Self-resetting switch

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatically resettable switch, comprising a button, a toggle block, a oscillating element, and a toggle block reset element. The button has a shell-like main body and is equipped with a button reset device designed to return it to its original position. The toggle block is partially mounted in the main body of the button so that it can move longitudinally under the actuation of the button located on one side. The oscillating element is disposed on the other side of the toggle block and is configured to oscillate under the actuation of the toggle block to achieve switch state switching. The toggle block reset element is connected between the button and the toggle block and is configured to apply a pushing force to the toggle block to maintain its lateral balance after the button returns to its original position. In the switch of this invention, the toggle block can always maintain its lateral balance after reset, thereby advantageously ensuring the proper actuation of the oscillating element by the toggle block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of switch technology, and more particularly to switches mounted on a substrate such as a wall. More specifically, this utility model relates to an automatically resettable switch. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technologies include switches mounted on walls or other substrates to control the on / off state or switching of electrical appliances. These switches typically include buttons or keys that can be pressed by the user. However, these buttons or keys do not automatically reset after being pressed, resulting in different appearances of the switch depending on its state. This negatively impacts the user experience and the appearance of the wall. This problem is particularly severe when the switch includes a panel.

[0003] For this purpose, an automatic reset switch has been developed. The automatic reset switch typically includes a button or key, a toggle element, and a oscillating element. The button or key is equipped with a reset device to allow it to return to its original position after the user removes pressure. The toggle element is driven by the button or key to contact and actuate the oscillating element. The oscillating element is connected to the moving contact of the switch, causing it to engage or disengage from the stationary contact.

[0004] The known problem with automatic reset switches is that when the switch button or key returns to its original position, it is difficult to ensure that the toggle also returns to its original position, especially to the balanced state, which may affect the next drive of the swinging component. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] Therefore, this utility model provides an automatically resettable switch, the switch comprising: a button having a shell-like main body portion and equipped with a button reset device for returning the button to its original position; a toggle block partially mounted in the main body portion of the button so as to be movable longitudinally under the drive of a button located on one side thereof; a swing member disposed on the other side of the toggle block and configured to swing under the drive of the toggle block to achieve switch state switching; and a toggle block reset member connected between the button and the toggle block, the toggle block reset member being configured to apply a pushing force to the toggle block for maintaining the toggle block in a lateral balance state after the button returns to its original position.

[0007] This invention provides a toggle reset component for the switch toggle, allowing it to fully return to its balanced state upon the reset of the switch button (or panel). This advantageously ensures the toggle's proper actuation of the oscillating element the next time the button is pressed by the user. It should be noted that the toggle's balanced state refers to the state where the working part of the toggle (especially the base surface of its actuating part) is parallel to a reference plane, which is specifically a plane parallel to the surface of the button or panel in its original position.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the button reset device includes a button reset spring mounted in the main body of the button; the toggle reset component includes a single toggle reset spring. Springs (especially compression springs) are an economical and efficient structure for constituting a reset device. By simply connecting a single spring directly between the toggle and the button, the present invention can ensure, in a cost-effective manner, that the toggle fully returns to its initial state upon button reset.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toggle block includes a toggle portion and a mounting portion. The toggle portion is configured to contact a oscillating member to move the oscillating member. The mounting portion extends from the top of the toggle portion relative to it and is inserted into the main body of the button. By configuring the toggle block with mutually offset toggle portions and mounting portions, this embodiment facilitates the installation of the toggle block while allowing it to function properly.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion has a slot for snapping the toggle return spring. The slot is positioned at the end of the mounting portion away from the toggle portion and opens toward that end. By providing a slot with an opening at the end on the mounting portion, the installation of the spring can be greatly facilitated, thereby reducing the overall assembly time of the switch and lowering costs.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating part has a trapezoidal overall shape. In this embodiment, the actuating part has approximately symmetrical bevels on both sides of the lateral direction. This shape facilitates the contact and engagement between the actuating part and the oscillating component, ensuring good driving of the oscillating component by the actuating block.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oscillating member includes a main body and a contact portion located at the top of the main body. The contact portion includes two contact blocks extending toward the lever and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. The distance between the two contact blocks is less than the bottom width of the lever portion. This configuration is advantageous for the manufacture of the oscillating member and also facilitates the cooperation between the oscillating member and the lever.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch further includes a base, which includes a lower housing and a bracket that are snapped together. The button is mounted in the bracket in a manner that allows it to translate in the longitudinal direction, and the oscillating member is mounted in the bracket in a pivoting manner. This embodiment defines the specific form of the external encapsulation of the switch, enabling the formation of a complete encapsulated switch.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the switch further includes a moving contact and two stationary contacts located on both sides of the moving contact. The moving contact is mounted in the lower housing in a swinging manner and is partially inserted into the swinging member so that it can be driven by the swinging member to establish an electrical connection with one of the stationary contacts respectively. The switch of this embodiment can both turn the appliance on and off, and also switch the state of the appliance.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch further includes a panel covering the button, the panel being pivotally mounted on the bracket and arranged such that pressing the button drives the button to move, and that the button returns to a lateral equilibrium state as it returns to its original position. By covering the button with a panel, this embodiment defines a switch with a complete and aesthetically pleasing front, which is particularly suitable for mounting on a substrate such as a wall.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch further includes an outer peripheral frame, which is snap-fitted onto the outer periphery of the lower housing and the bracket, and arranged between the panel and the lower housing. Utilizing the outer peripheral frame defined in this embodiment, the switch of the present invention can be embedded in a wall, ensuring a secure installation and an aesthetically pleasing front. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The features and advantages of this utility model will become clear from the following detailed description provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following drawings are merely schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and therefore should not be considered as limitations on this utility model, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a switch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A cross-sectional perspective view of a switch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0020] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 Partial structure of the switch embodiment in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand and implement the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that implementations of the present invention may not include some of these specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the present invention can be conceived to be implemented with any combination of the features and elements described below, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as elements or limitations of the claims unless expressly set forth in the claims.

