EP1052663B1 - Base-foil metal unit for a quick release switch and process for its manufacturing - Google Patents
Base-foil metal unit for a quick release switch and process for its manufacturing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1052663B1 EP1052663B1 EP00109259A EP00109259A EP1052663B1 EP 1052663 B1 EP1052663 B1 EP 1052663B1 EP 00109259 A EP00109259 A EP 00109259A EP 00109259 A EP00109259 A EP 00109259A EP 1052663 B1 EP1052663 B1 EP 1052663B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- base
- foil
- pins
- fact
- printed circuit
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 title claims description 36
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 13
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 claims description 7
- 210000001331 nose Anatomy 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000952 Be alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052790 beryllium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
- H01H11/0056—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches comprising a successive blank-stamping, insert-moulding and severing operation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
- H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
- H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
- H01H11/04—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches of switch contacts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
- H01H1/5805—Connections to printed circuits
- H01H2001/5811—Connections to printed circuits both fixed and movable contacts being formed by blank stamping and mounted or soldered on printed circuit board without any other housing elements
Definitions
- This invention relates to a metal foil of a quick release switch, to its base and to its manufacturing process. Said switches are used for low power operation of all functions provided in a motor vehicle, controlled by the electronic component of the on-board electric installation.
- the metal foil is composed of a plate on which the curved section obtained by shearing, is acting as an arch for foil release, from a first contact position to a second contact position, with the circuit to be monitored.
- the metal foil must be mounted on a suitable spring support. Said spring support is mounted on the switch body. It is clear that mounting process requires at least two subsequent operations, the first comprising foil mounting on the support, the second support mounting on the switch body or on the printed circuit, depending on the type of switch used. This results in an increase in costs as well as more complex automatic mounting of the switches.
- US-A-4950845 and GB 2131617 disclose a base-foil unit for low power switches used in motor vehicle electric circuits, formed by a unique metal plate. Nevertheless said unit do not comprise the electric contact and means for fixing in a releasable way said unit to a retainer or a base. Those components must be mounted in a subsequent operation. This again results in an increase of costs.
- Another object of the present invention is to define a process for base-foil unit manufacturing according to present invention.
- Said object of the present invention can be achieved by a base-foil unit for quick release switches presenting the characteristics of claim one.
- Said additional object can be achieved by way of the present invention through a process for the manufacturing of a base-foil unit presenting the characteristics provided in claim 5.
- FIG. 1 generally indicates a quick release type switch, presenting a container body 3 and a horizontally pivoting release key 4.
- a printed electric circuit 6 is located inside body 3, with pins 8 for connection to the electric circuit (not illustrated) of the vehicle.
- pins (10) are inserted on release in appropriate seats, blanked from a metal plate or foil.
- Said metal plate is designed to create, as one piece and with the adequate profile and required bendings, a metal foil 13 with elastic arch 14, as well as the base of support 15.
- Said foil 13 also includes a contact 16 designed to close other contacts on the printed circuit electrically, said contact being an integral part of the foil, to form a unit installed on release (by way of the pins) on printed circuit 6.
- the key 4 is pivotally connected on 17 and any traction or pressure on said key, that creates a rotation in the clockwise or anticlockwise direction of sad key, is transmitted to foil 13 by way of projection 18, obtained in the key, that pushes lever 19 in body 3 of switch 1.
- Foil 13 and base 15 are connected by way of an elastic hinge obtained in the metal foil by way of bending 20, obtained during processing.
- the free end of arch 14, allowing the quick spring movement, is inserted in seats 21 obtained facing the latter, in noses 22 formed in base 15.
- Lever 19 of chamber 3 exerts force on the foil in a point located inside the area defined by pins 10, so as to avoid creating rotating moments that could cause the release of the base from the printed circuit, damaging electric contact points provided by said pins (10).
- the base-foil unit with relative release pins and slidable contact, can be obtained by way of a copper-beryllium alloy, of the type provided by the company NGK BERYLCO in Boulogne, France, for example, so as to ensure optimum mechanical-electrical results.
- the base-foil unit manufacturing is achieved by way of the process described below.
- a substantially reversed T-shaped profile is obtained by blanking a brass-beryllium plate of the appropriate thickness (0,15 mm, for example).
- Said profile includes four pins 10 for coupling on release, in the seats of the printed circuit, located along the side of the head, designed to create the base 15, (fig. 4) and two noses 22 with seat 21 on each end.
- the stem of the T forming the spring foil, presents two side arms 23, connected at the ends, and enclosing the arc-shaped section 14 of the foli.
- the shaft end opposite of the head protrudes at the junction point of the arms to create the electric slidable contact 16 on printed circuit 6.
