WO1989007829A2 - Electrical switch assembly - Google Patents

Electrical switch assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989007829A2
WO1989007829A2 PCT/GB1989/000162 GB8900162W WO8907829A2 WO 1989007829 A2 WO1989007829 A2 WO 1989007829A2 GB 8900162 W GB8900162 W GB 8900162W WO 8907829 A2 WO8907829 A2 WO 8907829A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
electrical switch
electrical
assembly
switch assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/000162
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1989007829A3 (en
Inventor
Wynford P. Holloway
Original Assignee
Creative Devices Research Limited
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 Creative Devices Research Limited filed Critical Creative Devices Research Limited
Publication of WO1989007829A2 publication Critical patent/WO1989007829A2/en
Publication of WO1989007829A3 publication Critical patent/WO1989007829A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G9/04785—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/04703—Mounting of controlling member
    • G05G2009/04707—Mounting of controlling member with ball joint
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/0474—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
    • G05G2009/04744—Switches

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical switch assembly, which comprises a joystick hand controller, for use for example in the control of video games and as a computer peripheral.
  • joystick hand controllers commonly utilise a plurality of micro-switches and such devices provide for a precise control and also give the user a desirable level of feedback or "feel".
  • the joystick hand control includes a number of individual micro-switches fitted separately to the body of the unit.
  • an electrical switch assembly in the form of a joystick hand controller, comprising a housing, a hand control lever which is manually displaceable from outside the housing and serves to operate a plurality of electrical switches of the assembly, the one hand control lever being displaceable to operate any selected one or more of the electrical switches and the electrical components of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing of the assembly.
  • a base part 10 of the housing for a joystick controller The housing further comprises a cover part II which fits over the base and through the top of which a control lever 12 extends.
  • the base part 10 is a generally flat member moulded from plastics material but is provided with integral projections and formations on its upper side for mounting or supporting components of electrical switches of the assembly.
  • the lower end of the joystick or control lever 12 is formed as part-spherical in shape and locates within a hemi-spherical recess 14 in the top of the boss 16 projecting from the base 10 at its centre.
  • the joystick is further provided with a projecting flange 18 for actuating the four different electrical switches of the assembly according to the orientation to which the lever is displaced.
  • the base part 10 is formed with upwardly projecting posts 20 having tops 22 which mount respective actuators 24.
  • a coil compression spring 26 is located between the underside of each actuator 24 and the base 10, being held in place on the base by integral projecting supports 28.
  • Each of the electrical switches also comprises a snap-acting leaf spring 30 mounted at its centre to the top of a support post 32 projecting upwardly from and integral with the base 10.
  • One end of the leaf spring 30 is located between the top of the compression spring 26 and the underside of the actuator 24.
  • the other end of the leaf spring 30 is, in the condition illustrated, located against the underside of a stop 34 projecting from and integral with the central boss 16.
  • each switch is actuated if the joystick is pivotted in an appropriate direction such that its flange 18 bears down onto the actuator 24 of that switch.
  • the actuator 24 By thus displacing the actuator 24 downwards against the bias of its coil compression spring 26 and so displacing the corresponding end of the leaf spring 30 downwards, the latter "snaps" into its actuated disposition, wherein its other end mates with a common, annular contact 35 provided on a shoulder 38 of the central boss 16.
  • each support post 32 may comprise a separate conductive member mounted to the base 10.
  • each leaf spring 30 may be arranged to bridge a pair of adjacent contact elements mounted side by side on the shoulder 38 of the boss 16.
  • each switch e.g. the movable contact 30, its fixed contacts and its actuator 24, are directly and individually mounted to the base 10, rather than being mounted in a separate switch housing which forms a separate unit which then has to be mounted to the base.

Abstract

An electrical switch assembly in the form of a joystick controller comprises a housing (10), a hand control or joystick lever (12) manually displaceable from outside the housing and serving to operate selectively a plurality of e.g. snap-acting electrical switches of the assembly, the electrical components e.g. (30, 35) of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing (10) of the assembly.

