GB2466470A

GB2466470A - A component for a modular electrical assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2466470A
Application number: GB0823387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Murray Lonergan
Original assignee: Eaton Electric Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Electric Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2010-06-23
Also published as: GB0823387D0

Abstract

A component for a modular electrical assembly, the component comprising a component member mountable to the modular electrical assembly and comprising a front surface, the component member defining an aperture in the front surface; and an insert inserted into the component member and closing the aperture in the front surface, at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture being transparent or translucent and at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture carrying an indicia for indicating a purpose of the modular electrical assembly.

Description

A component for a modular electrical assembly and a method of providing the same

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a component for a modular electrical assembly, in particular but not exclusively a rocker actuator, and a method of providing the same.

Background of the Invention

Rocker switches are very well known. A rocker switch is an on!off switch that comprises a housing and a rocker actuator that protrudes from the housing. The rocker actuator is arranged to pivot between a switch on position and a switch off position when a front surface of the rocker is pressed. One end of the rocker is raised and the oilier lowered when the rocker is moved from the on to the off position and vice versa when the rocker is moved from the off to the on position. Pressing the rocker into the on position brings together contacts in the switch to complete an electrical circuit. Pressing the rocker into the switch off position separates the contacts to break the circuit.

It is common for a rocker switch to comprise a lamp or a bulb that is activated *:::* when the switch is on and deactivated when the switch is off. In one known rocker switch manufactured by Eaton, an upper surface of the rocker is transparent and a lamp is located within the rocker. When the rocker is in the on position and the bulb is lit, the upper surface (which is generally transverse to the front surface of the :: 25 rocker) is visible and so light from the lamp can be seen. When the rocker is in the off position the bulb is off and the transparent upper surface is obscured from view by * the housing from which the rocker protrudes.

It also known for the entire rocker to be formed of a transparent material so that light from a lamp located within the rocker can he seen when the rocker is in the on position.

Rocker switches are widely used. For example, in domestic applications, rocker switches are used to switch on and off circuits for powering lights, water heaters, electrical bobs, microwave ovens and the like. v

It is common for the front surface of a rocker to have some type of indicia that indicates to a user the purpose of the Circuit controlled by the rocker switch. For example, if the circuit is for supplying power to a microwave oven, the front surface of the rocker may be imprinted with the legend MICROWAVE'.

Naturally, it also known for manufactures to make available a rocker switch of a particular design in multiple different finishes so that a purchaser can select a rocker switch having a finish that is aesthetically and/or practically well suited to the environment in which the switch is to be used. For example, manufactures may make the same type of rocker switch available in different colours, for example, white or black, or available in different materials, for example, stainless steel or bronze.

Thus, in order to satisfy potential customer demand. a manufacturer will need to keep in stock not only switches of each finish type, but for each finish type, switches having rockers not marked with an indicia, some of which have a bulb and some of which do not. as well as for each available indicia, switches having rockers marked with that indicia. again, some of which have a bulb and some of which do not.

Consequently, a manufacturer may need to keep in stock a large number of variants of essentially the same rocker switch. This problem applies also to other types of modular electrical assemblies that require marking and that may include a bulb.

The present invention aims to mitigate this problem.

Summary of the Invention * *.

According to the invention there is provided, a component for a modular *..: electrical assembly, the component comprising a component member mountable to 25 the modular electrical assembly and comprising a front surface, the component : .* member defining an aperture in the front surface; and an insert inserted into the * * component member and closing the aperture in the fror1t surface, at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture being transparent or translucent and at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture carrying an indicia for indicating a purpose of the modular electrical assembly.

According to the invention there is also provided, a method of providing a component for use in a modular electrical assembly, the method comprising; storing a plurality of component members each having a different finish and each having a front surface; storing a plurality of component member inserts each having a different PV indicia, each different indicia indicating a different purpose of a modular electrical assembly; selecting one of the component members having a required finish; selecting one of the plurality of inserts having a required indicia; and inserting the selected insert into the selected component member to form the component, the insert closing an aperture formed in the front surface of the selected component member, a part of the insert that closes the aperture presenting to a user the required indicia.

In this way, a range of components, for example rocker actuators, of different combinations of finishes and markings may be provided from a relatively small of stock components.

1 0 The above and further features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims and will be described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Drawings

1 5 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rocker switch assembly; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective downwards view of the rear of a main rocker body and an insert adapted for inserting into the main rocker body; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective front view of a main rocker body and an insert inserted therein; Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a main rocker body an insert inserted therein; Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a rocker switch assembly. *...

Detailed Description of the Exemplary Embodiment * *

Referring to Figure 1, a rocker switch assembly I comprises a front body 2 *. : and a back body 3 that clip together to define a switch housing 4. In this example, the front body 2 and the back body 3 clip together by means of fastener arms 2a that cxtcnd rearwardly from the front body 2 and arc adapted to l)e received iii slits 3i provided in the back body 3. The fastener arms 2a have end portions that are turned inwards so as to engage the back body 3 when the fastener arms 2a are received by the slots 3a.

