WO2008014873A1

WO2008014873A1 - Switch module

Info

Publication number: WO2008014873A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/006143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Horst; Reiner Mozer; Conny Hein
Original assignee: Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-07-31
Filing date: 2007-07-11
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: DE102006036143A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch module, in particular to a switch module for a vehicle switch, having a mount which can be arranged on a printed circuit board, having a spring element which is supported on the mount, having an actuating part which is mounted on the mount such that it can move, can be acted on against the spring element and can be moved to at least two switch positions, with at least one signal transmitter being provided on the actuating part and interacting with at least one signal receiver, which is arranged on the printed circuit board, when the mount is arranged on the printed circuit board.

Description

Title: Switch module

Besehreibung

The invention relates to a switch module, in particular a switch module for a vehicle switch. Switch modules for vehicle switches are known from the prior art in many ways.

With the invention, a switch module is to be provided, which can be used in variously designed switching units use. It should be subject to low wear, have a simple mechanism and thereby allow a cost-optimal design in a minimum of space. The required switching power should be as low as possible, with different switching positions to be clearly identified. The generation of a switching signal should be carried out in particular contactless.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a switch module with the features of claim 1. The switch module comprises a carrier which can be arranged on a printed circuit board, with a spring element supported on the carrier, and with an actuating part that is movably mounted on the carrier and can be acted upon by the spring element and brought into at least two switching positions, wherein at least one signal generator is provided on the control part, which interacts with at least one arranged on the circuit board signal sensor when arranged on the circuit board carrier. Such a switch module, consisting of the carrier, the spring element and the actuating part with the at least one signal generator, can be handled independently as a pre-assembly unit with or without a printed circuit board. In particular, it can be manufactured as a serial component in large numbers and be installed later in a variety of different types of switch units.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal transmitter is designed as a permanent magnet and the signal sensor as a magnetic field sensor. As a result, a switching signal can be generated without contact. Due to the non-contact interaction of the permanent magnet with the magnetic field sensor, which may be formed for example as a Hall sensor, no high switching forces are required for signal generation and wear between the components generated the switching signal does not occur.

The poles of the permanent magnet can cooperate with the magnetic field sensor in such a way that the one pole is detected in the one switching position of the magnetic field sensor and the other pole is detected by the magnetic field sensor in the other switching position. This ensures that the magnetic field sensor is actively influenced in each of the switching positions. This is the result Generation of a switching signal guaranteed even with external interference magnetic fields.

Advantageously, more than two switch positions can be provided, wherein the permanent magnet then at least two transverse to the direction of the actuator adjacent, running in the direction of the actuator, each formed from individual north and / or south poles Polspuren, wherein for each Polspur on the circuit board own magnetic field sensor is provided. Consequently, with such an embodiment, a plurality of switching positions lying one behind the other in the direction of movement of the actuating part can be clearly recognized. About the binary output signals of the plurality of magnetic field sensors, a code can be determined, which is clearly assigned to a switching position. For example, two adjacent Polspuren be used, each Polspur is formed of four consecutive single poles. Overall, four clearly identifiable code words can thus be detected from the respective adjacent individual poles of the two pole tracks via the magnetic field sensors. Each code word is assigned a clearly recognizable switching position. Accordingly, three adjacent poles tracks can be used, in which case three magnetic field sensors for scanning the respective Polspur are arranged on the circuit board. Overall, eight switching positions can be clearly identified. Advantageously, the individual code words are such that between two adjacent code words of the binary code differs by only one bit. This allows a fault diagnosis to be realized; If the codeword changes by more than one bit or by no bit when moving the control part from one switch position to an adjacent switch position, a malfunction can be diagnosed.

In another embodiment of the invention can be provided that the signal generator is designed as a light beam influencing diaphragm element and the signal sensor as a light sensor. Here, too, a non-contact signal generation occurs when moving the adjusting member relative to the signal sensor.

In the event that more than two switching positions are provided, the diaphragm element may have at least two transverse to the direction of the actuating part adjacent, extending in the direction of movement of the actuating part, each formed from individual openings and / or closed sections glare trails, wherein for each glare on the Printed circuit board is provided a separate light sensor. This also makes it possible to generate different binary code words depending on the switching position of the control. From the respective codewords can be deduced a unique switching position. In another embodiment of the invention can be provided that the signal generator is designed as an electrical contact bridge and that the signal sensor is designed as arranged on the circuit board contact path. Depending on the switching position of the switching part contacted the contact bridge via associated sliding contacts contact portions of the contact track. As a result, switch positions can be clearly identified.

It is conceivable that more than two switching positions are provided, wherein the contact track has at least two transverse to the direction of movement of the actuating part adjacent, running in the direction of the actuating part, each formed from contact portions contact tracks, wherein the contact tracks are contacted according to the switching position of the contact bridge accordingly , This also allows, depending on the switching position, different binary code words are generated, which individual switching positions can be clearly assigned.

