WO1983003691A1 - Commutateur electrique pourvu d'une touche d'actionnement comprenant un affichage indicateur couple de maniere non galvanique - Google Patents

Commutateur electrique pourvu d'une touche d'actionnement comprenant un affichage indicateur couple de maniere non galvanique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1983003691A1
WO1983003691A1 PCT/HU1983/000015 HU8300015W WO8303691A1 WO 1983003691 A1 WO1983003691 A1 WO 1983003691A1 HU 8300015 W HU8300015 W HU 8300015W WO 8303691 A1 WO8303691 A1 WO 8303691A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
indicator display
actuator key
base body
switch device
radiation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/HU1983/000015
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gabor David
Laszlo Meroe
Ferenc Szatmari
Original Assignee
DAVID, Gábor
MÉRÖ, László
Ferenc Szatmari
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 DAVID, Gábor, MÉRÖ, László, Ferenc Szatmari filed Critical DAVID, Gábor
Priority to AU13796/83A priority Critical patent/AU1379683A/en
Publication of WO1983003691A1 publication Critical patent/WO1983003691A1/fr
Priority to DK527883A priority patent/DK527883A/da

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/18—Modifications for indicating state of switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch

Definitions

  • Electric switch device with an actuator key comprising a non-galvanically coupled indicator display
  • the invention relates to an electric switch device comprising a switching member arranged between a fixed base body and an actuator key that is movable relative to said base body, said actuator key containing a non-galvanically coupled indicator display.
  • Electric switches capable of indicating their function, their state of activation or even the necessity of being actuated on the switch itself or on a well visible part thereof displaying selected ones or a large variety of known signs or symbols such as figurative patterns or alphanumeric characters are in measuring instruments, computer peripheries, typewriters and in many other types of equipment widely in use. In some cases changeability of said signs or symbols applied on one and the sane switch may also be required.
  • typewriters e. g. having interchangeable rotary heads for typing texts written in different kinds of script, such as in Latin, in Cyrillic or in Greek letters, etc.
  • keyboard equipped with keys where the letters and characters indicated thereon are changeable in accordance with the particular rotary head which is just in use.
  • dedicated keyboards are frequently used wherein the keyboard function is to be changed from one mode of operation to another by actuating a specific key button designed for that purpose.
  • switches, push buttons and the like are frequently used in all kinds of electronic equipment and in a large number of instruments wherein it is preferred or even necessary to provide for a visual indication of their current state of activation e. g. by displaying certain symbols or inscriptions stating their particular mode of operation.
  • the keyboard comprising a plurality of switches as individual keys is covered by a mask made of thin elastic sheet material, preferably rubber, said mask bearing the letters and characters in accordance with the particular rotary head fitted for typing the required kind of text.
  • indication change of the keys i. e. of the switches is performed by replacing the rubber sheet mask of the keyboard by another sheet bearing indications that belong to the new rotary head.
  • This known mode of changing indication is not at all convenient.
  • the thin rubber sheet mask is liable to damage.
  • Several different masks are to be kept in store at hand. Service life of the masks is rather limited since thin rubber sheets are not resistant to ageing and to wear.
  • the individual keys of a keyboard bear a plurality of indications, i. e. signs, symbols, letters and/or characters simultaneously.
  • indications are widely in use with multi-function push keys and switches of pocket and table calculators too. Tills type of multiple indication is associated with a number of particular dravjbacks.
  • the indication applied by printing, graving or in any other way can only be rather small in size.
  • Another disadvantage is that the particular indication of having been pre-selected and thus, of temporary relevance must be kept and stored in mind. Thus, permanent caution and care are necessary during work in order to avoid mistakes or malfunction.
  • Electric switch devices having actuator keys comprising an indicator display capable of displaying a number of different symbols or signs on its visible surface without mechanical structures and component parts and having a significantly long service life together with a remarkable wear resistance have not become available so far. Disclosure of the Invention
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an electric switch device having an actuator key comprising a non-galvanically coupled indicator dis ⁇ lay capable of displaying a number of different symbols, letters, characters or of short inscripts merely electronically on one andthe same display while long service life and high reliability of the switch device are maintained simultaneously.
  • the radiation source is in connection with a digital signal source while an output of said means for converting radiation into electric signals is connected both, to a rectifior and to a processor unit the output of which is in turn connected to the indicator display.
  • Supply voltage inputs of both the processor unit and the indicator display are in connection with the output of the rectifier.
  • a light emitting diode (LED) is applied as radiation source while as means for converting radiation into electric signals a photocell is provided for.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of a possible preferred embodiment of an electric switch device according to the invention designed by way of example as a slide switch with an actuator key movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing sheet,
