A precision button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel

Abstract

The present invention discloses a precision push-button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel, comprising a housing component having a housing peripheral wall, and an inner housing space defined inside the housing peripheral wall; a base component located at the lower part of the inner housing space, the base component having a base body and a microswitch, and a switch button formed on the top surface of the microswitch; and a button component located at the upper part of the inner housing space, the button component having a button body, a button spring, a buffer support, a buffer rivet and a buffer spring. The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the design of the buffer rivet and the buffer spring is adopted to protect the switch button and improve the reliability of the push-button switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a push-button switch, and in particular, to a precision push-button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel. Background Art

[0002] In the aviation industry, when there are multiple push-button switches on the aircraft cockpit control panel, different button shapes are selected. Considering the factor of avoiding misoperation by pilots, these push-button switches often come from different manufacturers. The indexes such as the pressing force and the operating stroke designed by different manufacturers vary greatly, resulting in inconsistent operating feel and poor ergonomics. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the general structure of the push-button switch to achieve the same operating feel for different shapes or button forms. On the other hand, for the traditional push-button switch based on a micro switch, its driving member has no buffer mechanism, so that the operating force of the operator directly acts on the micro switch button, which is extremely easy to cause premature damage to the micro switch. It is also urgent to improve the pressing structure of the push-button switch. Finally, at present, there are relatively few sealing solutions for the traditional push-button switch based on the micro switch, and its resistance to damp heat and salt spray is poor. It is also urgent to improve the waterproof and sealing ability of the new technology. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the problem that the push-button switch based on the micro switch in the prior art does not have a buffer function, and provides a new type of precision push-button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel.

[0004] To achieve this purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A precision push-button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel includes:

[0005] A housing component, which has a housing peripheral wall, and an internal space of the housing is defined inside the housing peripheral wall;

[0006] A base component, which is located at the lower part of the internal space of the housing. The base component has a base body and a micro switch, and a switch button is formed on the top surface of the micro switch; and,

[0007] The button component is located at the upper part of the built-in space of the housing. The button component includes a button body, a button spring, a buffer support, a buffer rivet and a buffer spring. A button lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the button body. The buffer support is placed inside the button lower blind hole. A support upper blind hole is formed on the top surface of the buffer support, and a support lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the buffer support. A support communication hole communicating the support upper blind hole and the support lower blind hole is also formed on the buffer support. The buffer rivet passes through the support communication hole. The upper end of the buffer rivet has a nut, and the nut is arranged in the support upper blind hole. The lower end of the buffer rivet forms a rivet skirt, and the rivet skirt is relatively positioned or abutted against the switch button up and down. The buffer spring is arranged between the bottom surface of the support lower blind hole and the top surface of the rivet skirt. The button spring is arranged between the bottom surface of the button body and the top surface of the micro switch.

[0008] As a preferred solution for a precision button switch of an aircraft cockpit control panel, the base body is composed of an upper base part and a lower base part. The upper base part has a base peripheral wall, and the base peripheral wall surrounds the inner side of the housing peripheral wall. A base ring groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base peripheral wall. The base ring groove and the housing peripheral wall jointly define a first ring cavity, and a first sealing ring is arranged inside the first ring cavity.

[0009] As a preferred solution for a precision button switch of an aircraft cockpit control panel, a first connection hole is formed on the base peripheral wall, and a first connected hole corresponding to the first connection hole is formed on the housing peripheral wall. A first connecting member is provided between the first connected hole and the first connection hole to realize the fixed connection between the base peripheral wall and the housing peripheral wall.

[0010] As a preferred solution for a precision button switch of an aircraft cockpit control panel, the lower base part has a front wall part and a rear wall part. The front wall part and the rear wall part are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the micro switch. Second connection holes are formed on both the front wall part and the rear wall part. Second connected holes corresponding to the second connection holes are formed on the micro switch. A second connecting member is provided between the second connected hole and the second connection hole to realize the fixed connection between the lower base part and the micro switch.

[0011] As a preferred solution for a precision button switch of an aircraft cockpit control panel, a button ring groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the button body. The button ring groove and the housing peripheral wall jointly define a second ring cavity, and a second sealing ring is arranged in the second ring cavity.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are at least as follows: 1. By adopting the design of buffer rivets and buffer springs, the protection of the switch button is realized, and the reliability of the push-button switch is improved. 2. By using the static seal of the first sealing ring and the dynamic seal of the second sealing ring, and applying an appropriate amount of silicone agent at the switch button, the ability of full-seal waterproofing is achieved. 3. The outer shape of the housing component can be designed arbitrarily, while the internal action mechanism remains unified. 4. The push-button switch has a simple structure, small size and light weight. Multiple action steps are considered during the pressing process to ensure a comfortable pressing feel, meeting the requirements of ergonomics.

