FR2771848A1 - ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT CAN CARRY OUT MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE PUSH, BACK AND GO FUNCTIONS, WITH THE SAME BASIC PARTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical switch that can be used to perform functions such as the push button, back and forth, double back and forth, double push button, with the same basic parts. This switch comprises a mechanism comprising a rocker (24) capable of establishing contact between two terminals (15, 16), a lever (21) mechanically connected to the rocker (24) so that the rotation of the lever (21) causes the rotation of the rocker (24), an operating finger (47) capable of driving the lever (21) between a closed contact position between the two terminals (15, 16) and an open contact position, and a return spring (35) of the lever (21) in the open contact position. It is characterized in that the lever (21) is adapted so as to be able to be placed in the base (11) in two inverted positions by rotation of 180 ° relative to the longitudinal axis Z of the lever 21 and in that the base (11) of the mechanism M comprises a second bearing surface (61) capable of receiving the second end (35a) of the spring (35) when the lever (21) is in an inverted position relative to that in which the first surface support (60) is operative so that during the juxtaposition head to tail of two bases to perform the double-push function, the two levers are in the inverted position relative to each other, and are recalled in the second position by the spring, the two operating fingers (47, 47a) being located on the same side of the housing in the open contact position (15, 16) of each mechanism M.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical switch intended for

  establishing or interrupting the current inside an electrical circuit, of the type comprising a mechanism housed in a base comprising at least two terminals, said mechanism comprising a rocker mounted in rotation in the base around a first axis, said rocker being electrically connected to a first terminal and comprising a contact part capable of coming into contact with a contact part of a second terminal during the rotation of the rocker, a lever rotatably mounted inside the base around a second axis, said lever being mechanically connected to the rocker so that the rotation of the lever causes the rocker to rotate, an operating finger capable of driving the lever in rotation between a first position establishing contact between the two terminals and a second position interrupting said contact, and a spring comprising a first end bearing against a face of the lever and a second end bearing against a first support face of the base, said

  spring being able to return said lever to the aforementioned second position.

  The realization of the double pusher function used for example for the control of roller shutter requires to juxtapose two mechanism bases performing the pusher function, arranged head to tail so that the terminals of one of the mechanisms are located opposite those of the other mechanism. However, this "double push" function requires that the two control fingers are in the low position when in the two mechanisms, the contacts between the central terminal and one of the lateral terminals are open. Currently, the juxtaposition of two identical switches does not meet the above conditions because the return spring needs to be arranged differently, which implies an adaptation of the base and the lever. The mechanism and

  the base used are therefore different for the two juxtaposed switches.

  The present invention solves these problems and proposes an electric switch which can be used to perform functions such as the push button, back and forth, double va

  and comes, double pusher, etc, with the same basic parts.

  To this end, the present invention relates to a switch, this switch being characterized in that the lever is adapted so as to be able to be placed in the base in two positions inverted by rotation of 180 relative to the longitudinal axis of the lever. and in that the base of the mechanism M includes a second bearing surface capable of receiving the second end of the return spring when the lever is in an inverted position relative to that in which the first bearing surface is operative, so that when juxtaposing head to tail of two bases so as to achieve the

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  double push-button function, the two levers of the two mechanisms are in an inverted position with respect to each other, and are returned to the second position by the spring, the two operating fingers belonging to the two mechanisms being located in the same side of the housing in open contact position between the two terminals of each mechanism M.

  Advantageously, the first and second axes mentioned above are mutually parallel.

  According to a particular embodiment, the second bearing surface is arranged so

  symmetrical to the first with respect to the plane passing through the two aforementioned axes.

  According to a particular characteristic, the lever comprises two pairs of legs extending on either side of the longitudinal axis of the lever in opposite directions, said pairs being arranged so as to cooperate with the control finger respectively in the

two lever positions.

  According to a particular characteristic, the tabs extend parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to the second axis, the two tabs located on one side of the lever being located symmetrically with the tabs located on the other side of the lever relative at

second axis mentioned above.

  According to a particular characteristic, the lever comprises an arm extending perpendicular to said legs, said arm comprising a stud for centering the return spring. According to another characteristic, the lever comprises an orifice extending perpendicular to the aforementioned second axis and intended to receive a spring mounted in a socket, said socket being in elastic support on one or the other of two tongues belonging to the rocker and

  located on either side of the aforementioned first axis.

