Key switch assembly including switch status indicator

Abstract

A key switch assembly (1) including a switch state indicator comprises: an actuating head (10) for actuating the key switch assembly (1), the actuating head comprising a disc-shaped upper part (11) and a tubular lower part (12); and a sleeve-shaped key guide (20), the key guide being coupled to the actuating head (10) such that the upper part (11) is arranged above the key guide (20) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the key switch assembly (1), and the lower part (12) surrounds the key guide (20). The key switch assembly (1) also comprises an optical conductor (40) for guiding light, the optical conductor being coupled to the actuating head (10) such that the optical conductor (40) is arranged at least in sections in the actuating head (10) and in the key guide (20) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L). The optical conductor (40) extends through the actuator head (10) at a predetermined position with a top end (47), so that the key switch assembly (1) can be illuminated in a predetermined manner by means of light radiation that can be coupled into the optical conductor (40) at a bottom end (48) opposite to the top end (47) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key switch assembly, in which various switch states are visibly marked according to the switch position. Background Art

[0002] For a key switch assembly, it is stipulated in accordance with the standard that the various states of the key switch assembly can be clearly identified for an observer. The key switch assembly can be designed, for example, as an emergency stop switch, by means of which an electrical contact between two conductors can be separated. Such a key switch assembly usually has various components that are assembled according to a standard component system, as described, for example, in document EP 1 261 979 B1. The components of the key switch assembly include, for example, an actuating head that is attached to a key guide and is generally designed in a mushroom shape. The key guide can be implemented as a hollow body and has a push rod inside it, wherein the push rod can be arranged in an axially displaceable manner in the key guide by means of the actuating head.

[0003] Such a key switch assembly can be mounted on a housing body which has contact elements inside. When the actuating head is pressed in or twisted, the push rod is displaced inside the key guide. The push rod acts on the contact elements inside the housing body, so that, for example, electrical contacts are separated. In this case, it is necessary to reliably and clearly visible identify the switching state of the key switch assembly. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to specify a pushbutton switch assembly which can be produced with low production outlay and which enables a reliable and clearly recognizable display of the switching state for the operator.

[0005] A pushbutton switch assembly with a switch state indicator is specified in independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] A key switch assembly including a switch state identifier includes an actuating head for actuating the key switch assembly, which includes a disc-shaped upper portion and a tubular lower portion. The key switch assembly also includes a sleeve-shaped key guide, which is coupled to the actuating head so that the upper portion is arranged above the key guide in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the key switch assembly, and the lower portion surrounds the key guide. The key switch assembly also includes an optical conductor for guiding light, which is coupled to the actuating head so that the optical conductor is arranged at least in sections in the actuating head and in the key guide in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The optical conductor extends through the actuating head at a predetermined position with the top end, so that the key switch assembly can be illuminated in a predetermined manner by means of light radiation that can be coupled into the optical conductor at the bottom end opposite to the top end in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0007] With the help of the described push switch assembly, the switch state can be displayed reliably and clearly visible to the operator. The light conductor enables an advantageous light function of the push switch assembly, which illuminates the push switch assembly clearly from the outside at a predetermined position. In addition to the conventional color marking, the light function provided thereby also realizes a light indicator and also contributes to a simple and particularly reliable identification of the respective switch state.

[0008] According to a preferred improvement of the key switch assembly, the upper part of the actuating head has an opening, which forms a predetermined position, through which a section of the light conductor extends. For example, the actuating head is designed in a mushroom shape. The light conductor is designed, for example, in a rod shape, so that one end of the light conductor extends through the circular opening in the upper part of the actuating head. By means of this advantageous light-guiding function provided by the light conductor, the corresponding switching state of the key switch assembly can be displayed in a reliable and particularly clear manner.

[0009] Compared to a key switch assembly without any light conductor, a significantly improved visibility of the switch state can be achieved. Alternatively, with the described key switch assembly, a lower-power or weaker light source can be used in order to achieve a visibility comparable to that of a conventional key switch assembly. In this way, a cost-effective and energy-saving key switch assembly can be achieved.

