WO2007101775A1

WO2007101775A1 - Switching element

Info

Publication number: WO2007101775A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/051505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mirko Schindler
Original assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-03-07
Filing date: 2007-02-16
Publication date: 2007-09-13
Also published as: DE102006010811B4; DE102006010811A1; EP1994244A1; EP1994244B1

Abstract

Switching element (1) for producing an electric signal or switching state in order to lock, unlock, open and/or close a safety system and/or locking system, in particular in a vehicle, with at least one contact element (7), as a result of which, when the switching element (1) is actuated, an electric connection can be produced between at least two electric switching contacts (8) which are present, and with a support plate (9) which has electric connecting contacts (12) for the switching element (1), and with a housing (2) which surrounds the contact element (7) and at least part of the support plate (9) to protect them from environmental influences, wherein the support plate (9) is arranged in a fixed position in the housing (2). The switching contacts (8) are arranged directly on the support plate (9), and a movable actuating element (3) is provided on the housing (2) and, by actuation of the switching element (1), brings about a movement and/or deformation of the contact element (7).

Description

switching element

Description

The present invention is directed to a switching element for generating at least one electrical signal or switching state for locking, unlocking, opening and / or closing of a security / or locking system, in particular in vehicles, directed according to the preamble of claim 1. Specified this switching element may be arranged in a door handle, wherein in addition to the switching element further electrical and / or electronic components may be present. For example, a proximity sensor and an actuation sensor as well as at least a part of the evaluation electronics can be present in the door handle. Also, the switching element itself can serve as a touch or actuation sensor.

From the published patent application DE 10 2004 040 395 A, for example, an electrical component in the form of an electrical switch is known, which is used in keyboards, control panels or the like. This switching element consists of various elements, which are assembled together to form a component. The entire switching element is then arranged with its housing on a conductor track, in particular by the SMD (Surface Mounted Device) technique. Thus, the switching element itself is protected against environmental influences, including a sealing lip is provided in the housing. Overall, however, the structure of the electrical switching element is complicated and expensive.

Furthermore, it is known from the utility model DE 93 12 171.7 U1 to arrange an electrically conductive element by means of the so-called THD (Through Hole Device) technology on a carrier plate as an electrical switching element. However, the so-called THD technique has the disadvantage that an automated production is hardly possible. Consequently, the electrical element must be arranged and soldered by hand on the circuit board.

From the prior art, a further development of the aforementioned electrical component is known, which can now be arranged by the already mentioned SMD technology on a support plate. The patent DE 198 23 894 C1 discloses for this purpose a snap disk switch with fastening element, wherein the snap disk is soldered by means of the fastener on the support plate by the SMD technology. However, this electrical switching element has the disadvantage that it is not protected against environmental influences, so that the intended switching contacts for the electrical connection are exposed to the environmental influences and thereby easily corrode.

In order to avoid this disadvantage in a touch switch in an outside door handle, DE 101 32 925 A1 proposes to use a piezoelectric element as the switching element. However, piezo elements basically have the disadvantage that they do not output any tactile feedback upon actuation. This Disadvantage can be compensated in turn by electromechanical switching elements. However, these must again be encapsulated consuming against environmental influences.

From the published patent application DE 103 31 947 A1 a switching element for handles on doors or flaps on vehicles is known, which is sealed media-tight by a housing. Consequently, the switching element is also protected against environmental influences. However, this switching element requires a high installation depth, since a complete microswitch is arranged on the carrier plate. This microswitch also has its own housing and a contact actuator and other components.

The object of the present invention is now to be seen to obtain a switching element with a small installation depth and few components, which is simple and inexpensive to produce. In addition, this switching element should also provide tactile feedback to an operator when operating. This object is achieved by a switching element having the features of claim 1, which has the following special significance.

