FR3078818A1 - BISTABLE DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bistable device comprising a base (1) fixed, a handle (2), a finger (3), integral with the handle (2), arranged between the handle (2) and the base (1), substantially aligned with a first direction (T1). The handle (2) can be moved relative to the base (1), so as to move the finger (3) substantially in translation in the first direction (T1). A rocker (4) is arranged between the base (1) and the finger (3), comprising two vés (5a, 5b) facing the finger (3), a finger rest (3) in the first vé (5a ) tending to rotate the rocker (4) in a first direction (R1 +) and a finger rest (3) in the second vee (5b) tending to rotate the rocker (4) in a second direction (R1-) opposite in the first direction (R1 +) The rocker (4) further comprises at least two feet (6a, 6b), facing the base (1) and the base (1) comprises the same number of gutters (7a, 7b) feet, each gutter being adapted to accommodate one of said feet (6a, 6b) rotatably.

Description

BISTABLE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bistable device. Such a device can occupy two distinct and advantageously maintained positions. A joystick, advantageously monostable, allows, advantageously by means of the same maneuver, to modify the position of the device in order to pass from the first position to the second or from the second position to the first position. Each position of the bistable device can store a state, such as a state of connection / disconnection of an electrical contact.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART It is known, for example from FR 364525 or from EP 0505682, to produce a bistable device.

As illustrated in Figure 1, such a device comprises a fixed base c, a lever a, a finger f and a rocker h. The finger f is integral with the handle a, disposed between the handle a and the base c, substantially aligned with a first direction T1. The lever a is able to be moved, relative to the base c, so as to move the finger f substantially in translation in the first direction T1. The rocker h, arranged between the base c and the finger f, comprises two ves k, k ’facing the finger f. The rocker h is articulated relative to the base c by means of a single and fixed axis d.

The lever a, and with it the finger f, can move in a first direction T1 and is returned to the high position. The flip-flop h is initially in a first position in which the first vé k is opposite the finger f. A first downward press on the lever causes a displacement of the finger f which comes to bear on the opposite vee, here the first vee k. Pressing the finger f in the first vee k tends to rotate the lever h in a first direction R1 + until it reaches a second position in which the second vé k ’is opposite the finger f. A second downward press on the lever causes a displacement of the finger f which comes to bear on the opposite vee, maintaining the vee k ’. Pressing the finger f in the second vé k ′ tends to rotate the lever h in a second direction R1- opposite to the first direction R1 +. In doing so, the flip-flop h is returned to its original position, as shown in FIG. 1, the first vee k being again opposite the finger f. The same operation of the lever thus makes it possible to move the rocker h alternately from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.

Figure 2 illustrates a similar device comprising a fixed base 1, a lever 2 comprising a return means 21, a finger 3 and a rocker 4. The rocker 4 comprises two ves 5a, 5b. The rocker 4 is articulated relative to the base 1 by means of a single and fixed axis 9.

Such an arrangement, with an axis d, 9 of single and fixed rotation, has the effect that the support exerted by the finger f, 3 is necessarily aligned with the axis d, 9. There follows a risk blocking mechanism. This risk is generally avoided by allowing the finger f, 3 to be offset relative to the axis d, 9 of single rotation. This is obtained by means of a rotation and / or deformation of the finger f, 3 and of a shape of the ves k, k ', 5a, 5b such that they guide the end of the finger f, 3 towards the bottom of the vé k, k ', 5a, 5b offset relative to the axis d, 9 of single rotation. However, this remedy requires a minimum length of the ve k, k ’, 5a, 5b and correspondingly a minimum length of the finger f, 3 and of the stroke of the finger. These minimum lengths lead to a significant minimum height of the device. This minimum height, by its importance, is detrimental to the integration of such a bistable device.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION The bistable device of the invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art and aims in particular to propose a bistable device presenting no risk of blocking and being in a reduced height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a bistable device comprising a fixed base, a handle, a finger, integral with the handle, disposed between the handle and the base, substantially aligned with a first direction, the lever being able to be moved, relative to the base, so as to move the finger substantially in translation in the first direction, a rocker, disposed between the base and the finger, comprising two ves facing the finger, a support of the finger in the first vee tending to rotate the rocker in a first direction and pressing the finger in the second vee tending to rotate the rocker in a second direction opposite to the first direction. According to an important characteristic the rocker further comprises two feet, facing the base and the base comprises two gutters each capable of receiving one of said feet in a rotary manner.