- the following process involves the folding of the head section of the T, carried out essentially along two transversal lines to the head, A and B, equidistant from the ends, in order to create a closed structure with pins 10 located substantially at the vortex of an isosceles triangle.
- the third and final operation involves shaft folding, close to the head, along line C, that is perpendicular to the latter.
- the shaft is folded in such a way that the free end of the arc is inserted in seats 21 obtained in noses 22, connected via the previous folding operation.
- the projection of slidable contact 16 will also be slightly arched to avoid any locking on the contact points of the printed circuit.
- the process described is carried out with a unique mould that blanks the profile first, then creates the folds and hook-on mechanism of the arch.
- the base-foil complex is then ready to be inserted, on release, in the appropriate seats obtained on the printed circuit.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a metal foil of a quick release switch, to its base and to its manufacturing process. Said switches are used for low power operation of all functions provided in a motor vehicle, controlled by the electronic component of the on-board electric installation.
- In switches of the known type, as for example the switch illustrated in figure one enclosed, the metal foil is composed of a plate on which the curved section obtained by shearing, is acting as an arch for foil release, from a first contact position to a second contact position, with the circuit to be monitored. To carry out described functions, the metal foil must be mounted on a suitable spring support. Said spring support is mounted on the switch body. It is clear that mounting process requires at least two subsequent operations, the first comprising foil mounting on the support, the second support mounting on the switch body or on the printed circuit, depending on the type of switch used. This results in an increase in costs as well as more complex automatic mounting of the switches.
- US-A-4950845 and GB 2131617 disclose a base-foil unit for low power switches used in motor vehicle electric circuits, formed by a unique metal plate. Nevertheless said unit do not comprise the electric contact and means for fixing in a releasable way said unit to a retainer or a base. Those components must be mounted in a subsequent operation. This again results in an increase of costs.
- It is an object of the present invention to carry out a base-foil unit for quick release switches that will make it possible to avoid said disadvantage.
- Another object of the present invention is to define a process for base-foil unit manufacturing according to present invention.
- Said object of the present invention can be achieved by a base-foil unit for quick release switches presenting the characteristics of claim one.
- Said additional object can be achieved by way of the present invention through a process for the manufacturing of a base-foil unit presenting the characteristics provided in claim 5.
- Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description given hereinafter by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a quick release foil switch of the prior art;
- Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a quick release switch equipped with a base-foil unit according to the present invention;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a section of figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a plan view of the unit of the present invention illustrated before folding;
- Figures 5 to 7 represent a lower plan view, side elevation view and top view of the unit object of the invention.
- Reference being made to figures 2 to 7, whereby 1 generally indicates a quick release type switch, presenting a
container body 3 and a horizontally pivoting release key 4. A printedelectric circuit 6 is located insidebody 3, withpins 8 for connection to the electric circuit (not illustrated) of the vehicle. On the printed circuit (four in the illustrated example), pins (10)are inserted on release in appropriate seats, blanked from a metal plate or foil. Said metal plate is designed to create, as one piece and with the adequate profile and required bendings, ametal foil 13 withelastic arch 14, as well as the base ofsupport 15. Saidfoil 13 also includes acontact 16 designed to close other contacts on the printed circuit electrically, said contact being an integral part of the foil, to form a unit installed on release (by way of the pins) on printedcircuit 6. The key 4 is pivotally connected on 17 and any traction or pressure on said key, that creates a rotation in the clockwise or anticlockwise direction of sad key, is transmitted tofoil 13 by way ofprojection 18, obtained in the key, that pusheslever 19 inbody 3 ofswitch 1.Foil 13 andbase 15 are connected by way of an elastic hinge obtained in the metal foil by way of bending 20, obtained during processing. The free end ofarch 14, allowing the quick spring movement, is inserted inseats 21 obtained facing the latter, innoses 22 formed inbase 15.Lever 19 ofchamber 3 exerts force on the foil in a point located inside the area defined bypins 10, so as to avoid creating rotating moments that could cause the release of the base from the printed circuit, damaging electric contact points provided by said pins (10). The base-foil unit, with relative release pins and slidable contact, can be obtained by way of a copper-beryllium alloy, of the type provided by the company NGK BERYLCO in Boulogne, France, for example, so as to ensure optimum mechanical-electrical results. - The base-foil unit manufacturing is achieved by way of the process described below.