[0022] In this utility model, "longitudinal direction" refers to the direction extending along the connecting line of the button, toggle, and oscillating component, that is... Figure 1-3 The vertical direction. The "horizontal direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, that is... Figure 2 The left and right directions are defined herein. It can be understood that when a switch is placed on a horizontal surface with its panel or button facing the user, the longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the commonly understood vertical direction, while the lateral direction is substantially parallel to the commonly understood horizontal direction. Of course, the directions defined herein are for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. For example, it can be understood that when a switch is installed in a wall, the longitudinal direction is the direction in and out of the wall, and the lateral direction is the direction parallel to the wall.

[0023] See Figure 1 The switch of this utility model may include a button 1, a toggle block 2, and a swing element 3 connected in sequence. The button 1 can move longitudinally when pressed by a user, and can drive the toggle block 2 by moving it, so that the toggle block 2 contacts the swing element 3 and then drives the swing element 3 to swing. The swing element 3 can be connected to the moving contact of the switch, so that the moving contact pivots and changes position, thereby realizing the switching of the switch state, such as on and / or off.

[0024] See also Figure 1 and combined Figure 2 As is commonly known, the switch of this invention may also include a base 6 for mounting or accommodating functional components such as the button 1, toggle 2, and oscillating element 3. Figure 2 As shown, the base 6 may include a lower housing 61 and a bracket 62 that are fastened together. The button 1 can be mounted in the bracket 62 of the base 6 in a manner that allows it to translate in the longitudinal direction, and the swing member 3 can be mounted in the bracket 62 of the base 6 in a pivotal manner. The moving contact 81 and the stationary contact 82 of the switch can be arranged in the lower housing 61.

[0025] like Figure 2and Figure 3 As shown, the swing member 3 may include a short column 33 for mounting the swing member 3 in the bracket 62. Figure 3 Two short posts 33 are shown in the figure, which can be in a direction that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions (i.e., Figure 2 The short column 33 extends in the direction of paper entry and exit (hereinafter referred to as the "lateral direction") and may have a roughly semi-circular cross-section. The short column 33 can be inserted into the longitudinal elongated hole of the corresponding lug 621 on the bracket 62 to serve as the mounting shaft and pivot shaft of the swing member 3. In this way, by sliding and rotating the short column 33 in the elongated hole of the lug 621, the longitudinal translational movement and pivotal swing of the swing member 3 can be realized respectively.

[0026] As is generally known, the switch of this invention may also include a moving contact 81 disposed in the base 6 and a stationary contact 82 intended to cooperate with the moving contact 81. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the switch includes two stationary contacts 82 located on either side of a moving contact 81, which are fixed to the lower housing 61. The moving contact 81 is mounted in the lower housing 61 in a pivoting manner and is partially inserted into a pivoting member 3 so that it can pivot with the pivoting member 3, thereby establishing an electrical connection with one of the stationary contacts 82 to achieve switching of the switch state.

[0027] Therefore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the movable contact 81 can be installed in the V-groove of the lower housing 61, and a swing spring can be fitted on it. Figure 2 (Partially visible in the middle). The swing spring can be inserted into the swing member 3 together with the moving contact 81. In this way, when the moving contact 81 is driven by the swing member 3 to swing in the lateral direction and thereby contact a stationary contact 82, the elastic force of the swing spring can maintain the contact between the moving contact 81 and the corresponding stationary contact 82. Advantageously, the swing spring can be a compression spring, which can participate in the mounting of the swing member 3 on the bracket 62, and in particular define and maintain the position of the swing member 3 in the longitudinal direction. The swing spring can also maintain the position of the swing member 3 after swinging by its elastic force, which corresponds, for example, to the state in which the moving contact 81 is in contact with a stationary contact 82.