The switching element according to the invention has at least one contact element, whereby an electrical connection between at least two existing electrical switching contacts can be generated by an actuation of the switching element. Furthermore, a carrier plate is provided, which has, inter alia, electrical connection contacts for the switching element. These connection contacts can simply consist of conductor tracks or of so-called solder pads, to which, for example, an electrical line can be connected. In addition, a housing for the switching element is provided, which surrounds the contact element and at least partially or completely the carrier plate - protected against environmental influences - surrounds. The support plate itself is arranged wholly or partially stationary in the housing. If the carrier plate is arranged completely in the housing, only one connection connection leads out of the switching element, in particular the housing. If, on the other hand, the carrier plate is only partially arranged in the housing, the protruding part of the carrier plate with its conductor tracks can serve to connect the switching element. Next it is at the switching element according to the invention provided that the switching contacts, which are electrically connected to each other by the contact element, are arranged directly on the support plate. In order to enable now an actuation of the switching element, a movable actuating element is provided on or in the housing, whereby a movement and / or deformation of the contact element is effected, whereby the electrical signal or an electrical state is reached. Since the switching contacts are arranged directly on the support plate, on which the contact element acts electrically conductive, a particularly space-saving design of the switching element is possible. Also, the movement and / or deformation of the contact element provides a tactile feedback to the operator. Since the housing is not only arranged around the contact element and the switch contacts, but also at least partially around the support plate, the switching element is protected against environmental influences. Furthermore, the entire switching element can be integrated with its housing in another unit.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 16.

In order to achieve a good conductivity between the contact element and the switching contacts, the switching contacts can protrude punctiform from a surface of the support plate. The switching contacts can protrude like a cap from the carrier plate. The switch contacts can be soldered to a solder pad at the end of a conductor on the support surface, welded or otherwise arranged. The switch contacts themselves can be gold plated so that their surface hardly corrodes. Likewise, at least the mating surfaces of the contact element, which interact with the switching contacts, be gold plated.

In a particular variant of the invention, at least one switching contact is firmly connected to the contact element via one or more predetermined holding regions in an electrically conductive manner. In a rest position of the contact element, a further switching contact is not connected to the contact element. Now, if the contact element is brought into its switching position, the contact element is additional electrically connected to the other switching contact. Thus, then a current between the switch contacts flow through the contact element. In this example, the contact element is expediently positively, positively and / or cohesively arranged electrically conductive on the support plate.

In an opposite variant of the switching element according to the invention, the contact element is arranged on the actuating element in a positive, force and / or material fit. Upon actuation of the switching element, the contact element is then lowered onto the carrier plate, in particular onto the switching contacts, whereby the electrical connection between the switching contacts is produced. In this embodiment, it is expedient that no switching contact is permanently connected to the contact element, which is arranged on the actuating element.

So that the contact element can automatically change from the switching position to its rest position, optionally a spring is provided, through which the contact element is pushed away from the switching contacts. Conveniently, this may be arranged between the spring plate and the contact element, the spring. For holding the spring additional guide pieces may be present.

It is also conceivable that the contact element is designed as a snap disc or bridge, wherein the snap disc, in particular a dome-shaped region which is deformable upon actuation of the switching element. Due to the deformation of the snap-action disk, the electrical connection between the switch contacts is made via the dome-shaped region. Conveniently, the contact element reversibly deformable material when a deformation of the contact element takes place upon actuation of the switching element. Due to the thus existing mechanical stresses, the contact element can automatically change from the switching position to the rest position. Consequently, can be dispensed with in such a designed contact element on an additional spring for the switching change. Thus, the contact element itself is designed as a spring element to independently from the switching position in the To arrive at rest. Of course, optionally, an additional spring may be provided for the switching change.

Since the entire contact element does not have to consist of a continuous electrically conductive material, at least one electrically conductive region is to be provided which establishes an electrical connection between the switching contacts. For example, it is conceivable that the entire contact element consists of a deformable plastic material, on which an electrically conductive metal foil is partially vapor-deposited or welded. This metal foil is then used to make the electrical connection between the two switch contacts. Of course, the entire contact element may consist of an electrically conductive material. In order to obtain an optimum electrical connection, the contact element may have an electrically conductive bulge which cooperates with the switching contacts on the carrier plate in the switching position. In addition, at least one recess can be provided in the support plate, in which the bulge of the contact element can protrude, if this lingers in the switching position. Due to the electrically conductive bulge on the contact element, it is possible to arrange the switching contacts in the immediate vicinity of each other on the support plate. Thus, the width of the switching element according to the invention can be reduced.

