EP0405079A2 - Contact à membrane pour des boutons-poussoir - Google Patents

Contact à membrane pour des boutons-poussoir Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0405079A2
EP0405079A2 EP90107215A EP90107215A EP0405079A2 EP 0405079 A2 EP0405079 A2 EP 0405079A2 EP 90107215 A EP90107215 A EP 90107215A EP 90107215 A EP90107215 A EP 90107215A EP 0405079 A2 EP0405079 A2 EP 0405079A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
central longitudinal
longitudinal web
contact membrane
switching element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90107215A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0405079B1 (fr
EP0405079A3 (en
Inventor
Hansjörg Portmann
Mikael Torma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
Original Assignee
Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
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 Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG filed Critical Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
Publication of EP0405079A2 publication Critical patent/EP0405079A2/fr
Publication of EP0405079A3 publication Critical patent/EP0405079A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0405079B1 publication Critical patent/EP0405079B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/04—Cases; Covers
    • 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
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/36—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs
    • H01H13/38—Single blade moved across dead-centre position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a contact membrane for a switching element of a key switch according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • each longitudinal part of the rectangular frame is shortened in its longitudinal center by a V- or ⁇ -shaped upwardly curved bead, whereby the central longitudinal web is arched upwards with elastic deformation.
  • each outer corner of the rectangular frame is provided with a mandrel which is bent downwards at right angles to the frame parts and is intended to be anchored in the bottom of the switching element and thereby to hold the contact membrane with its four corners on the bottom of the switching element. This gives the entire contact membrane the pretension that enables it to spring back into the rest position.
  • Two diagonal mandrels are longer than the other two.
  • a flat or slightly curved contact element is also arranged below the central longitudinal web of the rectangular frame, which is also provided with a mandrel penetrating the base, which serves as the second electrical connection element of the switching element.
  • the contact membrane is attached to the bottom of the switching element in such a way that the central longitudinal web concavely bulges the bottom of the switching element and completely assumes its rest or first jumping position and is therefore stable.
  • the known contact membrane and its type of attachment to the bottom of a switching element show two disadvantages. Firstly, when the central longitudinal web is pushed through, the entire frame is subjected to heavy material stress with a corresponding risk of breakage, because all four corners of the rectangular frame are firmly anchored to the bottom of the switching element and therefore do not exert the forces which are effective when pushing through can give in. This can be partially remedied by elastic storage of two diagonal corners. Secondly, because of the anchoring of the four corners of the frame in the bottom of the switching element, there is a disadvantageous switching characteristic in that a force which varies only slightly over the entire switching path has to be exerted on the central longitudinal web of the frame.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a contact membrane of the type mentioned, which is mechanically little stressed when it is actuated and conveys a pronounced switching sensation, that is to say in which, for reliable contact, a greater force is only applied over a short distance of the entire switching path central longitudinal web of the frame of the contact membrane must be exercised.
  • the contact membrane according to the invention has the features stated in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.
  • the transverse parts of the frame can deflect elastically when the central longitudinal web of the frame is pushed through, so that there is only a small amount of material stress and a risk of breakage is greatly reduced, that is to say , the permissible number of operations is greatly increased. Furthermore, the deformation work on the contact membrane when closing the contacts is reduced because of the Dodge possibility of the two free end areas of the frame.
  • the invention also relates to a switching element with a contact membrane according to claim 1.
  • the switching element according to the invention is defined in claim 4.
  • a switch housing which contains an actuating element, can be securely placed on the switching element according to the invention, the arrangement of the actuating element in the switch housing not, and in particular not disadvantageously, being able to influence the switching characteristic of the switching element, since the actuating mechanism of the contact membrane is enclosed in the switching element.
  • the present contact membrane consists of a stamped sheet metal, one-piece frame 1, 1 ', which has two longitudinal parts 2, two transverse parts 3 and a central longitudinal web 4. Furthermore, the two longitudinal parts 2 are provided centrally in the longitudinal direction, each with a laterally outer, with the frame 1, 1 'connected and integrally made fastening tab 5 in the form of an eyelet. Adjacent to the fastening tabs 5, the longitudinal parts 2 are provided with beads 6 and 6 '(FIGS. 1 to 3), which are explained in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. From Fig.
  • the frame 1, 1 ' is rounded in its inner and outer corner regions, and that the central longitudinal web 4 is stiffened in its central region by a greater width (or a greater thickness) than in its end regions, in which the longitudinal web 4 merges into the transverse parts 3 .
  • the forces resulting from the central longitudinal web 4 being pressed down are kept within narrow limits in terms of size and direction and are introduced into the transverse parts 3.
  • the two to the flat bottom of the beads 6, 6 'coplanar mounting tab 5 of the frame 1, 1' form a support point 8 on a wall part, for example a floor, a switching element. They can also be used for attachment to the wall part by riveting, soldering or the like. 2 and 3, this wall part is indicated and designated 7. At least one of the mounting tabs 5 also serves as a fixed electrical connection element of the frame 1, 1 '.
