electric switch

Abstract

An electrical switch (100) is shown, comprising a set of contacts (10) and a drive mechanism (50) for opening and closing the set of contacts (10), wherein the drive mechanism (50) is positioned beside the set of contacts (10) in a direction (W) perpendicular to the direction (O) of the contacts (11, 12) movable to achieve at least one of opening and closing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to an electric switch comprising a set of contacts and a drive mechanism for opening and closing the set of contacts. BACKGROUND

[0002] Previous electric switches have the disadvantage of being bulky.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a more compact solution. SUMMARY

[0004] This object is achieved when the drive mechanism is positioned next to the set of contacts in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the contacts are movable for at least one of opening and closing.

[0005] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the following further improvements and advantageous embodiments, which are independent of each other and can be combined as desired.

[0006] The drive mechanism can comprise at least one of a coil, a bobbin, a yoke and an armature.

[0007] The switch can comprise a further set of contacts, and the drive mechanism can be positioned between the set of contacts and the further set of contacts. This solution can open and close two circuits in a very compact manner.

[0008] The drive mechanism can be positioned next to the further set of contacts in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the contacts are movable for opening. This keeps the construction compact.

[0009] In order to keep the operation simple, the opening direction of the first set of contacts can be parallel to the opening direction of the second set of contacts.

[0010] The set and the further set can be mechanically coupled to each other, for example by a force-guiding coupling. This allows the two circuits to be opened and closed simply at once.

[0011] The set of contacts can be used for opening and closing a first circuit. The further set of contacts can be used for opening and closing a second circuit. One of the sets of contacts can be normally open (NO) and the other set can be normally closed (NC).

[0012] In one embodiment, the first circuit is a load circuit and the second circuit is a safety circuit or a check circuit for verifying the state of the first circuit. For example, it can indicate whether the first circuit is functioning correctly or whether there is a fault, such as a welded contact.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the switch can comprise an actuating element coupling the armature of the drive mechanism to the contacts.

[0014] The actuating element may include a fixed member for the armature.

[0015] For ease of operation, the first set of contacts may include a stationary contact and a moving contact on the spring, and the second set of contacts may include a stationary contact and a moving contact on the spring. The stationary contact may be mounted on a support structure, and the moving contact may be mounted on an actuating element that can move relative to the support structure.

[0016] The support structure of an electrical switch may include a channel-shaped housing for the drive mechanism. This allows for a compact construction and good insulation.

[0017] Advantageously, the support structure may include an insulating wall that electrically insulates the drive mechanism from the contact group.

[0018] In particular, the insulating wall can extend along the contact point to save space and achieve good insulation.

[0019] To keep the system small, the insulating wall can be part of a channel-shaped housing.

[0020] The support structure can be a single component to simplify manufacturing. Similarly, the actuating element can be a single component.

[0021] For ease of operation, the contacts of one group and another group can be elongated elements that extend parallel to each other.

[0022] In addition, the extension direction of the slender element can be perpendicular to the disconnection direction for ease of operation.

[0023] To achieve safe opening and closing performance with minimal force, the length of the contact in the extension direction can be greater than the length of the coil.

[0024] The switch can be compact when the contacts extend along the direction of the coil. The direction of extension can be defined as the direction along the axis of the coil.

[0025] The contacts can be located next to the armature to achieve a compact construction.

[0026] Advantageously, the switch has a flat construction. Therefore, it can be used in situations where there is very little available space.

[0027] Specifically, the thickness of the switch in the contact disconnection direction can be less than 30% of the height measured in the contact extension direction and / or 30% of the width measured perpendicular to the disconnection and height directions. Preferably, the thickness is less than 20% of the height and / or width.

[0028] The switch thickness can be 6mm or less.

[0029] For ease of installation, the contacts, coils, and armature can be installed parallel to each other.

[0030] The installation direction can be parallel to the extension direction of the contact to simplify manufacturing.

[0031] The switch can be cubic in shape. This makes it easy to install multiple switches behind each other. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are merely possible configurations; however, in the described embodiments, the various features described above may be provided independently of each other or may be omitted.

[0033] In the attached diagram:

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic front view of an embodiment of the switch is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic rear view of an embodiment of the switch is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the switch is shown.

[0037] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the switch is shown from another angle;

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional top view of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0040] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the switch is shown from another angle;

[0041] Figure 8 A schematic front view of the support structure of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0042] Figure 9 A schematic rear view of the support structure of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0043] Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional top view of the support structure of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0044] Figure 11 A schematic perspective view of the support structure of an embodiment of the switch is shown;

[0045] Figure 12 The diagram shows a schematic perspective view of the support structure of an embodiment of the switch from different angles. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The accompanying drawing shows an electrical switch 100. The electrical switch 100 includes a first set of contacts 10 and a drive mechanism 50 for opening and closing the first set of contacts 10. The first set of contacts 10 includes a first contact 11 and a second contact 12.

[0047] The drive mechanism 50 is positioned in the direction W next to the set of contacts 10, which is perpendicular to the direction in which contacts 11 and 12 are movable to achieve at least one of opening and closing, i.e., the opening direction O.

[0048] The drive mechanism 50 includes a coil 51, a bobbin 52, a magnetic yoke 53, and an armature 54.

[0049] The switch 100 includes another set, namely the second set of contacts 20, which has contacts 21 and 22. The drive mechanism 50 is located between the first set of contacts 10 and the second set of contacts 20.

