MXPA97000719A - Punzon switch with automat adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a punch switch with its automatic adjustment, which carries a housing (3) to receive at least one operable contact (7, 19), with an actuator element (5, 27) that is driven in a displaceable manner in the housing and serving to actuate at least one contact (7, 19), which is maintained by an elastic element (11) in a rest position extracted from the housing and comprising a slide (5) driven in the housing and a punch (27) that is joined in a displaceable manner with it in the driving direction, while the punch (27) comprises first blocking elements (45) that can leave an angular position (adjustment position) that makes possible the adjustment between the punch (27) and the slider (5) by a rotary movement of the punch (27) about its longitudinal axis by a predetermined angular magnitude, to come into contact with second blocking elements (29a) the slider (posic. block ion) whereby a blocking of the position between the punch (27) and the slider (

Description

PUNCH SWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT The invention relates to a punch switch, with its automatic adjustment, which has the characteristics expressed in the main concept of the first claim. The punch or pusher switch, with its automatic adjustment, in many different embodiments is already known in the current state of the art. They are applied, for example, in vehicles as switches for brake lights. The switches thus configured serve in this case to compensate the tolerances when the switch is mounted or the changes that occur during the drive of the actuating part, such as the brake pedal. For this purpose, the punch or pusher switches with their automatic adjustment have an actuating element that is driven in a displaceable manner in the housing of the switch in order to actuate at least one contact consisting of a slide that passes through the housing attached to it. the same with possibilities to adjust in the driving direction. The punch is usually connected in such a way that it can be locked with the slide so that the desired point of contact or switching point of the switch can be reached by adjusting the punch inside the slide.

The switch with its automatic adjustment in the first instance is incorporated in its desired position in the vehicle, the punch being locked in the position that is j-jed in a maximum of the slider, in condition attached to the latter. After the switch is mounted, then the actuator part, such as the brake pedal, is moved vigorously in the direction of operation, whereby in the first instance the slide will move to its final position and then the punch with its grooved area for a corresponding distance is pressed into the slide. This compensates for the tolerance during the assembly of the switch or the changes that occur in the brake pedal drive path. This also has the advantage that with a sufficiently large locking zone between the punch and the slide, damage caused to the switch in case of changing the drive path, for example pedal travel, is certainly avoided. German specification DE 35 27 874 A1 discloses a punch switch with its automatic adjustment having an arrow part or handle, in the form of a hollow cylinder, which can be inserted in the hole of a plate. At one end has the handle part on its inner face at least one nose or interlocking mamelon projecting to the inside and entering within one step of the thread of an arrow. The arrow forms part of the switch device and has on one side a button or interrupter head and on the other side a switch housing within which the contact elements are located. To adjust the switch device, the switch head is operated by means of a drive element, for example a brake pedal, whereby the arrow is retracted into the arrow part until the interrupter head has the desired distance relative to the head. actuator element. From German specification DE 29 21 439 Al a punch switch is known which can be used in particular as a switch for the brake lights, the punch switch being pushed through the unit through a casing which serves to hold the switch through the unit. in a mounting hole until the punch or pusher comes in contact with the brake pedal and the end face of the arrow rests against the pedal. The switch is then rotated in front of the wrapping tube at a certain angle, the ribs and slots of the switch being brought into contact with the corresponding ribs and grooves present in the wrapping tube. In this way, the switch is clamped axially with respect to the casing tube. However, the punch switches with their automatic adjustment, of known type, have the drawback that under certain circumstances an inadvertent displacement may occur in the desired locking position between the punch and the slider, and this phenomenon can contribute in particular to the thermal expansion of the components of the switch or also a wear of the interlocking zones. Also some handling within the switch area can lead to an inadvertent change in the desired interlock position (once the automatic adjustment has been made). As a result of this, a displacement occurs at the contact point so that, for example, the brake light is only switched on from a certain position of the brake pedal, in which a considerable braking action has already been reached. Before this point of contact, the vehicle following the vehicle in question will not receive any indication of the braking indication already started. Accordingly, it is the task of the present invention to create a punch or pusher switch with its automatic adjustment in which case, after the automatic adjustment has been made, the relative position between the punch and the slide is securely fixed. The invention solves this problem by means of the features contained in the first claim 1. By assembling first stop elements in the punch, which are in contact with second stop elements mounted on the runner, in an angular position (displacement position) that makes possible the movement between punch and slide, is guaranteed as before a simple automatic adjustment in the punch switch with its automatic adjustment, in accordance with the present invention. Once the automatic adjustment has been carried out, the first stop elements mounted on the punch can be placed, through a rotation at a predetermined angle, with the second stop elements mounted on the slide, whereby a stop can be achieved, that is a blockage of the position between the punch and the slide. In this blocking position no adjustment of the punch can be made in relation to the slide so that an inadvertent displacement of this position will surely be excluded. Accordingly, this blocking option offers the advantage that a new adjustment operation can be carried out by means of a new rotation of the punch to the displacement position. This is required, for example, when a subsequent adjustment of the braking device has already been carried out and with it a change in the pedal travel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the punch enters in an known manner in an axial recess of the slide, the first blocking or holding elements being mounted in this area of the punch, into which the slide is entered, and the second elements retainers or blockers present in the corresponding partial section of the slide.