  According to another characteristic, the lever spring produces the contact force between the

toggles and terminals.

  Advantageously, all the terminals are aligned.

  But other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the

  detailed description which follows and refers to the appended drawings given only as a

example and in which

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  - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating a housing containing the mechanism of an electrical appliance, - Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating the different parts of the above mechanism, - Figure 3 is a view plan, illustrating the mechanism of a push button mounted in its support, - Figure 4 is a view identical to the previous one, illustrating the mechanism of a back and forth switch mounted in its support, - Figure 5 is a view in exploded perspective, illustrating a housing containing a mechanism known as a double pusher, - Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the above-mentioned mechanism alone, and

  - Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating the same mechanism.

  In FIG. 1, there is seen a box B containing the mechanism M of an electrical appliance which can be, for example, a bipolar switch, a permutator, a push-button, etc. This box B mainly consists of a box body 1 comprising a bottom wall 2 and four side walls 3 to 6, a cover 7 comprising an operating finger (not shown in this figure) of said electrical appliance, said cover 7 being intended to cover the box body 1 and a faceplate 8 intended to be removably attached to said cover 7. Two 3, 5 of the side walls 3 to 6 of the box body 1, opposite one with respect to the other , each have an opening 3a, Sa in one 3a of which is fixed a cable entry 9 intended to allow the passage of a cable inside the housing B. The aforementioned mechanism M is mounted in a support (or base 11) fixed inside the

  housing B, in the vicinity of one 4 of its side walls.

  As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2, this support 11 of the mechanism is formed by a base comprising a housing 1 la for the elements of the mechanism M, three recesses 12, 13, 14 intended to receive respectively three screw terminals 16, 15, 17 and means 18 for fixing the support 11 on the bottom wall 2 of the box body 1. This support 11 also includes a plate 19 intended to be fixed on the base 11 to the

  in the manner of a cover and comprising studs 20 for access to the terminal screws.

  Referring to Figures 2 to 4, we see that the basic mechanism M from which, according to the invention, several functions can be performed, namely the function A35 pusher, double pusher, the function back and forth, etc. ... mainly comprises a lever 21 associated with a spring 22 and a socket 23, as well as a rocker 24 and a spring

reminder 35.

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  This lever 21 is mounted to rotate about an axis X perpendicular to the bottom wall 2 of the box body 1. It is formed mainly by a body 25 of substantially parallelepiped shape, this body 25 comprising on two opposite faces 25a, 25b, respectively two studs 26, 27, intended to form the hinge axis X of the lever 21, and on each of the two other opposite lateral faces 25c, 25d, a pair formed by two legs (28, 29, and 30, 31) , extending perpendicularly to said faces from the ends of said faces. These legs (28 to 31) are mutually parallel and are arranged so that each of the legs 28, 29 of one of the faces 25d, is arranged symmetrically to another leg 30, 31 belonging to the other face 25c , relative to the X axis

formed by the studs 26.

  The last two opposite faces 25e, 25f, one relative to the other of the body 25 of the lever respectively comprise an orifice 32 and an arm 33 extending parallel one

  with respect to the other and to the aforementioned articulation axis X in opposite directions.

  The aforementioned orifice 32 is intended for housing the socket 23 housing the spring 22 while on the arm 33 is fixed a centering stud 36a, extending perpendicular to said arm 33. The rocker 24 is formed by a blade 42 folded along four fold lines. This blade 42 comprises a middle part 36 comprising in its middle an articulation element 37 housed in a recess 38 in the base 11, and two end parts 39, 40 extending parallel to one another, in a plane offset from the plane of the middle part 36, said end parts 39, 40 being intended to receive on their

  faces directed towards the middle part 36 a contact pad 41, 52.

  This blade 42 also comprises, on its face situated opposite that supporting the articulation element 37, two tongues 43, 44 extending at an angle of approximately with respect to the middle part 36 in the direction of the parts end 39, 40, these tabs 43, 44 being intended to cooperate with the socket 23 associated with the lever 21, as

this will be described later.

