FR2895830A1 - Electrical apparatus for use in e.g. wall housing, has recess, part and guide pins arranged such that planes normal to support and median to recess and part, and guide pins, respectively, are cut by straight line equidistance from pins - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (1) has selector switches (3) including a body fixed to a flat mechanical support (2) e.g. power plug, by tapered guide pins (4). A driver (9) e.g. toggle lever, has a cap passing through an opening (8) of the support. A recess and a pivoting part belong to the respective driver and the body, where the recess and the part are opposed from one another with respect to the driver. The recess, part and the pins are arranged such that planes normal to the support and median to the recess and the part, and the pins, respectively, are cut by a straight line equidistant from the pins.

Description

1

  FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of electrical appliances. The invention more particularly relates to electrical apparatus comprising a control member passing through an orifice of a flat mechanical support. Electrical appliances with such controls are common in many applications. It may be for example a switch with a tilting control key, pivoting or working to depression. BACKGROUND ART GB 584 163 discloses a switch comprising a control button which has on its surface an indicator corresponding to one end of a light guide whose other end is positioned facing a light source. arranged in the body of this switch.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to improve this type of electrical apparatus by proposing such an electrical apparatus which follows current trends in the miniaturization of apparatus and the concentration of several control members in a space. more and more reduced. For this purpose, the invention is directed to an electrical apparatus comprising: a flat mechanical support; a body fixed to the flat mechanical support by two fixing elements; a control member having an operating member passing through an orifice of the flat mechanical support; two pairs of conjugate guiding members, with each pair having a guiding member belonging to the control member and a guiding member belonging to the body, said pairs being opposite each other relative to each other; to the control member; characterized in that the two pairs of guide members and the two fastening elements are arranged so that the plane normal to the flat and middle mechanical support at the pairs of guide members and the plane normal to the flat and median mechanical support the fastening elements intersect in an equidistant line of the fastening elements. 2

  The flat mechanical support of the electrical apparatus allows, in a conventional manner, the mounting of the apparatus in a housing provided for example in a wall or in a machine. In this configuration, the characteristics of the electrical apparatus according to the invention allow a reversibility of the body with respect to this flat mechanical support. Indeed, the reversal of the body of a half-turn around an axis perpendicular to the flat mechanical support is made possible while maintaining the same external appearance, that is to say the same position of the control member . Such an electrical apparatus can therefore comprise several bodies each provided with their control member, these bodies being able to be indistinctly mounted in one direction or the other, whereby several bodies can be mounted on a flat mechanical support of reduced area while keeping the freedom to position these bodies relative to each other optimally to, for example, leave free access to screws or fastening lugs for connecting the electrical device. According to a preferred feature, the electrical apparatus further comprises a light source and a light guide having a first end located near the light source, the actuating member having a bearing finger at the center of its free end. , the second end of the light guide. According to this characteristic, the turning of a body of an electrical apparatus relative to the flat mechanical support is made possible not only by maintaining the same position of the control member but also by maintaining the same position of the indicator light within the control organ.

  In one embodiment, the electrical apparatus is associated with a second electrical apparatus sharing the same flat mechanical support, the bodies of said electrical apparatus forming a pair of which each element is turned relative to each other by a half around an axis perpendicular to said flat mechanical support.

  According to a preferred characteristic, the electrical apparatus according to the embodiment described in the preceding paragraph is associated with a second electrical apparatus according to the same embodiment sharing the same flat mechanical support, said pairs being juxtaposed. 3

