GB2088134A

GB2088134A - Miniature Slide Switch

Info

Publication number: GB2088134A
Application number: GB8133909A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Cavis Cavetti Isolati SpA
Current assignee: Cavis Cavetti Isolati SpA
Priority date: 1980-11-21
Filing date: 1981-11-10
Publication date: 1982-06-03
Also published as: FR2494895A1; PL233919A1; ES261535Y; YU267881A; IT8023459V0; ES261535U; BR8107652A; DE3145393A1

Abstract

The switch comprises a box- shaped body 1 in the inside thereof there are formed housings for holding fixed blade terminals 2, and contoured members 3, 3' effective to cause a pin 5 to assume two or more stable equilibrium positions relative thereto, on operation of a push button 6 movable relative to the box-shaped body 1, against the biassing of a spring 12, end bearing inter- connected movable contacts 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Miniature Slide Switch The present invention relates to a miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, operated by a camming movement or drive.

As it is known, presently there is a great trend to miniaturization of the components of electric circuits in general, in order to reduce the size and cost.

It is also known that this trend is also developing in the autovehicle field, therein the available spaces are necessarily restrained.

More specifically, in the case of switches provided for autovehicle applications it is required, in addition to a reduced size, a suitable resistance against impacts and vibrations, in order to assure, also during the running of the vehicle, the closure or opening condition of a circuit.

Summary of the Invention The thereinabove mentioned requirements are advantageously met by the miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, according to the present invention.

This switch, in fact, is characterized in that it comprises a box-shaped body, in the inside thereof there are formed, at a wall thereof, housings, for holding corresponding fixed blade terminals and, at the opposite wall, contoured portions, mutually mating and effective to cause a pin to assume two or more stable equilibrium positions, said pin being rigid with a push-button prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body, against the biassing of a spring, and bearing interconnected movable contacts.

Brief Description of the Drawings The aforesaid and other characteristics of functional and constructional nature, of the miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, according the the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section view illustrating the switch according to the present invention fig. 2 is another vertical cross-section, rotated through 900, representing that same switch; and figs. 3 and 4 illustrate two mated contoured portions or members, effective to cause the pushbutton of the switch to assume two or three stable positions.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the miniaturized switch of the sliding contact type, according to the present invention, consists of a box-shaped body 1, preferably of square plan.

At the inner face of one of the walls of the boxshaped body, there are formed housing for holding corresponding fixed terminals 2.

At the inner face of the wall opposite to the thereinabove mentioned wall, there are formed contoured portions or members 3 or 4, which define an inner recessed surface.

Within said recessed surface there is located a further contoured portion or member, respectively indicated at 3' and 4', effective to cause a pin 5, as biassed from the bottom, or drawn from the top, to assume two (Fig. 3), or three (fig. 4), stable equilibrium positions.

Said pin is restrained in a transversely extending slot, formed in the box-shapeel body 1 and it is rigid with a push-button 6, prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body, under the biassing of a spring 12.

The push-button bears, at corresponding positions to those of the fixed terminals 2, corresponding blude contacts 7.

That same push-button, moreover is provided with an encompassing cap 8, on the middle portion 9 thereof, either transparent or translucid, there is co-printed an ideogram, effective to indicate the type of the switch.

This ideogram or mark can be illuminated either by a light guiding cable 10, or by a lamp, preferably through a screen 11, either opaque or coloured, the position thereof, with respect to the light source, is suitably depending on that of said push-button.

From the above description and the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the great functionality and use facility characterizing the miniaturized switch according to the present invention are self evident.

Claims

1. Miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, characterized in that it comprises a boxshaped body, in the inside thereof there are formed, at a wall thereof, housing for holding corresponding fixed blade terminals and, at the opposite wall, contoured portions, mutually mating and effective to cause a pin to assume two or more stable equilibrium positions, said pin being rigid with a push-button prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body, against the biassing of a spring, and bearing interconnected movable contacts.

