening and closing of an electrical contact.
According to an aspect of the invention, the motion transformation element therefore is kinematically linked to the button, to the main body of the switch and to the actuation element which switches the electrical contact. A kinematic chain is thus created where the movement of the button is transferred to a movable contact of the switch.
In preferred embodiments, the tilting of the button urges the motion transformation element which in turn causes the actuation element to rotate.
The switch according to the present invention therefore makes it possible to reduce the angle of rotation of the button with respect to the angle of rotation of the actuation element designed for the switching action of the switch, limiting the sinking and protrusion of the button and improving the ergonomics and reliability with which the user may operate the switch. Advantageously, the button rotation angle represents the inclination of the button with respect to a horizontal axis; the angle of rotation of the actuation element represents the inclination of the actuation element with respect to a horizontal axis.
In some embodiments, the switching mechanism comprises a switching pin. Preferably, the actuation element includes a pin-holder support. Advantageously, the pin may be slidably associated with the pin-holder support.
According to a preferred embodiment, the motion transformation element comprises a pin. Advantageously, this pin is inserted in an opening positioned on the button, preferably on a lower surface of the button.
In some embodiments, the opening has a slot shape, preferably elliptical, so as to allow the pin, advantageously cylindrical in shape, to rotate and/or slide therein. In alternative embodiments, the openings may be made on the motion transformation and the pins may be made on the button.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the lever of the motion transformation element may comprise two longitudinal rods and a transverse rod, where each longitudinal rod comprises a first end and a second end.
Advantageously, the pin is made on one longitudinal rod, more advantageously on both. In the case of pins made on both longitudinal rods, there will be corresponding openings made on the button suitable for being associated with the respective pins.
In one embodiment, the lever comprises a lever slot positioned at each first end and suitable for being associated with a respective lateral projection of a button-holder included in the main body. Alternative embodiments are provided where the slots are made on the button-holder and the projections on the lever.
Preferably, the lever comprises a relief positioned at each second end and suitable for being associated with a respective lateral hole of the pin-holder support. In other embodiments, the reliefs may be made on the pin-holder support and the holes on the lever.
According to a preferred embodiment, there are two levers opposite each other with respect to the pin-holder support, each comprising a pin. This allows the stability and reliability of the mechanism to be increased. In advantageous embodiments, both levers will have the previously described features, for example longitudinal and transverse rods, lever slots and reliefs, arms, etc.
The features and the further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive exemplary embodiment thereof illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the electrical switch of the present invention sectioned at the terminal blocks;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch with a button separated from the rest of the mechanism;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the switch sectioned at the actuation element;
Figure 4 is a front view of the switch sectioned at the actuation element; and
Figure 5 is a side perspective view, partially in section, of the switch of the present invention.

With reference to the figures, an electrical switch for example intended to be applied to a wall, according to methods which will be described in greater detail below, is indicated as a whole with the reference numeral 1.
It will be appreciated that in the present exemplary embodiment, the switch 1 is intended to be used in an electrical appliance of the type commonly referred to as a diverter, that is an electrical appliance which is used to control an electrical device, for example a lamp, from two different positions.
In this regard, it should be noted that the switch 1 according to the present invention may be adopted in an independent module which may be installed on the wall and may be wired by means of terminal blocks 3 mounted on a main body 2.
For this purpose, the main body 2 may advantageously comprise fixing portions 21 arranged for connecting the electrical switch 1 to a support frame which may be fixed to the wall, the latter not shown in the figure.
In general, it should be noted that the mechanism 1 of the present invention may also find application in other apparatus for electrical systems, such as switches, inverters, push-buttons and the like.
The main body 2 is preferably box-shaped and is suitable for containing the terminal blocks 3 to which electrical cables of the system in which the switch 1 is used may be connected. The terminal blocks 3 advantageously comprise a primary fixed contact 31 and a secondary fixed contact 32, which preferably form a phase contact and a castle, respectively. In the embodiment shown in the figure, relating to the application of the switch as a diverter, there are a pair of secondary fixed contacts 32, 32' which may be selectively closed on the main contact 31.
