Combined dial switch

Abstract

This invention proposes a modular DIP switch, comprising an expandable basic switch module. One side surface of the expandable basic switch module has several connecting posts, and the other side surface opposite the connecting posts has connecting holes. The expandable basic switch module contains a controllable switching circuit assembly. This modular DIP switch achieves high modularity and expandability, allowing users to flexibly combine different numbers of modules according to actual needs. It eliminates the need to customize multiple sets of molds for different switch specifications, thereby reducing production costs and inventory pressure, and improving product versatility and flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of DIP switches, and specifically relates to a combined DIP switch. Background Technology

[0002] DIP switches, as common electronic components, are widely used in applications requiring binary encoding settings or state switching. However, existing DIP switches generally have some limitations. For example, traditional DIP switches are mostly of fixed unit size, resulting in a lack of sufficient flexibility and customizability when meeting different functional or space requirements. Furthermore, their internal structure is often quite compact, making assembly and subsequent maintenance complex. In addition, during long-term use, internal mechanical and electrical connections may experience fatigue due to prolonged deformation, affecting the switch's reliability and lifespan.

[0003] In many electronic devices, particularly in smart lighting, industrial control, and communication equipment, it is often necessary to finely set and adjust multiple independent or related electrical parameters. For example, in LED lighting drivers, it may be necessary to adjust color temperature and output power simultaneously; in industrial controllers, it may be necessary to set different operating modes and response speeds separately. While traditional DIP switches are widely used for binary encoding settings or state switching, their design is mostly that of independent single-function units. When multiple parameters need to be controlled, multiple separate DIP switches are often required, which not only occupies PCB space and increases wiring complexity but may also lead to user inconvenience and difficulty in achieving coordinated or integrated control logic between different parameters. Existing DIP switches generally suffer from fixed size and lack of flexible expandability, making it difficult to efficiently meet diverse and multi-functional integrated control needs. Therefore, how to provide a modular DIP switch that can be flexibly combined and easily expanded to achieve multi-parameter or multi-functional integrated control is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of DIP switches in the prior art, this application provides a combined DIP switch to solve the above-mentioned technical defects.

[0005] This invention proposes a modular DIP switch, comprising an expandable basic switch module. One side surface of the expandable basic switch module has several connecting posts, and the other side surface opposite the connecting posts has connecting holes. The expandable basic switch module contains a controllable switching circuit assembly. This application achieves a high degree of modularity and expandability of the DIP switch, allowing users to flexibly combine different numbers of modules according to actual needs. This eliminates the need to customize multiple sets of molds for different switch specifications, thereby reducing production costs and inventory pressure, and improving the product's versatility and flexibility.

[0006] In a specific embodiment, the connecting posts or connecting holes are distributed in the center and at the four corners of the surface of the expandable basic switch module. By distributing the connection points in the center and at the four corners of the module surface, the stability of the connection between modules can be effectively enhanced.

[0007] In a specific embodiment, the circumferential surface of the connecting post is provided with an annular engaging portion, and the inner wall of the connecting mating hole is provided with an annular groove that matches the annular engaging portion. The introduction of an annular engaging structure between the connecting post and the connecting mating hole significantly improves the mechanical stability of the module connection.

[0008] In a specific embodiment, the diameter of the connecting post ranges from 1 to 3 mm, the diameter of the annular engagement portion is 1.05 to 1.1 times the diameter of the connecting post, the length of the connecting post ranges from 3 to 5 mm, and the length of the annular engagement portion is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the length of the connecting post. This size range ensures stable module connection while facilitating disassembly.

[0009] In a specific embodiment, the expandable basic switch module has an open-mouth structure and also includes a cover plate module. The open-mouth structure has a protruding structure with connecting posts or connecting holes. The cover plate module has connecting holes or connecting posts corresponding to the connecting posts or connecting holes on the surface of the expandable basic switch module. This design makes the internal structure of the module more compact and rational, facilitating the installation and protection of the internal switch circuit components.