  • Fig. 2 indicates the electrical structure of the slide switch as shown in Fig. 1 schematically
  • Fig. 3 shows a more detailed circuit diagram of the electrical structure of the switch device in question
  • Fig. 4 indicates pulse pattern diagrams which show the function and will be referred to in the following detailed description of the operation of the device as shown diagraraatically in Fig. 3.
  • FIG. 1 A preferred embodiment of the electric switch device according to the invention designed and constructed as a slide switch is schematically shown in Fig. 1 of the attached drawing.
  • the switch device consists of a fixed base body 10 and of an actuator key 7 which is ⁇ lidable guided in directions that are perpendicular to the sheet of the drawing between guide slots 8 of the base body 10. The latter is secured to a frame of an equipment (not shown) the switch device in question is applied to.
  • the switch device as shown in Fig. 1 is to be actuated by sliding the actuator key 7 into different positions which may bo two or more in number.
  • the base body 10 is equipped with a radiation source 4 preferably with a light source. However, the radiation source 4 nay be of any other kind, e. g. a source for generating electric or magnetic field instead.
  • the actuator key 7 provides for the electric contacts that are foreseen to its particular positions and it indicates simultaneously by displaying data, signs or figurative patterns that are characteristic for its cur-rent state of activation, the deed of a particular switching operation. Switching is performed by a signal transmitting member 5 arranged at the bottom part of a housing 9 of the actuator key 7 said member being capable of transmitting radiation emitted by the x ⁇ adiation source 4.
  • a signal transmitting member 5 a light conductor or fibre optics known per se may be applied.
  • For transmit magnetic radiation any soft-magnetic conductor while for that of electric radiation a simple electrical conductor can be used.
  • a radiation detector 6 is secured to the base body 10.
  • the signal transmitting member 5 Upon sliding the actuator key 7 into activated switching position the signal transmitting member 5 is moved into the near proximity of both the radiation source 4 and the radiation detector 6. Hence, a coupling is established between said component parts via signal transmitting member 5, said coupling resulting in a significant change in the level of the output signal of the radiation detector 6.
  • the change of the output signal level may be directly utilised for actuating an electric circuit to be switched.
  • a photodiode, phototransistor, photocell or a photo resistor may equally be used.
  • any other kind of photoelectric inverter or coder may also be applied for said purpose. For indicating magnetic radiation e. g.
  • the actuator key 7 of the proposed new switching device is equipped with a non-galvanically coupled indicator display 1 which is arranged on the top surface of the housing 9 , and is covered by a transparent cover plate 11.
  • a liquid crystal display LCD
  • a support plate 12 which is secured together with the indicator display 1 and the cover plate 11 to the housing 9, preferably by an adhesive seal along the edges.
  • the assembly consisting of support plate 12, of indicator display 1 and of cover plate 11 is held in position by a flange extending over the vertical wall partitions of housing 9 .
  • said means 3 for converting same into olectric signals is preferably a photocell genorating electric voltage at its output upon receiving light.
  • said means 3 for converting radiation into electric signals and said signal transmitting member 5 are arranged and positioned relative to each other in a manner that the beam of radiation directed towards means 3 is only partially intersected and thus, screened by said transmitting member 5 allowing thereby a substantially larger quantity of the radiation energy to arrive at said means 3 and thus, to be converted into electric signals by the latter.
  • Base plate 13 Onto the inner surface of a bottom part of the housing 9 a base plate 13 is secured which in turn, serves as a support member both for the means 3 for converting radiation into electric signals that is secured to the lower surface of base plate 13 and for a processor unit 2 which is embedded in the upper surface of the same.
  • Base plate 13 is provided with a wiring preferably with one of the printed circuit type, for galvanically connecting the processor unit 2 to said means 3 for converting radiation into electric signals and also for connecting, processor unit 2 to the Indicator display 1 via connecting wires 14.
  • Fig. 2 shows the electric structure of the electric switch device according to Fig. 1 in a schematic, partly axonometric manner as a block diagram.
  • the radiation source 4 is controlled by a signal source 17 which generates preferably digital signals that are coded in accordance with the symbols, patterns and/or characters to be displayed for indicating a current function or state of the switch.
  • the same coded signals may be used for performing the switching operation itself, as mentioned earlier.
  • the coded signal is led via radiation source 4 and signal transmitting member 5 to the radiation detector 6 when the actuator key 7 is moved into its activated position.
  • a decoder (not shown) that is connected to the output of the radiation detector 6, an adequate plurality of connection patterns i. e. switching states can be generated and maintained.
  • An output of the means 3 for converting radiat ion into electric signals is connected via diode 15 to a condensator 16.
  • Diode 15 a ⁇ d condensator 16 to gether provide for a rectifier whereby at the condensator 16 a rectified direct voltage pulse pattern of voltage pulses that are introduced at said output of said means 3 for converting radiation into electric signals is presented.