Such an arrangement allows the rocker to rotate around a first axis of rotation materialized by a foot in contact with a homologous gutter. During its rotational movement, the rocker puts one foot in its gutter, the other foot in its gutter, or both. When the scale has its first foot in contact with its gutter, the first axis of rotation coincides with the first foot. When the scale has its second foot in contact with its gutter, the first axis of rotation coincides with the second foot. Also, with the change of foot, the first axis of rotation moves parallel to itself in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

This advantageously makes it possible to increase the lever arm of the finger support in a vee relative to the first axis of rotation. This lever arm reduces the force that the finger must exert to rotate the rocker. In other words, this lever arm advantageously makes it possible to increase the reduction between the force applied to the lever and the torque obtained on the rocker. At constant effort, this makes it possible to reduce the stroke of the finger and therefore the stroke of the lever and / or the height of the rocker and thus the total height of the device in the first direction.

According to another characteristic, the gutters, the feet and the vee are spaced apart in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, so that the rocker rotates, relative to the base, around a first substantially perpendicular axis of rotation. to the first direction and to the second direction.

According to another characteristic, the distance between the gutters is substantially equal to the distance between the feet, in the second direction.

According to another characteristic, the distance between the feet is strictly less than the distance between the ves, in the second direction.

According to another characteristic, the relative arrangement of the feet and the ves of the rocker and the stroke of the finger are such that the rotation of the rocker obtained by pressing the finger in the first vee tends to place the second vee opposite the finger in rest position: substantially aligned with the first direction, and the rotation of the rocker obtained by pressing the finger in the second vee tends to place the first vee opposite the finger in the rest position.

According to another characteristic, the lever is substantially symmetrical relative to an axis of symmetry, substantially aligned with the first direction.

According to another characteristic, the lever comprises a return means tending to move the lever away from the lever.

According to another characteristic, the finger is able to be moved, relative to the lever, in rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis.

According to another characteristic, the finger comprises a return means in the rest position.

According to another characteristic, an internal edge of a vee is shaped so as to guide the finger towards a bottom of the vee.

According to another characteristic, the lever comprises at least one return means tending to place the lever in one of its extreme rotational positions.

According to another characteristic, the rocker further comprises a cam capable of driving a member capable of occupying two positions depending on the position of the rocker, rotatable along a third axis substantially parallel to the first axis or translating in a third direction substantially parallel to the second direction.

According to another characteristic, the member makes an electrical connection when it is in its first position and an electrical disconnection when it is in its second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other innovative characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description below, provided for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1, already described, illustrates a bistable device according to the prior art, Figure 2, already described, illustrates another bistable device according to the prior art, Figure 3 illustrates the problem posed by a rocker having a single axis of fixed rotation, FIG. 4 illustrates the principle of the solution according to the invention, FIG. 5 illustrates, in front view, an embodiment of the bistable device of the invention, FIG. 6 illustrates, in front view, a embodiment of a rocker, FIG. 7 illustrates, in perspective view, the rocker of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 illustrates, in front view, an embodiment of a finger, FIG. 9 illustrates, in view perspective, the finger of FIG. 8, FIGS. 10a-d illustrate, in front view, the sequence of action of the finger on the lever.

For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT In Figure 3 is shown a finger assembly 3 / rocker 4 according to the prior art. The rocker 4 of the prior art has only a single axis of rotation R1, here materialized by a single foot capable of turning in a gutter. Also when the finger 3 comes into a vee, here the second vee 5b, the line of action of the finger 3, merging with the axis of the finger 3, is substantially aligned with a line connecting the axis of rotation R1 with the bottom of vé 5b. It follows a very small reduction in the transformation of the movement of the finger 3 in the first direction T1 in rotation of the rocker 4, and even a risk of blocking in the event of exact alignment, which may occur due to the dispersion of the manufacturing dimensions and tolerances.

In order to solve this problem, according to an important characteristic of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 4, the rocker 4 comprises two feet 6a, 6b and the base 1 comprises two gutters 7a, 7b counterparts. The feet 6a, 6b are arranged so as to face the base 1. In other words, the feet 6a, 6b are arranged on the rocker 4 on the side opposite to the ves 5a, 5b. The gutters 7a, 7b are arranged so as to each be able to accommodate one of said feet 6a, 6b.

