EP1597740A1 - A switch device capable of being fitted with a central light source, and a keypad key for electrical equipment including such a switch device - Google Patents

A switch device capable of being fitted with a central light source, and a keypad key for electrical equipment including such a switch device

Info

Publication number
EP1597740A1
EP1597740A1 EP04706237A EP04706237A EP1597740A1 EP 1597740 A1 EP1597740 A1 EP 1597740A1 EP 04706237 A EP04706237 A EP 04706237A EP 04706237 A EP04706237 A EP 04706237A EP 1597740 A1 EP1597740 A1 EP 1597740A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switch device
package
dome
drive member
opening
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04706237A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Laurent Bouvier
Laurent Kubat
Sylvain Rochon
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.)
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Original Assignee
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
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 ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC filed Critical ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Publication of EP1597740A1 publication Critical patent/EP1597740A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs
    • 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
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/02—Reversed domes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/60—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a switch device of the type comprising:
  • At least one conductive dome presenting a peripheral portion and a central portion, and elastically deformable along the actuation axis under the effect of the drive member, said dome being disposed in the package in such a manner that its central portion rests on a bottom portion of the package, while its peripheral portion is suitable for passing from one position to another selected from a position in which it makes contact with said first track and a position in which it does not make contact with said first track, said positions corresponding to a rest state and a deformed state of the dome .
  • dome switches Similar switches are already known in the prior art, and they are sometimes referred to as "dome" switches, in which the dome or dome has a central portion and a plurality of radially-extending arms. In the rest state of the dome, i.e. when it is not deformed, it rests via end portions of its arms on a first conductive track, while the central portion extends above a second conductive track. The central portion can receive downward axial pressure via a drive member so as to come into contact with the second track after the dome has been deformed, and in particular after the peripheral arms have deformed .
  • An object of the invention is to propose a quiet switch device of the above-specified type, which also presents satisfactory contact reliability.
  • the invention provides a switch device of the above-specified type, in which the central portion is provided with an opening and presents a peripheral region around said opening defining an annular bearing region whereby the dome bears against the bottom portion of the package .
  • the switch device further comprises one or more of the following characteristics:
  • the package presents a stud projecting axially from the bottom, the opening of the dome being engaged on the stud, and said bottom portion being located at the base of the stud; ⁇ the stud presents a recess in which an electrical component can be housed, at legist, J.n.jpart-;_
  • the bottom of the package is provided with at least two holes facing the opening of the dome, each serving to receive a respective connection lead of an electrical component;
  • the dome is made of gold-plated steel
  • the drive member comprises a ring whose central opening gives access to the opening of the dome;
  • the switch device presents a plurality of conductive tracks fixed inside the package, being electrically insulated from one another, and such that the peripheral portion of the dome when in its position making contact with one of said tracks is simultaneously in contact with the other tracks;
  • the peripheral portion of the dome comprises at least one radial arm defining a portion for making contact with said respective track;
  • the switch device presents three such tracks, one . of which is associated with two adjacent radial arms, said track being designed for connection to a line at a reference potential;
  • the drive member is provided with at least one radial projection for each radial arm, the projection superposing the corresponding radial arm of the dome and being guided in a corresponding groove in the package along the actuator axis;
  • the switch device presents two identical domes that are superposed;
  • the switch device includes a light source, in particular an LED, the light source being provided with leads for connection to an electricity supply, said light source being mounted in the package in such a manner that is connection leads extend through the opening of the dome;
  • the light source has a translucent body housed at least in part in the recess of the stud;
  • the light source has a translucent body projecting from the package through the central opening of the drive member .
  • the invention also provides a key for an electrical appliance keypad, in particular for a dashboard panel in a motor vehicle cabin, the key comprising a switch device as described above, together with a translucent button secured to the drive member.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a section view on a vertical midplane in direction 2-2 of the Figure 1 switch device
  • Figure 3 is an analogous view on a vertical plane orthogonal to the plane of Figure 2, in direction 3-3; • Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the package for the Figure 1 device; and
  • Figure 5 is a view analogous to Figure 1, the switch device being fitted with an LED different from that shown in Figure 1.
  • the switch device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a package 3, a drive member 5 that is movable relative to the package, and a switch mechanism 7 housed in the package 3.