According to the invention, the actuating part can in particular be motion-coupled with an actuating element via a guide section. This has the advantage that the actuating part is not moved directly but indirectly via the actuating element from a switching position to an adjacent switching position. Consequently, the actuator can always be designed identically regardless of a later use of the switch module. Depending on Later use of the switch module in a switch unit can be used variously designed actuators use. As a result, the switch module according to the invention can advantageously be used in a large number of differently designed switch units.

The guide portion of the actuating part may be formed as an obliquely to the direction of movement of the actuating part extending guide slope. Upon actuation of a moving against the guide bevel actuator, a movement of the actuating member is achieved in the intended direction of movement due to the guide slope. The actuator is thus safely transferred from a switch position to an adjacent switch position.

In this case, the guide bevel is advantageously arranged on the side facing away from the spring element of the actuating part. Due to this separation of functions results in a safe movement of the actuator against the force applied by the spring element spring force.

In particular, it may be advantageously provided that the actuating element is arranged movably mounted on the carrier. The carrier provides for this bearing sections for the actuator. This has the advantage that between the freedom of movement of the actuating element and the freedom of movement of the actuating element very small tolerances can be complied with. As a result, the movement paths of the setting part can be specified exactly, whereby different switching positions can be detected even with very small movements of the setting part.

Advantageously, the carrier has a latching connection for arrangement on the printed circuit board. About such a locking connection, the carrier can be arranged in a simple manner positionally accurate on the circuit board.

The spring element may be formed according to the invention as a coil spring, plate spring, coil spring or the like. In particular, it may be formed as a spring tongue, which is integrally formed on the carrier and / or on the actuating part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator moves along a straight line. Such a control part is then designed as a sliding part. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the adjusting part is designed as a rotatable part rotatable about an axis. As a result, switching positions lying about an axis of rotation can be reliably detected.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to which various embodiments of the invention are described and explained in detail.

Show it: Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a switch module according to the invention in different switching positions;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a switch module according to the invention;

Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a switch module according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a switch module according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of a switch module according to the invention; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a section through a sixth embodiment of a switch module according to the invention.

The switch module 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a carrier 12, a spring element 14 supporting itself on the carrier 12 in the form of a helical spring and a carrier 12 movably mounted against the spring element 14 and placed in two switching positions movable actuating part 16. For the movable mounting of the actuating part 16, this may be arranged, for example, via a groove guide 20 directed in the direction of movement 18 of the actuating part on the carrier 12. The carrier 12 further provides a locking receptacle 22, in which a circuit board 24 is engaged.

On the adjusting part 16, a permanent magnet 26 is arranged on the side facing the circuit board 24, which comprises a north pole N and a south pole S. On the circuit board 24, the permanent magnet 26 opposite a magnetic field sensor 28, for example in the form of a Hall sensor, is provided. In the switching position of the actuating part 16 shown in FIG. 1, the south pole S is in the detection range of the magnetic field sensor 28.

In the second switching position of the switch module 10 according to FIG. 1, shown in FIG. 2, the north pole N is located in the detection area of the magnetic field sensor 28. The fact that a magnetic pole is located in the detection area of the magnetic field sensor 28 in each of the two switch positions of the setting part 16 becomes apparent in both Switching detected a unique magnetic field; As a result, a disturbance in the signal evaluation by external interference magnetic fields can be largely prevented.

As is apparent from Figures 1 and 2, the switch module 10 comprises an actuating element 30, which along the Arrow 32 is actuated. The actuating element 30 acts on an adjusting part side, obliquely to the direction of movement 18 of the actuating part extending guide bevel 34 with the control part 16 together. The guide slope 34 can in particular assume an angle between 30 ° and 90 ° and in particular an angle in the range of 45 ° with respect to the direction of movement 18. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuating element 30 also provides a guide bevel 36, which interacts with the actuating-part-side guide slope 34. Upon actuation of the actuator 30 in the downward direction of the arrow 32, the actuating member 16 is acted upon against the spring element 14 due to the cooperating guide slopes 36, 34. In this case, the north pole N enters the detection range of the magnetic field sensor 28, as shown in Figure 2.

FIG. 3 shows a second switch module 40 according to the invention, the structure of which largely corresponds to the switch module 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Corresponding components are provided with corresponding reference numbers. The actuating element 30 according to FIG. 3 is mounted on the carrier 12 via a guide 42 in its direction of movement 32. Furthermore, the actuating element 30 provides a shoulder 44 which serves to limit the movement of the actuating element 30 with a carrier-side stop 45. The actuator 30 itself is doing over a Cam slider 46 which is movable in the direction of movement 48, driven.

