FR2678767A1 - SWITCH OR ROCKER KEY, ACTUATED BY A PUSH BUTTON, FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS. - Google Patents

Abstract

In this switch / button comprising a housing (2), a push button (4), a switching button (16), a first elastic return element (18) for the switching button, a contact rocker (38) and a second resilient return element (44) for the contact rocker, the switch housing (2) and / or the switch push button (16) have retaining means (30, 32, 34), using of which the switching pushbutton (16) and the first elastic return element (18) are blocked against falling out of the switch housing (2), even when the pushbutton (4) is withdrawn. Application in particular to domestic electric lighting installations.

Description

The present invention relates to a switch

  key, actuated by a push button for ins-

  domestic electrical installations, comprising a housing, a push button, a switching push button, a first elastic return element for the switching push button, a contact rocker and a second return element

  elastic for the contact rocker.

  Electric switches for installations

  domestic tions are used, as is known, to re-

  link or interrupt current paths connected by

  example to light sources or electrical devices

  In principle, this can happen in two ways.

  niers, namely either according to a switching operation

  according to key operation In the function

  switching actuation, upon actuation, the posi-

  The switching position of a switch changes from the open position to the closed position or vice versa, and the new switching position is retained until the next actuation. Contrary to this, the switching position of a button is i.e. a switch operating as a button, changes only as long as it is actuated and returns by itself to its initial position

as soon as it is no longer activated.

  In general the two modes of operation in switch and in key are obtained in the form of two

  different devices But by combining these two functions

  ions in one device you can get benefits

  important Thus, one can obtain a more

  tional -in the context of a suitable construction In addition, storage is simplified and it suffices to use, for mounting for two purposes of use, a model which is set, if necessary, on the switch function

or on the key function.

  For many applications, we also use

  also switches / keys with indirect lighting

  I térieur, for example in order to be able to distinguish the device in the dark or to indicate the respective switching state For this purpose, it is possible to have, below the surface of the

  push button, a light source that can be connected

  correspondingly, for example an ef-

  fluves It is obvious that the advantages indicated above

  of a meeting of different functions in an ele

  uniform basic values are further increased when it is also possible to switch from the off state to the on state

  (and vice versa) with the same device.

  The main requirements for development

  The basis of the invention therefore consists in producing a switch / button, which can be adjusted to the

  choice of switch operation and function

  key operation, without having to replace elements or use them in addition, and which can be

  further possibly equipped with a light source for

  before being placed below the surface of the push button

  evening, this light source having to be replaced

  simply by removing the push button,

  that is to say without dismantling other elements or even the whole

  switch housing ble For capacity issues

  city of simpler realization and because of the behavior-

  In operation, a device should not be used.

  snap-on positive with snap-in system

  attached to a cam, but a rocking device.

  In conventional rocker devices installed in push button actuated switches for domestic installations according to the state of the art, a switching push button is used to transmit the compression movement of the push button

  toggle and toggle the latter by one posi-

  in the other, each time the button is pressed

  button so that the switching button can receive

  to return to its initial neutral position after each action

  it is pushed back by means of a spring against sur-

  corresponding guide faces in the push button.

  Both the switch and the spring are

  maintained by means of the push button inserted in the bo -

tier.

  Such known rocking devices are not suitable

  therefore do not apply to switches, in the-

  which the push button should be able to be easily removed

  and in safe operation, for example for the replacement

  cementation of the light source or for the replacement of the push button by such a button of another color, given that after the removal of the push button, the switching push button and the associated spring as well as, depending on construction, also other elements

  can take a free position in the housing of the

  mutator or in the push button and fall or else, in a way caused by the spring, to be able even

  be ejected Therefore, when removing the button-

  push, these free parts should be handled with

  extreme and meticulous precautions And on-

  everything, until they have been reassembled, they should be stored securely in any location, which would not always be easy in the environment of an assembly station, which corresponds to difficult conditions, and in addition, there would be the risk that reassembly would be

  not performed correctly and therefore affects safety

operating rity.