  • the switch device 1 is oriented in such a manner that the drive member 5 is movable in translation relative to the package 3 along a vertical axis Z-Z.
  • the package 3 presents a bottom 9.
  • the switch mechanism 7 is arranged inside the package 3 between the bottom 9 and the drive member 5.
  • the switch device 1 further comprises a clip 11 for retaining the switch mechanism 7 and the drive member 5 inside the package 3, and a light source 13 constituted by a light-emitting diode (LED) .
  • a transparent pushbutton (not shown) may be fitted on the drive member
  • the package 3 is generally in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped defining an internal housing 15 of generally cylindrical shape, and closed at its bottom end by the bottom 9.
  • the package is made of insulating plastics material.
  • the package 3 includes a stud 17 projecting axially from the bottom 19 and extending centrally relative to the housing 15.
  • the stud 17 is made up of two axial branches 17A, 17B made integrally with the package 3 and leaving a slot 19 between them which opens out into a bore 21 in the bottom wall of the package 3.
  • a barrier 23 is also formed in the package 3 and projects axially on both sides of the bottom wall 9, respectively into the slot 19 and into the bore 21. Beside the housing 15, the barrier 23 is provided with two sloping guide ramps 25A, 25B for guiding the conductive leads 31A, 3IB of the LED 13.
  • the slot 19 formed in the stud 17 is adapted to co-operate with the barrier 23 to receive and guide the conductive leads 31A, 3IB of the LED 13 through two corresponding holes
  • the bottom 9 presents a rim 33 of substantially annular shape.
  • the rim 33 is integrally molded with the remainder of the package, i.e. out of insulating material, however the switch could be designed with a conductive track coating said rim.
  • the generally cylindrical side surface of the housing 15 is interrupted by four setbacks 40 offset at
  • each setback 40 is fitted with a conductive area 42.
  • a first area 42 defines a first conductive track 42A ( Figure 4)
  • a second conductive area 42 adjacent to the first defines a second conductive track 42B ( Figure 4)
  • the other two conductive areas 42 define a third conductive track 42C ( Figure 4) .
  • the package 3 also comprises a series of conductive terminals 45, in this case six of them, which project in parallel in threes from two opposite side faces of the package. These terminals 45 are in the form of flat tongues bent through 90° and they are for connection, in particular by soldering, to conductive tracks on a printed circuit card.
  • Two conductive tracks 43, 44 are disposed in the bottom of the bore 21 and are electrically insulated from each other by the barrier 23, each being provided to be connected electrically, merely by contact or else by soldering, with a respective one of the conductive leads 31A, 31B of the LED 13.
  • Each of the tracks 42, 43, 44 is electrically connected to one or more of the terminals 45.
  • Two assembly and positioning pegs 47 project from the bottom face of the package 3 for engaging a printed circuit card.
  • Catches 49 for securing the clip 11 are also formed on two opposite side faces of the package 3.
  • the switch mechanism 7 comprises two superposed resilient conductive domes 51, 52 that are identical or substantially identical, each presenting a central portion 55 of generally annular shape, and four arms 57 projecting radially from said central portion. These arms are angularly offset at 90° intervals, and their free ends are adapted to be received in the setbacks 40.
  • An opening 59 formed in the central portion 55 is shaped so that each dome 51, 52 can be engaged on the stud 17, with the edge of the opening 59 co-operating with little clearance with the base of the stud 17.
  • the domes 51 and 52 are preferably made of steel so as to give them good performance in terms of strength and elasticity, and they are preferably gold-plated so as to improve their electrical conductivity, and also provide good quality reflection of the light emitted by the LED 13 when the device is in operation.
  • the LED shown in Figures 1 to 3 has two conductive leads 31A and 31B as mentioned above, projecting from a translucent or transparent body 71.
  • the body 71 is generally rectangular in shape and the conductive leads 31A and 3IB comprise respective flat tongues tapering towards their free ends and folded into a V-shape. These leads are soldered, for example, to the body of an LED of the surface mounting component (SMC) type.
  • SMC surface mounting component
  • the drive member 5 is constituted by a cylindrical ring 81 having four radially projecting blocks 83 on its periphery, the blocks being angularly offset from one another at 90° intervals around the axis Z . These blocks 83 are adapted to be engaged and axially slidable in the setbacks 40 so as to provide the drive member 5 with guidance in axial translation in the package 3.