In some embodiments, the main body 2 comprises a button-holder 5. Preferably, the button-holder 5 is supported on a casing 20, which defines a volume of the main body 2 inside which a switching mechanism 6 is housed, the features of which will be illustrated in greater detail below. It will however be appreciated that the switching mechanism 6 may be configured in such a way as to control the opening and closing of an electrical contact between the primary contact 31 and the secondary contact 32.
A button 4, designed to actuate the control mechanism 1, is tiltably pivoted on the main body 2, preferably at the button-holder 5.
Advantageously, the button 4 is rectangular in shape. The button 4 preferably comprises a support 40 and an over-button 41. In some embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in Figure 2, the button 4 comprises housings 43, suitable for being connected to protrusions included in the over-button 41, not visible in the figure.
Preferably, the button-holder 5 is fixedly mounted to the casing 20 of the main body 2 of the appliance on which the switch 1 is used.
According to a preferred embodiment, the button 4 is pivoting and, for this purpose, is supported on the button-holder 5 by means of a pair of seats 44, 44' in which a pair of protrusions 52 formed on the button-holder 5 are housed, respectively. As illustrated for example in Figure 2, the protrusions 52 may be made on a pair of fins 51 included in the button-holder 5.
In some embodiments, the switching mechanism 6 comprises an actuation element 8 which acts in such a way as to displace and/or deform a movable contact 7.
According to a preferred aspect, the switching mechanism 6 may comprise a switching pin 60, pressed by a deformable element 61 against the movable contact 7, the latter preferably formed by an oscillating anchor 70.
It will be appreciated that this configuration allows the switching mechanism 6 to operate so that the displacement of the switching pin 60 produces the oscillation of the anchor 70 when a dead point is overcome. Overcoming the dead point, which causes the anchor 70 to snap from a closed position to an open position of the fixed contact 31 and vice versa, preferably occurs when the switching pin 60 overcomes a substantially vertical position.
However, it is understood that different solutions for controlling the electrical contact in opening, closing or switching may also be provided.
Advantageously, the switching pin 60 comprises an elongate section 64 and is slidably received inside a pin-holder support 80, preferably jointed to the main body 2, by methods described in greater detail below. According to an aspect of the invention, the switching pin 60 is integral in an oscillation movement of the pin-holder support 80 or, more generally, of the actuation element 8.
The deformable element 61, preferably a helical spring, is advantageously positioned in such a way as to oppose an approaching movement of the switching pin 60 towards the pin-holder support 80. Preferably, the switching pin 60 includes a shoulder 63 where one end of the deformable element 61 abuts.
Advantageously, the switching pin 60 comprises a joint 62 which acts on the anchor 70.
Preferably, the joint 62 is hinged at a lower end 68 of the switching pin 60 on the opposite side with respect to the button 4. In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the joint 62 has a T shape. Due to the double contact point of the joint, the stability of the connection between the switching pin 60 and the anchor 70 is improved, decreasing blockages or jamming. In other embodiments, the joint 62 may be C-shaped, fork-shaped, etc.
Preferably, the pin-holder support 80 is jointed to the button-holder 5 so as to be able to rotate with respect to it. In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Figure 2, the pin-holder support 80 comprises a projection 84 suitable for being inserted into a respective cavity 53 formed on the button-holder 5. Preferably, the cavity 53 is formed inside each fin 51. In an advantageous embodiment, there are a pair of projections 84 which may be coupled to a pair of cavities 53.
Advantageously, the projections 84 comprise a respective cusp 84A which engages a corresponding recess 53A defined in the cavity 53. The cavity 53 is preferably configured in such a way that the cusp 84A may move away from the recess 53A thus allowing a certain weakness to the joint.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the presence of the deformable element 61 allows the pin-holder support 80 to be urged towards the button-holder 5, keeping the cusp in the relative cavity.
The pin-holder support 80 advantageously comprises a central sleeve 81, preferably cylindrical, inside which the switching pin 60 and the deformable element 61 are inserted. Advantageously, the pin-holder support 80 comprises a transverse partition 82 on which the deformable element 61 abuts. The partition 82 preferably comprises a central hole 83 which allows the insertion of an upper end 69 of the switching pin 60, opposite to the anchor 70. The upper end 69 advantageously comprises two opposing teeth which fit into the central hole 83 and make a snap connection.