  This is why, a main object of the present invention is to propose a switch or a key of the type described above, in which on the one hand no part is journalled in the push button and on the other hand,

  no part can fall out of the switch housing while

  before and after removing the push button.

  This problem is solved in accordance with the invention in a device of the type indicated above thanks to the fact

  that the switch housing and / or the switch

  tion comprise retaining means, with the aid of which the switching pusher and the first return element

  elastic are blocked against any fall h o r S of the box

  switch, even when the push button is removed. According to another characteristic of the invention,

  in the switch housing can be arranged, above

  under the push-button, in order to light up this light at will

  deny, a light source, which can be removed and / or

  inserted after removal of the push button only from

  shot from the manipulation side of the switch or button.

  According to another characteristic of the invention,

  the light source is a corona or incandescent lamp

usual in commerce.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, said retaining means comprise at least one retaining cam disposed on the switching pusher and at least one projecting wall, which is disposed on the switch housing, so that, when the button- button is removed, the retaining cam meshes with the projecting wall and retains the switching button in the switch housing. According to another characteristic of the invention,

  the retaining means comprise at least one bu cam

  tee disposed on the switch housing and at least one abutment surface formed on the switching pusher so that, when the push button is removed, the abutment cam comes to bear against the abutment surface and

  retains the switching button in the control box

  mutator. According to another characteristic of the invention, in the switching pusher is formed a housing, in which the first elastic return element is mounted so as to be held in its position on the pusher.

  switching even when the push button is removed.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, for switching between switch operation and key operation, the suspension point of the second elastic return element can be moved, in the switch housing, between a first location, for which we have two stable positions for the rocker of

  contact, and a second location, for which we only have-

  a stable position for the contact rocker.

  According to another characteristic of the invention,

  the suspension point of the second elastic return element

  tick is located on a pivotally mounted lever in the box

switch tier.

  According to another characteristic of the invention,

  the suspension point of the second elastic return element

  tick is located on a pusher mounted so as to be

  can be placed in the switch housing.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, to limit a force to be applied to the contact rocker from the push button, at least one area of the switching push button is arranged so as to yield elastically in the direction of impact so that '' a necessary contact pressure can be produced by the

  contact rocker, while higher forces may

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the switching pusher has two U-shaped arms (56), which are absorbed in the switching pusher, which yields elastically. 'extend laterally with respect to the impact direction and together form an approximately oval recess. According to another characteristic of the invention,

  the first reminder element for the switch

  tion is a branch spring, which has two branches, which at an elbow of the spring form an angle between them in the range between 30 and 90 degrees and which each again constitute a spring with

  branches, the branches of which make each other respective-

  ment, at an elbow of the spring, an angle in the range between 60 and 120 degrees, so that the two branch springs, which each constitute a

  branch of the spring assembly, cross symmetrical-

  is lying. According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one of the three elbows of the spring has one or more

several turns.

  Other features and advantages of the pre-

  sente invention will emerge from the description given below

  after reference to the accompanying drawings, on the-

which:

  figure 1 shows a representation in pers-

  pective of the essential part of an example of realization

  tion of a switch / button according to the invention,

  carrying a push button protruding upwards and elements shown partially in section;

  Figure 2 provides a schematic illustration

  tick of the operation of the embodiment of Figure 1, in the switch operation;

  Figure 3 shows a representation which cor-

  corresponds to Figure 2 and in the case of key operation; and FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show an advantageous embodiment of a switch switch

according to the invention.

  The exemplary embodiment, which is represented in FIG. 1, of a switch / button according to the invention represents a box 2 and a push button 4 extracted from the case S 1 above P or ir Do not load the representation by unimportant details for the invention, the switch housing is shown in a simplified manner It is obvious that this housing

  can be fitted with additional elements for terminals

  nes electric, its mounting in wall sockets, etc., as is usual and known.

  The push button 4 has a guide sleeve.

  dage 6, which fits into a cavity 8 of the boot of the

  mutator, which is adapted to the dimensions of the sleeve In the cavity 8, there may be a light source 10, for example a commercially available corona lamp comprising a bayonet fixing system and the

  base and terminals (not shown) can be reali-

  in a known way If we introduce the push button,

  the hollow guide sleeve 6 engages over the source

  this of light so that the latter just applies

  quer near the surface 12 of the push button and

  can light up the push button from inside.