The shape of a foot 6a, 6b and the shape of a gutter 7a, 7b are such that a foot 6a, 6b in contact with a gutter 7a, 7b can rotate relative to the gutter 7a, 7b. For this, a foot 6a, 6b has for example a form of outgoing dihedral, while the gutter 7a, 7b has a reheating dihedral with a larger opening. Alternatively, a foot 6a, 6b has, as illustrated, an outgoing circular shape, while the gutter 7a, 7b has a re-entrant dihedral or, as illustrated, a re-entrant circular shape, of diameter substantially equal to or greater than that of a foot.

When a foot 6a, 6b is in contact with its homologous gutter 7a, 7b, the rocker 4 rotates around an axis R1 merging with the (center of) foot 6a, 6b.

This advantageous configuration allows the rocker 4 during its rotational movement, to change the foot 6a, 6b in support and thus change the position of the axis R1 of rotation. Depending on its position, the rocker 4 has one of the ves 5a, 5b opposite the finger 3. The rocker 4 is then supported on the foot 6a, 6b furthest from the vé 5a, 5b presented. Thus in the position illustrated in Figure 4, the rocker has the second vee 5b and is supported on the first foot 6a. In its other position, the lever has the first vee 5a and is supported on the second foot 6b. This makes it possible to reveal in the line of action of the finger 3 a large lever arm 10 which increases the reduction in proportion and avoids any risk of blockage.

For the other aspects, the bistable device according to the invention is identical to one of the bistable devices of the prior art as previously described. As illustrated in FIG. 5, it comprises a fixed base 1, a lever 2, a finger 3 and a rocker 4.

The finger 3 is secured to the handle 2 by its proximal end 31. The finger 3 is disposed between the handle 2 and the base 1 and is substantially aligned with a first direction T1.

The handle 2 is adapted to be moved, relative to the base 1, so as to move the finger 3 substantially in translation in the first direction T1. For this, the handle 2 is able to be moved either in a direction translation T1 or in an axis rotation perpendicular to the direction T1.

The lever 4 is disposed between the base 1 and the finger 3. The lever 4 comprises two ves 5a, 5b facing the finger 3. The ves 5a,

5b are shaped and arranged in such a way that pressing the finger 3 in the first vee 5a tends to rotate the rocker 4 in a first direction R1 + and that pressing the finger 3 in the second vee 5b tends to make turn lever 4 in a second direction R1- opposite to the first direction R1 +.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the gutters 7a, 7b, the feet 6a, 6b and the ves 5a, 5b are spaced apart in the same second direction T2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction T1. Thus the movement of the lever 4, relative to the base 1, describes a rotation around a first axis R1 of rotation substantially perpendicular to the first direction T1 and to the second direction T2, ie perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 5.

The position of the first axis R1 is advantageously variable in that it coincides with the (center of) foot 6a, 6b in contact with the gutter 7a, 7b.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the distance between the gutters 7a, 7b is substantially equal to the distance between the feet 6a, 6b. These distances are measured along the second direction T2. This allows each of the feet 6a, 6b to be housed in its counterpart 7a, 7b homologous during the rotation of the rocker 4.

In order to avoid any risk of blocking, the distance between the feet 6a, 6b should be strictly less than the distance between the ves 5a, 5b, these two distances being measured along the second direction T2.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the relative arrangement of the feet 6a, 6b and the ves 5a, 5b of the lever 4 and the stroke of the finger 3 are such that the rotation of the lever 4 obtained by pressing the finger 3 in the first vee 5a tends to place the second vee 5b opposite the finger 3 in the rest position. The finger 3 is in the rest position when it is substantially aligned with the first direction T1. Thus when the finger 3 returns to the rest position, after having made a press in the first vee 5a, said press has caused a rotation of the rocker 4 such that the second vee 5b is now opposite the finger 3. Thus a new pressing finger 3 will meet the second v 5b.

Conversely, the rotation of the lever 4 obtained by pressing the finger 3 in the second vee 5b tends to place the first vee 5a opposite the finger 3 in the rest position. This gives the bistable device reversibility.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lever 4 is substantially symmetrical relative to an axis S1 of symmetry, substantially aligned with the first direction T1. It follows that the ves 5a, 5b have substantially symmetrical shapes and arrangements relative to the axis S1 of symmetry. It also follows that the feet 6a, 6b have substantially symmetrical shapes and arrangements relative to the axis S1 of symmetry.