The anchor 70 comprises a flexible conductive foil, preferably arc-shaped. On one end of the anchor 70 there is a contact area 71 of the movable contact 7. The movable contact 7 may be placed in contact with the secondary fixed contact 32 or moved away from it. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figure, in which the switch is a diverter, there are two contact areas 71, 71', one for each end of the anchor 70.
When the contact area 71 of the movable contact 7 is positioned on the secondary fixed contact 32, the electrical contact between the primary and secondary contact closes, with the electrical connection of the cables connected to the respective terminal blocks 3.
Preferably, the anchor 70 has a centre 72 suitable for being coupled to an abutment surface 33 of the castle 32, even more preferably on a cusp 34 of such a surface 33.
It will be appreciated that by urging the anchor 70 against the abutment surface 33 it is possible to maintain the electrical connection during the oscillation of the movable contact 7 and the relative movement.
The control mechanism 1 comprises a mechanism 9 for amplifying the oscillation movement of the actuation element 8 which allows the actuation element to perform an oscillation greater than that performed by the button 4.
In order to obtain such a function, the amplification mechanism 9 comprises a motion transformation element 90 connected to the main body 5 and jointed to the actuation element 8.
Following the actuation of the button 4, an interaction takes place between the motion transformation element 90 and the button 4 itself, in such a way that said motion transformation element is urged, causing the actuation element 7 to perform the oscillation movement described above.
In some embodiments, the motion transformation element 90 comprises a lever 90A, preferably hinged to said main body 2. Even more preferably, the lever 90A is pivoted to the button-holder 5 and to the pin-holder support 8.
The lever 90A may advantageously comprise a pin 91 suitable for being urged by the tilting of the button 4. Preferably, the pin 91 is coupled to an opening 45, visible in Figure 1, positioned on the button 4, more preferably on a lower surface 42 of the button 4. In some embodiments, the opening 45 is in the form of a slot, in such a way as to allow some mobility to the pin 91 within the opening 45.
Preferably, there are two opposing pins 91, suitable for being inserted into a pair of openings 45.
In some embodiments, the two pins are arranged on opposing sides of the fulcrum axis of the button 4.
The control mechanism according to the present invention therefore makes it possible to reduce the angle of rotation of the button 4 with respect to the angle of rotation of the actuation element 8, and therefore, in preferred embodiments, of the switching pin 60, limiting the sinking and protrusion of the button 4 and improving the ergonomics and reliability with which the user may operate the switch 1.
Figure 4 shows the button rotation angle T and the actuation element rotation angle P. Advantageously, the button rotation angle T represents the inclination of the button 4 with respect to a horizontal axis; the actuation element rotation angle P represents the inclination of the actuation element 8 with respect to a horizontal axis. For example, a button rotation angle T of about 1.5° corresponds to an actuation element rotation angle P of about 3.5°.
According to an aspect of the invention, the motion transformation element 90 is hinged to the main body 2 at a first hinging point A, preferably at the button-holder 5. In preferred embodiments, the switch 1 has an elongate shape and the first hinge point A is arranged at one of the two longitudinal ends of the switch.
The motion transformation element 90 is advantageously jointed to the actuation element 8 at a second hinging point B.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the distance between the two hinge points A and B is greater than the distance between the second hinge point B and an oscillation axis C of the actuation element 8, as schematically illustrated in Figure 2.
Preferably, the lever 90A has a substantially H-shape, comprising two longitudinal rods 92, 92' and a transverse rod 93. Advantageously, each longitudinal rod 92, 92' comprises a first end 94, 94' and a second end 95, 95'.
Preferably, each first end 94, 94' includes a lever slot 96, 96' suitable for being connected in a respective lateral projection 56, 56' made on the button-holder 5.
Advantageously, each second end 95, 95' includes a lever relief 97, 97' suitable for being connected in a respective lateral hole 57, 57' made on the pin-holder support 80. The lateral hole 57, 57' may be in the form of a slot, thus allowing a certain mobility to the relief 97 inside the corresponding hole, so as not to achieve perfect rotation but a roto-translation joint between the lever 90A and the actuation element 8.
