Switching assembly for an electronic measuring instrument

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch assembly (43) of an electronic measuring instrument (10), which is arranged in a lateral position (32) in a housing (24) of the electronic measuring instrument (10), in particular flush with a housing opening (72). The switch assembly (43) comprises a switch button (68) and a holding plate (46), which is guided in a receiving portion (64), in particular a guide rail, of the housing (24) and on which a circuit board (62) is received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch assembly for an electronic measuring instrument, the switch assembly being disposed in a lateral position within the housing of the electronic measuring instrument, particularly being disposed flush with the opening of the housing. Background Technology

[0002] Manually operable electronic measuring instruments, such as multimeters, voltmeters, or current measuring instruments, require minimal weight to simplify operation by the operator. These instruments typically feature a selector switch that allows the operator to manually select the instrument's operating mode. For example, a rotating wheel on the instrument can be used to select between voltage, current, resistance, and other electrical parameter measurements.

[0003] This type of selector switch, installed on electronic measuring instruments, is temporarily locked in a position selected by the operator via a locking element. The operator rotates the selector switch circumferentially according to the desired position. Here, the rotatable selector switch engages in a defined circumferential orientation according to the selected operating mode and remains temporarily locked in that orientation.

[0004] To ensure clearly defined rotation directions and improve operator tactile feedback, the selected rotation direction must be precisely selectable without ambiguity, which occurs when the rotation direction of the selector switch is not clearly defined. Furthermore, the toggle switch should be clearly defined between the defined rotation directions and capable of being toggled with minimal friction to assist the operator during operation.

[0005] In addition to being user-friendly, such manually operated electronic measuring instruments should also have a small structural height, which simplifies holding and thus simplifies one-handed operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a switch assembly for an electronic measuring instrument is provided, which is disposed in a lateral position within the housing of the electronic measuring instrument, particularly flush with the opening of the housing. The switch assembly includes a switch button and a retaining plate, which is guided in a receiving portion of the housing, particularly in a guide rail, and a switch circuit board is received on the retaining plate.

[0007] In the solution proposed according to the present invention, the housing has a receiving part, particularly a guide rail, in which the switch circuit board and the retaining plate are received.

[0008] In an advantageous manner, the switch assembly proposed according to the invention is configured such that the switch circuit board has a microswitch facing the switch button, for example, a punch-type implementation.

[0009] In an advantageous manner, the switching assembly proposed according to the invention is configured such that the microswitch is received on the upper side of the podest of the switching circuit board.

[0010] In an advantageous improvement to the switch assembly proposed according to the invention, the switch button is provided with a surrounding recess that is limited by a surrounding flange.

[0011] By means of the mounting position of the switch assembly in the housing of the electronic measuring instrument according to the present invention, the surrounding flange and the surrounding recess of the switch button form a labyrinth seal with the wall of the housing opening on the boundary housing.

[0012] A further feature of the switch assembly proposed according to the present invention is that the switch circuit board is fixed to the retaining plate by means of a fixing hook.

[0013] Furthermore, the switch assembly proposed according to the invention is advantageously configured such that the switch circuit board is fixed in such a way that it is substantially immobile in its position within the XYZ coordinate system.

[0014] The switching assembly proposed according to the present invention is used in electronic measuring instruments, which are constructed as multimeters, clamp meters, fork meters or voltmeters for measuring electrical parameters, especially current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, temperature and impedance in DC or AC applications.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electronic measuring instrument having a switching assembly according to the present invention.

[0016] The solution proposed according to the invention is characterized in one aspect by its cost-effective manufacturability, and by forming a labyrinthine seal between the surrounding flange and the housing wall of the limiting housing opening, constructed of a flexible material, such as the rubber material of a switch button. This effectively prevents moisture and contaminant particles from entering the interior of the electronic measuring instrument's housing through the housing opening. The switching assembly proposed according to the invention also provides direct actuation of a microswitch mounted on a pad on the upper side of a switch circuit board. In this context, the pad should be understood as a protruding ridge on the upper side of the switch circuit board, on which the microswitch rests. Therefore, the microswitch is positioned at a height higher than the surface of the upper side of the switch circuit board surrounding the pad.