2. A miniaturized switch, according to the preceding claim characterized in that it comprises a box-like body, preferably of square plan, at the inside face of one of the walls of said box-shaped body there being provided housings for holding corresponding fixed terminals.

3. A miniaturized switch, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that in said box-shaped body, at the inside face of the opposite wall to said wall, there are formed contured portions effective to define a recessed inner surface therein is housed a further contoured portion or member effective to cause a pin, as biassed from the bottom, or drawn from the top, to assume two or three or more stable equilibrium positions.

4. A miniaturized switch according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin is restrained in a cross slot, as formed in said box

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Miniature Slide Switch The present invention relates to a miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, operated by a camming movement or drive. As it is known, presently there is a great trend to miniaturization of the components of electric circuits in general, in order to reduce the size and cost. It is also known that this trend is also developing in the autovehicle field, therein the available spaces are necessarily restrained. More specifically, in the case of switches provided for autovehicle applications it is required, in addition to a reduced size, a suitable resistance against impacts and vibrations, in order to assure, also during the running of the vehicle, the closure or opening condition of a circuit. Summary of the Invention The thereinabove mentioned requirements are advantageously met by the miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, according to the present invention. This switch, in fact, is characterized in that it comprises a box-shaped body, in the inside thereof there are formed, at a wall thereof, housings, for holding corresponding fixed blade terminals and, at the opposite wall, contoured portions, mutually mating and effective to cause a pin to assume two or more stable equilibrium positions, said pin being rigid with a push-button prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body, against the biassing of a spring, and bearing interconnected movable contacts. Brief Description of the Drawings The aforesaid and other characteristics of functional and constructional nature, of the miniaturized switch, of the sliding contact type, according the the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section view illustrating the switch according to the present invention fig. 2 is another vertical cross-section, rotated through 900, representing that same switch; and figs. 3 and 4 illustrate two mated contoured portions or members, effective to cause the pushbutton of the switch to assume two or three stable positions. Description of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the miniaturized switch of the sliding contact type, according to the present invention, consists of a box-shaped body 1, preferably of square plan. At the inner face of one of the walls of the boxshaped body, there are formed housing for holding corresponding fixed terminals 2. At the inner face of the wall opposite to the thereinabove mentioned wall, there are formed contoured portions or members 3 or 4, which define an inner recessed surface. Within said recessed surface there is located a further contoured portion or member, respectively indicated at 3' and 4', effective to cause a pin 5, as biassed from the bottom, or drawn from the top, to assume two (Fig. 3), or three (fig. 4), stable equilibrium positions. Said pin is restrained in a transversely extending slot, formed in the box-shapeel body 1 and it is rigid with a push-button 6, prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body, under the biassing of a spring 12. The push-button bears, at corresponding positions to those of the fixed terminals 2, corresponding blude contacts 7. That same push-button, moreover is provided with an encompassing cap 8, on the middle portion 9 thereof, either transparent or translucid, there is co-printed an ideogram, effective to indicate the type of the switch. This ideogram or mark can be illuminated either by a light guiding cable 10, or by a lamp, preferably through a screen 11, either opaque or coloured, the position thereof, with respect to the light source, is suitably depending on that of said push-button. From the above description and the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the great functionality and use facility characterizing the miniaturized switch according to the present invention are self evident. Claims

4. A miniaturized switch according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin is restrained in a cross slot, as formed in said box like body, and is rigid with a push-button, prismatically coupled to said box-shaped body against the biassing of a spring, suid push-button bearing, at positions corresponding to those of the fixed contacts, a corresponding number of blade contacts.

5. A miniaturized switch, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said push button is provided with an encompassing cap, on the middle portion whereof, either transparent or translucid, there is preferably co-printed in ideogram, said ideogram being effective to be illuminated both from a light guiding cable and a lamp, preferably through a screen, either opaque or coloured, the position whereof, with respect to the light source, depends on that of said push button.

6. A miniature switch substantiallyas hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.