WO2019092198A1

WO2019092198A1 - Round, foot-operated switch

Info

Publication number: WO2019092198A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/080802
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Oberländer
Original assignee: Steute Technologies Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2017-11-10
Filing date: 2018-11-09
Publication date: 2019-05-16
Also published as: DE202017106831U1; CN208045335U

Abstract

The invention relates to a round, foot-operated switch (1) having at least one switching element (14), which is actuated by means of a linearly displaceable tappet (16), which is coupled to a centrally secured, tiltable and slideable foot actuation element (7). The round, foot-operated switch (1) is characterized in that it has at least one pivot element (15), which interacts on the one hand with the foot actuation element (7) and on the other hand with in each case at least one of the switching elements (14), wherein at least said switching element (14) is arranged horizontally.

Description

Rundfußschalter

The invention relates to a Rundfußschalter with one or more

Switching elements, which are operated via a linearly movable plunger, with a centrally mounted, tiltable and sliding

Foot actuator is coupled.

Round foot switches are used in many areas and have a frequently round, horizontally aligned in a rest position

Actuating element which can be actuated both in eccentric actuation tilting and in central operation in the downward direction. The operation of the foot actuator is via a plunger on the or

Transfer switching elements, the switching function in both a

Tilting as well as a pressing operation is qualitatively the same.

There may be two or more switching elements are present, which - depending on the embodiment of the actuating drive - switch on actuation of the Fußbetätigungselements either substantially simultaneously or sequentially. In this case, embodiments with two in the

Essentially switching simultaneously, electrically interconnected switching elements preferably used in areas where increased

Requirements for switching safety exist, for example in the

medical area. A typical application of such

Embodiments is the activation of a dental

Treatment device.

However, there are also applications in which two or more in the

Essentially not simultaneously switching switching elements are used to select over more or less strong depression or tilting of the actuator different functions of the or the driven devices. The signal transmission to the device to be controlled can take place wired or wireless, where necessary, suitable voltage sources are provided in the switch.

The document CN205104381 U describes such a Rundfußschalter. Disadvantage of this switch is the complicated assembly. Further are

Embodiments with multiple switching elements that do not switch substantially simultaneously, difficult to implement. The document CN 105390309 A also relates to a Rundfußschalter of the aforementioned type. Due to a vertical arrangement of the

Switching element of the described Rundfußschalters, the switch has a high minimum height. Again, embodiments are difficult to implement with multiple switching elements that do not switch substantially at the same time. Furthermore, when the switch is actuated, its housing interior is accessible to liquids, which makes it drastically difficult to comply with the parts of the European Standard EN 60601 that are to be used for medical devices.

The subject of EP 1 998 703 B1 is a round foot switch for use in the medical or dental medical field, with its

Concept embodiments with multiple switching elements in the

Essentially not switch at the same time, can be produced. The switch has to microswitches as switching elements, which are arranged standing upright next to the plunger. Upon a movement of the plunger down the plunger pushes actuators for the micro-switch to the outside and thereby triggers the switching process. Running at different heights or arranged at different heights next to the plunger actuators on which the plunger moves past, trigger the switching process accordingly at different plunger positions.

Disadvantages of this switch are the extremely high number of individual parts and the resulting difficult and difficult assembly due to the selected type of actuating drive.

The object of the invention is thus to provide a simple to install Rundfußschalters low height, in the embodiments of the

Actuator are possible, which switch at a plurality of switching elements on actuation of the actuating element either substantially simultaneously, or substantially successively. It is a further object to design the round foot switch so that the applicable to such medical devices sections of EN 60601 can be easily adhered to, especially those related to the prevention of the ingress of liquids.

This object is achieved by a Rundfußschalter with the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and

Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. An inventive Rundfußschalter has at least one pivoting element which cooperates on the one hand with the Fußbetätigungselement and on the other hand with at least one of the switching elements, wherein at least this switching element is arranged horizontally. The pivot element is used to transmit the release movement of the plunger to the at least one switching element. If multiple switching elements are used, can be formed by differently shaped

Swivel elements slightly different switching points for the different switching elements can be realized without the attachment of the

Switching elements must be modified within a switch housing. Due to the horizontal arrangement of the switching element or the switching elements can also be done in a simple manner, a seal of the switch housing, e.g. through an elastic seal to the actuator out.

In an advantageous embodiment, the Rundfußschalter on at least two switching elements, each of which one of the pivot elements is assigned for actuation. In this case, the pivot elements can be designed and arranged the same, so that the switch at least two switching elements in a substantially same position of the plunger. Alternatively, it is possible to design and / or arrange the pivoting elements-or more specifically at least two of the pivoting elements-differently, so that the at least two switching elements switch at different positions of the plunger.