According to another characteristic, the lever 2 comprises a return means 21 tending to move the lever 2 away from the lever 4. Thus the lever 2 is monostable. The lever 2 is typically operated by a support, typically manual, according to T1, from top to bottom in the plane of FIG. 5. This support is opposed to the return means 21 and drives the finger 3 in a movement bringing it closer to the rocker 4. When the pressing on the lever 2 ceases, the return means 21 returns the lever 2 to its high or rest position and with it the finger 3 in its rest position.

According to another characteristic, in order to be able to better offset and come into one of the ves 5a, 5b, the finger 3 is able to be moved, relative to the lever 2, in rotation about a second axis R2 substantially parallel to the first axis R1.

Alternatively, the offset function can be achieved by deformation of the finger 3.

According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10, a rotation of the finger 3 can be achieved, like the rotation of the rocker 4, by means of two lobes 34 , 35, comparable to the two feet 6a, 6b, cooperating with two homologous gutters produced in the handle 2, comparable to the two gutters 7a, 7b.

For a finger 3 adapted to be rotated, a return means 33 advantageously allows to return the finger 3 in the rest position.

It appears in the figures and more particularly in Figure 5, that the finger 3 in the rest position, substantially centered, is not exactly opposite a bottom 5af, 5bf of a vee 5a, 5b. Also according to another advantageous characteristic, an internal edge 5ai, 5bi of a vee 5a, 5b is shaped so as to guide the finger 3 towards the bottom 5af, 5bf of the vee 5a, 5b. This characteristic advantageously benefits from the possibility of moving the distal end 32 of the finger 3 by means of a rotation or a deformation.

According to another characteristic, the lever 4 comprises at least one return means 41 tending to place the lever 4 in one of its extreme positions of rotation. This return means 41 makes it possible to strengthen the bi-stability of the lever 4 by immobilizing the lever 4 in its two positions. It also provides a resistant force at the start of rotation of the rocker 4 which, transmitted by the lever 2, provides the operator with a tactile sensation. On the contrary, at the end of rotation the return means 41 accompanies the movement by reducing the maneuvering effort. This allows an acceleration of the end of the maneuver achieving a brief trigger.

According to another characteristic, the rocker 4 further comprises a cam 42 capable of driving a member capable of occupying two positions depending on the position of the rocker 4. The cam 42 can equivalently be replaced by a fork. The member driven by said cam / fork 42 can move in rotation around a third axis substantially parallel to the first axis R1 or in translation in the second direction T2.

Thus, the device of the invention makes it possible to transform a substantially translational movement in the first direction T1 into a rotational movement around a third axis perpendicular to the first direction T1 or into a translational movement in a perpendicular direction to the first direction T1.

According to another characteristic, the member driven by the lever 4, or the lever 4 itself, makes an electrical connection when it is in its first position, corresponding to an extreme position of the lever 4 in rotation, and an electrical disconnection when it is in its second position, corresponding to the other extreme position of the rocker

4. This feature allows the realization of a switch. In another embodiment, the device acts as a generator of energy from the actuation of the rocker.

The stroke C of the lever 2 and the finger 3 is advantageously limited by a stop.

Figures 6 and 7 detail an embodiment of the rocker

4. FIGS. 8 and 9 detail an embodiment of finger 3.

FIGS. 10a-d illustrate the successive stages of an actuation sequence of the lever 4 by the finger 3.

Initially, in Figure 10a, the flip-flop 4 is in one of its two stable extreme angular positions. It has, opposite finger 3, a vee, here the second vee 5b and is supported on the foot furthest from the vee 5b presented, ie the first foot 6a. This characteristic makes it possible to provide a large lever arm 10 which maximizes the reduction of the forces. Finger 3 is in the rest position.

As illustrated in Figure 10b, pressing the lever 2 moves the finger 3 by bringing it closer to the lever 4. The distal end 32 of the finger comes into contact with the internal edge 5bi of the vee 5b which guides said distal end 32 as far as the bottom 5bf of vee 5b. This is possible because the finger can rotate or deform.