Of course, it is also conceivable that the punch has an axial recess in which the continuation of the slide correspondingly enters. In this case, the first and the second blocking elements must be mounted accordingly. In the preferred embodiment of the switch according to the invention, the first and second blocking elements have at least one pawl and a counter-pawl which cooperates with the first, to thereby form a locking system. The second blocking elements can in this case comprise an elastic arm which enters the recesses of the ratchet forming the first blocking elements. Thus, a particularly simple and economical structuring is presented at the same time as an uncomplicated assembly of the different elements of the switch. At least the steepness of the flanks of the notches pointing in the actuating direction, at least of one ratchet, must be selected here in such a way that the ratchet and the elastic arm work at least in the driving direction of the punch as a blocking element. In this way, a displacement of the punch in relation to the slide in the driving direction is excluded in the blocking position. In contrast, the punch, by applying a sufficient pulling force, can still be pulled a little against the driving direction from the slide. In this way, in the cases in which the actuator part for the punch and slide system is moved to its starting position by greater distance from the outer end of the punch, the punch can also be adjusted in its blocking position. But preferably the two flanks of at least one ratchet are selected, in terms of their sheer shape, that the ratchet and the elastic arm work as a blocking element in both directions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the radius of the punch is selected in the region of at least one pawl of the first blocking elements in such a way that the punch or, where appropriate, the pawl and the inner wall of the axial recess of the slide define the radial movement of at least one elastic arm in the locking position in such a way that a blocking effect is present in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the punch. In other words, even if the steep state of the pawl flanks was chosen in such a way that an interlocking movement between punch and slide is possible in conjunction with the spring arm, by delimiting the radial movement of the spring arm in the blocking position it is reached a blocking effect In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the switch according to the invention, the radius of the punch in the region of at least one longitudinal side of the punch which in the position of displacement of the punch cooperates with at least one elastic arm, in such a way that the punch and the inner wall of the axial recess of the slide ensure the radial movement of the punch. at least one elastic arm in such a way that a displacement of the punch in relation to the slide is possible. In this way, at least on one longitudinal side of the punch which in the displaced position cooperates with at least one elastic arm, an adjustment ratchet can be mounted which, in combination with at least one elastic arm, allows an interlocking movement or adjustment between the punch and the slide. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the punch has a substantially circular cross section with at least one flattened area, while the longitudinal side flattened in the adjustment position cooperates with at least one elastic arm. In this case, the recess of the slide into which the punch enters may have, for example, also a circular cross-section, its diameter corresponding basically to the maximum diameter of the punch. In this way it is ensured that the elastic arm in the blocking position is received substantially completely by a cavity in the pawl that forms the first blocking elements or at least will be delimited in its direction of radial movement to the extent that a blockage will be ensured of the punch.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring is formed as a U-shaped spring or spring while the punch has a substantially circular cylindrical shape with the opposite sides flattened. The adjustment position is presented in this case when the punch is in that angular position in which the flattened longitudinal sides are basically parallel to the two arms of the spring. In this position, the two elastic arms can be bent radially outwards to the extent that an interlocking movement of the punch in relation to the slider will be possible. By rotating the punch at an angle of 90 °, it is true that the two elastic arms remain in the same surrounding cavity, however, they will be displaced by the larger diameter in this position both axially to the outside which prevents further radial elastic movement of the arms. This leads to a secure locking of the punch. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one elastic arm is slightly angularly curved at its front region such that the angularly deviated area is positioned at least behind a flattened side of the punch so that it is thereby prevented a fall of the spring. Therefore, an extraction of the spring during the rotary movement of the punch is prevented and in addition an engagement of the punch with the slide is prevented.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the punch has at least one longitudinal groove which cooperates with at least one projection present on the inner wall of the axial recess of the slide in such a way that an interlock of the rotary movement of the slide in the blocking position and / or in the adjustment position. At least one projection may be mounted on a part of the wall of the slide, which is configured as an elastic tongue. In the preferred embodiment, at least one projection can simultaneously serve as a stop for delimiting the movement of the punch in relation to the slide in the direction of the punch opposite to the direction of the operation thereof to thereby cooperate with a surface or abutment face practiced in the punch. Other embodiments of the invention will be highlighted from the secondary claims. The invention is illustrated in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment represented in the drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section passing through an embodiment of the switch according to the invention. Figure 2a, is a partially fragmented side view of the slide with the punch mounted therein, according to Figure 1. Figure 2b is a longitudinal section through Figure 2a in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Figure 2c is a cross section along the line I-l in Figure 2b. Figure 2d is a view according to Figure 2c with a punch rotated 90 °. Figure 3a is a side view of the punch. Figure 3b is a side view of the punch rotated 90 ° about its longitudinal axis. Figure 3c, is a cut through the punch according to the line I-I of Figure 3a and Figure 3d, is a cut by the punch according to the line II-II of Figure 3b. The model illustrated in FIG. 1 of a punch switch with automatic stop 1 according to the invention essentially consists of a housing 3 inside which a slide 5 is driven with the possibility of longitudinally moving. In the housing are located contact 7 whose connecting ends 7a are led outside into a bushing section of the housing 3 so that these connecting ends 7a by means of a correspondingly configured plug (not illustrated) can be contacted.