[0017] By placing a switch button made of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) in an opening in the housing, the switch button is laterally guided within the housing opening, and there is only one degree of freedom of movement for the switch button, namely, the direction toward the switch circuit board. In this context, lateral positioning on the housing should be understood as the switch button being located on the side of the housing of the proposed electronic measuring instrument, rather than on the front or rear side.

[0018] In the switch assembly proposed according to the invention, the switch circuit board is advantageously arranged to face the punch of the switch button directly, thereby enabling direct operation of the microswitches arranged on the switch circuit board. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

[0020] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 Perspective view of electronic measuring instruments. Figure 3 Top view of the partially open housing of an electronic measuring instrument. Figure 4 According to the assembly diagram of the switch assembly proposed in this invention, Figure 4.1 Maintain the perspective view of the board. Figure 4.2 Perspective view of the switch circuit board. Figure 4.3 : A perspective view of a housing with guide surfaces constructed therein. Figure 4.4 : A perspective view of the switch button of the switch component, and Figure 5 : A cross-sectional view of the switch assembly and the switch button assembled in the housing opening.

[0021] In the following description of embodiments of the invention, the same or similar elements are referred to by the same reference numerals, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted in certain cases. These figures are merely schematic representations of the subject matter of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic measuring instrument 10 is shown in perspective view.

[0023] From the basis Figure 1The illustration shows an electronic measuring device 10, which has a fixed arm 12 and a movable arm 14 relative to the fixed arm. The movable arm 14 can move around a hinge 16. A trigger 18 is also laterally located on the electronic measuring device 10, by means of which the operation of the electronic measuring device 10 can be activated. According to... Figure 1 In the closed position 22 of the fixed arm 12 and the movable arm 14 shown, these arms define an aperture 20 or free space through which an electrical conductor carrying current or voltage extends for non-contact measurement of electrical parameters. It should be noted that other electronic measuring instruments 10 are also included here, such as fork-type ammeters, multimeters, humidity measuring instruments, and voltmeters. The electronic measuring instrument 10 includes a housing 24 in which analytical and evaluative electronics and a display are housed, as well as an energy source in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery or battery pack. According to... Figure 1 The perspective view shows a rotatable selector switch 26 on the upper side of the housing. The rotatable selector switch 26 includes an outer periphery with a profile such that the rotatable selector switch 26 can be twisted circumferentially about a rotation axis to switch between different operating modes of the electronic measuring instrument 10. The profile on the outer periphery of the rotatable selector switch 26 is provided such that it can also be operated with protective gloves.

[0024] From the basis Figure 2 The top view shows the electronic measuring instrument 10, whose fixed arm 12 and movable arm 14 both occupy the closed position 22 and define the aperture 20. A torsion selector switch 26 shown on the front of the electronic measuring instrument 10 can be rotated between multiple rotational positions, each corresponding to a specific operating mode. Therefore, the electronic measuring instrument 10 can be used for resistance measurement, DC or AC voltage measurement, and current measurement.

[0025] Figure 3 An electronic measuring instrument 10 with a partially open housing is shown.

[0026] From the basis Figure 3 As can be seen from the top view, a circuit board 38 is arranged within the partially cut-open housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10. A microswitch 44 is located on the upper side 42 of this circuit board. This microswitch can be operated by a lateral switch 34 arranged in the lateral position 32. According to... Figure 3 In the illustration, the control switch 30 is housed in the housing 24 as a side switch 34 and supported on the housing rib 40 of the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10.