[0010] In a specific embodiment, the switch circuit assembly includes a toggle mechanism, a movable contact mechanism, and a fixed contact mechanism. The movable contact mechanism makes electrical contact with or separates from the fixed contact mechanism through the toggle mechanism, and the movable contact mechanism is in a normally conducting position when the toggle mechanism is not activated. This design greatly reduces fatigue wear on the movable contact mechanism, thereby significantly extending the service life of the switch.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, the movable contact mechanism includes an elastic contact arm. The middle and end of the elastic contact arm are respectively provided with an electrical contact point and an elastic driving protrusion. Under normal conditions, the electrical contact point is electrically connected to the fixed contact mechanism. The bottom of the actuating mechanism has a conical structure that matches and works with the elastic driving protrusion. The conical structure, as the actuating mechanism displaces, drives the elastic contact arm to deform, thereby separating the electrical contact point from the fixed contact mechanism. The conical structure effectively converts the actuating operation into the elastic deformation of the movable contact mechanism, achieving clear and reliable contact separation.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, the bottom of the toggle mechanism has a positioning groove on the side away from the conical structure. The positioning groove is close to the root of the elastic contact arm and matches the elastic drive protrusion. This arrangement ensures that the switch is stably held in the off position, effectively preventing the contacts from resetting unexpectedly, and improving the reliability of the toggle operation and the stability of the switch state.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the actuating mechanism, the movable contact mechanism, and the fixed contact mechanism are all housed within the open cavity, and the protruding structure and the inner wall of the open cavity form mounting slots for accommodating the movable and fixed contact mechanisms. This arrangement ensures the secure installation of the internal components and reliable integration with the external electrical system.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, both the movable contact mechanism and the fixed contact mechanism include a mounting portion and pins. The mounting portion mates with a mounting slot, and the pins pass through the opening and extend beyond it. This configuration ensures secure mounting of internal components and reliable integration with external electrical systems.

[0015] This application presents a modular switch that offers high reliability, long lifespan, and ease of assembly and expansion. Through modular assembly and a precise connection structure (including connecting posts, connecting holes, and annular locking parts), this application achieves flexible customization, convenient assembly, and reliable disassembly of the switch unit, improving product adaptability and maintenance efficiency. The design, featuring constant conduction and non-deformable contacts, significantly reduces mechanical fatigue of the contacts under normal operating conditions, greatly extending the switch's lifespan, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring prolonged "ON" states. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Other embodiments and many anticipated advantages of the embodiments will be readily recognized as they become better understood through reference to the following detailed description. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The same reference numerals refer to corresponding similar parts.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a combined DIP switch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of a cover plate module according to a specific embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a front structural schematic diagram of an expandable basic switch module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of an expandable basic switch module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the normal structure of an expandable basic switch module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the scalable basic switch module in the off state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The meanings of the numbers in the diagram are as follows: 1-Cover plate module, 11-Connecting mating hole, 12-Annular slot, 2-Expandable basic switch module, 21-Opening body, 211-Second connecting mating hole, 212-Second annular slot, 22-Toggle mechanism, 221-Conical structure, 222-Positioning groove, 23-Modible contact mechanism, 231-Pin I, 232-Mounting part I, 233-Elastic drive protrusion, 234-Electrical contact point, 24-Fixed contact mechanism, 241-Pin II, 242-Mounting part II, 25-Protrusion structure, 26-Connecting post, 261-Annular engaging part. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description and illustrate illustrative specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” etc., are used with reference to the orientation of the described figures. Because components of the embodiments can be positioned in several different orientations, directional terms are used for illustrative purposes and are by no means limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0025] This utility model proposes a combined DIP switch. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a combined DIP switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, as follows: Figure 1As shown, this combined DIP switch includes a cover plate module 1 and at least one expandable basic switch module 2. Connecting structures are provided between the cover plate module 1 and the expandable basic switch module 2, as well as between adjacent expandable basic switch modules 2. This connecting structure may have a first connecting hole on the cover plate module 1, a connecting post on one side of the expandable basic switch module 2 that mates with the first connecting hole, and a second connecting hole on the other side of the expandable basic switch module 2 that mates with the connecting post. In another embodiment, the configuration can be reversed, i.e., the cover plate module 1 has a first connecting post, one side of the expandable basic switch module 2 has a connecting hole that mates with the first connecting post, and the other side of the expandable basic switch module 2 has a second connecting post that mates with the connecting hole, achieving the same technical effect. In some other embodiments, the cover plate module 1 may be omitted and integrated onto the expandable basic switch module 2, achieving the same technical effect. This embodiment uses the first method as an example for detailed explanation:

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cover plate module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the cover plate module 1 is provided with multiple first connecting holes 11. The inner wall of each first connecting hole 11 is provided with an annular groove 12. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and possibly refers to a different feature.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows the front and back structures of an expandable basic switch module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. One side of the expandable basic switch module 2 is provided with a connecting post 26 that mates with the first connecting hole 11. An annular engaging portion 261 is provided on the circumferential surface of the connecting post 26. The other side of the expandable basic switch module 2 (as shown...) Figure 4 The opposite side of the connecting post 26 shown is provided with a second connecting engagement hole 211 that mates with the connecting post 26, and its inner wall is also provided with a second annular groove 212. By inserting the connecting post 26 into the corresponding connecting engagement hole 11 or the second connecting engagement hole 211, and making the annular engaging part 261 engage with the annular groove 12 (or the second annular groove 212), a reliable and detachable connection between module units can be achieved, which can be flexibly combined according to actual needs.

[0027] In a specific embodiment, the diameter of the connecting post 26 ranges from 1 to 3 mm, the diameter of the annular engaging portion 261 is 1.05 to 1.1 times the diameter of the connecting post 26, the length of the connecting post 26 ranges from 3 to 5 mm, and the length of the annular engaging portion 261 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the connecting post. The length of the connecting post 26 is 40% to 60% of the thickness of the expandable basic switch module 2. The dimensions of the connecting mating hole 11 or the second connecting mating hole and the annular groove 12 correspond to the aforementioned dimensions of the connecting post 26 and the annular engaging portion 261, and the depth of the hole should be greater than the length of the connecting post 26. This optimized design of dimensional parameters ensures a tight connection and long-term stability, while also taking into account the resistance required for disassembly. Users can easily assemble and disassemble the module, thereby greatly improving the product's assembly efficiency, maintenance convenience, and design flexibility.

[0028] In a specific embodiment, the expandable basic switch module 2 has an open-mouth body structure 21, and further includes a toggle mechanism 22, a movable contact mechanism 23, and a fixed contact mechanism 24 disposed within the open-mouth body 21. A protruding structure 25 is also provided inside the open-mouth body 21, and a connecting post 26 is disposed on the surface of the protruding structure 25 and / or on one side of the body surface of the open-mouth body 21. The protruding structure 25 and the inner wall of the open-mouth body 21 form mounting slots (not individually numbered) for accommodating the movable contact mechanism 23 and the fixed contact mechanism 24.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, both the movable contact mechanism 23 and the fixed contact mechanism 24 include a mounting portion and pins. Specifically, the movable contact mechanism 23 has a mounting portion I 232 and pin I 231, and the fixed contact mechanism 24 has a mounting portion II 242 and pin II 241. The mounting portions I 232 and II 242 work in conjunction with mounting slots to ensure secure mounting of the components; the pins I 231 and II 241 pass through the opening body 21 and extend beyond the opening to facilitate electrical connection with external circuitry.

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the normal structure of a scalable basic switch module according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown, as follows. Figure 5As shown, the toggle mechanism 22 is located at the top of the module and is the part operated by the user. Its bottom has a conical structure 221. The movable contact mechanism 23 includes a contact component with elastic deformation capability (shown as an elastic contact arm). An electrical contact point 234 is located in the middle of the elastic contact arm, and an elastic drive protrusion 233 is located at its end. When the elastic contact arm of the movable contact mechanism 23 is not moved by external force, it remains in a non-deformed state. At this time, the electrical contact point 234 is in close contact with the fixed contact mechanism 24, ensuring that the circuit is in a normally conducting state. The conical structure 221 of the toggle mechanism 22 has not yet interacted with the elastic drive protrusion 233, and the elastic drive protrusion 233 has not entered the positioning groove 222. This design ensures that the contacts are free from stress fatigue under normal operating conditions, significantly extending the service life of the switch.

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of an expandable basic switch module in the off state according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, when the toggle mechanism 22 is displaced during the toggle operation, its bottom conical structure 221 begins to push the elastic drive protrusion 233. With further displacement of the conical structure 221, the elastic drive protrusion 233 is driven and causes the elastic contact arm of the movable contact mechanism 23 to deform. The deformation results in the electrical contact point 234 separating from the fixed contact mechanism 24, thereby disconnecting the circuit. After the toggle operation is completed, the elastic drive protrusion 233 is driven by the toggle mechanism 22 and stably enters the positioning groove 222. The positioning groove 222 acts as a locking mechanism at this time, ensuring that the switch remains stably in the off position, effectively preventing the contacts from resetting undesirably, and improving the reliability of the toggle operation and the stability of the switch state.