  On the switch housing 2 is installed a boot 14 used to house a switching push button 16 and a spring 18 used as an elastic return element for the switching push button The external closing wall of the boot 14 of the push button is shown in view

  The switching push-button 16 is assembled

  to be mobile in its case 14 and is pushed back by the spring 18 of the switching plunger in the direction of the

  push button 4 The switching push button 16 works

  binds, by its part facing the push-button, beyond the edge of the switch housing and is applied by

  a surface 20 against a surface 22 provided in a cor-

  corresponding to the push-button, when the latter is inserted The spring 18 of the switching push-button, on the particular form of which we will return later in more detail, is supported by means of branches 24 on bearing surfaces 26 of the shoemaker 14 of the plunger and by an elbow 28 of the spring on the switching plunger 16, in

housing 30.

  In order that the switching push-button 16 cannot fall or be ejected by the spring of the switching push-button even after the push-button has been removed, in accordance with the invention, special retaining means are provided. In the example of embodiment described, these means are provided in duplicate On the one hand, the switching pusher 16 has two lateral retaining cams 32, which limit the movement of the switching pusher in

  direction of the push button, as soon as they meet

  protruding kings 34, arranged in a corresponding manner,

  pusher housing On the other hand, the housing 2 of the switch

  tor has a stop cam 36, which engages in a

  groove 7 made in the switching button

  nure 37 extends from the surface 20, approximately over half the height of the switching plunger and forms, at this point, with its end, an abutment surface 37 a for the abutment cam 36 (see FIG. 4 b ) The spring 18 of the switching plunger cannot also be ejected elastically since on the one hand its

  elbow 28 is mounted in the housing 30 of the com pusher

  mutation (see Figure 4 a) and secondly, even in the case of a differently arranged switching pusher, the spring would be retained, at its branches 24, by the projecting walls 34 of the housing of the pusher present conditions, it is obvious that the embodiments, described here, of the retaining means can be further modified by the specialist within the framework of the

  scope of the invention Thus, for example, it would

  likely to provide, on the switching pusher, retaining cams which do not abut against a side wall, but against an upper closure plate of the pusher housing, or else one could choose other

  positions for cams and stops.

  In FIG. 1, we can also recognize a low-

  contact block 38 and two contacts 40 a and 40 b fixedly mounted on the switch housing The contact lever 38 is mounted so as to be able to tilt on a blade 42, which

  simultaneously constitutes a current supply element.

  A switching spring 44, which is used as an elastic return element for the contact lever 38, is held, by one of its ends, on a hooking point 46 on the contact lever 38 and by its

  other end, on an attachment point 48 in the box

  tier 2 of the switch In the device shown, the contact lever 38 is permanently attracted, by the switching spring 44, in one of two possible stable positions, in abutment against a contact 40 a or against

the other contact 40 b.

  To obtain better guidance and better support for the push button, in the embodiment

  shown here, two identical sets are provided

  taking a pusher housing, a switching pusher and a spring of the switching pusher, on two opposite sides of the switch housing, the second device having no switching function It is however absolutely not necessary to provide a second device , which can be replaced by a device of another type or

  even be completely deleted Furthermore, it is natu-

  actually also possible to equip the second device

  also a contact rocker, so that two sys-

  Switching contact temes are present in the same

switch housing.

  Referring to Figures 2 and 3, we will explain in more detail the operation of the switch or button and the switching possibilities, provided in accordance with a second embodiment, between the switch operation and the key operation.