  • said output of means 3 is also in connection with an input of the processor unit 2 for decoding and for activating the indicator display 1 connected thereto in a manner so as to display a symbol, sign, pattern or character that is defined by the current code that is just introduced to the radiation source 4.
  • the output of the rectifier is connected to supply voltage inputs of both the processor unit 2 and the indicator display 1.
  • energy supply both for the indicator display 1 and for the processor unit 2 is met from the energy of radiation and no separate wiring for voltage supply to said units is needed.
  • Fig. 3 shows a detailed circuit diagram of the structure according to Fig. 2 while operation and function of the circuit will be described in the follo ing with additional reference to Fig. 4 indicating different pulse patterns for more detailed explanation
  • a light emitting diode (LED) 18 is used as radiation source.
  • a photocell 19 is applied, the output of which is connected to a rectifier formed by the diode 15 and the condensator 16, and also to a Schmitt-trigger 20 that forms the input of the processor unit 2.
  • the latter comprises further a monoflop 21, a shift register 22, a display driver 23 and an oscillator 24.
  • the output of the Schmitt-trigger 20 is connected both to the input of the monoflop 21 and to the series data input of the shift register 22.
  • An inverting output Q of the monoflop 21 is connected to the clock input of the shift register 22.
  • the outputs of the shift register 22 in turn are connected to data, inputs of a display driver 23 known per se, particularly of a liquid crystal display driver having an oscillator input which the output of an oscillator 24 is connected to.
  • Outputs of the display driver 23 are, in turn, connected to the inputs of the liquid crystal type indicator display 1 in a manner knovin per se.
  • Pulse patterns shown in Fig. 4 will help to fully understand function aud operation of the circuit indicated in Fig. 3. From a signal source not shown in Fig. 3, coded pulses A are introduced to the light emitting diode 18 which is emitting light pulses X accordingly. Since the rate of transmission of the light emitting diode 1o is limited, the light pulses X are slightly distorted.
  • light pulses X generate voltage pulses 3 while the pulse pattern is further distorted.
  • a filtered D.C. voltage C will appear that is introduced as supply voltage into the Schraitt trigger 20, the monoflop 21, the shift register 22, to the display driver 23 and also into the oscillator 24.
  • voltage pulses B While passing the Sehiaitt-trigger 20, voltage pulses B will be refreshed, and at the trigger output pulses appear that are substantially identical with coded pulses A though they are slightly delayed with respect to the latter.
  • the monoflop 21 is activated by the descending rear edges of the pulses D, and at the inverting output Q of the monoflop 21 appear pulses E of constant duration that are introduced to the clock input of the shift register 22.
  • circuit structure other than shown as a particular example in Fig. 3 may be designed and used. Depending from the coding system chosen the circuit structure may show significant alterations. It nay also be of advantage to integrate at least some of the circuit units into one single integrated circuit (lC). The scope of the invention is not at all affected by simultaneous application of two or more light emitting diodes 18. Alternatively, instead of a single photocell 19, a plurality of cells connected in series may be applied in order to achieve higher voltage. For diode 15 the use of a diode of the low drop-out voltage type may be of advantage.
  • the electric switch device according to the present invention is of extremely high reliability. It can be used within a wide range of applications such as in multi-function keyboards of pocket and table calculators and the like in particular.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Commutateur électrique possédant un corps de base fixe (10) et une touche d'actionnement (7) mobile par rapport au corps de base (10). Un affichage indicateur couplé de manière non galvanique (1) et logé à l'intérieur de la touche d'actionnement (7). A l'intérieur du corps de base (10) est disposée une source de radiation (4), de préférence une diode électroluminescente (18), qui est actionnée par des impulsions codées, et est couplée de manière non galvanique à un organe (3) servant à convertir la radiation en signaux électriques, de préférence à une cellule photoélectrique (19) logée à l'intérieur de la touche d'actionnement (7). La tension de sortie produite par la cellule photoélectrique (19) est appliquée à un redresseur et à une unité de traitement (2) qui sont également logés à l'intérieur de la touche d'actionnement (7). L'affichage indicateur (1), de préférence un affichage à cristaux liquides (LCD) est activé par l'unité de traitement (2) tandis que le redresseur délivre une tension d'alimentation aussi bien pour l'unité de traitement (2) que pour l'affichage indicateur (1). Ainsi la touche d'actionnement (7) est couplée uniquement de manière non galvanique au corps de base fixe (10) et une grande variété de symboles tels que des motifs géométriques, des caractères et autres selon les impulsions codées imposées peuvent être affichés visuellement en utilisant un seul et même affichage indicateur (1).
PCT/HU1983/000015 1982-04-14 1983-04-13 Commutateur electrique pourvu d'une touche d'actionnement comprenant un affichage indicateur couple de maniere non galvanique WO1983003691A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU13796/83A AU1379683A (en) 1982-04-14 1983-04-13 Electric switch device with an actuator key comprising a non-galvanically coupled indicator display
DK527883A DK527883A (da) 1982-04-14 1983-11-17 Elektrisk afbryderanordning med en aktiveringstast omfattende en ikke-galvanisk koblet indikatorvisning