Different switching points, i. a switching at different

Positions of the plunger and thus the foot actuator, can be implemented so with the same design and the same attachment of the operated switch. This simplifies the construction of the switch housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the Rundfußschalters the at least one pivoting element is a lever and preferably a two-sided lever, wherein a first lever arm protrudes below an edge of the plunger and a second lever arm on an operating knob of the associated

Acting switching element. This will be a mechanically simple and robust

Transmission of the plunger movement achieved on the switch.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the Rundfußschalter a housing having a base plate and an upper housing part, which are sealed to each other. Preferably, the base plate is formed integrally with at least one switching element receptacle, at least one pivot element receptacle and at least one pin for guiding the plunger. Such a thing Housing can advantageously integrally and thus cost with the aforementioned recordings and guide elements eg in one

Plastic injection molding process can be produced. For sealing an elastic seal is preferably provided, which seals a gap between the plunger and the upper housing part. As elastic seal can a

Diaphragm seal used with the plunger and the

Housing upper part is connected. It is also possible, the

Form membrane seal integrally with the plunger, for example in a coextrusion process or by the elastic seal is molded onto a previously created plunger, whereby a reliable and durable seal is achieved.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with reference to figures.

It shows

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive

Round footswitch for wired operation,

2 is an exploded perspective view of a Rundfußschalters invention for wired operation in the embodiment with two switching elements for substantially simultaneous switching,

Fig. 3 shows a section through the Rundfußschalter of FIG. 1 and 2 perpendicular to the outgoing line through the middle of the through

Switch contour defined circle and

4 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 3rd

In Fig. 1, a Rundfußschalter 1 is shown with a line set 2 required for the wired operation. An upper housing part 3 has, for the passage of the wiring harness 2, a line lead-through area 4, which is provided with a sealing element 5 and / or a sealing compound 6. In - not shown here - embodiments for wireless operation eliminates the wiring harness 2 and the line bushing area. 4

Instead, the housing upper part 3 may have a module chamber attached or molded onto it for receiving a communication module. This module chamber can be omitted if the

Communication module is housed in the switch housing. Above the upper housing part 3, the foot control element 7 is arranged with the cover 8, wherein the cover 8 is suitably attached to the foot operating element 7, for example glued to this. The attachment and storage of the foot actuator 7 is described below in connection with the descriptions of the remaining figures.

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the Rundfußschalters 1 of FIG. 1 in a perspective exploded view. A base plate 9 is integral with switching element receptacles 10, pivot element receptacles 1 1,

Cable guides 12 and a pin 13 is formed. The

Switching element receptacles 10 serve to receive the switching elements 14 connected to the cable set 2. In the pivoting element receptacles 1 1, pivoting elements 15 are pivotally mounted. A plunger 16 is guided through a central bore of suitable size by the pin 13 and rests on two concentrically arranged return springs 17 which are received at both ends in grooves of the base plate 9 and the plunger 1 6. The use of two return springs is used in the switch 1 shown only

Redundanzzwecken, so to reset the switch 1 even if one of the springs still safe. It is therefore understood that the use of only one return spring is possible. Likewise, the

Use of further and / or differently arranged return springs

at least possible.

In a centrally disposed opening of the upper housing part 3, an elastic seal 18 is inserted, which is additionally secured by a clamping ring 19. The clamping ring 19 is together with the base plate 9 by means

Mounting screws 20 screwed to the upper housing part 3, wherein the plunger protrudes 1 6 through the central opening of the elastic seal 18 and thereby ensures the sealing of the switch housing to the actuator back. About a clamping bracket 21 and screwed into the upper housing part 3 clamping screws 22 is the wiring harness 2 relative to the

Housing top 3 secured against train.

By means of ground screws 23, the housing bottom 24 is fixed to the upper housing part 3 and closes this by means of a seal 25 tightly down. In a suitable manner, for example by gluing, on the underside of the housing bottom 24, a one-piece or multi-part base support 26 is mounted, over which the switch 1 rests on the ground, the unintentional slipping of the switch 1 difficult. Instead of the ground support 26, three or more - not shown here - feet can be used. The foot actuator 7 rests on the plunger 1 6 and is by means of a retaining screw 27 and a retaining cap 28 tiltably attached to the pin 13. The retaining screw 27 and the retaining cap 28 are covered by the cover 8, which is fastened in the assembled state of the switch 1 in a suitable manner on the Fußbefestigungselement 7, for example glued to this.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a section through the Rundfußschalter 1 of FIG. 1 perpendicular to the outgoing line set 2 through the center of the defined by the switch contour circle. The foot control element 7 may advantageously have an elastic stop element 29, which causes a full Kippauslenkung the foot actuator 7 that

Stop noise damped and the upper housing part 3 and the

Foot actuator 7 are protected from damage.