The slide 5 has on its underside a recess 9 for receiving the end of a coil spring 11. The other end of the coil spring 11 rests on the bottom 13 of the housing 3 so that the slide 5 is operated by the coil spring 11. in such a way that it is retained in its rest position which is established by the stop faces 15, 17 of the slide 5 or of the housing 3. In the slide 5 a displaced contact 19 is provided which is supported in a direction perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the switch, in an elastic condition, ie resilient. This contact has two spherical sections 19a of which each slides on the surface of one of the two stationary contacts 7. In the exit position of the slider 5 the contact between the two stationary contacts 7 and therefore is closed. therefore between the two connection ends 7a. When the slide is actuated against the force of the coil spring 11 with a certain compressive force the slide moves in this direction until it rests with the two stop ends 21 against the bottom of the housing 3. During this movement it is lifted the contact displaced from a certain position of the stationary contacts 7 whenever between the two stationary contacts an uplift or rise 23 is formed.

From this predetermined position of the slide 5, therefore, the contact between the two stationary contacts 7 and therefore between the two connection ends 7a is opened. Of course, the contacts can also be configured in any other way. For example, the contacts can function as a closing element or several contacts can also be mounted. In an axial recess, essentially circularly cylindrical in shape 25, inside the slide 5, a punch or pusher 27 is mounted, which carries a longitudinal zone 27a where a ratchet or locking element is formed. The cavities and projections of the ratchet are preferably used here in the surrounding sense. By means of this pawl and a spring which cooperates with it (FIG. 2), the punch 27 can be moved to lock in the recess 25 of the slide 5. This ensures the desired function of the automatic adjustability. For the sake of completeness, we mentioned that between a head 31 of the punch 27 and the housing 3 a foldable bellows 33 can be mounted as a protection against soiling. This folding bellows 33 consisting of elastic material attacks at the ends of the channels provided in corresponding grooves present in the head 31 of the punch 27, or communicates with the upper side of the housing 3.