  The schematic representation of Figure 2 cor-

  responds to switch operation The two suspension points 46 and 48 of the switching spring 44 are located approximately opposite each other by

  relative to blade 42 so that depending on the position

  tion taken by the switching spring, the contact lever 38 can be brought to one side in abutment against the contact 40 a or on the other side against the contact 40 b, which provides two stable positions A or B for the toggle

  The contact lever 38 is located in the po-

  position A and establishes a conductive connection between the

  sheet 42 and contact 40 a If the button is then actuated

  push-button for switching, the push-button

  mutation 16 is therefore pushed back against the contact rocker 38 The switching pushbutton meets one side of an edge 50 in the form of a roof of the contact rocker, slides along this edge until it stops and makes

  switch the contact rocker 38 in the se-

  in stable position B, indicated by a line formed by dashes, in which a conductive connection is established

  between blade 42 and contact 40 b If we release again

  following the push button, the spring 18 of the push button

  mutation pushes the switch 16 into its po-

  initial position Since the contact rocker 16 is now held by the switching spring 44

  in position B, the switching button is now

  above the other side of the roof-shaped ridge

  , so that the contact rocker is brought back to

  calf, similarly, in position A, when

  subsequent pressing of the push button.

  To carry out the second operation, i.e.

  say the key operation, make sure that

  only one more stable position is obtained for the lower

  contact cule 38, this is achieved by the fact that the

  suspension point 48 of the switching spring 44 is

  wedged in the housing of the actuator to a position such that, in all possible positions, the contact rocker is always driven in this direction by the spring

  switching In the schematic representation of the fi-

  gure 3, the suspension point 48 is offset in the direction of contact 40 a so that position A constitutes the position

  stable position If the push button is pressed, the push button

  switching evening 16 pushes the contact rocker 38 against the contact 40 b, that is to say in position B. But since position B is no longer stable, the contact rocker is brought back again into the initial position A as soon as the push button is no longer pressed, and consequently the device works as a key. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension point 48 of the switching spring 44 is arranged so that it can be moved in the housing 2 of the switch. For this purpose, like this

  is shown in figure 3, in the switch box

  There is provided a lever 52 which, by being easily ac-

  transferable from the outside of the switch box

  can be switched to two corresponding positions

  dantes Contrary to this, it is also possible to use, instead of the lever 52, a pusher 54, as shown in

  Figure 1 Therefore, you can adjust the switching

  key / touch in a simple way, by moving a pusher or by

  moving a lever, either on the switching operation

  or on key operation.

  In the case of the use of a rocker device in the key operation, as is carried out in accordance with the invention, it must be ensured that this device cannot be loaded more strongly, by the pressure of the pusher switching, only in the case of switch operation Given in fact

  that, when operating as a switch, it suffices to

  the contact rocker beyond neutral by means of the switching button, after which the rocker is

  automatically drawn to the other position by the res-

  switching spell, which allows to limit in a cor-

  corresponding to the movement of the push button, it is necessary, during operation as a switch, that the contact rocker is pushed back by the switching push button on the contact In the case of using a rigid push button

  usual switching, the force, which is exerted on the bou-

  your push-button, is transmitted directly to the scale of

  contact and there is a risk of damage to the device

  rocking device For this reason, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, it is proposed to produce the switching plunger so that it yields in the direction of impact, and this so that the pressure of necessary contact can be produced, but higher forces are absorbed by the

switching button.

  FIGS. 4 a and 4 b represent a possible embodiment of a switching pusher which, in this way, starts from the housing 30 for the spring 18 of the switching pusher and on the other hand to from the side of a groove 37 The switch 16 'has two

  U-shaped arms 56, which extend laterally relative to

  port to the axis of impact and form an oval recess 58 Therefore, one obtains, at the level of the arms 56 in the shape of a U, a zone which yields elastically and for which the required characteristics of elasticity can be adjusted by means of

  appropriate sizing and appropriate choice of material

  It is obvious that the arms 56 can be used

  read simultaneously as restraints and replace

the retaining cams 32.

  Another problem, which had to be eliminated in the context of the development of the present invention, resides in the narrow space conditions which are fixed by existing standards and prescriptions.

  a commercially available light source in the box

  switch tier below the push button it is

  necessary to provide an extreme switching device

  narrow because, next to the light source,

  also have a place for the switch

  tion and the spring of this pusher within the limits of

  mensions of the push button Since the known springs of switching push buttons were too large in this respect, it was necessary, in accordance with the invention, to create the new configuration, which is reproduced in the figures

  1, 2, 3 and 4 a, of the spring 18 of the switching plunger.