  • the beads 6 or 6 'of the longitudinal parts 2 indicated on both sides of the fastening tabs 5 in FIG. 1 are formed as bends with two rounded bending edges according to FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the convex shape of the frame 1, 1 '(including the beads 6, 6') with respect to the support point 8 or the straight or concave shape of the central longitudinal web 4 can preferably be achieved by a predominantly plastic shaping such as punching, rolling, pressing, deep-drawing , Injection molding or die casting can be achieved.
  • the preferred aim is that the contact membrane has as little internal stress as possible in its rest position.
  • the frame 1 is designed with the beads 6 in such a way that the longitudinal parts 2 lie in a plane approximately parallel to the support point 8 or the fastening tabs 5 and have an approximately flat and convex (upward) curve at the ends to have.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 between the transverse parts 3 is bulged upwards relatively strongly compared to the longitudinal parts 2.
  • the frame 1 'with the beads 6' is designed such that the central longitudinal web 4 is only slightly curved upwards, that is, approximately flat or parallel to the mounting tab 5.
  • the longitudinal webs 2 are relatively strongly bent upwards away from the beads 6 toward the ends of the central longitudinal web 4.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 can now be exerted by exerting a force P acting vertically on it in its longitudinal center, with elastic deformation of all the frames parts are pressed over a dead center, after overcoming the central longitudinal web 4 assumes a second jumping position.
  • the second jump position is unstable if the shape of the frame 1, 1 'and the central longitudinal web 4 in the first jump position is caused by a largely permanent shape.
  • the central longitudinal web 4 thus performs a tactile movement.
  • this tactile movement is used to effect an electrical tactile contact in such a way that a fixed contact element, not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is arranged on the wall part 7 of the switching element below the central region of the longitudinal web 4 which momentarily closes and keeps the circuit with the connecting elements of the eyelets 5 while the force P is being applied (tapping).
  • the contact membrane according to the invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 has the advantages that it lies loosely on a wall part of the switching element or can be attached to only one or two points (fastening tab 5) and that when the central longitudinal web 4 is pushed through, the mechanical stress on all frame parts is considerably smaller because the outer frame regions, including the transverse parts 3 of the frame 1, 1 ', can yield to the stress in the direction of all three spatial axes. Above all, however, the contact membrane according to the invention becomes a cheaper one Switching or keying characteristics achieved, which is explained below with reference to FIG. 4.
  • the force P to be initially applied from the starting position A is low and only increases with an increasing path length L to an approximately equally large maximum value in the dead center position B.
  • the force P then drops steeply to a low value up to the contact position C.
  • This contact membrane can thus be operated reliably by tapping it much more easily, which means that it conveys a much more favorable tactile feeling.
  • FIGS. 5 to 10 An embodiment of a circuit element according to the invention containing the contact membrane according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 10.
  • the switching element 11 shown is composed of a pot-shaped base part 12 with a base 13 and a collar 14, from the contact membrane attached to the base 12 in the form of the frame 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3, from a displaceable in the base part 12 and on the central longitudinal web 4 of the frame 1 adjacent plate 15, which is provided with projecting retaining cams 16 for an actuating element, not shown, and from a retaining flange 17 connected to the collar 14 of the base part 12 for the movable plate 15.
  • the frame 1 On the inside of the bottom 13 of the base part 12, the frame 1 is held on its fastening tabs 5 (FIG.
  • buttons 18 and the contact member 19 are connected to band-shaped conductors 20 and 21 embedded in the base 13, which are guided to the outside of the base part 12. 7 and 10, the conductors 20, 21 may be bent at right angles on the outside of the base part 12, for example, to be dashed when the switching element 11 is mounted on one in FIG. 7 shown carrier plate 22, for example a printed circuit board, to penetrate holes 23 of the carrier plate 22.
  • each corner of the base 13 and the collar 14 of the base part 12 there is also a channel 24 which is perpendicular to the base 13 and which carries out the connecting conductors 25 of a display device 26 or 27 (FIGS. 8 to 10) inserted between the holding cams 16, for example a light emitting diode.
  • a display device 26 or 27 FIGS. 8 to 10
  • a first embodiment of such a display device 26 and in FIGS. 9 and 10 a second embodiment of a display device 27 of different shape and dimensions are indicated or shown in dashed lines.
  • Diametrical projections 28 of the displaceable plate 15 serve to guide the plate 15 in the base part 12, for which purpose the collar 14 is provided with corresponding diametrical grooves 29 (FIG. 10). Furthermore, the holding cams 16 are provided with radially extending end plates 30 (FIGS. 7 and 10) in order to fix the position of the actuating element to be attached.
  • the switching element 11 shown with the contact membrane 1 according to the invention is compact and versatile. It only has to be supplemented by an actuating element of any configuration that can be placed on the holding cams 16.
  • the distance of the frame 1, 1 'from the wall part 7 must in this case be achieved by the wall base 7 itself arranged bearing base on which the frame 1 is placed. In any case, however, the relative bulge of the frame 1, 10 and the central longitudinal web 4 should be given by a predominantly plastic shape of all parts of the contact membrane.
  • the contact element can consist of spring steel or another electrically conductive and resilient material.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
EP90107215A 1989-06-30 1990-04-14 Contact à membrane pour des boutons-poussoir Expired - Lifetime EP0405079B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH2442/89A CH678240A5 (fr) 1989-06-30 1989-06-30
CH2442/89 1989-06-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0405079A2 true EP0405079A2 (fr) 1991-01-02
EP0405079A3 EP0405079A3 (en) 1992-06-03
EP0405079B1 EP0405079B1 (fr) 1994-12-28