  • the central opening 85 of the ring 81 is of size and shape adapted to enable the drive member 5 to slide axially without interference around the light source 13 and the stud 17.
  • top surf ce of the ring 81 is raised relative to the top surfaces of the blocks 83, thus enabling the ring 81 to project from the package 3 when the switch device is in the rest position (as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3) , while the blocks 83 remain engaged in the respective setbacks 40.
  • the clip 11 is constituted by a plane plate 91 of generally square shape with outside edges that may coincide substantially with the outside edges of the top surface of the package 3, and provided with side tabs 93 that are folded down perpendicularly. Each of these side tabs 93 has a central opening so as to enable it to be engaged on a respective one of the catches 49. This enables the clip 11 to be snap-fastened, by being engaged on the package 3 along the axis Z, by the fastening means constituted by the catches 49 engaging in the complementary side tabs 93.
  • the plane plate 91 is formed with a through central opening 95 of circular shape and of size corresponding to the outside diameter of the ring 81.
  • the domes 51 and 52 are superposed and engaged on the stud 17 so that the peripheral region 61 around the opening 59 of the bottom dome 62 bears against the rim 33. This bearing contact is permanent regardless of the state of the switch device.
  • the free ends of the arms 57 are engaged in the setbacks 40 of the housing 15.
  • the drive member 5 is superposed over the top dome 51, its blocks 83 being engaged in the respective setbacks 40 and bearing on the arms 57 of the top dome 51.
  • the central opening 85 then gives access to the opening 59 in the domes, thus enabling an electronic component such as the LED 13 to be installed in the center of the package .
  • the clip 11 is engaged on the package 3, its plane plate 91 then constituting an axial abutment for the blocks 83, thereby preventing the drive member 5 from being extracted from the package 3, and thus preventing the switch mechanism 7 from being extracted.
  • the LED 13 is partially engaged in the recess formed by the slot 19 in the stud 17, specifically via its conductive leads 31A, 31B. The bottom ends of these leads project into the bore 21 making contact with respective tracks 43 and 44.
  • the translucent body 71 rests on the top surface of the stud 17 and projects towards the top of the package 3 and the drive member 5.
  • each free end of the arms 57 of the domes 51, 52 extends over one of the contact areas 42, such that none of the domes 51, 52 is in contact with any of the areas 42.
  • Figure 4 shows the disposition of the conductive areas 42 in their own horizontal plane. These areas are regularly distributed around the central axis Z of the switch device. Concerning their electrical connections, it should be observed that the track 42C, constituted by two adjacent areas for good operating safety can be connected to a line at a reference potential referred to as "common" .
  • the switch device is described below during actuation of the drive member 5, the device not being shown in its actuated state which corresponds to elastically deforming the switch mechanism 7.
  • the drive member 5 may be actuated by a user via a translucent button (not shown) secured to the drive member.
  • the assembly formed by the switch device and the button may define a key in the keypad of an electrical appliance, for example a dashboard panel in the cabin of a motor vehicle, as mentioned above.
  • the blocks 83 press down on the free ends of the arms 57, causing said arms 57 to bend and deform until said free ends come into contact with the contact areas 42.
  • the main purpose of having an LED 13 present in the switch device 1 is to provide a visual indication of the change of state of the switch device, provision is generally made for the electrical tracks and the terminals 45 to be connected to an electrical circuit suitable for powering the LED 13 , thereby illuminating the body 71, whenever contact between the areas 42 (i.e. the tracks 42A, 42B, 42C) is closed by means of the domes 51, 52.
  • the domes 51 and 52 enable an electrical component such as the LED 13 to be housed in the center of the device.
  • an electrical component such as the LED 13
  • This can be advantageous when a light source is used for reasons of appearance, both given the disposition of the source itself, and because light emitted by the source 13 is also reflected and concentrated by the inside surface of the dome 51, the dome being "upside-down". That is why it is particularly advantageous to provide a reflecting coating on at least the top dome 51, e.g. gold plate.
  • FIG. 5 shows the same device as shown in Figure 1 with the sole difference being that the LED 13 has been replaced by an LED 113 of a different type.