To allow easy mounting of the support plate in the housing, counter guide means are provided on the support plate, which cooperate with guide means in the housing. These counter-guide means in the carrier plate may consist of circular, oval, triangular, square or other openings. The guide means preferably have a uniform cross-sectional area to the counter guide means. In order to guarantee a perfect assembly of the switching element, preferably two counter guide means are arranged with different cross-sectional areas in the support plate, which cooperate with corresponding guide means, that is, with comparable cross-sectional areas to the counter-guide means. By the measure can be achieved that a support plate only in its correct orientation in the housing of the Switching element can be arranged. In addition, these pin-like guide means can also be used to attach the carrier plate in the housing. For this purpose, the support plate is fixed in place by the pin-like guide means which are additionally provided at its end with locking washers or securing splines or screws in the housing. It is also conceivable that the guide means consist of plastic pins, whereby the support plate can be positioned by a peripheral deformation of the plastic pin stationary in the housing.

Further, it is optionally possible that, for example, only a triangular projection is provided as a guide means on the housing, which cooperates with a corresponding recess in the corner region of the support plate as a counter guide means.

For fixing the support plate in the housing, a securing element can additionally be used, wherein the support plate between a stop element and the securing element in the housing can be fixed. This securing element may have a similar base surface as the support plate, wherein edge-bent points are provided with which the locking element digs on the inside of the housing. By this measure, the support plate is positively and / or non-positively held in the housing. To protect the interior of the housing against environmental influences, the housing can be sealed on the back by a potting compound. This potting compound can close the housing with the pre-installed carrier plate and the securing element media-tight.

It is also conceivable that the support plate is held between the stop element and an undercut in the housing. In this variant can be dispensed with the additional securing element, since one or more projections in the housing allow a direct positive and / or non-positive attachment of the support plate in the housing. The support plate is thus fixed by a clip connection in the housing. In this variant, a potting compound can be additionally used to seal the switching element. Instead of the potting compound, it is also possible to use a seal. For a movement and / or deformation of the contact element by the actuating element is possible, the actuating element must be movably arranged in the housing. For this purpose, the actuating element can be secured in the housing, for example via a sealed and closed guide. Consequently, the actuator is a separate component to the housing.

However, it is also conceivable to design the actuating element in one piece with the housing, in which the actuating element, in particular by means of a flexible membrane, is held on the housing. This membrane then allows a relative movement of the actuating element to the rest of the housing. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the housing is made in one piece with the actuating element by a three-component plastic injection molding. The actual cup-shaped housing has a dimensionally stable plastic, on which a membrane is molded from an elastic plastic. In turn, the dimensionally stable actuating element is arranged on the elastic membrane, so that the actuating element is movably provided on the housing. As a result, the switching element can be configured absolutely media-tight.

Expediently, the actuating element has a plunger, which is arranged within the housing and acts on the contact element upon actuation of the switching element. This plunger may be configured in one piece with the actuating element. Also, the plunger can be movably arranged on the actuating element, in order thus to improve the switching characteristic, in particular the tactile behavior of the switching element. It is conceivable that the plunger is spring-loaded on the actuating element. In order to enable a uniform distribution of force on the contact element as possible, the tappet foot can be designed like a dish.

In order to avoid destruction of the contact element may additionally be provided at least one spacer element, whereby a minimum distance between the actuating element and the carrier plate can be predetermined. This spacer is expediently between the actuating element and the carrier plate to arrange. Thus, the actuator can be pressed only up to a predetermined distance on the contact element. Likewise, a volume reducing piece can also be arranged inside the housing in order to reduce the interior volume of the self-contained switching element. In this way, the effect of pressure differences between the interior pressure and the external pressure can be reduced, thus precluding a malfunction of the switching element by these pressure differences.

Further, holding and / or guide elements may be provided on the outside of the housing, with which the housing in an additional unit, in particular a door handle or the like, can be integrated. By this holding and / or guide elements, a simple and secure installation in the additional unit can be made possible. The holding and / or guide elements may consist of webs, projections, contact surfaces, undercuts or the like.