[0028] It should be noted here that the specific arrangement of the functional components of the switch (especially the swing element 3) and the moving and stationary contacts 81 and 82 in the base 6 of the switch described above is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can conceive of other suitable functional structures and arrangements.

[0029] The switch of this invention is an automatic reset switch, meaning that button 1 can return to its original position after the user removes the pressure. To this end, button 1 can be equipped with a button reset device, which can be configured to persistently push the button toward its original position. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the button reset device can include a button reset spring 5, which can be a compression spring, with one end mounted in button 1 and the other end abutting against the base 6 of the switch, specifically against the bracket 62. Thus, the button reset spring 5 can be compressed as button 1 moves longitudinally during user pressing of button 1, and when the user releases button 1 (i.e., no longer presses button 1), the button 1 returns to its original position through an elastic restoring force.

[0030] Advantageously, button 1 can have a shell-like main body portion that can be configured to accommodate the end portion of button return spring 5 and also accommodate and retain a portion of toggle block 2 so that toggle block 2 can move with the longitudinal translation of button 1. Thus, viewed in the longitudinal direction, toggle block 2 can be connected to button 1 on one side so that it can be driven by button 1 to move in the longitudinal direction, and can be connected to oscillating member 3 on the other side so that oscillating member 3 can be driven to oscillate.

[0031] According to this invention, a toggle reset member can be connected between the button 1 and the toggle 2. This toggle reset member can be configured to apply a pushing force to the toggle 2, enabling it to maintain lateral balance after the button 1 returns to its original position. In this way, the toggle 2 (especially its working part) can always maintain lateral balance (i.e., parallel to the reference plane) after the switch is reset, thus ensuring that the toggle 2 functions properly when the button 1 is pressed again by the user, thereby smoothly driving the swing member 3 to operate normally.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the toggle reset member can be formed by a single toggle reset spring 4. This toggle reset spring 4 can be a compression spring, with one end mounted on the toggle 2 and the other end inserted into the main body of the button 1 to abut against it. Thus, when the button 1 returns to its original position from the position pressed by the user, the toggle 2 returns to its original position along with the button 1, and simultaneously, under the elastic restoring force of the toggle reset spring 4, returns to and maintains its lateral balance.

[0033] Advantageously, the toggle reset spring 4 can be arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the aforementioned button reset spring 5. It is also advantageous that the toggle reset spring 4 can be offset from the contact portion between the toggle 2 and the oscillating member 3, particularly in the lateral direction. In this way, the resetting action of the toggle reset spring 4 on the toggle 2 and the driving action of the toggle 2 on the oscillating member 3 can be performed without interference.

[0034] according to Figure 1-3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the toggle block 2 of this invention may include a toggle part 21 and a mounting part 22. The toggle part 21 may be configured to contact the oscillating member 3 to move the oscillating member 3. For this purpose, the lateral dimension of the toggle part 21 may be set to abut against the oscillating member 3. The mounting part 22 may extend from the top of the toggle part 21 relative to the toggle part 21, especially in the lateral direction, and be inserted into the main body of the button 1. For this purpose, as an example, the shell-like main body of the button 1 may have a flat wall portion in which a slot for the mounting part 22 of the toggle block 2 to be inserted may be provided. Figure 3 As can be seen in the image, the size of the slot can be designed to allow the mounting part 22 to have degrees of freedom for translational and rotational movements.

[0035] By separating the working part (moving part 21) of the toggle 2 from its mounting part (mounting part 22), it is advantageous to ensure that the normal driving of the toggle 2 to the oscillating member 3 is not disturbed, while also ensuring the smooth driving of the toggle 2 by the button 1. Moreover, by configuring the toggle 2 so that its working part and mounting part are offset in the lateral direction, it is possible to allow the button 1, toggle 2, and oscillating member 3 of the switch to be offset from each other, thereby ensuring that the normal function of each component is not disturbed and advantageously reducing the thickness of the entire switch (i.e., the overall size of the switch in the longitudinal direction).

[0036] Advantageously, such as especially from Figure 3 As can be seen, the mounting portion 22 of the toggle 2 may have a slot for snapping the toggle return spring 4. The slot may be positioned at the end of the mounting portion 22 away from the toggle portion 21 (i.e., its lateral end) and open toward the end. This configuration facilitates the installation and removal of the toggle return spring 4, thereby reducing the time required for switch assembly and maintenance (e.g., replacing the toggle return spring 4).