  • the LED 113 has conductive leads 131A, 131B of the press-fit pin type, and a translucent body 171 of generally cylindrical shape.
  • This second embodiment shows that the device can be fitted with a wide variety of electrical components, in particular light sources and specifically LEDs, of different types.
  • the switch device of the invention provides a good compromise between reducing switching noise and preserving the tactile sensation that switching has occurred. It also provides entirely satisfactory reliability in operation.

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The switch device comprises: a package (3) presenting a bottom (9); a drive member (5) movable in translation; at least one conductive track (42); and ; at least one conductive dome (52) presenting a peripheral portion (57) and a central portion (55), the dome being elastically deformable along an actuation axis (Z) under the effect of the drive member (5), said dome (52) being disposed inside the package (3) in such a manner that its central portion (55) rests on a bottom portion (33) of the package, while its peripheral portion (57) is capable of passing between a position making contact with and a position out of contact with the first track (42). The central portion (55) is provided with an opening (59) and presents a peripheral region (61) around said opening (59) defining an annular bearing region of the dome (52) for bearing against the bottom portion (33) of the package. The device is applicable to providing keys for an electrical appliance keypad, in particular a dashboard panel in a motor vehicle cabin.

Description

A SWITCH DEVICE CAPABLE OF BEING FITTED WITH A CENTRAL LIGHT SOURCE, AND A KEYPAD KEY FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING SUCH A SWITCH DEVICE
The present invention relates to a switch device of the type comprising:
• a package presenting a bottom;
• a drive member movable in translation relative to " said package along an actuation axis;
■ at least a first conductive track fixed inside the package; and
• at least one conductive dome presenting a peripheral portion and a central portion, and elastically deformable along the actuation axis under the effect of the drive member, said dome being disposed in the package in such a manner that its central portion rests on a bottom portion of the package, while its peripheral portion is suitable for passing from one position to another selected from a position in which it makes contact with said first track and a position in which it does not make contact with said first track, said positions corresponding to a rest state and a deformed state of the dome .
Similar switches are already known in the prior art, and they are sometimes referred to as "dome" switches, in which the dome or dome has a central portion and a plurality of radially-extending arms. In the rest state of the dome, i.e. when it is not deformed, it rests via end portions of its arms on a first conductive track, while the central portion extends above a second conductive track. The central portion can receive downward axial pressure via a drive member so as to come into contact with the second track after the dome has been deformed, and in particular after the peripheral arms have deformed . Such an arrangement provides a "toggle" switching action which is accompanied by a tactile and audible sensation that switching has occurred; When it is necessary to make a silent switch device, proposals have been made to reduce the audible effect by turning the dome the other way up so that its central portion points towards the bottom of the package, with switching pressure then being exerted via the actuator member on the peripheral radial arms of the dome. Such a disposition does not suffice in achieving an entirely satisfactory degree of noise reduction.
An object of the invention is to propose a quiet switch device of the above-specified type, which also presents satisfactory contact reliability.
To this end, the invention provides a switch device of the above-specified type, in which the central portion is provided with an opening and presents a peripheral region around said opening defining an annular bearing region whereby the dome bears against the bottom portion of the package .
In various embodiments of the invention, the switch device further comprises one or more of the following characteristics:
• the package presents a stud projecting axially from the bottom, the opening of the dome being engaged on the stud, and said bottom portion being located at the base of the stud; ■ the stud presents a recess in which an electrical component can be housed, at legist, J.n.jpart-;_
■ the bottom of the package is provided with at least two holes facing the opening of the dome, each serving to receive a respective connection lead of an electrical component;
• the dome is made of gold-plated steel;
• the drive member comprises a ring whose central opening gives access to the opening of the dome;
• the switch device presents a plurality of conductive tracks fixed inside the package, being electrically insulated from one another, and such that the peripheral portion of the dome when in its position making contact with one of said tracks is simultaneously in contact with the other tracks;
• said tracks lie substantially in the same plane;
• for each conductive track, the peripheral portion of the dome comprises at least one radial arm defining a portion for making contact with said respective track;
• the radial arms -of the dome are regularly distributed around the periphery;
• the switch device presents three such tracks, one . of which is associated with two adjacent radial arms, said track being designed for connection to a line at a reference potential;
■ the drive member is provided with at least one radial projection for each radial arm, the projection superposing the corresponding radial arm of the dome and being guided in a corresponding groove in the package along the actuator axis;
• the switch device presents two identical domes that are superposed; ■ the switch device includes a light source, in particular an LED, the light source being provided with leads for connection to an electricity supply, said light source being mounted in the package in such a manner that is connection leads extend through the opening of the dome;
■ the light source has a translucent body housed at least in part in the recess of the stud; and
• the light source has a translucent body projecting from the package through the central opening of the drive member .
