Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
  • H01H13/50—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H2003/008—Mechanisms for operating contacts with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction

Definitions

• the invention relates to an electrical switch, in particular a pushbutton switch, with a pushbutton and a switch contact mechanically connected to it, which, when the pushbutton is actuated, preferably by finger pressure against the action of a restoring force, changing its respective switching position.
• the pushbuttons can be actuated by overcoming a pressure point. Nevertheless, the fact that the reaching of the desired switching position cannot be easily determined by the operator pressing the key has proven to be disadvantageous. Especially when a plurality of key switches have to be actuated one after the other, it can happen that in the course of the actuation sequence one of the key switches is not fully actuated to achieve the desired switching division; this is a mistake that often turns out later, often too late. The operator who, for. B. operated a cash register or a computer, must therefore pay particular attention to the press of a button.
• the invention is based on the object of further developing the pushbutton switch of the type mentioned at the outset such that the human actuating element - generally the actuating finger - receives mechanical feedback that the desired change in switching position has been carried out and, if appropriate, even the success sought thereby, regardless of the button switch is easy to operate.
• the switch according to the invention in which this object is achieved, is essentially characterized in that the pushbutton is assigned an actuator which, depending on the pushbutton-controlled change in the switching position of the switching contact, brings about an additional movement of the pushbutton.
• the pushbutton is assigned an actuator which, depending on the pushbutton-controlled change in the switching position of the switching contact, brings about an additional movement of the pushbutton.
• the operator first senses with his sense of touch the reaction pressure exerted by the pushbutton, which is followed by the additional pushbutton movement caused by the actuator in a fraction of a second when the pushbutton is actuated sufficiently. If this pushbutton movement takes place in the same direction, the operator feels a pressure reduction. For the operator, this forms the confirmation signal for the desired completion of the switch actuation.
• the actuator can also cause a pushbutton movement in the opposite direction or in the transverse direction in order to report the completion of the switch position change.
• this mechanical feedback has proven to be more effective than the optical or acoustic feedback mentioned at the outset, apparently due to the fact that the operator's tactile organ, which is located directly in the human organ that actuates the switch, returning return el . - signal cycle is much shorter than the circuit via other sensory organs.
• the intensity of the feedback - in the case of the invention the strength of the practically simulated pressure point - can be adjusted continuously.
• the keyboard can therefore simulate strong pressure points with good ease of movement. This fact is of particular importance when such keyboards are used by the physically handicapped.
• the actuator used can work on a piezoelectric, electrothermal or electrostatic basis, that is to say it is based in general on the principle of converting electrical energy into kinetic energy. It has proven to be particularly advantageous, however, if the actuator comprises an electromagnet which is located in a circuit which closes when the switching position of the push-button-controlled switching contact changes.
• the "active" switch according to the invention can therefore be used with particular advantage even in switching operations with a time delay or with a locally remote effect, as well as when rapid confirmation of the generated signal is required. In this way, the operator is even confirmed that the success desired by pressing the key has occurred.
• the electromagnet comprises an armature connected to the push button.
• the armature acts on the pushbutton in the sense of a superimposition of the force resulting from the manufacturing pressure, the pushbutton to a certain extent evades the pressure exerted on it, and the operator immediately feels, that the desired switching process has been successfully completed.
• An embodiment has proven to be very advantageous for achieving control by simple means, which is characterized by a capacitor of sufficient capacity in the circuit of the electromagnet, which discharges via the electromagnet when the pushbutton is actuated and thus the switching position changes.
• a changeover contact is provided which, when the pushbutton is actuated, can be pivoted from a charging position in which it connects the capacitor with a large capacity to a voltage source into a discharging position in which the capacitor connects to the circuit containing the electromagnet connected.
• a comparatively simpler pushbutton switch can be used if, according to a further embodiment, the high-capacity capacitor is connected to a voltage source via a charging circuit containing a high-resistance resistor and if the switchover contact leading to the electromagnet is connected to the charging circuit between the resistor and the capacitor is.
• Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the switching principle
• Fig. 3 shows a second, simplified embodiment of the
• a pushbutton 2 is mounted in a switch housing 1, which actuates a switching contact 3 against the action of a return spring (not shown) in the sense of closing a Circuit serves.
• a return spring (not shown) in the sense of closing a Circuit serves.
• the latter can also be designed to be self-resilient.
• the pushbutton 2 also connects an additional actuator 4 which is fixedly mounted in the switch housing 1 and, in the preferred example illustrated, is formed by an electromagnet.
• the coil of the electromagnet is expediently arranged in a stationary manner, and an armature 4 ′ connected to the pushbutton 2 and fulfilling the function of the actuator is movably mounted in it.
• FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the push button switch according to FIG. 1.
• This comprises a capacitor 5 of high capacity, which is connected via the contact 3 of the push button 2 and a series resistor 6 to a voltage source Vcc.
• the contact 3 is thus in the charging position.
• contact 3 is pivoted from the charging position shown into the unloading position in which the capacitor is connected to the circuit which contains the electromagnet forming actuator 4.
• a push of a button is thus sufficient to trigger the discharge of the capacitor 5 via the electromagnet 4 when the desired push-button end position is reached, so that the mechanical feedback of the desired switching state to the user is brought about by the actuator 4.
• the capacitor 5 of high capacitance is connected to the voltage source Vcc via a charging circuit containing the high-resistance ballast resistor 6.
• the push button switch leading to the electromagnet 4 is connected to the charging circuit between the resistor 6 and the capacitor 5.
• the resistor 6 is chosen to be large enough to allow the capacitor 5 to be charged quickly, but certainly represents that the current flowing when the switch contact is closed and the capacitor 5 is discharged is smaller than the holding current.

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• Push-Button Switches (AREA)

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Citations (4)

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• 1991
  • 1991-08-28 DE DE19914128589 patent/DE4128589C1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1992
  • 1992-08-28 WO PCT/EP1992/001993 patent/WO1993005527A1/de active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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