The possibility of blocking according to the invention of the punch in the slide 5 is illustrated in greater detail below with the help of Figures 2 and 3. The punch 27 shown in Figure 3 consists of an arrow 35, where the area is formed longitudinally mentioned above 27a with a ratchet and also consists of the head 31 and a base or foot 37. The head 31 and the foot 37 have essentially and in each case a circularly cylindrical cross-section. The arrow 35 has in its longitudinal region 37a longitudinal flattened sides 39, which face each other. The configured ratchet of the surrounding type, which is located in this area, therefore makes it possible to create, as will be seen more clearly in later paragraphs, or on the flattened longitudinal sides 39, adjusting ratchets 41 and on the cylindrical outer faces in FIG. partial circle, remaining, first blocking elements or blocking ratchets 45 (Figure 2a and Figure 2c). In the remaining part 27b of the arrow 35 the punch 27 has a roughly oval cross section, while the longitudinal slots 47 are formed in the longitudinal minor sides. As can be seen in Figure 2a, it has that part of the punch 5 which it is configured with a circularly cylindrical wall, where the recess 9 is made to receive the punch 27, an area 49 that serves to receive the spring 29. The spring 29 is configured as a U-shaped spring and communicates with its angularly deviated arms 29a to enter the corresponding holes present in the cylindrical wall of the slide 5 to inside the recess 9. For a In the case of the guide arms 29a, guide grooves in the interior wall of the recess 9 can be formed. Preferably, an area 49 for receiving a spring is formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical wall of the slide 5. 29, the cross section illustrated in Figures 2c and 2d is produced along the line II in Figure 2b. The conical-shaped bridges 49a shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d serve here for an easier insertion of the ends of the arms of the springs, 29a, into the recesses 49b. Although on the opposite sides of the slide 5 there is provided in each case an area 49 for receiving a spring 29, for blocking the punch 27 obviously only a single spring is needed, which on the other hand can be received by any of the areas 49. The configuration of the spring 29 as a U-shaped spring, angular, offers the advantage of a simple assembly and a little complicated support in the slide 5, while additionally by means of a correspondingly elongated configuration of the spring arms, it is say of the angle arms 29a and of the arm parts connected to them extended parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide, the adjustment of virtually any desired spring constant will be possible. The function of the switch according to the invention is therefore established in the following manner: For the incorporation of the switch, for example, as a brake switch, the punch is first inserted inside the slide 5, already with the inserted spring 29, and only to the point where the punch 5 enters a state locked with the first cavity of the adjustment pawl 41 with the arms 29a of the spring 29. For this purpose it is clear that the punch 27 must be inserted in the recess 9 of the 5 that the longitudinally flattened sides 39 of the longitudinal area 27a extend parallel to the arms 29a. The entire assembly with a system present within this adjusted position consisting of punch 27 and slider 5, is then mounted in the desired position in the vehicle. Once the assembly is completed, the driving part for the switch is activated vigorously, as is the brake pedal, so that an automatic adjustment of the punch in relation to the slide is carried out in the manner already described above. Once the automatic adjustment has been carried out, the punch 27 is rotated manually by an angle of the order of 90 °, while in the lower area of the recess 9 of the slide 5, the grooved noses provided in said place, 51 (Figure 2a) are locked in the longitudinal grooves present in the smaller sides of the area 27e of the punch 27. The cross section of the arrow 35 present in the region 27b is configured here in such a way that for the rotary movement of the punch and the interlock with the ratchet noses 51 the desired development of force occurs. Of course, the elastic force of the spring arms 29a and their collaboration with the area 27a is also normative for this purpose. In this position, there is a blockage between the punch and the slide, since in accordance with FIG. 2c the diameter of the punch within the area of the cylindrical outer face of partial circle 43 or respectively of the locking pawls 45 has chosen in such a way that the spring arms 29a can be pressed on the inner wall of the recess 9 of the slider 5 or in the guide slots provided in the latter. The interlock between the longitudinal grooves 47 and the ratcheting noses 51 is preferably configured in such a way that rotary movement of the punch is possible in each case at an angle of 90 ° from the blocking position towards the adjusting position. and in its case in the opposite direction, in any direction. As can be seen in Figure 2a, the ratchet noses 51 further meet the requirement to work as a stop, since they with the stop faces 37a of the foot 37 in the region of the wide sides of the region 27b of the arrow 35 in the position of adjustment of the punch 27, prevent their extraction from the recess 9 of the arrow 5