The invention also provides a key for an electrical appliance keypad, in particular for a dashboard panel in a motor vehicle cabin, the key comprising a switch device as described above, together with a translucent button secured to the drive member. The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given purely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings, in which:
• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switch device of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a section view on a vertical midplane in direction 2-2 of the Figure 1 switch device;
• Figure 3 is an analogous view on a vertical plane orthogonal to the plane of Figure 2, in direction 3-3; • Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the package for the Figure 1 device; and
• Figure 5 is a view analogous to Figure 1, the switch device being fitted with an LED different from that shown in Figure 1. The switch device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a package 3, a drive member 5 that is movable relative to the package, and a switch mechanism 7 housed in the package 3.
Throughout the description, it is assumed that the switch device 1 is oriented in such a manner that the drive member 5 is movable in translation relative to the package 3 along a vertical axis Z-Z.
In this orientation, the package 3 presents a bottom 9. The switch mechanism 7 is arranged inside the package 3 between the bottom 9 and the drive member 5.
The switch device 1 further comprises a clip 11 for retaining the switch mechanism 7 and the drive member 5 inside the package 3, and a light source 13 constituted by a light-emitting diode (LED) . A transparent pushbutton (not shown) may be fitted on the drive member
5 over the LED 13 so as to improve the visual appearance of the switch and make it easier for a user to actuate when the switch is installed in electronic equipment. Such a button associated with the switch device may be designed in particular to constitute a key of a keypad of electrical apparatus, such as a dashboard panel in the cabin of a motor vehicle. The package 3 is generally in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped defining an internal housing 15 of generally cylindrical shape, and closed at its bottom end by the bottom 9. The package is made of insulating plastics material. The package 3 includes a stud 17 projecting axially from the bottom 19 and extending centrally relative to the housing 15. The stud 17 is made up of two axial branches 17A, 17B made integrally with the package 3 and leaving a slot 19 between them which opens out into a bore 21 in the bottom wall of the package 3.
A barrier 23 is also formed in the package 3 and projects axially on both sides of the bottom wall 9, respectively into the slot 19 and into the bore 21. Beside the housing 15, the barrier 23 is provided with two sloping guide ramps 25A, 25B for guiding the conductive leads 31A, 3IB of the LED 13. Thus, the slot 19 formed in the stud 17 is adapted to co-operate with the barrier 23 to receive and guide the conductive leads 31A, 3IB of the LED 13 through two corresponding holes
22A, 22B formed in the bottom 9 and opening out into the bore 21.
Around the stud 17, the bottom 9 presents a rim 33 of substantially annular shape. In the example shown, the rim 33 is integrally molded with the remainder of the package, i.e. out of insulating material, however the switch could be designed with a conductive track coating said rim.
The generally cylindrical side surface of the housing 15 is interrupted by four setbacks 40 offset at
90° angular intervals around the axis Z. These setbacks 40 extend along generator lines of the cylindrical wall.
The bottom of each setback 40 is fitted with a conductive area 42. A first area 42 defines a first conductive track 42A (Figure 4) , a second conductive area 42 adjacent to the first defines a second conductive track 42B (Figure 4) , while the other two conductive areas 42 define a third conductive track 42C (Figure 4) .
All of the areas 42 extend substantially in the same horizontal plane. The package 3 also comprises a series of conductive terminals 45, in this case six of them, which project in parallel in threes from two opposite side faces of the package. These terminals 45 are in the form of flat tongues bent through 90° and they are for connection, in particular by soldering, to conductive tracks on a printed circuit card. Two conductive tracks 43, 44 are disposed in the bottom of the bore 21 and are electrically insulated from each other by the barrier 23, each being provided to be connected electrically, merely by contact or else by soldering, with a respective one of the conductive leads 31A, 31B of the LED 13.