- A substantially reversed T-shaped profile is obtained by blanking a brass-beryllium plate of the appropriate thickness (0,15 mm, for example). Said profile includes four
pins 10 for coupling on release, in the seats of the printed circuit, located along the side of the head, designed to create thebase 15, (fig. 4) and twonoses 22 withseat 21 on each end. The stem of the T, forming the spring foil, presents twoside arms 23, connected at the ends, and enclosing the arc-shaped section 14 of the foli. The shaft end opposite of the head protrudes at the junction point of the arms to create the electricslidable contact 16 on printedcircuit 6. - The following process involves the folding of the head section of the T, carried out essentially along two transversal lines to the head, A and B, equidistant from the ends, in order to create a closed structure with
pins 10 located substantially at the vortex of an isosceles triangle. - The third and final operation involves shaft folding, close to the head, along line C, that is perpendicular to the latter. The shaft is folded in such a way that the free end of the arc is inserted in
seats 21 obtained innoses 22, connected via the previous folding operation. The projection ofslidable contact 16 will also be slightly arched to avoid any locking on the contact points of the printed circuit. The process described is carried out with a unique mould that blanks the profile first, then creates the folds and hook-on mechanism of the arch. The base-foil complex is then ready to be inserted, on release, in the appropriate seats obtained on the printed circuit. With the unit object of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the mounting operation of the plate on the base and the soldering of the base to the contacts on the printed circuit, saving time and money. - It is clear that the shape and dimensions of the unit can be adapted as required without necessarily depart from the protection of present invention, further defined in the following claims.
Claims (5)
- Base-foil unit for quick release low power switches used in motor vehicle electric circuits for functions provided on board, said switches being composed of a container (3), a release key (4) pivoting around a horizontal axis, and a printed electric circuit (6), the base-foil unit having a quick spring metal foil (13) equipped with an elastic arch (14) inserted in appropriate seats, and a support base (15) for the foil to be positioned on the printed circuit, both the foil (13) equipped with said elastic arch (14), and the base (15) being formed from a unique metal plate, characterised by the fact that said unique metal plate has the shape of a reversed T in which the shaft forms the spring foil and the head forms the base, is appropriately shaped and folded, and in that it forms an electric contact (16), and, on said base (15), quick-release insertion pins (10); said contact (16) and said pins (10) providing an electric contact with the printed circuit.
- Base-foil unit according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that appropriate seats (8) for said pins (10) are provided on said printed circuit.
- Base-foil unit according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the end of the stem of the T is equipped with noses (22) equipped with seats (21) for loose arch end (14) insertion.
- Base-foil unit according to claims 1 and 3, characterised by the fact that the pins (10) on the folded base, are substantially located at the vortex of an isosceles triangle.
- Process for the manufacturing of a base-foil unit according to claim 1, characterised by the following steps:blanking of the predefined T-shape from a metal sheet of appropriate thickness;folding of the T head along two transversal lines to create the base and locate the pins and noses in a predefined position, andfolding of the T stem to position the foil, with the insertion of the arch in the appropriate seats.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO990401 | 1999-05-14 | ||
IT1999TO000401A IT1307691B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-05-14 | METAL BASE-LAMINA COMPLEX FOR A QUICK-RELEASE SWITCH AND PROCEDURE FOR ITS MANUFACTURE |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1052663A2 EP1052663A2 (en) | 2000-11-15 |
EP1052663A3 EP1052663A3 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
EP1052663B1 true EP1052663B1 (en) | 2004-06-30 |
Family
ID=11417808
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00109259A Expired - Lifetime EP1052663B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2000-04-28 | Base-foil metal unit for a quick release switch and process for its manufacturing |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1052663B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60011847T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2222133T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1307691B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2825510B1 (en) * | 2001-06-01 | 2003-09-26 | Dav | IMPLANTABLE SIGNAL MICROCONTACT ASSEMBLY ON A CONDUCTIVE CIRCUIT |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3243528A1 (en) * | 1982-11-25 | 1984-05-30 | Thermostat-und Schaltgerätebau GmbH & Co KG, 8730 Bad Kissingen | CONTACT SPRING FOR SNAP SWITCHES |
US4950845A (en) * | 1988-01-07 | 1990-08-21 | Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd. | Switching device |
-
1999
- 1999-05-14 IT IT1999TO000401A patent/IT1307691B1/en active
-
2000
- 2000-04-28 ES ES00109259T patent/ES2222133T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-04-28 EP EP00109259A patent/EP1052663B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-04-28 DE DE60011847T patent/DE60011847T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60011847T2 (en) | 2005-07-14 |
IT1307691B1 (en) | 2001-11-14 |
ITTO990401A1 (en) | 2000-11-14 |
ITTO990401A0 (en) | 1999-05-14 |
EP1052663A2 (en) | 2000-11-15 |
EP1052663A3 (en) | 2002-10-09 |
DE60011847D1 (en) | 2004-08-05 |
ES2222133T3 (en) | 2005-02-01 |
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