In addition, the present invention is directed to an actuator according to claim 17 for a safety and / or locking system, in particular for a door handle in vehicles, with an integrated circuit element according to one of claims 1 to 16. The switching element used can be arranged as an actuation and / or touch sensor on the inside or outside of the door handle. Of course, the door handle may have further electrical or electromechanical components.

Further measures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is shown schematically in several embodiments partially. Show it:

FIG. 1 a shows a cross section through a switching element according to the invention with a snap-action disk which is arranged stationarily on a carrier plate, FIG. 1 b a schematic representation of a further contact element which is arranged stationarily on an actuating element,

FIG. 1 c shows a schematic representation of another contact element which is connected in a stationary manner at two points to the actuating element,

2a shows a cross section through another embodiment of the switching element, wherein the contact element is arranged stationary on the support plate and the actuating element is configured in one piece to the plunger,

2b shows a cross section through an additional switching element, in which the carrier plate is arranged by an undercut positive and / or non-positively in the housing,

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of an exemplary switching element,

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view from the rear side of a housing with integrated actuating element,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a carrier plate arranged close to each other

Switching contacts and

Figure 6 is a plan view of another support plate with a triangular

Switching element and a point-shaped, centrally arranged switching contact.

FIG. 1 a shows a switching element 1 according to the invention with a contact element 7, which is arranged stationarily on a carrier plate 9. This contact element 7 is designed as a snap-action disc 7a, which at its holding portions 7b form, force and / or materially secured to the support plate 9 is. In this case, an electrically conductive connection (for example, by means of a solder connection) can exist between the snap disk 7a and the carrier plate 9. In order now to generate an electrical signal or a change in the switching state of the switching element 1, the actuating element 3 must be depressed in the direction of the arrow 26. Thus, the actuator 3 is movable relative to the housing 2, this is mounted on a flexible membrane 5 in the housing 2. During this downward movement of the actuating element 3, the plunger 3b presses with its plate-like plunger foot 3d on the snap disk 7a. As a result, the snap disc 7a is deformed such that its dome-shaped portion 7c is pressed in the direction of the support plate 9, so that an electrical connection between the switch contacts 8 and the electrically conductive recess 7d, which is arranged centrally in the dome-shaped portion 7c, is produced. Since the two switching contacts 8 are connected to conductor tracks 10 in or on the support plate 9, thus, this electrical signal can be forwarded to the terminal contacts 12. At this connection contacts 12, for example, an electrical line 16 may be connected, which has a plug at the other end. The electrical line 16 itself may consist of a multi-core cable.

In order to prevent destruction of the contact element 7 or the snap disk 7a, at least one spacer element 4 is provided between the actuating element 3 and the carrier plate 9. In the specific case (see Fig. 1 a), a total of two C-shaped spacer elements 4 are arranged on the rear side on the actuating element 3. In the figure 4, these two spacers 4 are clearly visible. In addition, the plunger 3b, which acts on the contact element 7 upon actuation of the actuating element 3, held spring-loaded in the actuating element 3. For this purpose, the plunger 3b on a mushroom-shaped plunger head 3c, which is received positively within the guide 3a in the actuating element 3. In addition, the spring 3e is provided between the plunger 3b, in particular the plunger foot 3d, and the rear side of the actuating element 3. By this spring-loaded arrangement of the plunger 3b in the actuating element 3, it is possible that only a certain force, which is predetermined by the spring 3e, are transmitted to the contact element 7. Of course, also another spring, for example, between the Support plate 9 and the actuating element 3, be provided to convert this from the switching position to the rest position. In the switching element 1 of Figure 1 a is a button that provides only a signal when the actuator 3 is depressed. If a locking mechanism is provided in the housing 2, the switching element 1 can also be designed as a grid or switch.

The already mentioned spacer element 4 can optionally also be arranged between the actuating element 3 and a projection in the housing 2 in order to maintain a minimum distance 25 between the plate-like tappet foot 3d and the carrier plate 9.