[0050] The drive mechanism 50 is positioned in direction W next to the second set of contacts 20, which is perpendicular to the disconnection direction O of the second set of contacts 20, in which contacts 21 and 22 are movable for disconnection.

[0051] The disconnection direction O of the first group of contacts 10 is parallel to the disconnection direction O of the second group of contacts 20.

[0052] The first set of contacts 10 is used to open and close a first circuit, which is normally open and closes when the drive mechanism 50 is actuated. The second set of contacts 20 is used to open and close a second circuit, which is normally closed and opens when the drive mechanism 50 is actuated. One of the circuits can be used as a safety measure to check the status of the other circuit. Contacts 11, 12, 21, and 22 can be electrically connected at the contact pin 80 on the bottom side.

[0053] The first group 10 and the second group 20 are mechanically connected to each other by a force-guided connection. The switch 100 includes an actuating element 60 that connects the armature 54 of the drive mechanism 50 to one contact 12, 22 of each group of contacts 10, 20. The other contacts 11, 21 are stationary contacts and are mounted or held in the support structure 40 of the switch 100. Moving contacts 12, 22 are mounted on the actuating element 60, which is movable relative to the support structure 40. The contacts 11, 12, 21, 22 are implemented as elongated elements 31, particularly as leaf springs 30.

[0054] The support structure 40 of the electric switch 100 includes a channel-shaped receiving portion 45 for the drive mechanism 50.

[0055] Furthermore, the support structure 40 includes an insulating wall 48 that electrically insulates the drive mechanism 50 from the two sets of contacts 10, 20. The insulating wall 48 extends along contacts 11, 12, 21, 22. The insulating wall 48 is part of the channel-shaped receiving portion 45.

[0056] The support structure 40 is a single component, meaning it is a single workpiece and not assembled from smaller sub-units. The actuation element 60 is also a single component.

[0057] The actuating element 60 includes a fixing member 64 for the armature 54 and a fixing member 61 for the contacts 11, 12, 21, 22.

[0058] The contacts 11, 12, 21, and 22 of the first group 10 and the second group 20 are slender elements 31 that extend parallel to each other.

[0059] The extension direction E of the elongated element 31 is perpendicular to the disconnection direction O. Furthermore, the extension direction E is parallel to the height direction H.

[0060] The length 29 of contacts 11, 12, 21, and 22 in the extension direction E is greater than the length 59 of coil 51.

[0061] Contacts 11, 12, 21, and 22 extend along the extension direction C of coil 51. The extension direction C of coil 51 can extend along the axis of coil 51.

[0062] Contacts 11, 12, 21, and 22 are located next to armature 54.

[0063] The switch 100 has a flat construction. The thickness 101 of the switch 100 in the disconnection direction O of the contacts 11, 12, 21, 22, parallel to the height direction, is less than 30% of the height 102 measured in the extension direction E of the contacts 11, 12, 21, 22, and less than 30% of the width 103 measured in the width direction W, perpendicular to both the disconnection direction O and the height direction H. The switch 100, embodied here as a relay, has a thickness of 6 mm or less.

[0064] The mounting directions M of contacts 11, 12, 21, 22, coil 51, and armature 54 are parallel to each other. The mounting direction M is parallel to the extending direction E of contacts 11, 12, 21, 22. The relay or switch 100 has a cubic shape.

[0065] The switch 100 may also include a housing for electrical and mechanical protection.

[0066] Figure Labels

[0067]

[0068]

Claims

1. An electric switch (100) comprising a contact set (10) and a drive mechanism (50) for opening and closing the contact set (10), wherein The drive mechanism (50) is located alongside the contact group (10) in a direction (W) which is perpendicular to a direction (O) in which the contacts are movable to effect at least one of opening and closing, wherein the contacts extend along a direction of extension (C) of the coil (51), the direction of extension (C) of the coil being a direction along an axis of the coil, wherein the switch (100) comprises a further contact group (20), and, in the direction (W), the drive mechanism (50) is located between the contact group (10) and the further contact group (20).

2. The switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein The switch (100) comprises an actuating element (60) which couples an armature (54) of the drive mechanism (50) to the contacts.

3. The switch (100) according to claim 2, wherein The support structure (40) of the switch (100) comprises a channel-shaped receptacle (45) for the drive mechanism (50).

4. The switch (100) according to claim 3, wherein The support structure (40) comprises an insulating wall (48) which electrically insulates the drive mechanism (50) from the contact group (10).

5. The switch (100) according to claim 4, wherein The insulating wall (48) extends along the contacts.

6. The switch (100) according to claim 4, wherein The insulating wall (48) is part of the channel-shaped receptacle.

7. The switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The contacts of the contact group (10) and of the further contact group (20) are elongated elements (31) which extend parallel to one another.

8. The switch (100) according to claim 7, wherein The direction of extension (E) of the elongated elements (31) is perpendicular to the opening direction (O).

9. The switch (100) according to claim 7, wherein The length (29) of the contacts in the direction of extension (E) is greater than the length (59) of the coil (51).

10. The switch (100) according to claim 2, wherein The contacts are located alongside the armature (54).

11. The switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The switch (100) has a flat configuration.

12. The switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The thickness (101) of the switch in the opening direction (O) of the contacts is less than 30% of the height (102) measured in the direction of extension (E) of the contacts and / or of the width (103) measured perpendicular to the opening direction (O) and the height direction (H).

13. The switch (100) according to claim 2, wherein The mounting direction (M) of the contacts, of the coil (51) and of the armature (54) are parallel to one another.

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