[0013] In addition to the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical features constituting the technical solution, and the beneficial effects brought by these technical features of the technical solution described above, other technical problems that the present invention can solve, other technical features included in the technical solution, and the beneficial effects brought by these technical features will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram (exploded state) of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic structure of the present invention Figure 1 (longitudinal section).

[0016] Figure 3 It is a schematic structure of the present invention Figure 2 (longitudinal section).

[0017] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the button component in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the base component in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 It is the operation process of the present invention Figure 1 .

[0020] Figure 7 It is the operation process of the present invention Figure 2 .

[0021] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 1 .

[0022] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 2 .

[0023] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 3 .

[0024] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 4 。

[0025] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 5 。

[0026] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 6 。

[0027] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 7 。

[0028] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the outer shape of the housing component in the present invention Figure 8 。 Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific implementation manners in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted here that the description of these implementation manners is for helping to understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various implementation manners of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 , which shows a precision button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel.

[0031] The precision button switch is composed of components such as a housing component 1, a base component 2, and a button component 3.

[0032] The housing component 1 has a housing peripheral wall. The interior of the housing peripheral wall defines a housing internal space.

[0033] The base component 2 is located at the lower part of the housing internal space. The base component 2 has a base body 21 and a micro switch 22. The base body 21 is composed of a base upper part 211 and a base lower part 212.

[0034] The upper part 211 of the base has a base peripheral wall. The base peripheral wall surrounds the inner side of the housing peripheral wall. The base peripheral wall can be in surface contact with the housing peripheral wall. A base ring groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base peripheral wall. The opening of the base ring groove is arranged outward. The base ring groove and the housing peripheral wall jointly define a first ring cavity. A first sealing ring 23 is arranged inside the first ring cavity. By using the first sealing ring 23, static sealing between the base peripheral wall and the housing peripheral wall can be achieved. A first connection hole is formed on the base peripheral wall. A first connected hole corresponding to the first connection hole is formed on the housing peripheral wall. A first connecting member 4 is provided between the first connected hole and the first connection hole to realize the fixed connection between the base peripheral wall and the housing peripheral wall. The number of the first connection holes (the first connected holes) can be two, which are arranged oppositely. The first connection hole can be a counterbore, and the head of the countersunk head screw as the first connecting member 4 can be completely recessed into the first connection hole to ensure no interference with other components. In order to facilitate the installation of the upper part 211 of the base into the housing component 1, a guiding chamfer is formed on the outer edge of the top surface of the base peripheral wall.

[0035] The lower part 212 of the base has a front wall part and a rear wall part. The front wall part and the rear wall part are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the microswitch 22. Second connection holes are formed on both the front wall part and the rear wall part. Second connected holes corresponding to the second connection holes are formed on the microswitch 22. A second connecting member 5 is provided between the second connected holes and the second connection holes to realize the fixed connection between the lower part 212 of the base and the microswitch 22. The second connection hole can be a countersunk hole, and the head of the rivet as the second connecting member 5 can be completely recessed into the second connection hole to ensure no interference with other components.

[0036] A switch button 220 is formed on the top surface of the microswitch 22. An appropriate amount of silicone agent 16 is applied around the switch button 220 to ensure the sealing of the gap.

[0037] The button component 3 is located at the upper part of the built-in space of the housing. The button component 3 has a button body 31, a button spring 32, a buffer support 33, a buffer rivet 34 and a buffer spring 35. The button body 31 can be made of thermoplastic material. A button lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the button body 31. The opening of the button lower blind hole is downward. A button ring groove 310 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the button body 31. The opening of the button ring groove 310 is outward. The button ring groove 310 and the peripheral wall of the housing jointly define a second ring cavity. A second sealing ring 36 is arranged in the second ring cavity. By using the second sealing ring 36, dynamic sealing between the button body 31 and the peripheral wall of the housing can be achieved. A button skirt 311 is formed at the bottom of the button body 31. A positioning shoulder is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing and is located above the button skirt 311, for preventing the button body 31 from disengaging upward from the housing component 1.