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. A punch switch with automatic adjustment, a) having a housing for receiving at least one contact that must be operated, b) with an actuator element driven in a displaceable manner inside the housing that serves to actuate at least one contact, c) that it is retained by an elastic element in a rest position extracted from the housing and d) comprising a slide driven in the housing as well as a punch attached thereto and adjustable in the operating direction, characterized in that, e) the punch carries first blocking elements , which can be brought into contact, starting from an angular position (adjustment position) which makes possible the adjustment between the punch and the slide by a rotary movement of the punch about its longitudinal axis by a predetermined angular magnitude, with second blocking elements of the slide (blocking position) whereby a blocking of the position between punch and slide.

2. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the punch enters with a partial zone in an axial recess of the slide and because the first blocking elements are mounted in this partial zone of the punch and the second blocking elements in the corresponding partial zone of the slide .

The switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second blocking elements are configured in the form of at least one ratchet and at least one opposite ratchet that cooperates with the previous one, which form a blocking system.

The switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the second blocking elements carry at least one elastic arm that enters the cavities of at least one ratchet forming the first blocking elements.

The switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the second blocking elements are configured as a U-shaped spring, whose arms cooperate in each case with a ratchet present on the opposite longitudinal sides of the punch.

The switch according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least the craggy shape of the flanks, pointing in the operating direction, of the cavities of at least one ratchet has been selected in such a way that the ratchet and at least one elastic arm work at least in the driving direction of the punch as blocking system.

The switch according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the radius of the punch is selected in the region of at least one ratchet such that the punch and the inner wall of the axial cutout of the slide delimit the radial movement of at least one elastic arm in the blocking position in such a way that a blocking action occurs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the punch.

The switch according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the radius of the punch in the region of at least one longitudinal side thereof which in the position of adjustment of the punch cooperates with at least one elastic arm, has been chosen from such that the punch and the inner wall of the axial recess of the slide make possible the radial movement of at least one elastic arm by a distance so great that a movement of the punch in relation to the slide will be possible.

The switch according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that at least one longitudinal side of the punch which in the adjustment position cooperates with at least one elastic arm is fitted with an adjusting ratchet which, in combination with at least one arm Elastic makes possible an interlocking fit between the punch and the slide.

The switch according to any of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the axial recess has a cross section essentially in the form of a circular cylinder.

11. The switch according to claim 10, characterized in that the punch has a fundamental circular cross section with at least one flattened area in which the longitudinal side flattened in the adjustment position cooperates with at least one elastic arm.

The switch according to claim 11, characterized in that the end of at least one elastic arm is configured as slightly angularly deviated.

The switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the punch has first locking elements for fixing the adjustment position and / or the blocking position, which cooperate with second locking elements mounted on the slide.

The switch according to claim 13, characterized in that the first locking elements are configured as at least one longitudinal groove which cooperates with at least one projection configured as a second locking element on the inner wall of the axial recess or vice versa.

15. The switch according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one projection is mounted on a part of the wall of the slide which is configured as an elastic tongue.

16. The switch according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that at least one projection serves at the same time as a stop for delimiting the movement of the punch in relation to the slide in that direction opposite to the direction of the punch and for this purpose collaborates with a plane of stop practiced in the punch.