[0010] In the direction of the longitudinal axis, the components of the key switch assembly are in particular configured rotationally symmetrically, wherein individual elements such as recesses and retaining projections can be excluded.

[0011] According to another improvement of the key switch assembly, the actuating head including the disk-shaped upper part and the tubular lower part is implemented in two parts. The optical conductor has an upper section assigned to the top end and a lower section assigned to the bottom end, wherein the upper section extends at least partially between the upper part and the lower part of the actuating head in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the key switch assembly. In this way, a 360° lighting function can be provided, which contributes to a particularly conspicuous and reliable switch state identification of the key switch assembly.

[0012] The upper and lower parts of the actuating head are designed so that the annular edge of the upper section of the optical waveguide can be inserted or arranged between them and a radial annular light coupling-out is achieved. In addition, as described above, a central light coupling-out can be preset on the end face of the push switch assembly, so that a particularly clear lighting function can be achieved with the described push switch assembly.

[0013] According to another improved solution of the key switch assembly, the light conductor is implemented in two parts and has a rod-shaped element on which the funnel-shaped element is connected in the direction of the longitudinal axis and a disk-shaped element coupled to the upper part of the actuating head. The disk-shaped element cooperates with the rod-shaped element and the funnel-shaped element to define a cavity and form a predetermined light guide function. This design solution contributes to a particularly efficient lighting function of the key switch assembly.

[0014] The rod-shaped element and the funnel-shaped element can be designed as separate components and connected to each other. Preferably, the rod-shaped element and the funnel-shaped element together form an integral common component of the optical conductor. With respect to the cross section, the optical conductor component including the rod-shaped element and the funnel-shaped element realizes a Y shape along the longitudinal axis. In other words, this shape can also be called tulip-shaped. As another separate component, the disk-shaped element forms a cover or a covering element, which can be added to the Y-shaped component and thus surrounds the cavity. With the aid of this design, a predetermined component of the light radiation coupled in can be coupled out on the annular edge of the optical conductor, and another component can be coupled out from the disk-shaped element of the optical conductor on the end face. However, alternatively, the optical conductor can also be manufactured in one piece, which has a predetermined geometry, but does not enclose a cavity.

[0015] The optical waveguide upper section described above particularly comprises the funnel-shaped element and the disk-shaped element of the optical waveguide and can also be referred to as the disk-shaped section. The optical waveguide lower section described above particularly comprises the rod-shaped element of the optical waveguide and can also be referred to as the rod-shaped section.

[0016] In the framework of the injection molding process, the optical conductor can be formed in particular with a predetermined geometry. In addition, in this way, the number of optical conductor parts to be connected to each other can be kept low. As a material, the optical conductor preferably has highly transparent polycarbonate. Alternatively, the optical conductor can be made of organic glasses such as PMMA. In addition, the outer surface of the optical conductor can be designed to be reflective in a targeted manner so that the coupled-in light radiation conforms to the shape of the optical conductor and only a low component of light escapes at undesirable locations. For example, the reflective properties of the optical conductor can be influenced by coating, metallization or simply by means of a white color layer applied.

[0017] According to a further development of the pushbutton switch assembly, the optical waveguide has a profile with one or more steps, which are provided for coupling a portion of the optical radiation coupled into the optical waveguide out of the optical waveguide in a predetermined manner. In this way, a particularly advantageous light-guiding function of the optical waveguide can be predetermined.

[0018] According to another refinement of the push-button switch assembly, the optical waveguide has a grooved surface structure on the surface extending through the actuating head. With the aid of this purposefully provided surface structure, light scattering of the coupled-out optical radiation can be achieved, which contributes to a particularly clear visibility of the push-button switch assembly and the corresponding switching state. For example, the grooved surface is designed on the annular outer edge of the funnel-shaped element of the optical waveguide, which is arranged between the upper part and the lower part of the actuating head. Alternatively or additionally, the optical waveguide can also have a rough or grooved surface structure at other locations, which contributes to the purposefully diffused coupling-out of light.