Description

ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY
This invention relates to an electrical switch assembly, which comprises a joystick hand controller, for use for example in the control of video games and as a computer peripheral.
Joystick hand controllers commonly utilise a plurality of micro-switches and such devices provide for a precise control and also give the user a desirable level of feedback or "feel". Commonly the joystick hand control includes a number of individual micro-switches fitted separately to the body of the unit.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided an electrical switch assembly in the form of a joystick hand controller, comprising a housing, a hand control lever which is manually displaceable from outside the housing and serves to operate a plurality of electrical switches of the assembly, the one hand control lever being displaceable to operate any selected one or more of the electrical switches and the electrical components of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing of the assembly.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a cross-section through a central portion of the base part of a joystick housing.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, there is shown a base part 10 of the housing for a joystick controller. The housing further comprises a cover part II which fits over the base and through the top of which a control lever 12 extends. The base part 10 is a generally flat member moulded from plastics material but is provided with integral projections and formations on its upper side for mounting or supporting components of electrical switches of the assembly. The lower end of the joystick or control lever 12 is formed as part-spherical in shape and locates within a hemi-spherical recess 14 in the top of the boss 16 projecting from the base 10 at its centre. The joystick is further provided with a projecting flange 18 for actuating the four different electrical switches of the assembly according to the orientation to which the lever is displaced.
At 90° intervals around the central boss 16, the base part 10 is formed with upwardly projecting posts 20 having tops 22 which mount respective actuators 24. A coil compression spring 26 is located between the underside of each actuator 24 and the base 10, being held in place on the base by integral projecting supports 28. Each of the electrical switches also comprises a snap-acting leaf spring 30 mounted at its centre to the top of a support post 32 projecting upwardly from and integral with the base 10. One end of the leaf spring 30 is located between the top of the compression spring 26 and the underside of the actuator 24. The other end of the leaf spring 30 is, in the condition illustrated, located against the underside of a stop 34 projecting from and integral with the central boss 16.
In operation, each switch is actuated if the joystick is pivotted in an appropriate direction such that its flange 18 bears down onto the actuator 24 of that switch. By thus displacing the actuator 24 downwards against the bias of its coil compression spring 26 and so displacing the corresponding end of the leaf spring 30 downwards, the latter "snaps" into its actuated disposition, wherein its other end mates with a common, annular contact 35 provided on a shoulder 38 of the central boss 16.
In the example shown, individual contacts for each switch may be positioned under the lower ends of the coil compression spring 26. Instead, each support post 32 may comprise a separate conductive member mounted to the base 10. In another arrangement, each leaf spring 30 may be arranged to bridge a pair of adjacent contact elements mounted side by side on the shoulder 38 of the boss 16.
It will be noted however that the components of each switch, e.g. the movable contact 30, its fixed contacts and its actuator 24, are directly and individually mounted to the base 10, rather than being mounted in a separate switch housing which forms a separate unit which then has to be mounted to the base.

Claims

1. An electrical switch assembly in the form of a joystick hand controller, comprising a housing, a hand control lever which is manually displaceable from outside the housing and serves to operate a plurality of electrical switches of the assembly, the one hand control lever being displaceable to operate any selected one or more of the electrical switches and the electrical components of the electrical switches being mounted directly to the housing of the assembly.
2. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the electrical switches comprise micro- switches.
3. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which each electrical switch comprises a snap-acting contact spring and contact for making with said contact spring, said contacts and contact spring being mounted directly to said housing.
4. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which each electrical switch comprises a return- spring biassing said contact spring towards a normal con iguration, said return-spring being mounted directly to said housing.
5. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which each electrical switch comprises an actuator element directly mounted to said housing, said control lever being arranged to bear on said actuator element which is in turn arranged to bear on said contact- spring of the respective electrical switch to displace the contact spring to an actuated configuration thereof.
PCT/GB1989/000162 1988-02-18 1989-02-20 Electrical switch assembly WO1989007829A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8803746A GB2215132A (en) 1988-02-18 1988-02-18 Electrical switch assemblies
GB8803746 1988-02-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989007829A2 true WO1989007829A2 (en) 1989-08-24
WO1989007829A3 WO1989007829A3 (en) 1989-12-14

Family

ID=10631931

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/000162 WO1989007829A2 (en) 1988-02-18 1989-02-20 Electrical switch assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2215132A (en)
WO (1) WO1989007829A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0540094A1 (en) * 1991-10-30 1993-05-05 Laboratoires D'electronique Philips S.A.S. Multidirectional control device
FR2685504A1 (en) * 1991-12-18 1993-06-25 Philips Electronique Lab Device for multidirectional controls, fitted with a micro-contactor

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10027446B4 (en) * 2000-06-02 2004-05-27 ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., Wilmington Electrical switch

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB579542A (en) * 1943-05-26 1946-08-07 Igranic Electric Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric snap action switches of the multiple circuit controlling type
US3731013A (en) * 1972-01-07 1973-05-01 C Nightengale Switch control means
US3828148A (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-08-06 Otto Engineering Multi-position electrical switch and spring biasing means for universal-type actuator
EP0205726A2 (en) * 1985-06-08 1986-12-30 Hal Laboratory Inc. Image controlling method and device for carrying out the same

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB696816A (en) * 1950-06-09 1953-09-09 Ashley Accessories Ltd Improvements in or relating to snap-action electric switches
GB964119A (en) * 1962-04-10 1964-07-15 Maldon Cavendish Harley Mechanism for effecting selective operation of a number of micro-switches
GB1032495A (en) * 1964-03-26 1966-06-08 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Toggle action electric switch
GB1435697A (en) * 1972-09-02 1976-05-12 Lucas Electrical Ltd Electrical switches
DE2740365C3 (en) * 1977-09-08 1980-12-11 Petri Ag, 8750 Aschaffenburg Pulse switch
GB2065371B (en) * 1979-12-11 1983-10-05 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Electrical switch
US4533803A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-08-06 The Singer Company Switch construction

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB579542A (en) * 1943-05-26 1946-08-07 Igranic Electric Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electric snap action switches of the multiple circuit controlling type
US3731013A (en) * 1972-01-07 1973-05-01 C Nightengale Switch control means
US3828148A (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-08-06 Otto Engineering Multi-position electrical switch and spring biasing means for universal-type actuator
EP0205726A2 (en) * 1985-06-08 1986-12-30 Hal Laboratory Inc. Image controlling method and device for carrying out the same

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0540094A1 (en) * 1991-10-30 1993-05-05 Laboratoires D'electronique Philips S.A.S. Multidirectional control device
FR2685504A1 (en) * 1991-12-18 1993-06-25 Philips Electronique Lab Device for multidirectional controls, fitted with a micro-contactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8803746D0 (en) 1988-03-16
GB2215132A (en) 1989-09-13
WO1989007829A3 (en) 1989-12-14

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