The front body 2 has a front compartment 5 for receiving and retaining a rocker actuator 6. The switch housing 4 contains a switching mechanism 7

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comprising a pivot member 7a, fixed contacts 7b, moving contacts 7c, insulator member 7d, load terminals 7e and supply terminals 7f. The rocker actuator 6 clips to the pivot member 7a which acts as pivot point for the rocker member 7a. When the rocker actuator 6 is pressed into the switch ON' position, it pivots about the pivot member 7a to cause the moving contacts 7c to be moved into contact with the fixed contacts 7b thereby electrically connecting the supply terminals 7f and the load terminals 7e. When the rocker actuator 6 is pressed into the switch OFF' position it pivots in the opposite direction about the pivot menîber 7a to cause the moving contacts 7c to be moved out of contact with the fixed contacts 7b thereby electrically 1 0 disconnecting the supply terminals 7f and the load terminals 7e. The insulator member 7d acts to isolate the moving contacts 7c from the supply terminals 7f when the switch is in the OFF position. It will be appreciated that the components and function of the switching mechanism 7 are standard and so will not be described in any more detail herein.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 in addition to Figure 1, the rocker actuator 6 comprises a main rocker body 8 and a rocker insert 9 adapted to be inserted into the main rocker body 8 to complete the rocker actuator 6.

The rocker insert 9 is hollow and comprises a front section 9a, a top end section 9b, a pair of side sections 9c and a back section 9d and is open ended at an end opposite to the top section 9b. A generally elongated U shaped aperture 9e is formed *.. through the back section 9d and extends from the open end towards the top section 9b.

Each of the side sections 9c has an elongated groove 9f formed in an outer surface * *** thereof and communicating with the open end and running along the majority of the length of the side section 9c toward the top section 9b.

:: 25 The main rocker body 8 comprises a front section 8a, a top end section 8b, a r *: pair of side sections 8c, and a bottom section 8d. The main rocker body 8 further has an open face 8e opposing the front section 8a.

Ihe main rocker body 8 defines a first aperture 8f through the top end section 8b and a second aperture g through the front section Ra and which joins the first aperture 8f, the main rocker body 8 thus defining a slot 8f, 8g into which the rocker insert 9 can be inserted. Towards the top end section 8b, each of side sections 8c is provided on its inner surface with a lip or flange portion 8g that is positioned and shaped to be snugly received by a respective one of the elongated grooves 9f when the insert 9 is inserted into the slot. The flange portions 8g serve to guide the insert 9 Yr when it is being inserted through the aperture 8f into the slot and to inhibit movement of the insert 9 when it is fully inserted in the slot.

As is perhaps best seen from Figures 3 and 4, when the insert 9 is fully inserted into the slot in the main rocker body 8, the front section 9a of the insert 9 closes the first aperture 8f of the main rocker body 8 and the top section 9b of the insert 9 closes the second aperture 8g of the main rocker body 8. The front section 9a of the insert 9 and the front section 8a of the main rocker body together define the front surface of the rocker I that is pressed by a user to turn the switch on and off.

Referring to Figure 4, the front section 9a of the insert may carry an indicia that indicates to a user the function of the switch. In a preferred example, the indicia is in the form of lettering, for example alpha numerical, marked, imprinted or otherwise formed on the front section 9a. In the particular example illustrated in Figure 4, the word MICROWAVE' is imprinted on the front section 9a, thereby informing a user that the switch is for controlling the power supply to a microwave oven, It will be appreciated that the indicia need not comprise words or lettering but may comprise any mark or sign that serves to indicate the function of the switch.

Referring to Figure 5, the insert 9 is formed of a transparent or translucent material and a light source 10, for example a neon bulb, may be located within the switch assembly housing 4 behind and visible through the insert 9. In one example.

when the switch assembly is installed for use, the light source 10 is connected to receive power and so emit light when the rocker 6 is in the ON' position but not when it is in the OFF' position. Light emitted by the light source is visible through the insert 9 and indicates to a user that the switch is on. ** .

In another example, when the switch assembly is installed for use, the light * 25 source 10 is connected to receive power and so emit light irrespective of whether the rocker 6 is in the ON' or OF' positions. This enables a user to more easily locate the switch assembly in the dark.

It will he appreciated that because the insert 9 forms part of the front section of the rocker actuator 6 and so is visible to a user whether the rocker actuator 6 is in the ON' or OFF' positions and is also transparent or translucent, it can function both as a means Ibr identifying to a user the purpose of the switch by carrying an indicia and also as a lens for a light source located in the housing. Moreover, ii will further be appreciated that because the insert 9 is a unitary component, this provides for a rocker

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actuator that requires less components and is easier to assembly than one in which an insert is provided to indicate switch function but is a separate component to any lens.

A major benefit of this is that a manufacturer can reduce the number of stock components from which a range of switches can be produced. For example, to produce switches in any one of seven available rocker finishes (e.g. red, black, white, brushed stainless steel, highly polished stainless steel, satin bronze and polished brass) and having any one of twenty four available markings (e.g. Microwave, Hob, Water Heater, etc) or no marking, and with or without a light source, a manufacture need only keep stocks of each of the twenty five different insert types and stocks of each of the seven different finishes of rocker. The manufacture could build switch assemblies into modules without rockers, some with light sources and some without and only complete the build dependent upon customer orders.