[0027] Figure 4 , Figure 4.1 , Figure 4.2 , Figure 4.3and Figure 4.4 The various components of the switch assembly 43 are shown in perspective view. The switch assembly is located in a lateral position 32 within the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10.

[0028] from Figure 4 The installation status of the switch assembly 43 within the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10 can be observed. According to... Figure 4 The switch assembly 43 includes a switch button 68 made of an elastic material (such as rubber or other easily deformable plastic). Furthermore, the switch assembly 43 includes a retaining plate 46 on which a switch circuit board 62 is received. The switch circuit board 62 includes retaining hooks 58 on its edge shoulders 48, which lock onto the ends of the switch circuit board 62. Figure 4 The switch circuit board 62 shown is guided on both sides of the receiving part 64, especially the guide rail, which is supported in the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10 in a manner constructed as plastic injection molded components.

[0029] From the basis Figure 4.1 The illustration (showing a perspective view of the retaining plate 46) shows that a first hook-shaped protrusion 50 is provided on one side of the retaining plate 46, opposite to the edge shoulder 48, and a second hook-shaped protrusion 52 is provided opposite to the first hook-shaped protrusion. These two hook-shaped protrusions 50 and 52 each include a first opening 54 and a second opening 56. According to... Figure 4.1 On the shoulder 48 shown in the perspective view, Figure 4.2 The switch circuit board 62, as shown in the perspective diagram, is fixed according to... Figure 4 The switch assembly 43 is mounted on the retaining plate 46. This is achieved essentially without tools by simply snapping the retaining hook 58 onto the edge shoulder 48 of the switch circuit board 62.

[0030] Figure 4.2 The switch circuit board 62 is shown in perspective. The switch circuit board has fixing hooks 58 on its edges, on opposite sides. The fixing hooks 58 are used to suspend the switch circuit board 62 from the switch assembly 43. Figure 4.1 On the retaining plate 46 shown in the perspective diagram. According to... Figure 4.2 A raised portion in the form of a pad 60 is present on one side of the switch circuit board 62. A microswitch 44 is arranged on the upper side of the pad 60. The microswitch 44 is operated by a surface or punch 80 constructed on the switch button 68. Figure 4.2 The switch circuit board 62, as shown in the perspective diagram, is suspended by a fixing hook 58 according to... Figure 4.1 The edge shoulder 48 on the lateral end of the retaining plate 46 is achieved without tools.

[0031] According to Figure 4.3 The illustration shows a perspective view of a portion of the housing 24, in which the component of the switch assembly 43 is received. An elliptical opening 66 is provided in the housing 24. The distance between the elliptical opening 66 and the switch button 68 to be inserted into the elliptical opening is designed to be small to prevent contamination of the interior of the housing 24 due to moisture or dirt particles. The elliptical opening 66, or its edge, is located below the receiving portions 64, particularly the guide rails, which are also constructed within the housing 24. The retaining plate 46, together with the switch circuit board 62 received thereon, is suspended in the receiving portions 64, particularly the guide rails, which are arranged opposite each other and enclose the lateral ends of the retaining plate 46.

[0032] Figure 4.4 The diagram shows a perspective view of a switch button 68 made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber or a rubber compound. The switch button 68 includes a surrounding recess 70 and a surrounding flange 74 that defines the surrounding recess 70.

[0033] Figure 5 The switch assembly 43 is shown in a partially cutaway manner in the state of being inserted into the housing opening 72 of the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10.

[0034] From the basis Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, the opening wall 76 of the housing opening 72 forms a seal of the labyrinth seal type with the surrounding recess 70 on one side and the surrounding flange 74 of the switch button 68 on the other. Therefore, moisture or dirt cannot enter the interior of the housing 24 of the electronic measuring instrument 10 from the outside. A face or punch 80 constructed on one side of the switch button 68 faces the microswitch 44, and once the switch button 68 is deflected in the operating direction 78 (X direction), the face or punch actuates the microswitch 44. Due to the relatively narrow guide of the switch button 68 within the housing opening 72, the switch button 68 has only one degree of freedom, which is consistent with the operating direction 78 of the switch button 68.

