GB2215132A - Electrical switch assemblies - Google Patents

Electrical switch assemblies Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2215132A
GB2215132A GB8803746A GB8803746A GB2215132A GB 2215132 A GB2215132 A GB 2215132A GB 8803746 A GB8803746 A GB 8803746A GB 8803746 A GB8803746 A GB 8803746A GB 2215132 A GB2215132 A GB 2215132A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electrical switch
housing
electrical
assembly
switches
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8803746A
Other versions
GB8803746D0 (en
Inventor
W P Holloway
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Creative Devices Research Ltd
Original Assignee
Creative Devices Research Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Creative Devices Research Ltd filed Critical Creative Devices Research Ltd
Priority to GB8803746A priority Critical patent/GB2215132A/en
Publication of GB8803746D0 publication Critical patent/GB8803746D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB1989/000162 priority patent/WO1989007829A2/en
Publication of GB2215132A publication Critical patent/GB2215132A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G9/04785—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/04703—Mounting of controlling member
    • G05G2009/04707—Mounting of controlling member with ball joint
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/0474—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
    • G05G2009/04744—Switches

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical switch assembly in the form of a joystick controller comprises a housing (10), a hand control or joystick lever (12) manually displaceable from outside the housing and serving to operate selectively a plurality of e.g. snap-acting electrical switches of the assembly, the electrical components e.g. (30, 35) of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing (10) of the assembly.

Description

ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY This invention relates to an electrical switch assembly, such as a joystick or other hand controller, for use for example in the control of video games and as a computer peripheral.
Joysticks and other hand controllers commonly utilise a plurality of micro-switches and such devices provide for a precise control and also give the user a desirable level of feedback or "feel". Commonly the joystick or other hand controller would include a number of individual micro-switches fitted separately to the body of the unit.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided an electrical switch assembly comprising a housing, a hand control element accessible from outside the housing and serving to operate a plurality of electrical switches of the assembly, the components of the switches being mounted directly to the housing.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a crosssection through a central portion of the base part of a joystick housing.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, there is shown a base part 10 of the housing for a joystick controller. The base part 10 is a generally flat member moulded from plastics material but is provided with integral projections and formations for mounting or supporting components of electrical switches of the assembly. The lower end of the joystick or control lever 12 is formed as part-spherical in shape and locates within a hemi-spherical recess 14 in the top of a boss 16 projecting from the base 10 at its centre. The joystick is further provided with a projecting flange 18 for actuating the four different electrical switches of the assembly according to the orientation to which the lever is displaced.
At 900 intervals around the central boss 16, the base part 10 is formed with upwardly projecting posts 20 having tops 22 which mount respective actuators 24.
A coil compression spring 26 is located between the underside of each actuator 24 and the base 10, being held in place on the base by integral projecting supports 28.
Each of the electrical switches also comprises a snap-acting leaf spring 30 mounted at its centre to the top of a support post 32 projecting upwardly from and integral with the base 10. One end of the leaf spring 30 is located between the top of the compression spring 26 and the underside of the actuator 24. The other end of the leaf spring 30 is, in the condition illustrated, located against the underside of a stop 34 projecting from and integral with the central boss 16.
In operation, each switch is actuated if the joystick is pivotted in an appropriate direction such that its flange 18 bears down onto the actuator 24 of that switch.
By thus displacing the actuator 24 downwards against the bias of its coil compression spring 26 and so displacing the corresponding end of the leaf spring 30 downwards, the latter "snaps" into its actuated disposition, wherein its other end mates with a common, annular contact 35 provided on a shoulder 38 of the central boss 16.
In the example shown, individual contacts for each switch may be positioned under the lower ends- of the coil compression spring 26. Instead, each support post 32 may comprise a separate conductive member mounted to the base 10.
In another arrangement, each leaf spring 30 may be arranged to bridge a pair of adjacent contact elements mounted sideby-side on the shoulder 38 of the boss 16.