Explanations of the embodiment for substantially non-simultaneous switching are given below with reference to FIG. It is understood that the number of switching elements is not limited to two, but that any, limited only by the available space and the size of the switching elements number of switching elements is possible.

Shown is the switch in the idle state. The rest state is produced by the force exerted on the plunger 1 6 force of the return springs 17. When the actuator 7 is tilted, the plunger is 1 6 thereby pressed with its coupling surface 30 against a position corresponding to the tilting position of the lower trough edge 31, whereby the actuating element on the

Haltekalotte 28 is pivoted sliding in the horizontal position. Thereafter, or when the actuator 7 is not tilted, the plunger is 1 6 pressed with its coupling surface 30 against the lower trough surface 32 of the actuating element 7, whereupon the actuator 7 is lifted upwards to the rest position.

Accordingly, in the reverse direction of action in both tilting operation and when operating the foot actuator 7 in

Downward direction of the plunger 1 6 always moves against the force of the return springs 17 in the downward direction. After a predetermined path length engages the end face 33 of the plunger 1 6 in the plunger surface 34 of one or more pivot elements 15, whereupon pivot or the pivot member (s) 15 pivot about its bearing axis (s) 35 to the outside and with the respective

Switch surface 36, the switching element 14 actuate. The pivot elements 15 are accordingly formed as a two-sided lever, wherein a first lever arm protrudes below an edge of the plunger 1 6 and a second lever arm acts on an operating knob of the associated switching element 14.

A substantially non-simultaneous switching can be achieved for example by different design of the pivot elements 15 in such a way that thereby a different path length of the plunger 1 6 is set to the intervention. In a preferred manner this can be done by

different arrangements of plunger and switch surface 34, 36 of a pivoting element 15 to each other and / or to the associated bearing axis 35 can be achieved. In a likewise preferred manner, the path length can be adjusted via adjusting elements in the tappet and / or switch surface 34, 36, for example via stop screws. The general operation of the actuator does not change by such measures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 round foot switch

2 wiring harness

3 housing upper part

4 line feedthrough area

5 sealing element

6 sealing compound

7 foot actuator

8 cover

9 base plate

10 switching element holder

1 1 pivoting element holder

12 cable routing

13 cones

14 switching element

15 pivoting element

16 pestles

17 return spring

18 Elastic seal

19 clamping ring

20 mounting screw

21 clamp

22 clamping screw

23 ground screw

24 caseback

25 seal

26 ground support

27 retaining screw

28 holding dome

29 stop element

30 dome area

31 Lower trough edge Lower trough face

ram surface

bearing axle

switch surface

Claims

claims

1 . Rundfußschalter (1) with at least one switching element (14) which is actuated by a linearly displaceable plunger (1 6), which is coupled to a centrally mounted, tiltable and sliding foot actuator (7), characterized in that

the Rundfußschalter (1) at least one pivoting element (15) which cooperates on the one hand with the Fußbetätigungselement (7) and on the other hand with at least one of the switching elements (14), wherein at least this switching element (14) is arranged horizontally.

2. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least two switching elements (14), which in each case one of the pivoting elements (15) is associated with the actuation.

3. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 2, wherein the pivot elements (15) are formed and arranged the same, so that the at least two switching elements (14) in a substantially same position of the plunger (16) switch.

4. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 2, wherein the pivot elements (15) are formed differently and / or arranged so that the at least two switching elements (14) switch at different positions of the plunger (1 6).

5. Rundfußschalter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one pivoting element (15) is a lever.

6. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one pivot element (15) is a two-sided lever, wherein a first lever arm protrudes under an edge of the plunger (16) and a second

Lever arm acts on an actuating knob of the associated switching element (14).

7. Rundfußschalter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a housing having a base plate (9) and a housing upper part (3), which are sealed to each other.

8. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 7, wherein the base plate (9).

integral with at least one switching element receptacle (10), at least one pivot element receptacle (1 1) and at least one pin (13) for guiding the plunger (1 6) is formed.

9. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an elastic seal (18) has a gap between the plunger (1 6) and the

Upper housing part (3) seals.

10. Rundfußschalter (1) according to claim 9, wherein the elastic seal (18) is a diaphragm seal with the plunger (16) and the

Housing upper part (3) is connected.