Electrical installation equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical installation device, comprising an electronic circuit module for switching electrical appliances on and off and / or regulating electrical appliances, the electronic circuit module having at least one micro switch (22) and at least one control rocker for operating the micro switch (22), wherein the control rocker can be moved to one of two switch positions over an operating stroke when operated, wherein the micro switch (22) has a switch stroke that is several times smaller than the operating stroke of the control rocker, and the electrical installation device further comprises a transmission device (18) for transmitting the movement of the control rocker to the micro switch and a snap device (30), wherein the snap device is used to force the control rocker to reach one of the two switch positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical installation device, comprising an electronic circuit module for operating or switching on and off an electrical load and / or regulating an electrical load, wherein the electronic circuit module has at least one micro switch. Background Art

[0002] Electrical installation devices, such as concealed switches or dimmers, which are primarily provided for switching on and off or controlling corresponding electrical loads are well known. In the simplest case, such installation devices have switching contacts, which can switch on and off electrical loads, such as lamps, connected thereto. For this purpose, the switching of the switching contacts only opens or closes the current circuit.

[0003] Micro switches are also used to open or close current circuits, the contacts of which are usually spaced less than 3 mm apart from one another in the open state. Such micro switches also have a correspondingly small stroke when actuated. The stroke is so small that the user receives little or no tactile feedback when actuating the switch. This lack of feedback may be desirable or not disadvantageous in certain applications, such as digital control, but may be undesirable in other applications, such as a classic light switch on a wall.

[0004] It is also possible for the light switch to be usually designed as a toggle switch with a control rocker, which can be moved or tilted into two different switch positions. The switch can remain in the corresponding switched position until the switch is operated again.

[0005] Due to the above-mentioned small stroke of the micro switch, the mechanical structure for operating the micro switch must be precisely adapted. Therefore, the mechanical structure for operating the micro switch is usually not suitable for additionally holding the control rocker in the corresponding switch position. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrical installation device which, even when a microswitch is used, can output tactile feedback to a user when the switch is operated, like a conventional light switch to which the user is accustomed.

[0007] This technical problem is solved according to the present invention by an electrical installation device. The installation device particularly comprises at least one control rocker for operating a micro switch, the control rocker can be moved to one of two switch positions over an operating stroke when operating, wherein the micro switch has a switching stroke that is several times smaller than the operating stroke of the control rocker, and the installation device also has a transmission device for transmitting the movement of the control rocker to the micro switch and a snap device, the snap device being used to force the control rocker to reach one of the two switch positions. In order to accurately switch the micro switch even when the operating stroke of the control rocker is significantly large, a transmission device is provided for transmitting the movement of the control rocker to the micro switch and switching it on and off. A large operating stroke of the control rocker is provided, thereby enabling the operator to receive tactile feedback when operating the micro switch. In addition, the snap device forces the control rocker to reach its corresponding switch position when operating, so that the user can feel the tilt of the control rocker when the control rocker transitions from one switch position to another switch position. In one design of the switch or button, the latching device also forcibly holds the control rocker in the corresponding switch position until it is actuated again. The latching device is designed in this case so that the user perceives or feels the actuation of the control rocker as tactile feedback, for example a "click". The mounting device according to the invention thus makes it possible to utilize the advantages of a microswitch while still maintaining the switching feel of a conventional mechanical light switch.

[0008] The latching device and the transmission device can be spatially separated from each other or can be configured in combination with each other. According to an advantageous first embodiment, the latching device can act directly on the microswitch, for example, wherein the transmission device both transmits the movement of the control rocker to the microswitch and is also used to force the control rocker into one of the two switch positions.

[0009] According to another advantageous embodiment, the snap-in device and the transmission device are designed to be spatially separated from each other. Since the microswitch has a relatively small switching stroke, the transmission device must switch precisely. It may therefore be advantageous to design the snap-in device spatially separated from the transmission device so that the two different mechanisms do not interfere with each other and can be designed to be optimized for their function. For example, the microswitch can be switched precisely and relatively smoothly, while the snap-in device can force the control rocker to overcome resistance with a corresponding force expenditure.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the latch device has a leaf spring and a sliding guide. The sliding guide can be formed on the base, for example, by projections or depressions, grooves, one or more strips or similar structures. However, it is also conceivable that the sliding guide is designed as a series of projections and depressions. For this purpose, the leaf spring can be prestressed relative to the base, so that the sliding guide or at least a part of the sliding guide forms a resistance that the leaf spring must overcome. By overcoming this resistance when the control rocker is actuated, the desired tactile feedback can be achieved. The user can feel at which point the leaf spring overcomes the dead point, which is, for example, the highest point of the projection, and thus slides from one switching position to the other switching position.