  The base 11 further comprises in its bottom wall 45, an orifice 46 intended for housing one of the studs 26 of the lever 21 forming a hinge pin, the other of the two studs being housed in a corresponding orifice belonging to the cover plate 19. An operating finger 47 is mounted inside the cover 7 of the housing so as to cooperate with

  one of the legs 28 to 31 of the lever 21, as described later.

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  It can also be seen that the base 11 includes a stop 48a capable of cooperating with the lugs 28 to 31 of the lever 21 in order to limit the rotational stroke of the latter between two extreme positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the contacts. Note also the presence of two facing bosses 48, 49, integral with the inner wall of the base 11 and intended to receive one of the ends 35a of the spring 35, the other end 35b of which is received by the centering stud 36a of the lever 21, this spring 35 being used only when the mechanism is used to perform the push function illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, the spring 35 is supported on the one hand, on the centralizer 36a of the lever 21, and on the other hand, on one of the bearing faces 60, 61 surrounding one of the bosses, said bosses 48, 49 of the base 11 positioning the spring 22 in alignment with the spring 35. Note also the presence on the base 11 of two stops 50, 51 (FIG. 3) intended to limit the stroke of the rocker 24 in order to prevent the bush 23 from coming out of its housing. In Figure 4, the switch performs the "back and forth" function. For this purpose, after the withdrawal of the return spring 35, a third terminal 17 has been added. Note the presence of a second contact pad 52

  on the other end part 40 of the rocker 24.

  In Figures 5 to 7, we see a housing housing a shutter control mechanism. To this end, this mechanism is of the double type because it consists of the juxtaposition in a single housing of two mechanisms M of the simple type, each performing the push function as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the bases of which are arranged head to tail. so that the terminals 15 to 17 of the two mechanisms are arranged opposite to each other. The two bases 11 are fixed in such a way that the axes of rotation X of the levers 21 are located on the same level, this being made possible by the reversibility of the bases. The parts of the mechanism are positioned so that the two control fingers 47, 47a in the "open contacts" position are in the low position. To this end, the same type of lever 21 is used to perform this function, the levers being in the inverted position relative to one another and the return spring in the two switches bearing on the two different surfaces 60, 61 of the pedestal, which is

  made possible by the reversibility of the levers and the base.

  The operation of the various mechanisms will be described below with reference to the figures and

  first of all in Figure 3 illustrating the push button switch.

  In this case of switch made with a single module, it will be possible to mount the mechanism M to the right or to the left of the housing depending on whether the connection wires are introduced from above or from below, depending on the wishes of the installer. In this embodiment, only two terminals 15, 16 are introduced into the base 11. It can be seen that the lever 21 is rotatably mounted in the housing, its two studs 26 being inserted respectively in the two corresponding recesses 46 of the base wall of the base 11 and cover

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  19. After introduction of the spring 22 into the socket 23, these two elements are introduced into the orifice 32 of the lever 21. The socket 23 is supported on one 44 of the tongues 43, 44 of the rocker 24, the latter being mounted articulated about an axis Y parallel to the axis X of the lever, by means of its articulation element 37 mounted in the recess 38 of the base. The balance position of the lever 21 defines the balance position of the lever 24 relative to the connection terminals 15, 16, 17, by means of the spring 22 housed in the orifice 32 of the lever 21 and that of the bush 23, which spring 22 exerts pressure on the tongue 44 of the rocker 24. The return spring 35 mounted between the centering stud 36a and the boss 49 recalls the lever 21 in its position corresponding to an open position of the contacts such that 'illustrated in Figure 3. In this position, when the user exerts pressure on the operating member 47, it drives one 31 of the legs of the lever 21, and the lever 21 rotates clockwise. The sleeve 23 then moves until it bears on the second tongue 43 of the rocker 24, which is then rotated counterclockwise, until the lever 21 is stopped in its race by the stop 48 cooperating with the tab 28, the contact pad 41 then being in contact with the contact element of the terminal 16, which has the consequence of closing the electrical circuit between the two terminals 15, 16. At the end of the action exerted on the operating member 47, the spring 35 recalls the lever 21 in a position corresponding to a

open position of the contacts.

  It will be noted that the rotation of the lever 24 is limited by the stops 50, 51, of the base 48.