Each of the tracks 42, 43, 44 is electrically connected to one or more of the terminals 45.
Two assembly and positioning pegs 47 project from the bottom face of the package 3 for engaging a printed circuit card.
Catches 49 for securing the clip 11 are also formed on two opposite side faces of the package 3.
The switch mechanism 7 comprises two superposed resilient conductive domes 51, 52 that are identical or substantially identical, each presenting a central portion 55 of generally annular shape, and four arms 57 projecting radially from said central portion. These arms are angularly offset at 90° intervals, and their free ends are adapted to be received in the setbacks 40.
An opening 59 formed in the central portion 55 is shaped so that each dome 51, 52 can be engaged on the stud 17, with the edge of the opening 59 co-operating with little clearance with the base of the stud 17. A region 61 of the central portion 55 of the bottom dome 52, around the periphery of the opening 59, thus defines an annular bearing region 61 whereby the bottom dome 52 bears against the bottom rim 33 of the package.
The domes 51 and 52 are preferably made of steel so as to give them good performance in terms of strength and elasticity, and they are preferably gold-plated so as to improve their electrical conductivity, and also provide good quality reflection of the light emitted by the LED 13 when the device is in operation.
The LED shown in Figures 1 to 3 has two conductive leads 31A and 31B as mentioned above, projecting from a translucent or transparent body 71. In the example shown in these figures, the body 71 is generally rectangular in shape and the conductive leads 31A and 3IB comprise respective flat tongues tapering towards their free ends and folded into a V-shape. These leads are soldered, for example, to the body of an LED of the surface mounting component (SMC) type.
The drive member 5 is constituted by a cylindrical ring 81 having four radially projecting blocks 83 on its periphery, the blocks being angularly offset from one another at 90° intervals around the axis Z . These blocks 83 are adapted to be engaged and axially slidable in the setbacks 40 so as to provide the drive member 5 with guidance in axial translation in the package 3. The central opening 85 of the ring 81 is of size and shape adapted to enable the drive member 5 to slide axially without interference around the light source 13 and the stud 17. It should be observed that the top surf ce of the ring 81 is raised relative to the top surfaces of the blocks 83, thus enabling the ring 81 to project from the package 3 when the switch device is in the rest position (as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3) , while the blocks 83 remain engaged in the respective setbacks 40.
The clip 11 is constituted by a plane plate 91 of generally square shape with outside edges that may coincide substantially with the outside edges of the top surface of the package 3, and provided with side tabs 93 that are folded down perpendicularly. Each of these side tabs 93 has a central opening so as to enable it to be engaged on a respective one of the catches 49. This enables the clip 11 to be snap-fastened, by being engaged on the package 3 along the axis Z, by the fastening means constituted by the catches 49 engaging in the complementary side tabs 93. The plane plate 91 is formed with a through central opening 95 of circular shape and of size corresponding to the outside diameter of the ring 81.
Still with reference to Figures 1 to 3, there follows a description of the assembled switch device in its rest state.
In this configuration, the domes 51 and 52 are superposed and engaged on the stud 17 so that the peripheral region 61 around the opening 59 of the bottom dome 62 bears against the rim 33. This bearing contact is permanent regardless of the state of the switch device. The free ends of the arms 57 are engaged in the setbacks 40 of the housing 15.
The drive member 5 is superposed over the top dome 51, its blocks 83 being engaged in the respective setbacks 40 and bearing on the arms 57 of the top dome 51. The central opening 85 then gives access to the opening 59 in the domes, thus enabling an electronic component such as the LED 13 to be installed in the center of the package .
The clip 11 is engaged on the package 3, its plane plate 91 then constituting an axial abutment for the blocks 83, thereby preventing the drive member 5 from being extracted from the package 3, and thus preventing the switch mechanism 7 from being extracted.
The LED 13 is partially engaged in the recess formed by the slot 19 in the stud 17, specifically via its conductive leads 31A, 31B. The bottom ends of these leads project into the bore 21 making contact with respective tracks 43 and 44. The translucent body 71 rests on the top surface of the stud 17 and projects towards the top of the package 3 and the drive member 5.