Thus, the switching element 1 is closed media-tight, the housing 2 can be closed on the back with a potting compound 21. Previously, however, the support plate 9 must be mounted stationary in the housing 2. For this purpose, the housing 2 has a large-area stop element 6, which consists of a shoulder, on which the carrier plate 9 comes to rest in the housing 2. In addition, pin-like guide means 14 are provided on the housing 2, which may have different cross-sectional areas in order to prevent incorrect mounting of the support plate 9. For this purpose, the guide means 14 cooperate with counter guide means 15 in the support plate 9. The counter guide means 15 consist of apertures which have uniform cross-sectional areas to their corresponding guide means 14. It is also conceivable to lock the carrier plate 9 by the guide means 14 in the housing 2, in which, for example, additional securing washers, splints or the like act on the guide means 14. In the specific case of the switching element 1 of Figure 1 a, however, an additional securing element 17 is used to keep the support plate 9 securely in the housing 2. For this purpose, the securing element 17 at the edge bent, triangular prongs with which the fuse element 17 anchored to the inside of the housing. Also, this securing element 17 may be provided with counter guide means 15, to avoid also a wrong installation. In conclusion, can the preassembled with the support plate 9 and the fuse element 17 switching element 1 are sealed with the potting compound 21.

The independent switching change of the switching element 1 from its switching position to the rest position is effected on the one hand by the flexible diaphragm 5 for the actuating element 3 and on the other hand by the deformed in the switching position contact element. 7

In FIGS. 1 b and 1 c, a further basic embodiment of the switching element 1 according to the invention is shown schematically. In this case, the contact element 7 is not stationary (as in Fig. 1 a) arranged on the support plate 9, but on the actuating element 3, in particular the plunger 3b. In FIG. 1b, a bridge 7b is used as the contact element 7. In order to allow the independent switching change of the switching element 1 from the switching position, the rest position, the spring 24 may optionally be provided between the support plate 9 and the contact element 7 and the plunger 3b. In this case, the plunger 3b - as shown in Figure 1 a -, be arranged in the guide 3a of the actuating element 3. If the actuating element 3 is now depressed, the plunger 3b is also pressed onto the carrier plate 9 in the direction of the arrow 26 with the contact elements 7 or the bridge 7b fixedly arranged thereon. Here, the contact between the two switch contacts 8, which are arranged on the support plate 9, produced by the bridge 7b. As can also be seen in FIG. 1 b, a guide piece for securely receiving the spring 24 can be provided on the carrier plate 9 and on the plunger 3b. At the same time, these two guide pieces can also serve as spacers 4.

In the figure 1 c, a further variant of the switching element 1 according to the invention is shown. Here, an M-shaped conductive bridge 7b is used as the contact element 7, which can be positively and / or non-positively connected to the plunger 3b at two points. This plunger 3b can in turn be arranged in the guide 3a of the actuating element 3. Also, the plunger 3b - just as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 b - directly to the actuator. 3 be provided. In Figure 1 c, the two switching contacts 8 are arranged close to each other on the support plate 9, wherein they are separated from each other for example by a recess 1 1 in the surface of the support plate 9. This recess 1 1 serves to receive the tip of the electrically conductive recess 7d in the switching position. In this embodiment, the entire contact element 7 need not be made electrically conductive, but it is sufficient if only the bulge 7d is electrically conductive. In order to support an independent provision of the switching element 1 from the switching position to the rest position, press the two legs of the M-shaped bridge 7b on the support plate 9 from.

FIG. 2 a discloses a switching element 1 according to the invention, in which the actuating element 3 and the plunger 3 b are configured in one piece. Also, this actuating element 3 is movably mounted on the housing 2 via a diaphragm 5. At a pressure on the actuating element 3, this moves in the direction of the arrow 26, whereby at the same time the fixedly arranged on the support plate 9 contact element 7 is deformed so that it establishes an electrical contact with the centered switching contact 8 with its dome-shaped portion 7c.

Optionally in the switching element 1 also display elements 13, in particular ^LED's be arranged, for example, the generation of the electrical signal can display during the actuation of the switching element 1 optically. In order for the light emitted by the display elements 13 to be visible, transparent sections are provided in the housing 2, the membrane 5 and / or the actuating element 3. These translucent sections may consist of a transparent plastic. It should be mentioned at this point that, of course, also further electrical and / or electronic components can be provided in the switching device 1.