  The mechanism illustrated in Figure 4 fulfills the "back and forth" function. It is identical to that shown in FIG. 3 except that on the one hand, a terminal 17 has been added thereto cooperating with a contact pad 52 fixed to the other end 40 of the rocker 24 and on the other hand , that the return spring 35 has been removed. In the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the contact is interrupted between the first 15 and the second 16 terminal, but it is established between the first 15 and the third terminal 17. The actuation of the operating finger 47 by the user causes switching the switch by driving the leg 31 of the lever clockwise. This results in a rotation of the lever 21 clockwise, which establishes contact between the pad 41 belonging to the rocker 24 and the terminal 16. Another action exerted on the operating finger 47 has the effect of bringing the lever back 21 in its starting position, the operating finger 47 pushing on the tab 30 with the same force in an opposite direction, thus establishing contact between the pad 52 and the third terminal 17. The function comes and goes with a identical contact pressure

  depending on whether rocker 24 makes contact with the left or right terminal.

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  In FIGS. 5 to 7, two mechanisms M have been associated, each carrying out the push-button function in order to perform the shutter control function corresponding to the double-push-button function. This function is obtained by appropriate mounting of the lever 21 and the return spring 35. Thus, the levers are arranged in their bases in two positions reversed by rotation of 180 relative to the longitudinal axis Z of the lever 2. The spring 35 is supported on one 60 of the support surfaces of the base, in the switch located on the right in FIG. 7 and on the other support surface 61 in the case of the second switch located on the left in the figure. Thanks to the symmetry of the lever 21 and the base 11, it is possible with the same parts to ensure that the rest position of the two fingers of the keys 47, 47a, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is on the same side of the base, the application of a force on the keys closing the contact, conditions necessary for the realization of this command. The two mechanisms taken individually work in the same way as previously described in relation to Figure 3, the operation of the association of

two will therefore not be redescribed.

  It will be noted that the central terminal 15 is wider than the one or two lateral terminals 16, 17,

  which makes it possible to obtain the polarization during assembly.

  It will also be noted that the two bearing surfaces 60, 61 respectively comprising the two bosses 48, 49 are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another with respect to the plane passing through the two axes X and Y. It will be noted also that the base 11 has in its bottom wall, on the one hand, two orifices 63, 64 provided for the passage of centralizing elements belonging to the mounting tool, which maintain the rocker 24 in the horizontal equilibrium position, and on the other hand, another opening 65 allowing the introduction of another mounting tool forming a guide, also intended to maintain the lever 21 in a position of equilibrium

horizontal.

  Thanks to the invention, a mechanism has therefore been produced which makes it possible, with the same basic parts, to carry out the functions of single-pole, double-pole switch, permutator, push-button, back and forth, double back and forth, direct or automatic shutter control. From the basic version, the other functions are obtained by adding or removing parts and by

  appropriate assembly of the lever and the spring, the shutter control is obtained.

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  The assembly of all contact parts, lever, spring and others is done

  vertically and therefore, the industrial means to be implemented are simplified.

  The symmetry of the parts and their standardization make it possible to obtain an optimized assembly line with a differentiation which is carried out on the last production station, on which the marking is carried out. The only difference between the central terminal and the lateral terminals is that on the first, there is no reported contact pad. All functions require only one

  terminal type. This terminal can be made by folding, by bar turning or other means.

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Claims (19)