  According to other preferred features, taken alone or in combination: said finger has a drum and a cap mounted on the drum; the barrel has a central cylindrical recess and the cap has a hole at its free end; said straight line coincides with the longitudinal axis of the finger; said straight line corresponds to a central position around which the finger is adapted to pivot; - The light source is mounted on a printed circuit which is maintained vis-à-vis a window so that the light source is disposed in line with this window; a second light source is mounted on the printed circuit so that the first end of the light guide is adapted to take a first position vis-à-vis one of the light sources and a second position facing with respect to the other of the light sources, these first and second positions of the first end of the light guide respectively corresponding to two extreme positions of the control member; said light sources are of different colors and the window comprises a central partition wall; the printed circuit is perpendicular to the flat mechanical support. the first end of the light guide is beveled to present a facet parallel to the printed circuit; the control member comprises a holding stop for the first end of the light guide; the two pairs of conjugate guiding members are adapted to guiding the control member in rotation with respect to the body; - The control member is a tilting driver for electrical switch; the two pairs of conjugate guiding members are adapted to guide the control member in translation relative to the body; the control member is a push-button driver for an electrical switch; the two fastening elements comprise frustoconical studs; 4

  both fasteners have welds; the two fastening elements comprise rivets; the light source comprises a light emitting diode; the flat mechanical support is in the format of a built-in electrical outlet.

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention appear in the light of the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a front view of an electrical apparatus according to the invention, comprising a flat mechanical support and four bodies, the respective control member is pivotable and protrudes from the flat mechanical support; FIG. 2 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the actuator of one of the bodies fixed to the flat mechanical support; FIG. 3 is a rear view of the electrical apparatus of FIG. 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the electrical apparatus of Figure 1; - Figures 5 to 7 are perspective views of one of the bodies, provided with its operating member, the electrical apparatus of Figure 1 but detached from the flat mechanical support; - Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the control member mounted on the body of Figures 5 to 7; - Figure 10 shows in perspective the light source which is provided with the body of Figures 5 to 7; - Figure 11 shows in perspective a metal insert for the flat mechanical support of the electrical apparatus of Figure 1; - Figures 12 to 14 show in perspective a body provided with a push-button control member as a variant of the bodies of Figures 5 to 7; - Figure 15 shows in perspective the control member which is mounted on the body of Figures 12 to 14.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT According to the present example, the electrical apparatus 1 which is here described and which is seen from the front of FIG. 1 is a set of four switches that can be inserted into a wall. The electrical apparatus 1 thus comprises a flat mechanical support 2 intended to be fixed against the embedding wall. Four lever switches 3 are fixed on the flat mechanical support 2. The fixing of each switch 3 on the flat mechanical support 2 is made by means of two nubs 4 belonging to the switch 3 fitted in a complementary hole 5 of the flat mechanical support 2. The nipples 4 are arranged on either side of each switch 3. The nipples 4 can of course be replaced by rivets, screws, welds or any other fastener. The flat mechanical support 2 comprises on each of its edges an opening 6 in which can take place a metal insert 7 (two in number on the apparatus 1 of Figure 1) for receiving the screws for fixing the flat mechanical support 2. The flat mechanical support 2 comprises four lumens 8 centered between each pair of holes 5. Each of these lights 8 allows the passage of the trainer 9 of each of the switches 3, this trainer 9 being, in the present example, a lever tilting. The flat mechanical support 2 may be covered with a hubcap (not shown) leaving free a portion of the lights 8. Figures 3 and 4 show the rear of the electrical apparatus 1 and in particular the body 10 of each of the switches 3.

  As shown in the view of FIG. 3, the four switches 3 comprise a body 10 with a generally square profile, these four switches 3 being juxtaposed according to a profile that is also generally square defined by the four openings 6. Each switch 3 conventionally comprises three terminals 11 of 30 screw connection for the connection of the switch 3 to the electrical circuit it is supposed to switch. Each switch 3 is oriented so that the screws of its connection terminals 11 are accessible. Indeed, in Figure 3, the two switches 6

  3 of the bottom are mounted back to back so that the screws of the terminals 11 of the switch 3 of the left look to the left, while the screws of the terminals 11 of the switch 3 of the right look to the right. The same applies to the two switches 3 above the top of FIG. 3. These two pairs of switches 3, that of the top and the bottom, are thus juxtaposed so that a screwdriver can screw and unscrew each of the terminal screws. 11 of connection without being impeded by the other switches 3. Figures 5 to 7 show one of the switches 3 detached from the flat mechanical support 2.