[0019] If the push-button switch assembly has, for example, a light-transmitting surface in the form of a raised area of ​​a light conductor in the central area of ​​the upper part of the mushroom-shaped actuating head and also has an annular ring structure of the light conductor below the upper part, a predetermined coupling-out of the light radiation can be set by means of a targeted provision of the contour of the light conductor. For example, the light radiation is guided through the rod-shaped element of the light conductor to the funnel-shaped element and is coupled out in particular at a step preferably designed on the funnel-shaped element of the light conductor and enters the cavity between the funnel-shaped element and the disk-shaped element of the light conductor. The light radiation passes through the air-filled cavity and reaches the disk-shaped element of the light conductor, where it is coupled back into the light conductor and guided through the disk-shaped element and escapes from the push-button switch assembly through the raised area of ​​the disk-shaped element. By means of the geometry of the stepped area (such as the size), the number of steps and the size of the respective steps, it is possible to set how much of the light radiation reaches the raised area of ​​the disk-shaped element and is coupled out at the front and how much of the light radiation reaches the grooved annular surface of the funnel-shaped element and is coupled out laterally.

[0020] According to another improvement, the key switch assembly has a sleeve-shaped push rod, wherein the push rod surrounds the optical conductor in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the push rod has an inner surface with predetermined reflection properties, which faces the optical conductor. In particular, the sleeve-shaped push rod facilitates the transmission of force to other components of the key switch assembly, such as the locking unit, when the actuating head is actuated, and is arranged between the actuating head or the key guide and the optical conductor in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the push rod can be used as a holding and coupling component for the optical conductor. The push rod preferably follows the shape of the optical conductor and couples the optical conductor to the actuating head and the key guide.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the push rod is arranged on the inner side facing the optical waveguide and, for example, in sections along the longitudinal axis, in contact with it, so that the light radiation coupled into the optical waveguide is reflected by the inner side of the push rod and supplied to the optical waveguide again. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a coating of the inner side of the push rod that is arranged in white.

[0022] According to a preferred development, the key switch assembly has a coupling sleeve, which is coupled to the key guide at the bottom end of the optical waveguide and has an inner surface which has a predetermined curvature at least in sections in order to deflect the light radiation coupled into the optical waveguide in the direction of the bottom end of the optical waveguide. As a result, such a coupling sleeve can facilitate mechanical coupling and holding, and the optical coupling can contribute to the advantageous coupling of the largest possible light component into the optical waveguide. For example, the coupling sleeve has an elliptical curvature on the upper section, which advantageously affects the coupling of light radiation into the optical waveguide, wherein in the operating state of the key switch assembly, the upper section is arranged adjacent to the bottom end of the optical waveguide.

[0023] According to another improvement, the key switch assembly has a light-emitting unit including a light-emitting diode, wherein the light-emitting unit is coupled to the key guide at the end opposite to the actuating head in the direction of the longitudinal axis, so that the light radiation of the light-emitting diode can be coupled into the optical conductor at the bottom end of the optical conductor.

[0024] By actuating the actuating head, the key switch assembly can in particular be switched from a non-triggering state to a triggering state, wherein the key switch assembly is designed such that, when the contact element is designed as a normally closed contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is closed in the non-triggering state, in the triggering state, the electrical contact between the two conductors of the contact element that can be coupled to the key switch assembly can be separated. The key switch assembly is designed such that, when the contact element is designed as a normally open contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is separated in the non-triggering state, in the triggering state, the electrical contact between the two conductors in the contact element can be closed. The key switch assembly can be actuated by pressing and / or rotating the actuating head.

[0025] According to a preferred development, the pushbutton switch assembly is designed as an emergency stop switch or as a stop switch and enables a particularly reliable and clearly recognizable switch state display by means of a specially provided optical waveguide and the described lighting function, thereby contributing to safety.

