JPH10149740A - Electric switch module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button switch module which comprises all of desiring parts, can be extremely easily assembled, and is easily usable for various types of switch wire-distributing chassis. SOLUTION: In a push button switch module 10 to be installed in a switch wire-distributing module, a front part housing 12 comprises at least one push button hole 24. An actuator pad 14 to be attached to the rear part of the front part housing 12 comprises a push button switch actuator 32 to be exposed to the hole 24. In the rear side of the front part housing 12, the printed circuit board 16 to be installed in the rear part of the actuator pad 14 comprises a switch pad 38 functionally related to the switch actuator 32. A switch cap 18 is installed in front of the housing 12 in the hole 24 in a changeable manner and made movable relative to the housing 12 in order to be joined to the switch actuator 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electrical switches, and more particularly to electrical switch modules, such as switch wiring modules or push button switch modules for mounting to a chassis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Push button switches are used in various applications to operate switches of a switching unit. Pushbutton switches are simple mechanical, where the pushbutton physically moves the first switch contact into or out of engagement with the second switch contact to close or open a circuit. In printed circuit board applications, push buttons support switch contacts for closing elements of a switch pad on the printed circuit board.

[0003] The push button switches described above include elastomeric dome switches that are conveniently used in an array that is easy to manufacture and assemble into a multi-switch panel. In particular, the integral actuator pad includes a flange portion having a plurality of integrally raised push buttons. Such actuator pads or panels are easily used with printed circuit boards. An integral push button includes a flat switch contact for engaging a flat switch pad on a printed circuit board.

[0004]

In many applications, it is desirable to cover the push button of the switch assembly with a cap and provide the cap with an indicator to support the function of the push button and its associated switch. When used with an array of push buttons, and when used in conjunction with a switch pad on a printed circuit board, the button cap is easily removed and replaced to accept an easily programmable circuit on the printed circuit board What we can do is strongly desired.

A problem with such systems is that it can be complex and expensive to incorporate each component with the desired function into an assembly or sub-assembly for actual use in a switching unit or chassis. . The present invention is directed to overcoming the above problems by providing a push button switch module that includes all the desired components, is very easy to assemble, and can be easily used with various switch wiring modules. .

[0006]

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved push button switch module of the above character.

[0007] A switch module according to the present invention includes a front housing having at least one push button hole. At the rear of the front housing is mounted an actuator pad, which includes a push button switch actuator exposed in the hole. A printed circuit board is mounted to the rear of the actuator pad behind the front housing and includes a switch pad operatively associated with the switch actuator. At the front of the front housing, a switch cap is interchangeably mounted in the hole, the switch cap being movable relative to the housing for engaging a push button switch actuator. Therefore, the entire module can be mounted as a sub-assembly on a suitable switching unit or switch wiring module.

[0008] The front housing is integrally molded of a relatively rigid plastic material. The actuator pad is
It is integrally formed of an elastomer material. The elastomeric actuator pad includes a peripheral flange and an integral dome-shaped, relatively movable switch actuator forming a pushbutton switch actuator. Conductive switch contacts for engaging switch pads on a printed circuit board are supported on a lower surface of the switch actuator.

In accordance with the present invention, a first hook latch is used on the underside of the front housing to mount the printed circuit board so as to sandwich an actuator pad between the front housing and the printed circuit board. or,
A second hook latch is provided for removably and interchangeably attaching the switch cap to the front housing through the hole. In addition, a third hook latch is provided on the front housing to easily attach the entire module to a suitable switch wiring module or the like. Therefore, the whole module is very simple to assemble and use.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, an electric switch assembly or push button switch module 1 is shown.
0 is the front housing 12, 4-button switch actuator pad 14, switch printed circuit board 16
And four switch caps 18.

More specifically, the front housing 12 of the switch module 10 is an integral structure integrally molded of a very rugged plastic material. The front housing 12 has a peripheral flange 20 and a mounting hole 22 near a corner thereof. The remainder of the front housing 12 rises from the peripheral flange 20 and forms four generally square pushbutton holes 24. 4
Two inwardly directed hook latches 26 (only one is visible in FIG. 1) project downward from the raised portion of housing 12. Also, a pair of outwardly facing hook latches 28 project downwardly from the peripheral flange 18 on each side of the housing 12.

The four bonder switch actuator pads 14 of the switch module 10 are an integral structure molded of an elastomeric material (ie, the front housing 1).
2 is much more flexible or flexible than the molded plastic material). The actuator pad 14 includes a peripheral flange 30 from which four push button switch actuators 32 project upward. During assembly, the push button actuator 32 projects upward through the hole 24 in the front housing 12. The peripheral flange 30 of the actuator pad 14 includes four notches 34 at its rim through which the front housing 12
The hook latch 26 protrudes inward.