Family

ID=4233918

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90107215A Expired - Lifetime EP0405079B1 (fr) 1989-06-30 1990-04-14 Contact à membrane pour des boutons-poussoir

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5079394A (fr)
EP (1) EP0405079B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH0340320A (fr)
AT (1) ATE116473T1 (fr)
CH (1) CH678240A5 (fr)
DE (1) DE59008109D1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0872863A3 (fr) * 1997-04-14 1999-05-12 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir
EP2053622A3 (fr) * 2007-10-24 2010-10-20 Nihon Kaiheiki Industrial Company, Ltd. Dispositif d'interrupteur à bouton-poussoir avec dispositif d'affichage

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5671841A (en) * 1995-08-14 1997-09-30 Calculagraph Co. Method and apparatus for switching mechanism
JP4000715B2 (ja) * 1999-04-23 2007-10-31 松下電工株式会社 同軸リレー
US6140596A (en) * 2000-01-04 2000-10-31 Shin Jiuh Corporation Tact switch
SG100707A1 (en) * 2000-06-07 2003-12-26 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag Control device with a snap function and watch fitted therewith
JP4088577B2 (ja) * 2003-10-16 2008-05-21 ホシデン株式会社 プッシュオンスイッチ用可動接点およびプッシュオンスイッチ
JP2005253856A (ja) * 2004-03-15 2005-09-22 Izumi Products Co 往復式電気かみそりの内刃製造方法
FR2888395B1 (fr) * 2005-07-07 2014-02-28 Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc Commutateur electrique miniaturise du type normalement ferme