  Referring to Figure 5, the switch 3 comprises a bowl 12 extending by three sleeves 13 for each receiving a terminal 11 screw connection (not shown in Figures 5 to 7). The bowl 12 comprises, on two of its opposite side walls, two notches 14. The driver 9 is pivotally mounted in the bowl 12 by means of its pivot pins 15 fitted into the notches 14. The pivot pins 15 of FIG. the coach 9 are also visible in Figures 8 and 9 representing the coach 9 alone. The bowl 12 has two lateral notches 16 for clipping the pivot pins 15 into the notches 14.

  The bowl 12 also comprises the switching elements of the switch 3 allowing, in a conventional manner, the opening or the closing of the circuit between the various terminals 11 of connection. In FIG. 5, the trainer 9 comprises a base 17 from which protrudes a cap 18 forming the rocker lever which the user will operate to actuate the switch 3. The cap 18 comprises, in the center of its free end, a light zone 19. The nipples 4 used to couple the switch 3 to the flat mechanical support 2 (see Figures 1 and 2) are also visible in this Figure 5. These frustoconical studs 4 project from the rim of the bowl 12 and extend parallel to the sleeve 13 The driver 9 is here represented in central position, that is to say that the cap 18 extends parallel to the sleeves 13, it being understood that the coach 9 can be adapted to take different positions, stable or otherwise, 7

  around this central position. For example, the cap 18 can take two stable end positions spaced at the same angle on either side of the central position shown in the figures. Figures 6 and 7 show the switch 3 of Figure 5, the cap 18 having been deposited. It appears in these figures that the trainer 9 comprises a barrel 20 projecting from the base 17. The barrel 20 comprises a longitudinal notch 21 forming a channel which is extended by two ribs 22 of the base 17. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a cylindrical and flexible optical fiber 23 is placed in this channel so that a first end of this optical fiber 23 is disposed on the side of the base 17 while a second end of this optical fiber 23 projects from the shank 20. The cap 18 can be placed on the barrel 20, for example by fitting, gluing, or screwing, so that the cap 18 covers the barrel 20 and the optical fiber 23 leaving only visible the light zone 19 corresponding to the second end of the optical fiber 23. The trainer 9 is positioned in the bowl 12 so that the first end of the optical fiber 23, when engaged in the ribs 22, is disposed opposite the a window 24 (see r Figures 5 and 6) made in a side wall of the bowl 12.

  Figures 8 and 9 show the driver 9 separated from the body 10 of the switch 3, the driver 9 being shown in these figures without the optical fiber 23. In Figure 8, a stop 25 is disposed on one of the ribs 22 and makes it possible to hold the optical fiber 23 in place against a rib 22, without it overflowing from the base 17 of the trainer 9.

  The optical fiber 23 is bevelled at its first end so as to have a flat surface substantially parallel to the wall in which the window 24 is made. The size of the window 24 and its shape, preferably oblong, are provided so that the first end of the optical fiber 23 is always opposite this window 24, even in the two extreme positions of pivoting of the trainer 9. Thus, whatever the angular position of the trainer 9, the first end of the optical fiber 23 is still visible through the window 24. 8

  The optical fiber 23 acts as a light guide for a light source constituted by the assembly of FIG. 10. This light source comprises a printed circuit 26 on which two light-emitting diodes 27 or any other compact light element are mounted. Two conductors 28 are connected to the printed circuit 26 for supplying the light-emitting diodes 27. The conductors 28 make it possible to supply the light-emitting diodes 27 directly from the circuit switched by the switch 3 or via an external supply circuit at switch 3.