[0032] In a specific application scenario, such as an intelligent LED lighting driver system, the combined DIP switch of this invention can be used to achieve synchronous or independent adjustment of the luminaire's color temperature and output power. Specifically, users can combine two or more expandable basic switch modules, with one or a group of modules having their DIP settings specifically for controlling the LED light source's color temperature (e.g., different color temperature levels from warm white to cool white), while the adjacent other or a group of modules is used to control its output power or brightness level. In this way, functions that originally required multiple independent switches or complex internal circuitry can now be integrated into a single, intuitive DIP switch assembly, greatly improving product integration, user ease of operation, and design flexibility. This implementation not only simplifies wiring layout but also allows users to quickly adjust different functional parameters on-site according to their needs, thereby significantly improving the product's practicality and market competitiveness.

[0033] This invention provides a modular DIP switch, the core of which lies in the introduction of a modular design and a mechanism that ensures the contacts do not deform under normal conditions. Through the cooperative structure between the cover module and the expandable basic switch module, including mutually matching connecting posts and connecting holes, as well as annular engaging parts and annular slots, flexible combination, convenient assembly, and reliable disassembly of the switch units are achieved, greatly improving product adaptability and reducing mold costs. Most importantly, the movable contact mechanism remains normally conductive and does not deform when not activated, significantly reducing mechanical fatigue of the contacts during long-term use, thereby greatly extending the switch's service life and enhancing reliability. This is particularly suitable for applications requiring a continuous "ON" state.

[0034] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the embodiments of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. In this way, this utility model is also intended to cover such modifications and changes if they fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps not listed in the claims. The simple fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used for profit. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A combination DIP switch, characterized in that, The device includes an expandable basic switch module, wherein a plurality of connecting posts are distributed on one side surface of the expandable basic switch module, and connecting mating holes are provided on the other side surface of the expandable basic switch module opposite to the connecting posts; the expandable basic switch module contains a switch circuit assembly that can control on and off.

2. A combined DIP switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting posts or connecting mating holes are distributed in the middle of the surface of the expandable basic switch module and at the four corners of its perimeter.

3. A combined DIP switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connecting column has an annular engaging portion on its circumferential surface, and the inner wall of the connecting mating hole has an annular groove that matches the annular engaging portion.

4. A combined DIP switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the connecting post ranges from 1 to 3 mm, the diameter of the annular engaging part is 1.05 to 1.1 times the diameter of the connecting post, the length of the connecting post ranges from 3 to 5 mm, and the length of the annular engaging part is 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the length of the connecting post.

5. A combined DIP switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expandable basic switch module has an open cavity structure and also includes a cover plate module. The inside of the open cavity is provided with a protruding structure, and the protruding structure is provided with the connecting post or the connecting mating hole. The cover plate module is provided with a connecting mating hole or connecting post corresponding to the connecting post or connecting mating hole on the surface of the expandable basic switch module.

6. A combined DIP switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switching circuit assembly includes a toggle mechanism, a movable contact mechanism, and a fixed contact mechanism. The movable contact mechanism makes electrical contact with or separates from the fixed contact mechanism through the toggle mechanism, and the movable contact mechanism is in the normally conducting position when the toggle mechanism is not activated.

7. A combined DIP switch according to claim 6, characterized in that, The movable contact mechanism includes an elastic contact arm, with an electrical contact point and an elastic drive protrusion respectively provided at the middle and end of the elastic contact arm. The electrical contact point is electrically connected to the fixed contact mechanism under normal conditions. The bottom of the actuating mechanism is provided with a conical surface structure that matches and works with the elastic drive protrusion. The conical surface structure drives the elastic contact arm to deform as the actuating mechanism moves, so that the electrical contact point separates from the fixed contact mechanism.

8. A combined DIP switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bottom of the actuating mechanism has a positioning groove on the side away from the conical structure. The positioning groove is close to the root of the elastic contact arm and matches the elastic drive protrusion.

9. A combined DIP switch according to claim 6, characterized in that, The actuating mechanism, the movable contact mechanism, and the fixed contact mechanism are all housed within the opening cavity, and the protruding structure forms a mounting slot with the inner wall of the opening cavity for placing the movable contact mechanism and the fixed contact mechanism.

10. A combined DIP switch according to claim 9, characterized in that, Both the movable contact mechanism and the fixed contact mechanism include a mounting part and a pin. The mounting part matches and works with the mounting slot, and the pin passes through the opening and extends beyond the opening.

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