In this rest configuration of the switch member, each free end of the arms 57 of the domes 51, 52 extends over one of the contact areas 42, such that none of the domes 51, 52 is in contact with any of the areas 42.
Figure 4 shows the disposition of the conductive areas 42 in their own horizontal plane. These areas are regularly distributed around the central axis Z of the switch device. Concerning their electrical connections, it should be observed that the track 42C, constituted by two adjacent areas for good operating safety can be connected to a line at a reference potential referred to as "common" . The switch device is described below during actuation of the drive member 5, the device not being shown in its actuated state which corresponds to elastically deforming the switch mechanism 7.
The drive member 5 may be actuated by a user via a translucent button (not shown) secured to the drive member.
The assembly formed by the switch device and the button may define a key in the keypad of an electrical appliance, for example a dashboard panel in the cabin of a motor vehicle, as mentioned above.
When the drive member 5 is pressed down, either directly or via a button, the blocks 83 press down on the free ends of the arms 57, causing said arms 57 to bend and deform until said free ends come into contact with the contact areas 42.
It will be understood that electrical contact between the areas 42 is then set up via the switch mechanism 7.
Since the main purpose of having an LED 13 present in the switch device 1 is to provide a visual indication of the change of state of the switch device, provision is generally made for the electrical tracks and the terminals 45 to be connected to an electrical circuit suitable for powering the LED 13 , thereby illuminating the body 71, whenever contact between the areas 42 (i.e. the tracks 42A, 42B, 42C) is closed by means of the domes 51, 52.
By virtue of their central openings 59, the domes 51 and 52 enable an electrical component such as the LED 13 to be housed in the center of the device. This can be advantageous when a light source is used for reasons of appearance, both given the disposition of the source itself, and because light emitted by the source 13 is also reflected and concentrated by the inside surface of the dome 51, the dome being "upside-down". That is why it is particularly advantageous to provide a reflecting coating on at least the top dome 51, e.g. gold plate.
When pressure is released from the drive member 5, it will be understood that the switch mechanism 7 which was previously deformed elastically then returns to its initial rest state, with the free ends of the arms 57 ■ pushing the blocks 83 into abutment against the plate 91. Figure 5 shows the same device as shown in Figure 1 with the sole difference being that the LED 13 has been replaced by an LED 113 of a different type. Thus, the LED 113 has conductive leads 131A, 131B of the press-fit pin type, and a translucent body 171 of generally cylindrical shape.
This second embodiment shows that the device can be fitted with a wide variety of electrical components, in particular light sources and specifically LEDs, of different types.
Naturally, the presence of an electrical component such as an LED in the center of the device is entirely optional, demonstrating that the switch device of the invention can be used in numerous applications regardless of whether or not they require a light signal to be emitted to indicate switching. The switch device of the invention provides a good compromise between reducing switching noise and preserving the tactile sensation that switching has occurred. It also provides entirely satisfactory reliability in operation.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising:
• a package (3) presenting a bottom (9) ;
■ a drive member (5) movable in translation relative to said package along an actuation axis (Z) ;
• at least a first conductive track (42) fixed inside the package (3); and
• at least one conductive dome (52) presenting a peripheral portion (57) and a central portion (55) , and elastically deformable along the actuation axis (Z) under the effect of the drive member (5) , said dome (52) being disposed in the package (3) in such a manner that its central portion (55) rests on a bottom portion (33) of the package, while its peripheral portion (57) is suitable for passing from one position to another selected from a position in which it makes contact with said first track (42) and a position in which it does not make contact with said first track (42) , said positions corresponding to a rest state and a deformed state of the dome (52) , the switch device being characterized in that the central portion (55) is provided with an opening (59) and presents a peripheral region (61) around said opening (59) defining an annular bearing region whereby the dome (52) bears against the bottom portion (33) of the package .
2. A switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the package (3) presents a stud (17) projecting axially from the bottom (9) , the opening (59) of the dome
(51, 52) being engaged on the stud, and said bottom portion (33) being located at the base of the stud.
3. A switch device according to claim 2, characterized in that the stud (17) presents a recess (19) in which an electrical component (13; 113) can be housed, at least in part .
4. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the bottom (9) of the package (3) is provided with at least two holes facing the opening of the dome (51, 52) , each serving to receive a respective connection lead (31A, 31B; 131A, 131B) of an electrical component (13; 113) .
5. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,• characterized in that the dome (51, 52) is made of gold- plated steel.
6. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive member (5) comprises a ring (81) whose central opening (85) gives access to the opening (59) of the dome (51, 52) .
7. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it presents a plurality of conductive tracks (42) fixed inside the package (3), being electrically insulated from one another, and such that the peripheral portion (57) of the dome (52) when in its position making contact with one of said tracks (42) is simultaneously in contact with the other tracks (42) .
8. A switch device according to claim 7, characterized in that said tracks (42) lie substantially in the same plane.
9. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that, for each conductive track, the peripheral portion of the dome (51, 52) comprises at least one radial arm (57) defining a portion for making contact with said respective track (42) .
10. A switch device according to claims 7 and 9 taken together, the device being characterized in that the radial arms (57) of the dome (51, 52) are regularly distributed around the periphery.
11. A switch device according to claim 10, characterized in that it presents three such tracks, one of which (42C) is associated with two adjacent radial arms (57) , said track (42C) being designed for connection to a line at a reference potential .
12. A switch device according to any one of claims 9 to
11, characterized in that the drive member (5) is provided with at least one radial projection (83) for each radial arm (57) , the projection superposing the corresponding radial arm (57) of the dome (51, 52) and being guided in a corresponding groove (40) in the package (3) along the actuator axis (Z) .
13. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to
12, characterized in that it presents two identical domes (51, 52) that are superposed.
1 . A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to
13, characterized in that it includes a light source, in particular an LED (13; 113), the light source being provided with leads (31A, 31B; 131A, 131B) for connection to an electricity supply, said light source being mounted in the package (3) in such a manner that is connection leads extend through the opening (59) of the dome (51, 52) .
15. A switch device according to claims 3 and 14 taken together, the device being characterized in that the light source (13; 113) has a translucent body (71; 171) housed at least in part in the recess (19) of the stud (17) .
16. A switch device according to claims 6 and 14 taken together, the device being characterized in that the light source (13; 113) has a translucent body (71; 171) projecting from the package (3) through the central opening (85) of the drive member (5) .
17. A key for an electrical appliance keypad, in particular for a dashboard panel in a motor vehicle cabin, the key comprising a switch device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 together with a translucent button secured to the drive member (5) .
EP04706237A 2003-02-27 2004-01-29 A switch device capable of being fitted with a central light source, and a keypad key for electrical equipment including such a switch device Withdrawn EP1597740A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0302414 2003-02-27
FR0302414A FR2851845B1 (en) 2003-02-27 2003-02-27 SWITCHING DEVICE MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A CENTRAL LIGHT SOURCE, AND ELECTRIC APPARATUS KEYBOARD BUTTON COMPRISING SUCH A SWITCHING DEVICE.
PCT/IB2004/000204 WO2004077474A1 (en) 2003-02-27 2004-01-29 A switch device capable of being fitted with a central light source, and a keypad key for electrical equipment including such a switch device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1597740A1 true EP1597740A1 (en) 2005-11-23

Family

ID=32843039

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04706237A Withdrawn EP1597740A1 (en) 2003-02-27 2004-01-29 A switch device capable of being fitted with a central light source, and a keypad key for electrical equipment including such a switch device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1597740A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2851845B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004077474A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8777115B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2014-07-15 Syscard Innovations Inc. Card switch
CN204390951U (en) * 2015-02-06 2015-06-10 东莞市凯华电子有限公司 Post rod type keyboard switch

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4317176A1 (en) * 1993-05-22 1994-11-24 Marquardt Gmbh Switch cap for push button switches
US5898147A (en) * 1997-10-29 1999-04-27 C & K Components, Inc. Dual tact switch assembly
US6423918B1 (en) * 2000-03-21 2002-07-23 Lear Corporation Dome switch
ES2340355T3 (en) * 2000-06-07 2010-06-02 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse RATCHET CONTROL AND WATCH DEVICE PROVIDED WITH SUCH DEVICE.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO2004077474A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2851845A1 (en) 2004-09-03
WO2004077474A1 (en) 2004-09-10
FR2851845B1 (en) 2006-07-14

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