GB2459495A

GB2459495A - Switching apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2459495A
Application number: GB0807522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James Doyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Also published as: GB0807522D0

Abstract

There is discussed a switching apparatus operable in a first mode to interrupt the power supply to an associated electronic circuit only when a user engages the switching apparatus and in a second mode to switch between an ON state and an OFF state in response to user actuation. The switching apparatus is arranged to allow the user to determine between the first and second modes of operation.

Description

I

SWITCHING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a switching apparatus and has particular, but not exclusive, relevance to a dimmer switch for use in a lighting system in which a driving circuit dims a lighting device in response to operation of the dimmer switch. An example of such a driving circuit is a ballast circuit used to control a fluorescent lighting device such as a linear fluorescent light and a compact fluorescent light.

WO 2006/114577 discusses a lighting system in which a conventional ON/OFF light switch is used to control the brightness of a fluorescent light.

In particular, in WO 2006/1 14577 a momentary interruption of power caused by turning the conventional light switch off and then rapidly back on again is detected by a driving circuit, which in response enters a mode in which a driving signal is produced which cycles the brightness of the fluorescent light between low brightness and high brightness. When the fluorescent light is at the desired brightness, the user switches the light off in response to which the driving circuit stores the settings for the driving signal at that instant so that the desired brightness is reproduced when the light switch is switched on again.

While using a conventional light switch to interrupt momentarily the power supplied to the electronic driving device is satisfactory, the present inventor has recognised that operability would be improved if a light switch was provided which gave the user a better understanding of when the light switch was being switched off to enter the brightness cycling mode and when the light switch was being simply switched off.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a switching apparatus which is operable in a first mode to interrupt the power supply to an associated circuit only when the user engages the switching apparatus and in a second mode to switch between an ON state and an OFF state in response to user actuation, wherein the switching apparatus allows the user to determine between the first and second modes of operation.

In some embodiments, the switching apparatus comprises an actuating means which is movable by the user through a first range in the first mode of operation and through a second range, which is larger than the first range, in the second mode of operation. The switching apparatus may include a feedback means, e.g. causing a variation in resistant force to user actuation, to allow the user to distinguish between the first and second modes of operation.

Alternatively, the switching apparatus may have an actuating surface which is coupled to a lever arrangement such that a user engaging one portion of the surface is only able to move the actuating means through the first range whereas a user engaging a second portion of the surface, different from the first portion of the surface, is able to move the actuating means through the first range and the second range. In this way, the user is able to determine the mode of operation by selecting which portion of the actuating surface is engaged.

In other embodiments, the switching apparatus comprises first and second switching means arranged in series, the first switching means being used for the first mode of operation and the second switching means being used for the second mode of operation. In this way, a user determines the mode of operation by selecting the appropriate switching means.

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure IA schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure 1A; Figure 2A schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 2B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure2A; Figure 3A schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 3B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure 3A; Figure 4A schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 4B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure 4A; Figure SA schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 5B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure5A; Figure 6A schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure 6A; Figure 7A schematically shows a sectional view through a switching apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7B is a front view of the switching apparatus illustrated in Figure 7A.

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and lB. As shown, a switching apparatus I has a fascia panel 3 on which is mounted a switch actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a knob 5 which is coupled to a plunger 7 which is operable to separate two electrical contacts which are coupled to terminals 8.

In this embodiment, the actuating knob 5 looks like the knob of a traditional dimmer switch.

A primary spring 9 biases the plunger 7 in a direction towards the knob 5. In this embodiment, the plunger 7 and primary spring 9 act in a manner analogous to a conventional rotary push-onlpush off switch. In particular, pushing the knob 5 to move the plunger 7 initially separates the electrical contacts, and when the movement of the plunger 7 reaches about 2.5mm causes the rotation of a plastic contact carrier by 90 degrees which switches the switching apparatus 1 between an OFF state and an ON state. However, if the knob 5 (and accordingly plunger 7) is moved by less than 2.5mm then on the removal of user pressure the primary spring 9 returns the switch apparatus 1 to the state prior to user actuation.

According to the present invention, a secondary spring 11 is provided which is only engaged when the plunger 7 has been moved by a distance that is less than 2.5mm, e.g. 1mm. When engaged, the secondary spring 11 provides an additional resilient force opposing the further movement of the plunger 7.

This additional resilient force can be felt by the user, and provides an indication to the user that pushing the actuating knob 5 in further will cause the switching apparatus to switch between the ON state and the OFF state. In 4..

this way, if the user only wishes to interrupt the power supply momentarily then the user can push the knob 5 a short distance but stop pushing before the state of the switching apparatus I is changed, whereas a longer movement results in a switching of the state of the switch, with the secondary spring 11 providing feedback indicating when the state of the switching apparatus 1 is about to be changed..