[0011] The slotted guide can also be designed in addition to the design of the switch in such a way that the control rocker remains in the corresponding switch position.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment, the snap-in device has a helical spring and a sliding guide. The sliding guide can also be designed as a protrusion and / or a recess on the base as in the previous embodiment. It is also possible that the sliding guide has a groove, a strip or a slit in which the helical spring is guided. The function of the helical spring in the snap-in device is basically the same as that of the leaf spring.

[0013] It is also conceivable that a sleeve is additionally assigned to the helical spring, which sleeve at least partially surrounds the helical spring. The sleeve can be designed in such a way that the end of the helical spring facing the sliding guide is arranged in the sleeve, so that the sleeve is guided by the sliding guide when the control rocker is actuated. In particular, the sleeve can also be pressed better against the sliding guide in order to force the control rocker into one of the two switching positions when actuated.

[0014] One embodiment provides that the transmission device has an elastic arm with a slot guide. The elastic arm serves as an element for actuating the microswitch, i.e., when the control rocker is actuated, it moves in the direction of the microswitch to such an extent that the elastic arm can switch the microswitch on and off. For this purpose, the slot guide can be formed on the elastic arm, and the control rocker can have a projection, a nose, a corner, a pin or the like, which guides along the slot guide during switching and thereby moves the elastic arm out of its rest position.

[0015] The guideway guide can be designed in this case on the one hand so that the elastic arm moves away from the microswitch again after switching and returns to its initial position (button function). On the other hand, it is also possible that the guideway guide is designed so that the elastic arm presses against the microswitch during switching until the user operates the control rocker again and the elastic arm is thereby moved away from the microswitch again (switch function).

[0016] An alternative embodiment provides that the transmission device has a leaf spring. In this embodiment, the control rocker can also have a projection, a nose, a corner, a pin or the like, so that when the control rocker is actuated, the leaf spring is moved out of its rest position, so that the leaf spring is locked and the microswitch is actuated thereby.

[0017] In this embodiment, the transmission device can be designed so that the leaf spring switches the microswitch on each actuation and releases it again, or it can be designed so that the leaf spring actuates the microswitch and holds it in the switched position until the rocker is actuated again.

[0018] Another embodiment provides that the transmission device has an elastic arm and a leaf spring. The leaf spring can be arranged between the elastic arm and the control rocker, so that the movement of the control rocker is transmitted to the elastic arm via the leaf spring, in order to thereby ultimately actuate the microswitch.

[0019] According to another variant, the circuit module can be operated both wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth or WLAN, and also via a microswitch. This embodiment has proven to be particularly advantageous, since the demand for intelligent or digital solutions for building equipment is increasing. The user can operate the light switch both classically manually and via a remote control or an app on a mobile phone or tablet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view showing components of a mounting device;

[0022] Figure 2 Shows a cutaway Figure 1 The section obtained by the view;

[0023] Figure 3A Shows Figure 2 An enlarged view of a transfer device;

[0024] Figure 3B A transfer device according to a second embodiment is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the mounting device is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 shows an exploded view, partially cut away, of components of a mounting device according to another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6 shows an exploded view, partially cut away, of components of a mounting apparatus according to yet another embodiment;

[0028] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 a partially cutaway perspective view of components of the mounting apparatus shown;

[0029] Figure 8 shows an exploded view, partially cut away, of another embodiment of components of a mounting apparatus; and

[0030] Fig. 9 Shows a cutaway Figure 8 The cross section obtained by the implementation method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 Components 10 of a mounting device are shown. The mounting device comprises an electronic circuit module (not shown) with at least one microswitch 22, a control rocker (not shown) for operating the mounting device, a transmission device 18, a snap-on device 30 and a housing (not shown). In addition, the mounting device has a tilting element 12, a suspension device 11 for the tilting element 12 (see Figure 1 ) and a bracket 14, on which a control rocker is arranged. The rocker element 12 is connected to the control rocker in a known manner, so that when the control rocker is operated, the rocker element 12 moves together corresponding to the movement of the control rocker. The mounting device is designed so that it can be installed in a commercially available concealed box or surface-mounted accessory.