10c illustrates that, once the bottom 5bf of the vee reached by the finger 3, the support by the finger 3 begins to rotate the rocker 4 around the first foot 6a, until, substantially half angular stroke, the second foot 6b in turn come into contact. The gap between the vee 5b and the support foot, now 6b, is reduced and with it the reduction. However, the inclination of finger 3 more than compensates for this reduction in reduction.

The movement continues in Figure 10d. During the end of the race, the rocker 5 is only supported on the second foot 6b. The lever arm remains large due to the relative inclination between the finger 3 and the rocker 4. At the end of movement, as illustrated in FIG. 10d, the rocker 4 is in the other of its two extreme angular positions stable. It has the first vee 5a and is supported on the second foot 6b.

By designing a rocker according to the prior art having a single fixed axis of rotation, maneuverable with a low force of the order of 6 N, it appears a limit of total height of the complete device of 16 mm below which the risks of blocking become too great.

All other things being equal, a scale according to the invention, comprising two feet 6a, 6b, advantageously makes it possible to reduce this total height to 13 mm without risk of blocking and maneuverable with the same effort. In this case the stroke C of the handle is between 2 and 3 mm. As an indication, the angular movement of the rocker 4 10 is of the order of +/- 15 °.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a reduction coefficient, between the force applied to the lever 2, substantially equal to 6 N, and the force or torque exerted by the lever 4, between 0, 5 and 1.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention, by combining for example the different characteristics above taken alone or in combination, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. Bistable device comprising a fixed base (1), a handle (2), a finger (3), integral with the handle (2), disposed between the handle (2) and the base (1), substantially aligned with a first direction (T1), the handle (2) being able to be moved, relative to the base (1), so as to move the finger (3) substantially in translation in the first direction (T1), a rocker ( 4), disposed between the base (1) and the finger (3), comprising two ves (5a, 5b) facing the finger (3), pressing the finger (3) in the first vee (5a) tending to rotate the rocker (4) in a first direction (R1 +) and press the finger (3) in the second vee (5b) tending to rotate the rocker (4) in a second direction (R1-) opposite to the first direction (R1 +), characterized in that the rocker (4) further comprises at least two feet (6a, 6b), facing the base (1) and in that the base (1) comprises the same number of gutters (7a, 7b) than feet, each gutter being able to receive one of said feet (6a, 6b) in a rotary manner. 2. Device according to claim 1, where the gutters (7a, 7b), the feet (6a, 6b) and the vee (5a, 5b) are spaced apart in a second direction (T2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (T1) , so that the rocker (4) rotates, relative to the base (1), around a first axis (R1) of rotation substantially perpendicular to the first direction (T1) and the second direction (T2). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the gutters (7a, 7b) is substantially equal to the distance between the feet (6a, 6b), in the second direction (T2). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance between the feet (6a, 6b) is strictly less than the distance between the ves (5a, 5b), in the second direction (T2). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relative arrangement of the feet (6a, 6b) and the ves (5a, 5b) of the rocker (4) and the stroke of the finger (3) are such that the rotation of the rocker (4) obtained by pressing the finger (3) in the first vee (5a) tends to place the second vee (5b) opposite the finger (3) in the rest position: substantially aligned with the first direction (T1), and the rotation of the rocker (4) obtained by pressing the finger (3) in the second vee (5b) tends to place the first vee (5a) opposite the finger (3) in the rest position. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lever (4) is substantially symmetrical relative to an axis (S1) of symmetry, substantially aligned with the first direction (T1). 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lever (2) comprises a return means (21) tending to move the lever (2) away from the rocker (4). 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, where the finger (3) is able to be moved, relative to the lever (2), in rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis (R1) . 9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the finger (3) comprises a return means (33) in the rest position. 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an internal edge (5ai, 5bi) of a vee (5a, 5b) is shaped so as to guide the finger (3) towards a bottom (5af, 5bf ) of vé (5a, 5b). 5 11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rocker (4) comprises at least one return means (41) tending to place the rocker (4) in one of its extreme positions of rotation. 12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the rocker (4) further comprises a cam (42) capable of driving a member capable of occupying two positions as a function of the position of the rocker (4), rotatable along a third axis substantially parallel to the first axis (R1) or translating in the second direction (T2). 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the member makes an electrical connection when it is in its first position and an electrical disconnection when it is in its second position.