[0026] In addition, the key switch assembly may include an adapter device for fixing the key switch assembly on the housing body, which is coupled to the key guide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment of a key switch assembly. In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 An embodiment of a key switch assembly including an optical conductor is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A cross section of a key switch assembly;

[0030] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D Shown is the Figure 1 Implementation scheme of the optical conductor of the key switch assembly;

[0031] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The upper part of the actuator head is shown and is used according to Figure 1 Embodiment of the optical conductor element of the key switch assembly;

[0032] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D The upper part of the actuator head is shown and is used according to Figure 1 An embodiment of the optical conductor of the key switch assembly; and

[0033] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B Shown is the Figure 1 An implementation scheme of a coupling sleeve of a key switch assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In all the drawings, elements with the same structure and function are marked with the same reference numerals. For reasons of clarity, not all elements shown may be marked with the corresponding reference numerals in all the drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 An embodiment of a key switch assembly 1 including a switch state indicator according to the present invention is shown. The key switch assembly 1 has a mushroom-shaped actuating head 10, which is used to actuate the key switch assembly 1, and includes a disc-shaped upper part 11 and a tubular lower part 12. The key switch assembly 1 also has a key guide 20. The key guide 20 is coupled to the actuating head 10 and is arranged in the lower part 12 of the actuating head 10 in the longitudinal direction L of the key switch assembly 1, so that the lower part 12 surrounds the key guide 20. In the direction of the longitudinal axis L, the upper part 11 is arranged above the key guide 20.

[0036] The key switch assembly 1 further comprises an optical conductor 40 for guiding light, which is coupled to the actuating head 10, so that the optical conductor 40 is arranged in sections in the actuating head 10 and in the key guide 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The optical conductor 40 extends through the actuating head 10 at a predetermined position with a top end 47, so that the key switch assembly 1 can be illuminated in a predetermined manner by means of light radiation that can be coupled into the optical conductor 40 at a bottom end 48 opposite to the top end 47 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0037] With regard to the embodiment shown, the light conductor 40 is designed in two parts and has a first part, which includes a rod-shaped element 41 and an adjoining funnel-shaped element 42. The separate second part is formed by a disk-shaped element 43, which has a protruding area 45, which extends through the central opening 13 in the upper part 11 of the actuator head 10. Alternatively, the rod-shaped element 41 can also be configured tubular and include a cavity or a channel.

[0038] In addition, the optical conductor 40 extends outwards through the actuating head 10 between the upper part 11 and the lower part 12 and is thus arranged annularly between the upper part 11 and the lower part 12. The components of the key switch assembly 1 shown are designed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis L. Therefore, the annular edge of the funnel-shaped element 42 of the optical conductor 40 makes it possible to illuminate the key switch assembly 1 360° in order to clearly and visually identify the switch state. In addition, the light is coupled out of the actuating head centrally through the protruding area 45 of the disk-shaped element 43 and also contributes to the simple and reliable visibility of the key switch assembly 1.

[0039] about Figure 1 In the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first parts 41, 42 of the optical waveguide 40 are modeled after a Y-structure, on which the second part or disk-shaped element 43 of the optical waveguide 40 lies as a covering element. The existing protrusions or grooves ensure that the parts 41, 42, 43 of the optical waveguide 40 are held in a predetermined and stable manner relative to each other. The structure of the optical waveguide 40 described contributes to a particularly beneficial light-guiding function, which enables clearly recognizable illumination of the key switch assembly 1. In particular, the tulip-shaped design of the first parts 41, 42 of the optical waveguide 40 and the covering disk-shaped element 43 shown provides a beneficial light-guiding function, which realizes a predetermined light distribution for coupling out and illumination, wherein the first part of the optical waveguide and the disk-shaped element enclose or define a cavity 46.

[0040] Further, the key switch assembly 1 has a sleeve-shaped push rod 24, which surrounds the optical conductor 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the sleeve-shaped push rod 24 is conducive to transmitting force to other components of the key switch assembly 1 when the actuating head 10 is actuated, such as the locking unit 60 that surrounds the optical conductor in an annular shape and makes it possible to lock the switch state; and is arranged between the actuating head 10 or the key guide 20 and the optical conductor 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Moreover, the push rod 24 can be used as a holding and coupling component for the optical conductor 40. The push rod 24 follows the contour of the optical conductor 40 or the first components 41, 42 of the optical conductor 40, and mechanically couples the optical conductor 40 with the actuating head 10 and the key guide 20.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the push rod 24 is arranged on the inner side facing the optical waveguide 40 so that the optical radiation coupled into the optical waveguide 40 is reflected by the inner side of the push rod 24 and guided further in the optical waveguide 40. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a coating in the form of a white inner side of the push rod 24. Thus, the inner surface is preferably provided with predetermined reflection properties, which contribute to advantageous light guidance.