Alternatively, the secondary spring 13 may be used in place of the secondary spring 11. Again, the secondary spring 13 is only engaged after the plunger 7 has been moved by about 1mm.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the switching apparatus 1 looks like a conventional dimmer switch. In a second embodiment, schematically illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, the switching apparatus 21 has a fascia 23 mounting an actuating knob 25 which looks like the touch-panel or touch-button of a "Touch-dimmer". In Figures 2A and 2B, components whose functions are identical in function to corresponding components of the first embodiment have been referenced by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail again.

It will be appreciated from Figure 2A that the switching apparatus 21 of the second embodiment works in substantially the same way as the switching apparatus of the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment In the first and second embodiments, the switching apparatus has a secondary spring which provides tactile feedback indicating that further movement of the plunger 7 will cause the switching apparatus to switch between the ON state and the OFF state. However, other mechanisms to provide tactile feedback could be used.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a third embodiment in which a switching apparatus 31 has a fascia panel 33 on which is mounted a first actuating knob coupled to the plunger 7. The first actuating knob passes through a hole in the middle of a second actuating knob 36. As shown, the switching apparatus 31 resembles a touch-panel.

The first actuating knob 35 extends beyond the second actuating knob 36 by a distance less than 2.5mm, e.g. 1mm. In this way, a user wishing to interrupt momentarily the power supply presses the first actuating knob 35 only until the user makes contact with the second actuating knob 36, whereas a user wishing to switch between the ON state and the OFF state presses both the first actuating knob 35 and the second actuating knob 36. In this embodiment, the secondary spring 13 is also provided to give extra tactile feedback.

Fourth Embodiment In the first to third embodiments, switching apparatuses are provided in which a user presses an actuating knob in a small distance in order to interrupt momentarily an electrical contact, and presses the actuating knob in a longer distance in order to switch between an ON state and an OFF state. Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention in which a lever mechanism is used such that a user pushing at one end of the lever is only able to move the plunger a short distance which is not sufficient to switch between the ON state and the OFF state, whereas the user pressing at the other end of the lever can move the plunger 7 a sufficient distance to switch between the ON state and the OFF state.

As shown, the switching apparatus 41 of the fourth embodiment had a fascia panel 43 mounting a dual-panel actuator 45 having a dimmer panel 45a and an ON/OFF panel 45b. The dimmer panel 45a is offset from the axis of movement of the plunger 7 so that pressing of the dimmer panel 45a is only able to cause limited movement of the plunger 7 insufficient to change the state of the switching apparatus 41. In contrast, the ON/OFF panel 45b is aligned with the direction of movement of the plunger 7 so that all movement of the ON/OFF panel 7 is transferred to the plunger 7 and the plunger 7 can move a sufficient distance to change the state of the switching apparatus 41.

In this embodiment, a spring 47 is included behind the dimmer panel 45a to bias the dimmer panel into contact with the fascia panel 43. Also, in this embodiment the secondary spring 13 is provided adjacent the ON/OFF panel 45b to give feedback as to when the state of the switching apparatus 41 is about to change.

Fifth Embodiment The switching apparatus 51 of the fifth embodiment is a modified version of the switching apparatus 41 of the fourth embodiment in which a fascia panel 53 mounts a single elongated panel actuator 55. One end of the panel actuator is adjacent the plunger 7 and is biased by the primary spring 9 in an outward direction, while a spring 57 at the other end of the panel actuator 55, and optionally a spring 59 at the centre of the panel actuator 55, also biases the panel actuator 55 in an outwardly direction.

A user pressing a first portion 55b of the panel actuator 55 adjacent the plunger 7 is able to move the plunger 7 a sufficient distance to switch the state of the switching apparatus 51, whereas the user pressing the portion 55a of the panel actuator away from the plunger 7 is able to move the plunger 7 in order to break electrical contact but not enough to switch the state of the switching apparatus 51.

Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, a single switching element is used (in particular a rotary push-onlpush-off switch in which some of the contacts rotate in response to a "push on/push off' movement of the actuator so that contact is made alternately with one or another static contact) with a momentary interruption of electrical contact being caused by pressing an actuator such that the electrical contact is broken but the switching element does not change from the ON state to the OFF state.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a sixth embodiment in which two switching elements are arranged in series. The first switching element is a rotary push-on/push-off switch of the type used in the previous embodiments, to enable switching between an ON state and an OFF state. However, the second switching element only causes a break in the associated electrical contacts when the corresponding actuator is pressed, and is biased to return to the ON state in the absence of user pressing.

As shown, the switching apparatus 61 of the sixth embodiment has a fascia panel 63 mounting a single actuator panel 65 similar in appearance to the actuator panel of the fifth embodiment. The actuator panel 65 has a region 65a adjacent to the second switching element and a region 65b adjacent to the second switching element. The actuator panel is biased outwardly by primary spring 9 of the second switching element, spring 69 associated with the second switching element and optionally a central spring 65.