The switch module 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the switch modules 10 and 40 in that the actuating element 30 is pivotally mounted on the carrier 12. For this purpose, the carrier 12 provides a bearing journal 52, which engages in an actuating element-side bearing recess 54. On the part of the side guide slope 34 side facing the actuator 30 provides a rounded surface 56. This surface 56 cooperates with the guide slope 34 when the actuating element 30 is actuated. The actuating element 30 itself can be actuated, for example, via a guide pin 60 which can be actuated in the direction 58. Depending on the arrangement of the guide pin 60 with respect to the bearing pin 52 actuating lever, and thus actuating forces and actuating paths, can be specified. A favorable relationship may arise, for example, when the distance a of the guide pin 60 to the axis of the journal 52 is approximately half as the distance b of the guide bevel 34 contacting surface 56 to the axis of the journal 52nd

In the case of the switching module 70 shown in FIG. 6, the guide bevel 24 projects beyond the outer contour of the carrier 12. The accessible guide slope 24, or a guide section 72 adjoining the guide slope 24, can consequently be provided with an outside of the carrier 12 Actuator 30, which is perpendicular or parallel to the direction of movement 18 actuated, cooperate.

The switch module 80 shown in FIG. 7 is characterized in that the actuating element 30 is arranged on the carrier 12 so as to be pivotable about the axis 82 on the side facing away from the guide slope 34. As a result, a compact design in the direction of movement 18 of the actuator can be achieved. For actuating the actuating element 30, a guide pin 60 is likewise provided in the embodiment according to FIG. Depending on the position of the guide pin 60 with respect to the pivot axis 82 corresponding lifting conditions can be generated.

Figure 8 shows a section through the plane in which the permanent magnet 26 is arranged. The permanent magnet 26 has on the side facing the circuit board 24 two transverse to the direction of movement of the actuating part adjacent to each other, extending in the direction of movement of the actuating part Polspuren 86 and 88. The Polspuren 86 and 88 consist of individual north and south poles. Each of the pole tracks is detected by a respective magnetic field sensor 28. From the two output signals of the magnetic field sensors 28, this results in a two-part binary code word. The order of the codewords can be, for example, such that the codeword differs from the respectively adjacent codeword by only one value. A conceivable sequence is, for example: NN, NS, SS, SN. Each of these codewords can have a Switch position assigned. Overall, such a switch module has four clearly recognizable switching positions. Accordingly, three magnetic field sensors can be provided on the printed circuit board 24, which detect three code tracks lying next to each other. Here then a maximum of eight switch positions can be detected clearly.

In other, not shown embodiments of the invention, instead of a permanent magnet diaphragm elements may be provided which engage, for example, in a fork light barrier. The diaphragm elements provide openings and closed sections, with which a binary code word can be generated on at least one signal sensor. Due to an unambiguous assignment of the code words to switch positions corresponding advantages can also be achieved here.

Accordingly, contact fields with associated jumpers can be used.

Claims

claims

1. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80), in particular switch module for a vehicle switch, with a on a circuit board (24) can be arranged carrier (12), with a on the support (12) supporting the spring element (14), and with an on the support (12) movably mounted, against the spring element (14) beauschlagbaren and brought in at least two switching positions control part (16), wherein the control part (16) at least one signal generator (26) is provided at the on the circuit board (24 ) arranged carrier (12) with at least one on the circuit board (24) arranged signal sensor (28) cooperates.

2. Switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal generator (26) as a permanent magnet and the signal sensor (28) is designed as a magnetic field sensor.

3. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to claim 2, characterized in that the poles (N, S) of the permanent magnet (26) with the magnetic field sensor (28) cooperate such that in a switching position of the magnetic field sensor ( 28) the one pole (N, S) and another switching position detects the other pole (S, N).

4. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that more than two switching positions are provided, wherein the permanent magnet (26) at least two transverse to the direction of movement (18) of the adjusting part (16) adjacent, in the direction of movement (18) of the adjusting part (16) extending, each formed of individual north and / or south poles Polspuren (86, 88), wherein for each Polspur (86, 88) on the circuit board (24) a separate magnetic field sensor (28) is provided.

5. Switch module according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal transmitter is designed as a light beam influencing diaphragm element and the signal sensor as a light sensor.

6. Switch module according to claim 5, characterized in that more than two switching positions are provided, wherein the diaphragm element has at least two transverse to the direction of movement of the actuating part adjacent, extending in the direction of movement of the actuating part, each formed from individual openings and / or closed sections glare trails, wherein a separate light sensor is provided for each glare track on the circuit board.

7. Switch module according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal generator is designed as an electrical contact bridge and that the signal sensor is designed as arranged on the circuit board contact path.

8. Switch module according to claim 7, characterized in that more than two switch positions are provided, wherein the contact track has at least two transverse to the direction of movement of the actuating part adjacent, extending in the direction of movement of the actuating part, each formed from contact portions contact tracks, wherein the contact tracks are contacted according to the switching position of the contact bridge accordingly.

9. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting part (16) via a guide portion (34, 72) is coupled for movement with an actuating element (30).

10. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide portion (34) as obliquely to the direction of movement (18) of the adjusting part (16) extending guide bevel is formed.

11. Switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide bevel (34) on the spring element (14) facing away from the actuating part (16) is arranged.

12. switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the actuating element (30) on the carrier (12) is arranged movably mounted.

13. Switch module (10, 40, 50, 70, 80) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in that the carrier (12) has a latching connection (22) for arrangement on the printed circuit board (24).