[0042] The key switch assembly 1 further comprises a lighting unit 50 including a light-emitting diode 51, wherein the lighting unit is coupled to the key guide 20 at the end opposite to the actuating head 10 with the aid of a coupling sleeve 26 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, so that the light radiation of the light-emitting diode 51 can be coupled into the optical waveguide 40 at the bottom end 48 of the optical waveguide 40. The light radiation of the light-emitting diode 51 enters the optical waveguide 40 in the direction of the optical waveguide 40, is guided therein, and is coupled out of the optical waveguide 40 at the annular edge of the funnel-shaped element 42 and at the protruding area 45 of the disk-shaped element 43, thereby providing a clearly recognizable illumination of the key switch assembly 1, which facilitates safe detection and identification.

[0043] In addition, one or more spring elements 22 are illustrated, which prestress the key switch assembly 1 or adjacent components of the key switch assembly 1. In this way, a basic state of the key switch assembly 1 can be set, which can be converted into a switching state by actuation and pressing. By actuating the actuation head 10, the key switch assembly 1 can be switched from a non-trigger state to a trigger state, wherein the key switch assembly 1 is designed so that when the contact element is designed as a normally closed contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is closed in the non-trigger state, in the trigger state, the electrical contact between the two conductors of the contact element that can be coupled to the key switch assembly 1 can be separated. The key switch assembly 1 realizes, for example, an emergency stop switch or a stop switch, and makes it possible to display the switch state particularly reliably and clearly recognizable by means of a specially pre-set optical conductor 40 and the provided lighting function, thereby contributing to safety.

[0044] In addition, the key switch assembly 1 includes an annular adapter device 30, which is used to fix the key switch assembly 1 on the housing body. According to standard specifications, the individual components of the key switch assembly 1 have a predetermined color design. In the case of the emergency stop switch, the key guide 20 has a green through-dyed material, in particular a through-dyed plastic, which is clearly different from the red color of the actuating head 10 and the yellow color of the adapter device 30.

[0045] Figure 2The diagram shows a view of the bottom end 48 of the optical waveguide 40 from below of the pushbutton switch assembly 1, in which the central arrangement of the optical waveguide 40 or the rod-shaped element 41 of the optical waveguide 40 can be seen. The optical waveguide 40 is surrounded by the pushbutton guide 20, the annular adapter device 30 and the adapter centering device 39. In addition, the adapter centering device 29 cooperates with the locking element 31 of the adapter device 30, which forms an anti-twist protection for the adapter device 30.

[0046] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D Different views of the design of the optical waveguide 40 or the Y-shaped parts 41, 42 of the optical waveguide 40 are shown. The specially shaped optical waveguide 40 has areas of different radii on its rod-shaped element 41, which can contribute primarily to a stable and secure position in the key switch assembly 1. A tulip-shaped or funnel-shaped element 42 is connected adjacently, which spreads in the direction away from the rod-shaped element 41. In this case, the funnel-shaped element 42 can be designed as a continuously curved or, as shown in the embodiment shown, has one or more steps 49, which can contribute to the beneficial light-guiding function and light coupling-out. Protruding ring structures and / or protrusions can be designed on the surface of the funnel-shaped element 42, which are designed to cooperate with the covering disk-shaped element 43.

[0047] The optical conductor 40 also has a grooved surface structure 44 on the annular edge of the funnel-shaped element 42, wherein the annular edge extends through the actuating head 10. With the help of this purposefully pre-set surface structure 44, light scattering of the coupled-out light radiation can be achieved, which contributes to a particularly clear visibility of the key switch assembly 1 and the corresponding switch state. Alternatively or additionally, the optical conductor 40 can also have a rough or grooved surface structure 44 at other locations, which contributes to diffuse light coupling-out. As a result, the optical conductor 40 has a specially configured shape and surface structure, which contribute to an advantageous light guiding function and light coupling-out, respectively. Moreover, the surface of the optical conductor 40 can be highly polished in order to contribute to an advantageous light guiding.