  This printed circuit 26 is mounted in a housing 29 formed in the bowl 12 of the switch 3 (see FIG. 7). Elastic tongues 30 make it possible to keep the printed circuit 26 in its housing 29. The light-emitting diodes 27 are arranged on the printed circuit 26 so that, when the printed circuit 26 is in place in the housing 29, the light-emitting diodes 27 are vis-à-vis the window 24. Two light-emitting diodes are here used to occupy the opening of the window 24. More precisely, when the driver 9 is in one of its extreme angular positions, the first end of the optical fiber 23 is placed opposite one of the LEDs 27, and when the driver 9 is in the other of its extreme positions, this second end is placed in vis-à-vis on the other side of the light-emitting diodes 27. As a variant not shown, the two light-emitting diodes may have different colors and the window 24 may have a partition wall against its part h aute and its lower part. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a different color from the light zone 19 for different positions of the trainer 9. Thanks to the arrangement of the holes 5 of the plate 2 and the pins 4 of the switch 3, each of the switches 3 can be fixed on the flat mechanical support 2 in its position of FIGS. 1 and 3 or, indifferently, in a position after rotation of a half-turn so that the nipples 4 exchange their position in the holes 5. 9

  This feature, combined with the fact that the light zone 19 is in the center of the free end of the cap 18, provides an identical visual effect for the two mounting positions of the switch 3 on the plate 2. Various switches 3 can thus be mounted on a flat mechanical support 2 by juxtaposing them freely and taking advantage of this possibility of reversal of a half-turn to position them optimally, particularly related to the accessibility of terminals 11 connection. With reference to FIG. 2, the body of the switch 3 and the flat mechanical support 2 are arranged so that the plane PI, perpendicular to the flat mechanical support 2 and median to the pivoting pins 15, and the plane P2, perpendicular to the flat mechanical support 2 and median nipples 4, intersect in a straight line D which is necessarily perpendicular to the flat mechanical support 2 and which is, moreover, equidistant nipples 4, and more precisely the longitudinal axis of the nipples 4. On the top view of Figure 2, the planes PI and P2 are visible in projection in the form of straight lines, while the line D is visible in the form of a point. The flat mechanical support 2 can thus be provided with openings 6 in excess, insofar as the installation of the switches 3 on the flat mechanical support 2 and the metal inserts 7 (see FIG. 11) can be installed in the final phase of manufacture after that the orientation of the flat mechanical support 2 was determined as well as the angular orientation of the switches 3 within it. The necessary number of metal inserts 7 of Figure 11 can thus be installed only in the openings 6 which will be used for fixing the flat mechanical support 2, depending on the orientation that has been defined for it.

  FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate alternatively a switch 3 'that can also be mounted on the flat mechanical support 2. The elements common between this variant and the embodiment just described will have the same reference number followed by a premium. Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrating this variant correspond respectively to Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the embodiment described above. The switch 3 'has a body 10' formed of a bowl 12 'associated with two sleeves 13'. On the body 10 'is mounted a trainer 9' which, according to this 10

  variant, slide in the bowl 12 'parallel to the direction in which the sleeves extend 13'. The coach 9 'is here a push button. The actuating member of the trainer 9 'is thus a cap 18' carrying in the center of its free end a light zone 19 '. The driver 9 'has two sliding pins 15' adapted to slide along slides formed by windows 14 '. Nipples 4 'are also provided on the bowl 12' while the printed circuit 26 'is mounted in the housing 29' of the bowl 12 '.

  According to this variant, the window 24 'also has an oblong shape so that the first end of the optical fiber 23' is disposed opposite a first light-emitting diode 27 'when the driver 9' is depressed, and is disposed in vis-à-vis a second light emitting diode 27 'when the trainer 9' is released.

  Similarly, this variant implements pins 4 'and translation guide members (notches 14' and sliding pins 15 ') corresponding to the arrangement of Figure 2. Thus, when the switch 3' figures 12 to 15 is mounted on a flat mechanical support 2, the plane perpendicular to the flat mechanical support 2 and median windows 14 'and sliding pins 15' and the plane perpendicular to the flat mechanical support 2 and median nipples 4 'intersect in a line that is equidistant from the two pins 4 '. Other alternative embodiments of the electrical apparatus can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the switches 3 may be different in number and distributed differently on the flat mechanical support 2 while taking advantage of the possibility of reversal at 180 provided by the invention. Likewise, the switches 3 may comprise actuators 9 actuated other than by tilting or sliding, for example by rotation around a longitudinal axis.