Citations (4)

* 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
US4385218A (en) * 1981-04-21 1983-05-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electric switch
DE3241159A1 (de) * 1982-11-08 1984-05-10 Schlegel Georg Fa Befehlstaster zum einbau in eine schalttafel oder dergleichen
US4484042A (en) * 1982-08-03 1984-11-20 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Snap action push button switch

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH438674A4 (fr) * 1974-03-29 1975-10-31
DE3335275A1 (de) * 1982-11-08 1985-04-18 Schlegel Georg Fa Befehlstaster zum einbau in eine schalttafel oder dergleichen

Patent Citations (4)

* 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
US4385218A (en) * 1981-04-21 1983-05-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electric switch
US4484042A (en) * 1982-08-03 1984-11-20 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Snap action push button switch
DE3241159A1 (de) * 1982-11-08 1984-05-10 Schlegel Georg Fa Befehlstaster zum einbau in eine schalttafel oder dergleichen

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0872863A3 (fr) * 1997-04-14 1999-05-12 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Interrupteur à bouton-poussoir
EP2053622A3 (fr) * 2007-10-24 2010-10-20 Nihon Kaiheiki Industrial Company, Ltd. Dispositif d'interrupteur à bouton-poussoir avec dispositif d'affichage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0340320A (ja) 1991-02-21
ATE116473T1 (de) 1995-01-15
EP0405079B1 (fr) 1994-12-28
CH678240A5 (fr) 1991-08-15
US5079394A (en) 1992-01-07
DE59008109D1 (de) 1995-02-09
EP0405079A3 (en) 1992-06-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE3229465C2 (fr)
DE2351367C2 (de) Tastatur für eine Wählvorrichtung in einem Fernmeldegerät
DE2247905C3 (de) Tastenschalteranordnung
DE2356024A1 (de) Tastenbrett
DE19853438A1 (de) Multidirektionale Tastschalteranordnung
DE2411426B2 (de) Druckknopfschalter für elektronische Rechner o.dgl
DE3604765C1 (de) Elektrischer Schalter,insbesondere fuer Kraftfahrzeuge
DE2515185C3 (de) Elektrischer Schnappschalter
EP0405079B1 (fr) Contact à membrane pour des boutons-poussoir
DE3431703C2 (de) Tastschalter
DE4437620B4 (de) Temperaturregler
DE2531841C3 (de) Elektrischer Schnappschalter
DE3713775C2 (de) Tastenschalter
DE3724736C2 (de) Elektrischer Schalter, insbesondere für Kraftfahrzeuge
DE2541922A1 (de) Verriegelter drucktastenschalter
DE60314936T2 (de) Schalter für Stromversorgung mit Erkennungsschalter
DE3900394C2 (fr)
DE2829891C2 (de) Drucktastenschalter
EP1905054A1 (fr) Commutateur a bascule bistable dote d'une plaque de contact
DE2102218A1 (de) Schnappeinrichtung
DE2741292C2 (de) Tastenschalter
DE2820594C2 (de) Elektrischer Schnappschalter
DE2516437C3 (de) Druckschalter
DE2913019A1 (de) Tastschalter
AT264645B (de) Schnappschalter

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920619

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940314

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LU NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19941228

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19941228

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19941228

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19941228

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19941228

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19941228

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 116473

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19950115

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59008109

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950209

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19950217

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19950414

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19950430

EN Fr: translation not filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20020415

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20020417

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20020418

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20020423

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030414

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030415

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20031101

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20031101

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20031101

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20030414