  1. Electric switch intended to establish or interrupt the current inside an electrical circuit, of the type comprising a mechanism housed in a base comprising at least two terminals, said mechanism comprising a rocker mounted in rotation in the base around d a first axis, said rocker being electrically connected to a first terminal and comprising a contact part capable of coming into contact with a contact part of a second terminal during the rotation of the rocker, a lever rotatably mounted on the inside the base around a second axis, said lever being mechanically connected to the rocker so that the rotation of the lever causes the rocker to rotate, an operating finger capable of driving the lever in rotation between a first position establishing contact between the two terminals and a second position interrupting said contact, and a spring comprising a first end bearing against a face of the lever e t a second end in abutment against a first bearing face of the base, said spring being capable of returning said lever to the aforementioned second position, characterized in that the lever (21) is adapted so as to be able to be placed in the base (11) in two inverted positions by rotation of 180 relative to the longitudinal axis Z of the lever 21 and in that the base (11) of the mechanism M has a second bearing surface (61) capable of receiving the second end (35a) of the return spring (35) when the lever (21) is in an inverted position relative to that in which the first bearing surface (60) is operating, so that during the juxtaposition head to tail of two bases so as to perform the double-push function, the two levers of the two mechanisms are in an inverted position with respect to each other and are returned to the second position by the spring, the operating fingers (47, 47a) belonging to ux two mechanisms being located on the same side of the housing in the open contact position between the two terminals (15, 16) of each mechanism M. 2.- Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second axes   above mentioned XY are parallel to each other.   3.- Switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second bearing surface (61) is arranged symmetrically to the first (60) relative to the plane passing through the two aforementioned axes X, Y. 4.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lever (21) comprises two pairs of legs (28, 29 and 30, 31) extending on either side of the longitudinal axis Z of the lever (21) in opposite directions, said pairs being arranged to cooperate with the control finger (47) respectively in the two positions of the lever (21). 2771848   5.- Switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the legs (28 to 31) extend parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to the second axis Y, the two legs (28, 29) located on one side of the lever being located symmetrically to the tabs (30, 31) situated on the other side of the lever with respect to the aforementioned second axis Y.   6.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the   lever (21) comprises an arm (33) extending perpendicular to said legs (28 to 31),   said arm (33) comprising a centering stud (36a) of the return spring (35).   7.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the   two bearing surfaces (60, 61) of the base (11) each include a boss (48, 49) intended to allow the positioning of the spring (35) in alignment with the centering stud (36a) of the lever (21).   8.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the   base (11) comprises on its bottom wall (45), a stop (48a) cooperating with the tabs (28 to 31) of said lever to limit the rotation stroke of the lever (21) in one direction or the other.   9.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the   lever (21) comprises on two opposite lateral faces (25a, 25b), respectively two aligned studs (26) intended to be housed in two recesses (46) provided respectively in the bottom wall 45 of the base (11) and the cover of the base (19), said studs forming the   second aforementioned Y axis of articulation.   10.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the   lever (21) has an orifice (32) extending perpendicular to the aforementioned second axis Y and intended to receive a spring (22) mounted in a bush (23), said bush (22) being in elastic abutment on one or the other of two tongues (43, 44) belonging to the rocker (24) and located on either side of the aforementioned first axis X.   11.- Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the base (11) comprises at least one stop (50, 51) capable of limiting the rotation of the rocker (24).   12.- Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the base (11) has a recess (38) in which an articulation element (37)   of the rocker (24) is rotatably mounted. i t 2771848   13.- Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the base (11) has in its bottom wall (45) on the one hand, two orifices (63, 64) provided for the passage of centering means intended to maintain the rocker (24) in an equilibrium position horizontal and on the other hand, an opening (65) intended to allow the introduction of a guide intended to hold the lever (21) in a horizontal equilibrium position.   14.- Switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that it comprises a third terminal (17) able to cooperate after removal of the return spring (35) with a second movable contact part (40) of the rocker (24), so that the contact between the first (15) and the second terminal (16) is opened when the contact between the first (15) and the third terminal (17) is interrupted, thereby performing the "back and forth" function. 15.- Switch according to claim 14, characterized in that the lever (24) comprises an elongated blade (42) electrically connected in the vicinity of the middle of its length to the first terminal (15) and comprising two contact parts (39, 40) located on either side of the aforementioned midpoint, the two parts (39, 40) cooperating respectively with a second (16) and a third terminal (17) arranged on either side of the central terminal said first (15).   16.- Switch according to claim 10 and 15 characterized in that the spring (22) of the   lever (21) produces the contact force between the rocker and the terminals.   17.- Switch comprising two switches according to any one of claims 1   13, respectively comprising two levers (21) arranged in the two aforementioned inverted positions, said switches being juxtaposed and arranged head to tail so as to   carry out the "double push" function.   18.- Switch comprising two switches according to any one of claims   14 to 16, juxtaposed and arranged head to tail so as to perform the "double back and forth" function. 19.- Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that   all terminals (15 to 17) are aligned.