Claims (7)

1. An electrical switch assembly comprising a housing, a hand control element accessible from outside the housing and serving to operate a plurality of electrical switches of the assembly, the one hand control element being displaceable to operate any selected one or more of the electrical switches and the electrical components of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing of the assembly.
2. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in calim 1, in which the electrical switches comprise micro-switches.
3. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which each electrical switch comprises a snap-acting contact spring and contacts for making with said contact spring, said contacts and contact spring being mounted directly to said housing.
4. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which each electrical switch comprises a return-spring biassing said contact spring towards a normal configuration, said return-spring being mounted directly to said housing.
5. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which each electrical switch comprises an actuator element directly mounted to said housing, said control element being arranged to bear on said actuator element which is in turn arranged to bear on said contactspring of the respective electrical switch to displace the contact spring to an actuated configuration thereof.
6. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, which is a joystick controller and said hand control element comprises a joystick lever pivotally mounted to said housing and arranged to actuate any one or more of said electrical switches according to the direction in which said joystick lever is displaced.
7. An electrical switch assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8803746A 1988-02-18 1988-02-18 Electrical switch assemblies Withdrawn GB2215132A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8803746A GB2215132A (en) 1988-02-18 1988-02-18 Electrical switch assemblies
PCT/GB1989/000162 WO1989007829A2 (en) 1988-02-18 1989-02-20 Electrical switch assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8803746A GB2215132A (en) 1988-02-18 1988-02-18 Electrical switch assemblies

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8803746D0 GB8803746D0 (en) 1988-03-16
GB2215132A true GB2215132A (en) 1989-09-13

Family

ID=10631931

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8803746A Withdrawn GB2215132A (en) 1988-02-18 1988-02-18 Electrical switch assemblies

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2215132A (en)
WO (1) WO1989007829A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1164607A2 (en) * 2000-06-02 2001-12-19 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Electric switch

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0540094A1 (en) * 1991-10-30 1993-05-05 Laboratoires D'electronique Philips S.A.S. Multidirectional control device
FR2685504A1 (en) * 1991-12-18 1993-06-25 Philips Electronique Lab Device for multidirectional controls, fitted with a micro-contactor

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB696816A (en) * 1950-06-09 1953-09-09 Ashley Accessories Ltd Improvements in or relating to snap-action electric switches
GB964119A (en) * 1962-04-10 1964-07-15 Maldon Cavendish Harley Mechanism for effecting selective operation of a number of micro-switches
GB1032495A (en) * 1964-03-26 1966-06-08 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Toggle action electric switch
GB1435697A (en) * 1972-09-02 1976-05-12 Lucas Electrical Ltd Electrical switches
GB2005919A (en) * 1977-09-08 1979-04-25 Petri Ag A quick-acting switch for automotive vehicles
GB2065371A (en) * 1979-12-11 1981-06-24 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Electrical switch
GB2148600A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-05-30 Singer Co Switch
EP0205726A2 (en) * 1985-06-08 1986-12-30 Hal Laboratory Inc. Image controlling method and device for carrying out the same

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB579542A (en) * 1943-05-26 1946-08-07 Igranic Electric Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric snap action switches of the multiple circuit controlling type
US3731013A (en) * 1972-01-07 1973-05-01 C Nightengale Switch control means
US3828148A (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-08-06 Otto Engineering Multi-position electrical switch and spring biasing means for universal-type actuator

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB696816A (en) * 1950-06-09 1953-09-09 Ashley Accessories Ltd Improvements in or relating to snap-action electric switches
GB964119A (en) * 1962-04-10 1964-07-15 Maldon Cavendish Harley Mechanism for effecting selective operation of a number of micro-switches
GB1032495A (en) * 1964-03-26 1966-06-08 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Toggle action electric switch
GB1435697A (en) * 1972-09-02 1976-05-12 Lucas Electrical Ltd Electrical switches
GB2005919A (en) * 1977-09-08 1979-04-25 Petri Ag A quick-acting switch for automotive vehicles
GB2065371A (en) * 1979-12-11 1981-06-24 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Electrical switch
GB2148600A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-05-30 Singer Co Switch
EP0205726A2 (en) * 1985-06-08 1986-12-30 Hal Laboratory Inc. Image controlling method and device for carrying out the same

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1164607A2 (en) * 2000-06-02 2001-12-19 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Electric switch
EP1164607A3 (en) * 2000-06-02 2002-02-13 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Electric switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1989007829A2 (en) 1989-08-24
WO1989007829A3 (en) 1989-12-14
GB8803746D0 (en) 1988-03-16

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)