[0038] The buffer support 33 is placed inside the button lower blind hole. The buffer support 33 and the button lower blind hole are assembled in an interference fit manner. For the convenience of assembly, a guiding chamfer (15° - 25°) is formed at the outer edge of the top surface of the buffer support 33. A support skirt 331 is formed at the bottom of the buffer support 33. The support skirt 331 is arranged below the button body 31. The top surface of the support skirt 331 abuts against the bottom surface of the button body 31. A support upper blind hole is formed on the top surface of the buffer support 33. The opening of the support upper blind hole is upward. A support lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the buffer support 33. The opening of the support lower blind hole is downward. A support communication hole communicating the support upper blind hole and the support lower blind hole is also formed on the buffer support 33. The buffer rivet 34 passes through the support communication hole. The upper end of the buffer rivet 34 is a threaded part. A nut 37 is installed at the upper end of the buffer rivet 34. The nut 37 is arranged in the support upper blind hole. The bottom surface of the nut 37 abuts against the bottom surface of the support upper blind hole. Preferably, thread sealant is applied between the upper end of the buffer rivet 34 and the nut 37 to further ensure the connection strength between the two. The lower end of the buffer rivet 34 abuts against or faces the switch button 220 up and down. A rivet skirt is formed at the lower end of the buffer rivet 34. The buffer spring 35 is wound around the periphery of the buffer rivet 34 and is arranged between the bottom surface of the support lower blind hole and the top surface of the rivet skirt. A button spring 32 is provided between the button body 31 and the microswitch 22. The upper end of the button spring 32 is wound around the periphery of the support skirt 331. The lower end of the button spring 32 is wound around the periphery of the switch button 220.

[0039] Apply a downward pressure to the button body 31. The button body 31 moves downward, and the button spring 32 is pressed downward by the button body 31. Since the initial acting force of the buffer spring 35 is greater than the acting force of the switch button 220, that is, after the buffer rivet 34 acts on the switch button 220, the switch button 220 is first pressed and deformed until the buffer rivet 34 is pressed to the full stroke of the switch button 220. At this time, the buffer spring 35 begins to be compressed and deformed until the bottom surface of the button body 31 contacts the top surface of the upper part 211 of the base. During the whole process, the second sealing ring 36 moves downward following the button body 31, and the second sealing ring 36 always maintains a dynamic seal with the peripheral wall of the housing.

[0040] The outer shape of the housing component 1 can be designed into various different styles to prevent the pilot from misoperation. Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The adopted boss form is front-mounted and fixed by two side clamping plates. Figure 10 、 Figure 11 、 Figure 12 、 Figure 13 The adopted form of boss plus lower thread is front-mounted and fixed by an internal tooth washer and a nut. Figure 14 、 Figure 15 The adopted form of boss plus upper thread is rear-mounted and fixed by an internal tooth washer and a nut. The above eight styles are available for the selector to choose according to the design requirements.

[0041] The above only expresses the embodiments of the present invention, and its description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as a limitation to the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A precision button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel, characterized in that, Comprising a housing member having a housing peripheral wall, the interior of which defines a housing built-in space; a base member located at the lower part of the housing built-in space, the base member having a base body and a microswitch, and a switch button formed on the top surface of the microswitch; and a button member located at the upper part of the housing built-in space, the button member having a button body, a button spring, a buffer support, a buffer rivet and a buffer spring. A button lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the button body. The buffer support is placed inside the button lower blind hole. A support upper blind hole is formed on the top surface of the buffer support, and a support lower blind hole is formed on the bottom surface of the buffer support. A support communication hole communicating the support upper blind hole and the support lower blind hole is also formed on the buffer support. The buffer rivet passes through the support communication hole. The upper end of the buffer rivet has a nut, and the nut is arranged in the support upper blind hole. The lower end of the buffer rivet forms a rivet skirt, and the rivet skirt is vertically opposite to or abuts against the switch button. The buffer spring is arranged between the bottom surface of the support lower blind hole and the top surface of the rivet skirt, and the button spring is arranged between the bottom surface of the button body and the top surface of the microswitch. The base body is composed of an upper base part and a lower base part. The upper base part has a base peripheral wall, and the base peripheral wall surrounds the inner side of the housing peripheral wall. A base ring groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base peripheral wall, and the base ring groove and the housing peripheral wall jointly define a first ring cavity. A first sealing ring is arranged inside the first ring cavity. A button ring groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the button body, and the button ring groove and the housing peripheral wall jointly define a second ring cavity. A second sealing ring is arranged in the second ring cavity.

2. The precision button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first connection hole is formed on the base peripheral wall, and a first connected hole corresponding to the first connection hole is formed on the housing peripheral wall. A first connecting member is provided between the first connected hole and the first connection hole to realize the fixed connection between the base peripheral wall and the housing peripheral wall.

3. The precision button switch for an aircraft cockpit control panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower base part has a front wall part and a rear wall part, and the front wall part and the rear wall part are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the microswitch. Second connection holes are formed on both the front wall part and the rear wall part, and a second connected hole corresponding to the second connection hole is formed on the microswitch. A second connecting member is provided between the second connected hole and the second connection hole to realize the fixed connection between the lower base part and the microswitch.

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