[0032] The tilting element 12 is supported on the support 14 so as to be tiltable about the axis A. The support 14 has a base 16 for a transmission device 18 or a snap-on device 30 which will be shown in detail in the subsequent figures. A micro switch 22 is also arranged below the tilting element 12 or the support 14 (see Figure 5 ), the micro switch can be turned on and off by operating the control rocker.

[0033] A first embodiment of the transfer device 18 is Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 7In this embodiment, the tilting element 12 has a projection 24 that tapers to a point, wherein the tip of the projection 24 is located in a plane having the axis A. The support 14 has a spring arm 26 as a counterpart, which in turn includes a spring arm with two side surfaces 28a and 28b (see Figure 3A ) of the projection 28. The spring arm 26 is arranged directly below the projection 24, so that when the tilting element 12 is actuated, the projection 24 is guided on the spring arm 26.

[0034] The tip of the projection 24 moves in the direction of the ridge 28 or along the side 28a, so that the projection 24 presses on the spring arm 26 and thereby moves the spring arm downward away from the tilting element 12 until the projection 24 reaches the tip of the projection 28. Once this tip, which also represents the end point of the movement of the tilting element 12, has been passed, the projection 24 can slide downward on the opposite side 28b, so that the spring arm 26 can be moved back again in the direction of the tilting element 12. Since the micro switch 22 (not shown) is arranged directly below the spring arm 26, it can be actuated by the up and down movement of the spring arm 26.

[0035] The transfer device 18 is basically the same as Figure 2 and Figure 3A Another embodiment based on the same principle is Figure 3B . The difference here lies in the design of the protuberance 28. The sides 28a and 28b are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other, so that there is no tip on which the protuberance 24 can slide when the control rocker or the rocker element 12 is actuated. If the control rocker is actuated, the protuberance 24 moves along the side 28a and presses the spring arm 26 downward in the direction of the microswitch 22. The protuberance 24 then comes to rest on the side 28b, which is designed parallel to the spring arm 26, so that the spring arm 26 remains pressed downward until the rocker element 12 is actuated again and the protuberance 24 is guided again via the side 28a to the side of the protuberance 28.

[0036] The transmission device 18 Figure 3A and Figure 3B The difference between the two embodiments shown in Figure 3A In the embodiment, each time the rocker is actuated, the spring arm 26 moves downward and away in order to then return directly to its initial position, so that the projection 24 is guided from the side 28a past the ridge 28 to the side 28b. When the rocker is actuated again, the projection 24 moves back to the side 28a, whereby the spring arm 26 performs the same upward and downward movement and thereby actuates the microswitch, thereby realizing the function of a pushbutton. Figure 3BIn the embodiment of the embodiment of the invention, the projection 24 is first located next to the side 28a (as shown in the figure). When the control rocker 12 is operated, the projection 24 moves along the side 28a to the side 28b and comes to rest on the side 28b. As long as the projection 24 is at rest on the side 28, the spring arm 26 also remains pressed downward and thus also holds the micro switch 22 in the switched position. As soon as the projection 24 is guided downward again along the side 28a, the spring arm 26 can return to its initial position, thereby releasing the micro switch 22, thereby achieving the function of a switch.

[0037] As mentioned at the outset, a switch travel of less than 3 millimeters without resistance is sufficient for actuating the microswitch 22, so that the transmission device 18 provides little or no tactile feedback to the user when the control rocker 12 is actuated. In addition, due to the small movement path between the projection 24 and the spring arm 26, it is not always possible to ensure that the control rocker or the rocker element 12 remains securely in the respectively switched switch position. For this reason, the latching device 30 according to the invention is provided in the arrangement of the mounting device, which is now combined with the Figures 5 to 9 The buckle device is described in detail.