The switch printed circuit board 16 of the switch module 10 comprises a generally flat substrate 36 having four flat switch pads 38 on an upper surface. In FIG. 1, the flat switch pad 38 is shown as a planar array of circuit traces of a particular electrical configuration. However, the flat switch pad 38, as is well known in the art, includes a flat foil pad divided by an open slit to form a pair of closable contacts within the flat switch pad 38. Various configurations can be adopted.

The switch cap 18 of the switch module 10 is snap-fit into the hole 24 from the front of the housing 12 and is configured to cover the switch actuator 32 of the actuator pad 14. The switch cap 18 generally has an indication on its upper surface to indicate a switch function that is activated by pressing each push button switch actuator 32 on the actuator pad 14. Therefore, switch caps must be removably mounted in their respective holes 24.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show the switch module 1.
0 (FIG. 1) is shown in the assembled state. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the four button switch actuator pad 14 is located below the front housing 12 such that the push button switch actuator 32 projects upwardly through the hole 24 in the housing 12. Is done. The switch printed circuit board 16 is pushed upward from beneath the actuator pad 14, and the printed circuit board 16
Is snap-engaged with an inwardly-facing hook latch 26, thereby supporting the actuator pad 14, while the internal flange 40 of the housing 12 holds the actuator pad 14 down relative to the printed circuit board 16. . 4, the outwardly directed hook latch 28 is sized and configured to hang from the underside of the housing 12 for the purposes described below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a flat switch contact 42 is disposed on the bottom surface of each push button switch actuator 32. These flat switch contacts 42 are provided for engaging flat switch pads 38 on printed circuit board 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, and particularly to FIGS. 5 to 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3, each switch cap 18 is generally inverted cup-shaped and includes an upper wall 44 and a pair of opposing side walls 46. And a pair of hook latches 48 forming another opposed side wall. The position setting rib 50 hangs down from the inside of the upper wall 44 as shown in FIG. Therefore, each switch cap 18 is connected to the front housing 12.
Is configured to be removably and replaceably mounted in the hole 24 of the housing 12 from the outside, that is, the front direction. As is apparent from FIG.
Is chamfered so that the switch cap 18 can be snapped into the hole 24 by pushing the switch cap 18 downward in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3).

FIG. 9 shows the switch module 10 mounted on the upper surface of the front plate 54 of the rear wiring module 56 by four mounting screws 58 passing through the mounting holes 22 of the peripheral flange 20 of the front housing 12. I have.
As will be apparent from the following description of FIG. 10, hook latch 28 is used to snap-fit switch module 10 to wiring module 56. The wiring module 56 is only an example of the use of the switch module 10 of the present invention. Generally, switch module 1
0 can be used for various switch wiring chassis.

FIG. 10 shows a modified assembly in which only one push button switch actuator 32 is used. As shown, the rear wiring module 56 houses various wires and terminals 60 along with an internal or printed circuit board 62. The rear wiring module 56 determines the final function performed by the switch module 10 of the present invention. However, FIG. 10 shows that the hook latch 28 protrudes downwardly beyond the peripheral flange 20 of the front housing 12 and snaps behind the front plate 54 of the rear wiring module 56 so that the entire switch module 10 is connected to the rear wiring. It is clearly shown whether to snap latch to the module 56.

From the above description, it is clear how easy the push button switch module 10 can be assembled and used. Basically, the first snap latch means, including the hook latch 26,
Is attached to the underside of the front housing 12 and is used to sandwich the actuator pads 14 between the front housing 12 and the printed circuit board 16. The second snap latch means, including the hook latch 48 of the switch cap 18, is used to interchangeably attach the switch cap 18 to the front housing 12 through the hole 24 in the front housing 12. The third snap latch means, including the hook latch 28,
To be easily attached to a switch wiring chassis such as the rear wiring module 56. This overall modular concept can significantly reduce the manufacturing and assembly costs currently incurred in most push button switch assemblies.