  This preferred configuration of the push button spring

  mutation can be described as being formed by a res-

  spell with branches which comprises two branches which, at the level of the elbow 28 of the spring, form an angle between them in a range between 30 and 90 degrees and which both again form respectively a branch spring, the branches of which form between them , respectively at the level of the spring, an angle situated in the range between 60 and degrees, so that the two branch springs which each constitute a branch of the whole of the spring intersect symmetrically In addition, each of the three elbows thus formed of the spring can have one or more

turns.

Claims (11)

  1 Switch / button operated by a button-   push button for domestic electrical installations,   comprising a housing (2), a push button (4), a push-button   switching evening (16), a first elastic return element (18) for the switching plunger, a contact rocker (38) and a second elastic return element (44) for the contact rocker, characterized in that the housing (2) of the switch and / or the switching pusher (16) comprises retaining means (30, 32, 34, 36, 37 a), with the aid of which the switching pusher (16) and the -first elastic return element (18) are blocked against any falling hor S of the housing (2) of the switch,   even when the push button (4) is removed.   2 switch / button according to claim 1, characterized in that in the housing (2) of the switch can be arranged, below the push button (4), in order to illuminate at will the latter, a light source ( 10), which can be removed and / or inserted after removal   only from the push button (4) from the handling side   lation of the switch or key.   3 switch / button according to claim 2, characterized in that the light source (10) is a   standard corona or incandescent lamp in the com- thank you.   4 Switch / button according to any one of   claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said means   retaining elements comprise at least one retaining cam (32) disposed on the switch plunger (16) and at least one projecting wall (34), which is disposed on the housing   (2) of the switch, so that when the push button   evening (4) is removed, the retaining cam (32) meshes with   the projecting wall (34) and retains the switch   tion (16) in the switch housing (2).   5 Switch / button according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for   retainers comprise at least one stop cam (36)   placed on the switch housing (2) and at least one   abutment surface (37a) formed on the switch   tion (16) so that, when the push button (4) is removed, the stop cam (36) comes to rest against the   abutment surface (37 a) and retains the switch   tion (16) in the switch housing (2).   6 Switch / button according to any one of   claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in the push-   switching evening (16) is formed a housing (30), in which the first elastic return element (18) is mounted so as to be held in its position on the   switch (16), even when the push button evening (4) is removed.   7 Switch / button according to any one of   claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for the communication   between switch operation and operation   button operation, the suspension point (48) of the second elastic return element (44) can be moved, in the switch housing (2), between a first location,   for which there are two stable positions (A, B) for the bottom-   contact block (38), and a second location, for which there is only a stable position (A) for the rocker contact (38).   8 switch / button according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension point (48) of the second elastic return element (44) is located on a lever   (52) pivotally mounted in the switch housing (2).   9 switch / button according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension point (48) of the second elastic return element (44) is located on a pusher (54) mounted so as to be movable in the housing (2) of the switch.   Switch / button according to one of the res-   dications 1 to 9, characterized in that to limit a force to be applied to the contact rocker (38) at   from the push button (4), at least one area of the push button   switching evening (16) is arranged to yield elastically in the direction of impact so that a necessary contact pressure can be produced by the   contact rocker, while higher forces may   can be absorbed in the switch, which gives in elastically.   11 switch / button according to claim 10,   characterized in that the switching button (16) has   sedes, for the formation of said part which yields elastically, two U-shaped arms (56), which extend laterally by   impact direction and together form an   roughly oval (58).   12 Switch / button according to any one of   claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first   return element (18) for the switching plunger (16) is a branch spring, which has two branches, which, at a spring bend, form an angle between them in the range between 30 and 90 degrees and both of which again constitute a spring to   branches, the branches of which make each other respective-   ment, at an elbow of the spring, an angle in the range between 60 and 120 degrees, so that the two branch springs, which each constitute a   branch of the spring assembly, cross symmetrical-   is lying. 13 Switch / button according to claim 12,   characterized in that at least one of the three elbows of the res-   sort has one or more turns.