[0038] At least a portion of the snap-fit ​​device 30 or the slideway guide device of the snap-fit ​​device can be provided on the bracket 14 by an elastic member of the transfer device 18 (see, for example, Figure 5 The leaf spring 32 in the transmission device 18 is formed. Figures 2 to 3B In principle, it is also conceivable that the parts of the latching device 30 are formed on the same support 14 as the spring arm 26. The slot guide can also be arranged on its own support in the installation device.

[0039] The transmission device 18 Figure 5 The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a common support 14 ′ and a strip 34 for a leaf spring 32 which forms an elastic element of the transmission element 18 (see Figure 5 ), the strip serves as an obstacle for the spring 36, in particular the leaf spring 36, of the snap-in device 30. Figure 5 As shown in the exploded view of , the bracket 14 ′ can be arranged between the tilting element 12 and the bracket 14 carrying the spring arm 26 .

[0040] The transmission device 18 Figure 5The variant shown comprises a projection 24 formed on the rocker element 12, a leaf spring 32 formed on the support 14′ and a spring arm 26 arranged on the support 14. Thus, when the control rocker is actuated, the projection 24 can be guided on the leaf spring 32 so that the leaf spring is pressed downward in the direction of the spring arm 26 and thus also presses the spring arm downward, thereby actuating the microswitch 22. The projection 24 can be oriented relative to the leaf spring 32 in such a way that the leaf spring 32 snaps back into its starting position after each actuation of the control rocker or remains pressed downward until the control rocker is actuated again and the leaf spring 32 is released.

[0041] In accordance with Figure 5 In the embodiment of the invention, the snap-in device 30 is composed of a leaf spring 36 mounted on the rocking element 12 and a strip 36 constructed on the bracket 14'. The leaf spring 36 is constructed and arranged similarly to the protrusion 24 in the aforementioned transmission device 18 so that the leaf spring must slide over the strip 34 when the control rocker is operated. This first causes the strip 34 to form a resistance, so that force must be consumed in order to move the tensioned leaf spring 36 over the strip 34. Once this force is reached or overcome and the leaf spring passes over the strip 34, this will be felt and heard by the user. The user therefore feels that he has operated the control rocker at this time, which is similar to the feel of a traditional mechanical light switch. This can give the user a good and familiar switching feeling, while only the micro switch 22 is required to actually switch the electrical appliance on and off.

[0042] The latch device 30 also serves to hold the control rocker or the rocker element 12 in the respective switched position. The latch device can only be moved again into the respective other position when the user actuates the control rocker. For this purpose, it is only necessary to preload the leaf spring 36 relative to the strip 34 so that it cannot overcome the strip 34 by itself without the action of external forces. The strip 34 thus also serves as a limit between the switch positions.

[0043] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 2 shows another embodiment of the transmission device using a leaf spring 36. Since the leaf spring 36 is constructed in the same manner as the leaf spring used in the above-mentioned snap-in device, the same reference numerals are used. Here again, the leaf spring 36 is fixed to the rocking element 12. When the control rocker is operated, the leaf spring and the rocking element 12 are connected. Figure 3B The embodiment of the slide is similarly slid onto the projection 38 formed on the spring arm 40, so that the spring arm 40 is pressed downward and thus actuates the microswitch (not shown) located below the spring arm.

[0044] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Another embodiment of a snap-in device 30 is shown, which can be used in a mounting device with Figure 7 The locking device 30 comprises a helical spring 42, the front end of which is guided in a sleeve 44. In addition, a locking device 30 is provided which can be Fig. 9 The helical spring 42 basically performs the same Figure 6 and Figure 7 The same function as the leaf spring 36 in the embodiment of FIG. That is, the helical spring 42 is prestressed on the support 14 formed with the protrusions and depressions 48, 46 in such a way that the helical spring forces the control rocker to remain in the respectively switched position.

[0045] exist Fig. 9 In the embodiment of the invention, these positions are respectively located in the recesses 46. The helical spring 42 must therefore move over the projection 48 located between the recesses 46 when the control rocker is actuated. This projection 48, similar to the previous example, creates a resistance that must be overcome by the helical spring 42, which is heard by the user as a "click" when the control rocker is switched.