A user pressing the region 65a of the actuator panel 65 adjacent to the second switching element is able to break the electrical contact of the second switching element, and possibly able to break the electrical contact of the first switching element, but is not able to. switch the first switching element between the ON state to the OFF state. In contrast, the user pressing the region 65b of the actuator panel 65 is able to switch the first switching element between the ON state and the OFF state because the movement is directly transferred to the plunger 7. Optionally, a secondary spring could be added as in the previous embodiments to provide tactile feedback indicating when the first switching element is about to change state.

Seventh Embodiment The switching apparatus 71 of the seventh embodiment is a modified version of the switching apparatus 61 of the sixth embodiment in which separate actuating panels are provided for the first switching element and the second switching element. As shown, the switching apparatus 71 has the appearance of the switching apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

Modifications and further embodiments The present invention is applicable to both a simple ON/OFF switch and a "change-over" switch for a 2-way lighting circuit.

It will be appreciated that any of the above-described switching apparatuses could form part of a lighting circuit in which the switching apparatus controls the supply of power to a driving circuit, which in dependence on the operation of the switching apparatus itself controls the supply of power to a lighting device. In a preferred embodiment, in response to a momentary interruption of power the driving circuit enters a mode in which the brightness of the lighting device is cycled as discussed in WO 2006/114577, the whole contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The lighting device may be a fluorescent light such as a linear fluorescent lamp and a compact fluorescent lamp. The driving circuit may be integrated into the compact fluorescent lamp.

Alternatively, the lighting device may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). As another alternative, the lighting device could be a low-voltage halogen lamp.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A switching apparatus operable in a first mode to interrupt the power supply to an associated electronic circuit only when a user engages the switching apparatus and in a second mode to switch between an ON state and an OFF state in response to user actuation, wherein the switching apparatus is arranged to allow the user to distinguish between the first and second modes of operation.
2. A switching apparatus comprising: actuating means movable by a user to interrupt the supply of power to an electronic circuit; and biasing means operable to maintain the switching apparatus in an ON state or an OFF state in the absence of user movement of the actuating means, wherein movement of the actuating means by the user through a first range causes a power supply interruption without switching between the ON state and the OFF state and movement of the actuating means through a second range of movement, which is further than the first range of movement, causes the switching apparatus to switch between the ON state and the OFF state, and wherein the switching apparatus further comprises feedback means operable to provide feedback to alert the user when the actuating means approaches said second range.
3. A switching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the feedback means comprises a spring which is engaged by the actuating means after movement through a distance within the first range.
4. A switching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the feedback comprises an ancillary actuating means which is engaged by the user only after the actuating means has moved through a distance within the first range.
5. A switching apparatus comprising: actuating means movable by a user to interrupt the supply of power to an electronic circuit; and biasing means operable to maintain the switching apparatus in an ON state or an OFF state in the absence of user movement of the actuating means, wherein movement of the actuating means by the user through a first range causes a power supply interruption without switching between the ON state and the OFF state and movement of the actuating means through a second range of movement, which is further than the first range of movement, causes the switching apparatus to switch between the ON state and the OFF state, and wherein the actuating means comprises a surface coupled to a lever arrangement such that a user engaging one portion of the surface is only able to move the actuating means through the first range whereas a user engaging a second portion of the surface, different from the first part of the surface, is able to move the actuating means through the first range and the second range.
6. A switching apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a mounting which defines the first and second portions of the surface.
7. A switching apparatus comprising first switching means and second switching means arranged in series, the first switching means comprising: actuating means movable by a user to interrupt the supply of power to an associated electronic circuit; and biasing means operable to maintain the switching apparatus in an ON state in the absence of user movement of the actuating means, and the second switching means being operable to switch between an ON state and an OFF state.
8. A switching apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first switching means and the second switching share a common actuating panel arranged such that pressing on one portion of the panel causes the actuating means of the second switching means to interrupt the power supplied to the associated electric circuit without changing the state of the second switching device.
9. A lighting circuit comprising: a lighting device; a driving circuit operable to supply a driving signal to the lighting device; and a switching apparatus operable to control the supply of power to the driving circuit; wherein the driving circuit is arranged, in response to a momentary interruption of power, to apply a driving signal to the lighting device causing the brightness of the lighting device to fluctuate.
10. A lighting circuit according to claim 9, wherein the lighting device is a fluorescent lamp.
11. A lighting circuit according to claim 10, wherein the lighting device is a compact fluorescent lamp.
12. A lighting circuit according to claim 11, wherein the compact fluorescent lamp is an integrated compacted fluorescent lamp comprising the driving circuit.
13. A lighting circuit according to claim 9 wherein the lighting device comprises one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).