  The connection terminals 11 may also be of a type different from the screw terminals of the present example, the possibility of turning the switches 3 to 180 can still be used for optimum arrangement of the switches on the flat mechanical support 2, according to FIG. other criteria. 11

  The integrated circuit may furthermore comprise any number of light-emitting diodes or other light sources fulfilling the lighting function of the first end of the optical fiber 23.

Claims (23)

  Electrical apparatus (1) comprising at least one switch and a flat mechanical support (2) provided with an orifice (8) for each said switch, which comprises a body (10) fixed to the flat mechanical support (2) by two fasteners (4); a control member (9) comprising an operating member (18) passing through the respective orifice (8) of the flat mechanical support (2), and two pairs of conjugate guiding members (14, 15), with each pair comprising a guiding member (15) belonging to the control member (9) and a guiding member (14) belonging to the body (10), said pairs being opposite each other with respect to the control member (9); characterized in that the two pairs of guide members (14, 15) and the two fastening elements (4) are arranged so that the plane (PI) normal to the flat mechanical support (2) and median to the pairs of guide members and the plane (P2) normal to the flat mechanical support (2) and median to the fastening elements intersect in a line (D) equidistant from the fastening elements (4).   2. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two said switches (3), which therefore share said flat mechanical support (2), these two switches (3) forming a pair of which each element is returned relative to each other a half-turn about an axis perpendicular to said flat mechanical support (2).   3. Electrical apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least four said switches (3), which therefore share said flat mechanical support (2), these four switches (3) forming two so-called couples, the two couples being juxtaposed.   4. Electrical device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a light source (27) and a light guide (23) having a first end located near the light source (27), a said operating member comprising a finger (18) carrying, at the center (19) of its free end, the second end of the light guide (23).   5. Electrical device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said actuator comprises a shaft (20) and a cap (18) mounted on the shaft (20).   6. Electrical apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the shaft (20) has a central cylindrical recess and in that the cap (18) has a hole (19) at its free end.   7. Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said straight line (D) coincides with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding actuating member (18).   8. Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said straight line (D) corresponds to a central position around which the corresponding actuating member (18) is adapted to pivot.   9. Electrical device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the light source (27) is mounted on a printed circuit (26) which is held in relation to a window (24) so that the light source (27) is arranged at the right of this window (24).   Electrical apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that a second light source (27) is mounted on the printed circuit (26) so that the first end of the light guide (23) is adapted to take a first position opposite one of the light sources (27) and a second position vis-a-vis the other of the light sources (27), these first and second positions of the first end of the light source (27), light guide (23) respectively corresponding to two extreme positions of the corresponding control member (9).   11. Electrical apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said light sources (27) are of different colors and in that the window (24) comprises a central partition wall.   12. Electrical device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the printed circuit (26) is perpendicular to the flat mechanical support (2).   13. Electrical device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the first end of the light guide (23) is beveled to present a facet parallel to the printed circuit (26).   14. Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that said control member (9) has a stop (25) for holding the first end of the light guide (23).   Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the two conjugate guide member couples (14, 15) are adapted for rotational guidance of a said control member (9) by relative to the corresponding body (10).   16. Electrical apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that a said control member (9) is a tilting driver for electrical switch.   Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the two conjugate guide member pairs (14, 15) are adapted for translational guiding of a said control member (9) by relative to the corresponding body (10).   18. Electrical apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that a said control member (9) is a push-button driver for electric switch.   19. Electrical device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the two fastening elements comprise frustoconical studs (4).   20. Electrical device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the two fastening elements comprise welds.   21. Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the two fastening elements comprise rivets.   22. Electrical apparatus according to one of claims 4 to 21, characterized in that the light source comprises a light emitting diode (27).   23. Electrical device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the flat mechanical support (2) is in the format of a plug 25.