[0046] The sleeve 44 surrounds the helical spring 42 at least on the side facing the projections and recesses 48, 46. The helical spring 42 can thus be guided in the sleeve 44, so that the sleeve 44 serves as a bearing surface between the helical spring 44 and the projections and recesses 48, 46. This has the advantage that the sleeve 44 creates a continuous, relatively smooth surface that can be better guided along the projections and recesses 48, 46. The sleeve 44 also proves to be advantageous when the control rocker is fixed in the corresponding switch position. By the larger bearing surface of the sleeve 44 relative to the arrangement of the helical spring 42 alone, the sleeve is better held in the corresponding recess 46 and thus in the corresponding switch position. In addition, the material of the sleeve 44 or the material of the surface of the sleeve can be designed accordingly in order to increase the static friction between the sleeve 44 and the projections or recesses 48, 46.

[0047] In accordance with Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In principle, it is also possible that the spring arm 26 or the leaf spring 32 for the transmission device 18 is arranged on the same support 14 as the protrusion and recess 48, 46. Such a spring arm 26 can also be arranged from Figure 8 Seen in stereoscopic view.

[0048] In principle, it is possible to arbitrarily combine different embodiments of the transmission device 18 and the snap-on device 30. When the transmission device 18 and the snap-on device 30 are constructed spatially separated from each other, regardless of the embodiment, the two mechanisms do not interfere with each other when the joystick is operated and can be designed to be optimized for their functions.

[0049] Another embodiment of the buckle device 30 in the installation device is Figure 4 , wherein in this embodiment, the transmission device and the snap-in device are constructed in an integrated manner. The snap-in device 30 comprises a coil spring 42, the front end of which is guided in a sleeve 44. In this embodiment, the microswitch 22 is used as a guide slot for the front end of the sleeve 44, and the upper operating element of the microswitch is designed in an arched manner, so that when the control rocker 12 is operated, the microswitch 22 is operated on the one hand, and the sleeve 44 is guided on the arched operating part of the microswitch after the microswitch 22 is operated, and thus the desired snap-in movement or the desired tactile feedback is generated. The coil spring 42 is also preloaded on the support 14 or the microswitch 22 located on the plate 23, so that the coil spring forces the control rocker to remain in the respectively switched position.

[0050] It is also advantageous if the circuit module (not shown) can additionally be controlled via a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or WLAN, so that the installation device can be controlled not only manually but also, for example, via a remote control or a mobile phone application.

[0051] List of Reference Numerals

[0052] 10 Installing the equipment components

[0053] 11 Suspension

[0054] 12. Tilt element

[0055] 14 Bracket

[0056] 14′ Bracket

[0057] 16 Base

[0058] 18 Transfer device

[0059] 22 Micro switch

[0060] 23 Panels

[0061] 24 protrusion

[0062] 26 Spring Arm

[0063] 28 ridge

[0064] 28A, 28b Side

[0065] 30 snap-fit ​​device

[0066] 32 (18) leaf spring

[0067] 34 Slats

[0068] 36 (30) leaf spring

[0069] 38 (40) protrusion

[0070] 40 Spring Arm

[0071] 42 Coil spring

[0072] 44 Sleeve

[0073] A axis

Claims

1. An electrical installation device, comprising An electronic circuit module for switching on and off and / or regulating electrical loads, the circuit module having at least one microswitch (22), At least one control rocker for operating the microswitch (22), which can be moved into one of two switch positions over an operating stroke when operated, wherein: The micro switch (22) has a switch stroke that is several times smaller than the operating stroke of the control rocker. a transmission device (18) for transmitting the movement of the control rocker to the micro switch (22), and a snap-in device (30) which forces the control rocker into one of the two switch positions, It is characterized in that the transfer device (18) has a resilient arm (26) with a slotted guide.

2. Electrical installation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein The snap-in device (30) and the transfer device (18) are designed to be spatially separated from one another.

3. Electrical installation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The transmission device (18) and / or the latch device (30) are designed so that they hold the control rocker in one of the two switch positions until the control rocker is actuated again.

4. The electrical installation device according to claim 1, wherein: The buckle device (30) comprises a leaf spring (36) and a slide groove guiding device.

5. The electrical installation device according to claim 1, wherein: The buckle device (30) comprises a coil spring (42) and a slide groove guiding device.

6. The electrical installation device according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission device (18) has both a resilient arm (26) and a leaf spring (32).

7. The electrical installation device according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit module can be operated both wirelessly and via a microswitch.

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