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HU1131/82820414 1982-04-14
HU821131A HU209786B (en) 1982-04-14 1982-04-14 Switching member having contactless indicator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1983003691A1 true WO1983003691A1 (fr) 1983-10-27

Family

ID=10952967

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/HU1983/000015 WO1983003691A1 (fr) 1982-04-14 1983-04-13 Commutateur electrique pourvu d'une touche d'actionnement comprenant un affichage indicateur couple de maniere non galvanique

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0105307A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS59500589A (fr)
DK (1) DK527883A (fr)
HU (1) HU209786B (fr)
NO (1) NO834582L (fr)
WO (1) WO1983003691A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7469474B2 (en) 2002-01-17 2008-12-30 Depuy International Limited Manufacturing a component with a near spherical surface
EP3468039A1 (fr) * 2017-10-04 2019-04-10 Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. Agencement d'indicateur pour dispositif électronique

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2228409A5 (en) * 1973-05-02 1974-11-29 Sadar Sa Keyboard control key having numerical or alphanumerical display - uses seven rectilinear segments or points forming alphanumeric symbols
FR2318460A1 (fr) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Master Specialties Co Commutateur-indicateur numerique

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2228409A5 (en) * 1973-05-02 1974-11-29 Sadar Sa Keyboard control key having numerical or alphanumerical display - uses seven rectilinear segments or points forming alphanumeric symbols
FR2318460A1 (fr) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Master Specialties Co Commutateur-indicateur numerique

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7469474B2 (en) 2002-01-17 2008-12-30 Depuy International Limited Manufacturing a component with a near spherical surface
EP3468039A1 (fr) * 2017-10-04 2019-04-10 Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. Agencement d'indicateur pour dispositif électronique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS59500589A (ja) 1984-04-05
DK527883D0 (da) 1983-11-17
EP0105307A1 (fr) 1984-04-18
HU209786B (en) 1994-11-28
DK527883A (da) 1983-11-17
HU28564A (en) 1983-12-28
NO834582L (no) 1983-12-13

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