In contrast to FIG. 2a, in FIG. 2b, the carrier plate 9 is not secured by an additional securing element 17 but by the triangular projection 19 with the subsequent undercut 18 in the housing 2. In this case, the support plate 9 goes with the projection 19 a so-called clip connection. Around Nevertheless, to seal the interior of the switching element 1, an additional seal 20 may be provided in the region of the projection 19 and the undercut 18. This seal 20 may for example have a circular cross-section. Also, the seal 20 may have a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the support plate 9 engages in the open side of the U ^'s . Thus, the entire support plate 9 would be surrounded at the edge by the seal 20 with the U-shaped cross-section.

In the previously mentioned embodiments of the switching element 1 according to the invention, the actuating element 3 can optionally also be arranged (that is, not above the membrane 5) via a closed guide in the housing 2. In this case, the actuating element 3 and the plunger 3b can be designed in one piece or in several parts to each other.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the switching element 1 according to the invention. This switching element 1 can be arranged for example in an outside door handle of a vehicle to control a security and / or locking system. For this purpose, 2 holding / guiding elements 22 are provided on the housing to integrate the switching element 1 in a further structural unit, such as a door handle. The electrical connection of the switching element 1 can be made via the electrical line 16. It is also conceivable that the support plate 9 is designed such that it protrudes with its conductor tracks 10 from the housing 2 and at the same time serves as a support plate 9 for further electrical or electronic components.

In the figure 4, only the housing 2 of the switching element 1 with the integrated actuator 3 is shown on the back. Here is clearly the stop element 6, which consists of a paragraph in the housing 2, to recognize. Also, the peg-shaped guide means 14 are visible, wherein a guide means 14 has a square cross-section and the other has a circular cross-section. Of course, other types of cross sections for the guide means 14 are conceivable, with the corresponding counter-guide means 15 in the support plate. 9 interact. In order to reduce the internal volume of the switching element 1, a volume reduction element 23 is provided in the housing 2, which may be arranged positively and / or non-positively in the housing 2. It is also conceivable that this is molded or welded to the housing 2. From the back of the actuator 3, the two C-shaped spacers 4 and the plunger 3b go out. Outside on the housing 2, for example, a longitudinally ausgestalteter web may be provided as a holding / guiding element 22 in order to avoid a false installation of the switching element 1 in the additional unit.

In the figure 5 and 6, only a plan view of a support plate 9 without the housing 2 and the actuator 3 is shown. Here again different electrical connection options for the contact element 7 are shown. In FIG. 5, for example, a snap disk 7a is used, which is arranged stationarily on the carrier plate 9. For a better overview, the snap disc 7a is shown only by dashed lines. This snap disk 7a is held on the carrier plate 9 via its holding regions 7e. In this case, an electrical connection of the snap disk 7a to the conductor tracks 10 may exist. As can also be seen, two switching contacts 8 are arranged centrally under the bulge 7d of the snap-action disc 7a. Upon actuation of the switching element 1, this electrically conductive recess 7d is now pressed onto the switching contacts 8. This creates an electrical connection between the switching contacts 8, which also generates an electrical connection between the terminal contacts 12. Also, if the snap disc 7a is designed to be completely electrically conductive, an electrical connection between the conductor tracks 10, which are arranged on the holding portion 7e of the snap disc 7a and at least one switching contact 8 are produced. Furthermore, the various cross sections for the counter guide means 15 are still shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, a triangular snap disk 7a is used. This is electrically conductively connected to the carrier plate 9 with its holding region 7e. Upon actuation of the switching element 1, an electrical connection between the arranged centrally under the contact element 7 arranged switching contact 8 and provided on the holding portion 7 e switching contacts 8. Thus, the holding portions 7e of the snap disc 7a are always connected in an electrically conductive manner to the outward-standing switching contacts 8.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the exemplary embodiments illustrated here for the switching element 1 according to the invention can be combined with one another as desired, provided that they are not explicitly excluded.