[0021]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided a push button switch module which includes all desired parts, is very easy to assemble, and can be easily used in various switch wiring chassis. sponsored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing parts of a push button switch module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the switch module in an assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the switch cap.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the switch cap.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a switch module attached to a switch wiring chassis.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an assembly similar to FIG. 9 with only one push button.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 push button switch module 12 front housing 14 actuator pad 16 printed circuit board 18 switch cap 20 peripheral flange 24 push button hole 26, 28, 48 hook latch 32 actuator 36 substrate 38 switch pad 40 internal flange 42 switch contact 52 recess 56 rear Wiring module

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A push button switch module for mounting to a switch wiring module, wherein the front housing is integrally formed of a rigid plastic material and includes at least one push button hole, and is integrally formed of an elastomer material. An actuator pad 14, which is molded and attached to the rear of the front housing 12, comprising a peripheral flange 30 and the hole 2
An actuator pad 14 including an integral dome-shaped, relatively movable switch actuator 32 exposed to the printed circuit board 4, and a printed circuit board 16 mounted to the rear of the actuator pad 14 behind the front housing 12. A printed circuit board 16 including a switch pad 38 operatively associated with the switch actuator 32; and a switch actuator 32 of the actuator pad 14 interchangeably mounted to the front of the housing 12 at the hole 24. A switch cap 18 movable with respect to the housing 12 to engage with the housing 12, and a printed circuit board 16 provided on the lower surface of the front housing Between the printed circuit board 16 A first hook latch 26 for sandwiching the actuator pad 14; and a second hook latch 48 for removably and interchangeably attaching the switch cap 18 to the front housing 12 through the hole 24. A push button switch module 10 characterized in that: 2. The push button switch module according to claim 1, further comprising a third hook latch provided on the front housing to facilitate mounting the module to a switch wiring module. 3. The switch actuator 3 for engaging a switch pad 38 on the printed circuit board 16.
2. The push button switch module according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive switch contact provided on a lower surface of the second switch. 4. A push button switch module 10 for mounting to a switch wiring module 56, wherein the front housing 12 includes at least one push button hole 24, and is attached to a rear portion of the front housing 12 and is connected to the hole 24. An actuator pad 14 including an exposed push button switch actuator 32; and a printed circuit board 16 mounted to the rear of the actuator pad 14 behind the front housing 12 and comprising the switch actuator 3
A printed circuit board 16 including a switch pad 38 operatively associated with 2; and a replaceably mounted to the front of the housing 12 at the hole 24 for engaging the push button switch actuator 32. And a switch cap (18) movable with respect to the housing (12), wherein the module (10) is mounted on the switch wiring module (56) as a sub-assembly. 5. The push button switch module according to claim 4, wherein said front housing is integrally formed of a rigid plastic material. 6. The push-button switch module according to claim 5, further comprising a hook latch provided on the front housing to easily attach the module to the switch wiring module. 7. The push button switch module according to claim 4, wherein said actuator pad is integrally formed of an elastomer material. 8. The push button of claim 7, wherein said elastomeric actuator pad includes a peripheral flange and an integral dome-shaped relatively movable switch actuator exposed in said bore. Switch module 10. 9. The switch actuator 3 for engaging a switch pad 38 on the printed circuit board 16.
9. The push button switch module according to claim 8, further comprising a conductive switch contact provided on a lower surface of said second switch. 10. A printed circuit board provided on a lower surface of the front housing, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the front housing.
The push button switch module (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a hook latch (26) for sandwiching the actuator pad (14) therebetween. 11. The push button switch module 1 according to claim 4, further comprising a hook latch for removably and interchangeably attaching the switch cap to the front housing through the hole.
0. 12. A switch module 10 for mounting on a switch wiring module 56, a front housing 12 including at least one hole 24, and a switch mounted on a rear portion of the front housing 12 and exposed in the hole 24. An actuator pad 14 including an actuator 32, a printed circuit board 16 including a switch pad 38 operatively associated with the switch actuator 32, a switch cap 18 covering the switch actuator 32, and a lower surface of the front housing 12. A first hook latch 26 for attaching the printed circuit board 16 to the front housing 12 and sandwiching the actuator pad 14 between the front housing 12 and the printed circuit board 16; Through the above A switch module comprising a second hook latch for removably and interchangeably attaching the switch cap to the front housing. 13. Provided in said front housing 12,
The switch module according to claim 12, further comprising a third hook latch (28) for easily attaching the module (10) to the switch wiring module (56). 14. The switch module according to claim 12, wherein the front housing is integrally formed of a rigid plastic material. 15. The switch module according to claim 12, wherein the actuator pad is integrally formed of an elastomer material. 16. The switch module of claim 15, wherein the elastomeric actuator pad includes a peripheral flange and an integral dome-shaped relatively movable switch actuator. 17. The switch module according to claim 16, further comprising a conductive switch contact provided on a lower surface of the switch actuator for engaging a switch pad of the printed circuit board.