[0048] Figure 3B The optical waveguide 40 is shown with a sleeve-shaped push rod 24 arranged thereon, which forms a laterally surrounding cover for a part of the optical waveguide 40. On the push rod 24, a projection, a projection and / or a groove are provided, which are oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, so that it is possible to place it on other components of the key switch assembly 1 located outside and to couple it therewith. In addition, a sealing element 25 is illustrated, which seals the key switch assembly in the upper area of ​​the key guide 20 (see Figure 1 ).

[0049] Figure 3C A side view of a first component 41 , 42 of an optical waveguide 40 is shown. Figure 3D A cross-sectional view is shown.

[0050] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Different views of the upper part of the key switch assembly 1 are shown. Figure 4A The upper part 11 of the actuator head 10 is illustrated, which comprises a central opening 13 into which, in the mounted state, a correspondingly shaped protruding area 45 of the disk-shaped element 43 of the optical waveguide 40 projects (see Figure 4B and Figure 4C ). The edges, projections and / or recesses of the upper part 11 and / or the disk-shaped element 43, for example, help to easily and safely position the corresponding components when assembling the key switch assembly 1.

[0051] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D A further view of a partially mounted optical waveguide 40 is shown, on which the upper part 11 of the actuating head 10 and the sleeve-shaped tappet 24 are already arranged. Figure 5A and Figure 5B It can be seen that the outwardly directed edge of the funnel-shaped element 42 does not necessarily have to be completely designed with a grooved surface structure 44 , but can also be designed with a grooved surface structure in sections in order to achieve local light scattering.

[0052] exist Figure 5D In FIG. 1 , as a further component of the push-button switch assembly 1 , the coupling sleeve 26 is arranged at the bottom end 48 of the optical waveguide 40 . Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 2 shows further views of the coupling sleeve 26. The coupling sleeve 26 is coupled to the key guide 20 at the bottom end 48 of the optical waveguide 40 (see Figure 1 ). It preferably has an inner surface 27 which has a predetermined curvature at least in sections in order to facilitate the advantageous optical coupling of the light radiation of the light emitting diode 51 into the optical waveguide 40. For example, the coupling sleeve 26 has an elliptical curvature on the upper section facing the optical waveguide 40, which advantageously acts on the coupling of the light radiation into the optical waveguide 40. The coupling sleeve 26 can facilitate mechanical coupling and holding, for example for connecting the luminous element unit 50, and also facilitates the advantageous optical coupling of the largest possible light component into the optical waveguide 40. The material, coating and in particular the shape of the coupling sleeve 26 facilitate the light guidance.

[0053] Moreover, the corresponding materials as well as the corresponding shapes and colors of the components of the key switch assembly 1 that affect light guidance are preferably designed to be coordinated with each other, thereby contributing to the best possible light transmission and light guiding function and forming a favorable and clearly recognizable illumination of the key switch assembly 1.

[0054] With the described push switch assembly 1, the switch state can be reliably and clearly visible to the operator. The specially provided light conductor 40 makes the useful light function of the push switch assembly 1 realize a light indicator in addition to the conventional color marking, and also helps to particularly reliably mark the corresponding switch state.