Bezu qszei chen l iste

switching element

casing

Actuator a Guide b Follower c Push head d Pushrod (plate-like) e Spring for pushrod

Spacer element (C-shaped)

membrane

stop element

Contact element a Snap disc b Bridge (M-shaped) c dome-shaped area d bulge (electrically conductive) e Holding area

switching contact

Support plate 0 Conductor 1 depression 2 Connection contact 3 Display element 4 Guide means 5 Counter guide means 6 electrical line 7 Securing element 8 Undercut 9 Projection 0 Seal 1 Potting compound 2 Holding / guiding elements 3 Volume reduction element 4 Spring 5 Minimum distance 6 Arrow for direction of movement of 3 bzw.7

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Switching element (1) for generating at least one electrical signal or switching state for locking, unlocking, opening and / or closing of a safety / or locking system, in particular in a vehicle, with at least one contact element (7), whereby upon actuation of the switching element (1 ) an electrical connection between at least two existing electrical switch contacts (8) can be generated, and a support plate (9) having electrical connection contacts (12) for the switching element (1), and

- A housing (2) which surrounds the contact element (7) and at least partially the support plate (9) protected against environmental influences, wherein the support plate (9) stationary in the housing (2) is arranged, characterized in that the switching contacts (8) , which are electrically interconnected by the contact element (7), are arranged directly on the carrier plate (9), and that a movable actuating element (3) is provided on the housing (2), which by actuation of the switching element (1) Movement and / or deformation of the contact element (7) causes.

Second switching element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching contacts (8), in particular punctiform, protrude from a surface of the carrier plate (9).

3. switching element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (7) is fixed in shape, force and / or cohesively on the support plate (9) or on the actuating element (3).

4. switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the contact element (7) is spring-loaded (24), whereby it after a switching position in which an electrical connection between the switching contacts (8) exists, when actuated in a rest position in which the electrical switching contacts (8) have no electrical connection , is convertible.

5. switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (7) as a snap-action disc (7a) or bridge (7b) is configured, wherein the snap disc (7a) in particular a dome-shaped region (7c), which upon actuation of the switching element (1) is deformable, whereby the electrical connection between the switching contacts (8) can be produced.

6. switching element (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact element (7) is made of a reversibly deformable material, and that build up in particular in a deformation of the snap disc (7a) by an actuation of the switching element (1) mechanical stresses , whereby the snap disc (7a) automatically changes from the switching position to the rest position.

7. switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (7) has at least one electrically conductive recess (7d) which cooperates with the switching contacts (8) on the support plate (9) in the switching position.

8. switching element (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that in the support plate (9) at least one recess (1 1) is provided, into which the bulge (7 d) of the contact element (7) can protrude.

9. switching element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier plate (9) counter-guide means (15) which cooperate with guide means (14) of the housing (2).

10. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two guide means (14) and counter guide means (15) are present, wherein in particular differently shaped guide means (14) or counter-guide means (15) are provided.

1 1. switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier plate (9) by a securing element (17) fixed in the housing (2) is positionable, wherein the support plate (9) between a stop element (6) and the securing element (17) in the housing (2) is fixable, or that the support plate (9) is held between the stop element (6) and an undercut (18) in the housing (2).

12. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arranged carrier plate (9) by means of at least one seal (20) in the housing (2) is enclosed and / or that the arranged carrier plate (9) at the back by a potting compound (21) is enclosed in the housing (2).

13. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (3) and the housing (2) are designed in one piece, wherein the actuating element (3) in particular by means of a flexible membrane (5) on the housing (2). is held.

14. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (3) has a plunger (3b) which acts within the housing (2) on the contact element (7).

15. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the actuating element (3) and the carrier plate (9) a spacer element (4) is provided, whereby a minimum distance (25) between the actuating element (3) and the Support plate (9) can be specified.

16. Switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) from the outside holding and / or guide elements (22), whereby this can be integrated in an additional unit.

17. Actuating device for a safety and / or locking system, in particular for a door handle in vehicles, with an integrated switching element (1) according to one of the preceding claims.