[0035] From the basis Figure 5 The cross-sectional view also shows that the face or punch 80 at the end of the switch button 68 on the housing side faces the micro switch 44, and there is essentially no gap between the micro switch 44 and the face or punch 80 at the end of the switch button 68 on the housing side of the switch assembly 43.

[0036] Furthermore, based on Figure 5 As can be seen from the cross-sectional view, the retaining plate 46, shown here in section view, is guided in the receiving portion 64 of the housing 24, particularly in the guide rail. Furthermore, the switch circuit board 62 is fixed to one side of the retaining plate 46. On the side of the retaining plate 46 opposite to the switch circuit board 62, according to... Figure 5The diagram shows one of the protrusions 50 and 52, which is the first protrusion 50 in the present case. This protrusion at least partially overlaps one of the receiving parts 64, and in particular one of the guide rails, holding plate 46 (e.g. Figure 4.1 (As shown) It is laterally fixed in the housing 24 in the receiving part, especially in the guide rail.

[0037] The switch button 68 rests at least partially against the retaining plate 46, particularly on the contact plate. Furthermore, the switch button 68 of the switch assembly 43 according to the invention rests at least partially against the switch circuit board 62. The switch circuit board 62 is also at least partially arranged between the retaining plate 46 and the switch button 68. Furthermore, the switch button 68 is guided by an elliptical opening 66 implemented in the wall of the housing 24. A punch-like surface 80 can advantageously be implemented on the switch button 68, which faces the microswitch 44 to be actuated. Furthermore, a portion of the housing 24, particularly the opening wall 76, is at least partially arranged between the body of the switch button 68 and the surrounding flange 74. The dimensional tolerance between the elliptical opening 66 and the body of the switch button 68 is designed to be as small as possible to prevent moisture or dirt from entering the interior of the housing 24.

[0038] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and the aspects highlighted therein. Rather, various modifications are possible within the scope given in the specification, and these modifications are within the scope of operation of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A switch assembly (43) for an electronic measuring instrument (10), the switch assembly being disposed in a lateral position within the housing (24) of the electronic measuring instrument (10), particularly flush with the housing opening (72), characterized in that, The switch assembly (43) includes a switch button (68) and a retaining plate (46), the retaining plate being guided in a receiving portion (64) in the housing (24), particularly in a guide rail, and receiving a switch circuit board (62) on the retaining plate.

2. The switching assembly (43) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (24) has a receiving part (64), particularly a guide rail, in which the switch circuit board (62) and the retaining plate (46) are received.

3. The switching assembly (43) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The switch circuit board (62) has a microswitch (44) which is opposite to the face (80) of the switch button (68).

4. The switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The microswitch (44) is received on the upper side of the pad (60) of the switch circuit board (62).

5. The switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The switch button (68) has a surrounding recess (70) that is bounded by a surrounding flange (74).

6. The switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The surrounding flange (74) and the surrounding recess (70) of the switch button (68) form a labyrinth seal with the opening wall (76) that limits the housing opening (72).

7. The switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The switch circuit board (62) is fixed to the retaining plate (46) by means of a fixing hook (58).

8. The switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The retaining plate (46) includes protrusions (50, 52) and a receiving portion (64), especially a guide rail, the base of the retaining plate (46) being positioned between the protrusions and the receiving portion by means of the protrusions (50, 52).

9. Application of a switching assembly (43) in an electronic measuring instrument (10) for measuring electrical parameters, wherein, The electronic measuring instrument (10) is constructed as a multimeter, clamp meter, fork ammeter or voltmeter, and is used to measure electrical parameters, especially current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, temperature and impedance in DC or AC applications.

10. An electronic measuring instrument (10) having a switching assembly (43) according to claims 1 to 8.

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