[0055] Reference numerals list

[0056] 1 Push button switch assembly

[0057] 10 Actuator head

[0058] 11 Actuator head upper part

[0059] 12 Actuator head lower part

[0060] 13 Upper opening

[0061] 20 Key guide for key switch assembly

[0062] 22 Spring element

[0063] 24 Sleeve-shaped push rod

[0064] 25 Sealing element

[0065] 26 Coupling sleeve

[0066] 27 The curved inner surface of the coupling sleeve

[0067] 29 Adapter centering device

[0068] 30 Adapter device for key switch assembly

[0069] 31 Locking element of the adapter device

[0070] 40 Photoconductor

[0071] 41 Rod-shaped element of light conductor

[0072] 42 Funnel-shaped element of light conductor

[0073] 43 Disk-shaped element of light conductor

[0074] 44 Grooved surface of funnel-shaped element

[0075] 45 Protruding area of ​​the disc-shaped element

[0076] 46 Light conductor cavity

[0077] 47 Tip end of light conductor

[0078] 48 Bottom end of the light guide

[0079] 49 Steps of the light conductor

[0080] 50 luminous units

[0081] 51 Light-emitting diodes of the light-emitting unit

[0082] 60 Locking unit

Claims

1. A key switch assembly (1) including a switch state indicator, the key switch assembly comprising: - an actuating head (10) for actuating the key switch assembly (1), the actuating head comprising a disc-shaped upper part (11) and a tubular lower part (12), - a sleeve-shaped key guide (20), which is coupled to the actuating head (10) so that, in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the key switch assembly (1), the upper part (11) is arranged above the key guide (20) and the lower part (12) surrounds the key guide (20), and - an optical conductor (40) for guiding light, the optical conductor being coupled to the actuating head (10) so that the optical conductor (40) is arranged at least in sections in the actuating head (10) and in the key guide (20) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the optical conductor (40) extends through the actuating head (10) at a predetermined position with a top end (47) so that light can be coupled into the optical conductor (40) at a bottom end (48) opposite to the top end (47) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L). The light radiation emitted by the light conductor (40) can illuminate the key switch assembly (1) in a predetermined manner, wherein the light conductor (40) is further implemented as a two-piece structure and has a rod-shaped element (41), a funnel-shaped element (42) is connected to the rod-shaped element in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), and has a disk-shaped element (43), the disk-shaped element is coupled to the upper part (11) of the actuating head (10), and the disk-shaped element, the rod-shaped element (41) and the funnel-shaped element (42) work together to define a cavity (46) and form a predetermined light-guiding function.

2. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper part (11) of the actuating head (10) has an opening (13), which forms a predetermined position, and the section (45) of the optical waveguide (40) extends through the position.

3. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating head (10) comprising a disc-shaped upper part (11) and a tubular lower part (12) is implemented in two parts, and wherein the optical waveguide (40) has an upper section (42, 43) assigned to the top end (47) and a lower section (41) assigned to the bottom end (48), wherein the upper section (42, 43) partially extends between the upper part (11) and the lower part (12) of the actuating head (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).

4. A key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the optical conductor (40) has a profile including one or more steps (49), and the steps are configured to couple a portion of the light radiation coupled into the optical conductor (40) out of the optical conductor (40) in a predetermined manner.

5. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the optical conductor (40) has a grooved surface structure on a surface (44) extending through the actuating head (10).

6. A key switch assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the optical conductor (40) extends circumferentially through the actuator head (10) below the upper part (11) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), and the surface (44) including the grooved surface structure is designed to be annular.

7. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising: A sleeve-shaped push rod (24), wherein the push rod surrounds the optical waveguide (40) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) and has an inner surface with predetermined reflection properties, the inner surface facing the optical waveguide (40).

8. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising: A coupling sleeve (26) is coupled to the key guide (20) at the bottom end (48) of the optical waveguide (40), and the coupling sleeve has an inner surface (27) which has a predetermined curvature at least in sections to deflect light radiation coupled into the optical waveguide (40) in the direction of the bottom end (48) of the optical waveguide (40).

9. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising: A light-emitting unit (50) having a light-emitting diode (51), wherein the light-emitting unit is coupled to the key guide (20) at the end opposite to the actuating head with the longitudinal axis (L) as the direction, so that the light radiation of the light-emitting diode (51) can be coupled into the light conductor (40) at the bottom end (48) of the light conductor (40).

10. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, - by actuating the actuating head (10), the key switch assembly can be switched from a non-triggering state to a triggering state, - wherein the key switch assembly (1) is designed so that when the contact element is designed as a normally closed contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is closed in a non-trigger state, in a trigger state, the electrical contact between the two conductors of the contact element that can be coupled to the key switch assembly (1) can be separated, and - wherein the key switch assembly (1) is designed so that when the contact element is designed as a normally open contact and the electrical contact between two conductors is separated in a non-triggering state, in a triggering state, the electrical contact between the two conductors in the contact element can be closed.

11. The key switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the key switch assembly is designed as an emergency stop switch or a stop switch.

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