So for example, if an order were to be received for a switch with a light source comprising a black rocker marked for controlling power to a Microwave, the 1 5 manufacturer could simply select from stock a black rocker and insert into it an insert marked Microwave' before completing the build by placing the combined rocker and insert into a suitable module having a light source. Alternatively, if an order were to be received for a switch without a light source comprising a stainless steel rocker marked for controlling power to a Hob, the manufacturer could obtain from stock a stainless steel rocker and insert into it an insert marked Hob' before completing the build by placing the combined rocker and insert into a suitable module without a light source. Likewise, any switch in the range may be provided in this way. S SS*

It will be appreciated that previously, a manufacture providing a *: * corresponding range of switches using rocker actuator designs on which any markers are carried on the main rocker body and any lens is carried on the upper section of the r rocker body (i.e. the section hidden from view when the rocker is in the OFF position) would need to keep a stock not only of rocker bodies of each finish type, hut for each finish type, respective rockers marked with each possible indicia, some with lenses to incorporate in assemblies having a bulb and some without lenses to incorporate in assemblies not having a bulb. Consequently, a manufacturer would need to keep in stock a large number of variants of essentially the same rocker bodies.

Preferably, the insert 9 is translucent and of a colour that contrasts with that of the main rocker body 8.

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Although the invention has been mainly described with reference to a rocker switch assembly, ii will be appreciated that the invention may also be utilised in any type of modular electrical assembly requiring marking and/or which contains a light source for illumination, for example fuse drawers, cable outlets, dimmer switches, key switches, indicators and buzzer units. These assemblies won't necessarily have an actuator for receiving the insert but may instead comprise a similarly shaped front section or component for receiving the insert.

Having thus described the invention with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be appreciated that modifications and variations are possible to the described arrangements without departure from the scope of the invention. * S. * S S * S* *.*. * I I... ** S * Is * *5 a

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Claims

VCLAIMS1. A component for a modular electrical assembly, the component comprising a component member mountable to the modular electrical assembly and comprising a front surface, the component member defining an aperture in the front surface; and an insert inserted into the component member and closing the aperture in the front surface, at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture being transparent or translucent and at least a part of the insert that closes the aperture carrying an indicia for indicating a purpose of the modular electrical assembly.
2. A component according to claim 1, wherein; the component member is open at one end thereof and the insert is inserted into the open end to close the aperture in the front surface and complete the 1 5 component member.
3. A component according to claim I or 2, wherein; one of the component member and the insert comprises at least one lip member and the other comprises a complimentary groove, the lip member and the groove co-operating to retain the insert iii place when the insert is inserted in the component member. * 0 **e.
4. A component according to claim 1,2 or 3. wherein.one of the component member and the insert comprises a first pair of side :: 25 members each having a respective lip member formed there along and the other comprises a second pair of side members each having a respective complimentary *:*.; groove formed there along, each lip member engaging a respective one of the grooves to retain the insert in place when the insert is inserted in the component member.
5. A component according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein, the component is an actuator for an electrical switch assembly and the modular assembly is an electrical switch assembly.V
6. A component according to claim 5, wherein the component is rocker member mountable to the switch assembly, and wherein the front surface is for pressing by a user to move the rocker member to actuate and dc-actuate the switch assembly.
7. A modular electrical assembly comprising; a component according to any of claims I to 4 coupled to an assembly housing.
8. A modular electrical assembly according to claim 7, comprising; a light source located in the housing and arranged so that in use light from the light source when lit is visible to a user through the transparent or translucent part of the insert.
9. A modular electrical assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the electrical 1 5 assembly is a switch assembly and the component is an actuator for the assembly.
10. A modular electrical assembly according to claim 9, wherein the switch assembly is a rocker switch assembly and the actuator is a rocker actuator.
11. A method of providing a component for use in a modular electrical assembly, the method comprising; storing a plurality of component members each having a different finish and each having a front surface; storing a plurality of component member inserts each having a different S.....* 25 indicia, each different indicia indicating a different purpose of a modular electrical assembly; * :* : selecting one of the component members having a required finish; selecting one of the plurality of inserts having a required indicia; and inserting the selected insert into the selected component member to form the component, the insert closing tin aperture formed in the front surface of thc selected component member, a part of the insert that closes the aperture presenting to a user the required indicia.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein; at least a portion of the part of the insert that closes the aperture is transparent or translucent.
13. A method according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the component is an actuator for an electrical switch assembly.
14. A method of providing a modular electrical assembly, the method comprising; providing a component by using the method of claim 11, 12 or 13; and coupling the component and a housing to provide the modular electrical assembly.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein; 1 5 at least a portion of the part of the insert that closes the aperture is transparent or translucent and a light source is located in the housing and arranged so that in use, light from the light source vhen lit is visible to a user through the transparent or translucent portion. * ** * * * * ** * . **** ** . * * . * *** ***** * * S. ** * S * * S *S * S * * a S.