Preferably, the transverse rod 93 comprises an arm 98 which comes into contact with the button 4, in particular with the lower surface of the button 42. In an advantageous embodiment, there is a pair of arms 98, 98' side by side.
In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in the figures, there are two levers 90A opposite each other with respect to the pin-holder support 80, each comprising a pin 91. It will be appreciated that the two levers 90A may be hinged at opposing ends of the switch.
For example, if a user pressed the left end of the button 4 illustrated in Figure 1 downwards, the two pins 91 would be urged and would rotate the pin-holder support 80, switching the position of the anchor 70. In this mechanism, the tilting stroke of the button 4 is given by the position of the two pins 91, in particular the pin 91 on the left will tend to rise while the pin 91 on the right will tend to lower, with respect to the initial position of Figure 1.
The invention thus solves the problem proposed, at the same time achieving a plurality of advantages. In particular, the electrical switch according to the present invention allows the tilting angle of the button 4 with respect to the actuation element 8 to be reduced, reducing the actuation force of the button, limiting the sinking and protrusion thereof and improving ergonomics. and the reliability with which the user operates the switch.

Claims

Electrical switch (1) comprising:
- a main body (2) comprising fixing portions (21) for connecting the electrical switch (1) to a support frame which can be fixed to a wall;

- a button (4) which is tiltably pivoted on the main body (2) and can be actuated by an operator using pressure;

- a switching mechanism (6) housed inside said main body (2) and designed so as to control the opening and closing of an electrical contact by an oscillation movement of a relative actuation element (8);

- an amplification mechanism (9) for amplifying the oscillation movement of the actuation element (8), said amplification mechanism comprising:
- a motion transformation element (90) connected to the main body (2), characterised in that said motion transformation element is jointed to the actuation element (8), said motion transformation element (90) being associated with said button (4), so as to constrain said button (4) to said motion transformation element (90) so that said motion transformation element (90) is urged by the tilting of the button (4) so as to move said actuation element (8) according to said oscillation movement.
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein said motion transformation element (90) comprises a pin (91, 91') and said button comprises an opening (45), or vice versa, said pin (91, 91') being coupled to said opening (45).
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 2, wherein said opening (45) is slot-shaped.
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 2 or 3, comprising two opposing pins (91), adapted to be inserted in a respective pair of openings (45).
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said switching mechanism (6) comprises a pin (60) which urges a movable contact (7) so that said contact can be moved from and towards a closed position on a fixed contact.
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 5, wherein said pin (60) is slidably housed in a pin-holder support (80) comprised in said actuation element (8).
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said motion transformation element (90) comprises a lever (90A) hinged to said main body (2).
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 7, wherein the lever (90A) comprises two longitudinal rods (92, 92') and a transverse rod (93), each longitudinal rod (92, 92') comprising a first end (94, 94') and a second end (95, 95').
Electrical switch (1) according to either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the lever (90A) comprises a lever slot (96, 96') which is positioned on each first end (94, 94') and is coupled to a relevant lateral projection (56, 56') of a button-holder (5) comprised in the main body (2).
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the lever (90A) comprises a raised lever portion (97, 97') which is positioned on each second end (95, 95') and is coupled to a respective lateral hole (57, 57') of the pin-holder support (80), said lateral hole (57, 57') preferably being configured as a slot so as to allow limited translations of the raised portion (97, 97') in said lateral hole (57, 57').
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transverse rod (93) comprises an arm (98, 98') which is in contact with the button (4).
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein there are two levers (90A) opposite each other with respect to the pin-holder support (80).
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 12, wherein said levers (90A) are constrained to said button (4) at opposite sides with respect to a fulcrum axis of said button (4), in such a way that the oscillation of the button (4) causes a downward movement of one lever and an upward movement of the other.
Electrical switch (1) according to claim 13, wherein each lever comprises a respective pin (91) configured to be housed in a respective opening (45) formed at opposing areas of the button (4) with respect to said fulcrum axis.
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin-holder support (80) comprises a projection (84) inserted into a respective cavity (53) of the main body (2).
Electrical switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 2, wherein said opening is formed on a lower surface (42) of the button (4).