[0037] Advantageously, the actuating portion 21 of the toggle 2 has a trapezoidal overall shape. In this case, the mounting portion 22 of the toggle 2 can extend from the upper bottom edge of the trapezoidal actuating portion 21, while the lower bottom edge of the actuating portion 21 can be used to contact the oscillating member 3 on both lateral sides. Also advantageously, the mounting portion 22 of the toggle 2 can have small bevels on both lateral sides, which can extend along the entire mounting portion 22 in the lateral direction to facilitate a small range of rotational movement of the mounting portion 22 within the slot of the main body of the button 1.

[0038] exist Figure 1-3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the oscillating member 3 may include a main body 31 and a contact portion located at the top of the main body 31. The main body 31 may be in the form of a block and may include the short post 33 described above. Moreover, the main body 31 may have a slot opening at its longitudinal end (i.e., the bottom end in the figure) for receiving the movable contact piece 81 and the oscillating spring described above. The contact portion may include two contact blocks 32 extending toward the toggle block 2 (i.e., in the lateral direction), the two contact blocks 32 being spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and the distance between them being less than the width of the lower bottom edge of the toggle portion 21 of the toggle block 2.

[0039] In the use of the switch of this utility model, when the user presses button 1, the toggle block 2 is driven by button 1 to move longitudinally toward the swing member 3 until the toggle part 21 (specifically its lower bottom edge) of the toggle block 2 contacts one of the two contact blocks 32 of the swing member 3. As the toggle block 2 continues to move, the contact block 32 is pushed by the toggle block 2 in the longitudinal direction, thereby causing the swing member 3 to swing or flip. The swing member 3 drives the moving contact piece 81 to swing, so that it changes from a state of contact with one stationary contact piece 82 to a state of disengagement from the stationary contact piece 82 and / or changes to a state of contact with the other stationary contact piece 82, thereby realizing the switching of the switch state. During this process, due to the reaction force of the swing member 3, the toggle part 21 of the toggle block 2 may change from a horizontal state to an inclined state, that is, from parallel to the lateral direction to forming an angle with the lateral direction.

[0040] Subsequently, when the user stops pressing button 1, button 1 returns to its original position via the elastic restoring force of button reset spring 5, and also drives toggle block 2 back to its original position. Simultaneously, under the action of toggle block reset spring 4, the toggle part 21 of toggle block 2 can return from an inclined state to a horizontal state, that is, return to a lateral balance state, and maintain this lateral balance state. This effectively ensures that toggle block 2 can properly perform its toggle function on the swing member 3 the next time it is actuated.

[0041] Advantageously, both the toggle block 2 and the oscillating member 3 can be integral components, for example, made by injection molding. In other words, the toggle part 21 and the mounting part 22 of the toggle block 2 can be integrally formed, and the main body part 31 and the contact part of the oscillating member 3 can also be integrally formed.

[0042] Optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the switch of this invention may further include a panel 9, which covers the button 1 and is pivotally mounted on a bracket 62 of the base 6. The panel 9 can be arranged to abut the button 1 from the back so that the button 1 can be moved by applying a pressing action, and can return to a lateral equilibrium state as the button 1 returns to its original position. Here, lateral equilibrium state specifically refers to the state where the front of the panel 9 is flush and parallel to the surface of the substrate such as the wall where the switch is located. By providing the panel 9, the switch of this invention can achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and facilitate the operation of the button 1.

[0043] Of course, the switch of this utility model may not include the panel 9, but only have the button 1. Alternatively, the panel 9 may be designed as a button, or the button 1 may be designed directly as a button.

[0044] Alternatively, such as Figure 2 As shown, the switch of this utility model may include an outer peripheral frame 7. The outer peripheral frame 7 can be mounted on the outer periphery of the base 6, particularly snap-fitted onto the outer periphery of the lower housing 61 and the bracket 62. The outer peripheral frame 7 can be arranged between the panel 9 and the lower housing 61 and serves to receive the panel 9. The edge of the outer peripheral frame 7 may be flush with the panel 9, or it may have a size larger than the panel 9 to at least partially surround the panel 9. The outer peripheral frame 7 can provide protection for the panel 9 and contribute to an aesthetically pleasing overall appearance.

[0045] Various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the practice of this invention disclosed in this specification. This specification and the examples disclosed herein should be considered illustrative only, and the true scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A self-resetting switch, characterized in that, The switch includes: Button (1), the button (1) has a shell-shaped main body and is equipped with a button reset device for returning the button to its original position; A toggle block (2) is partially installed in the main body of the button (1) so that it can move in the longitudinal direction driven by the button (1) located on one side thereon; A swing member (3) is disposed on the other side of the toggle block (2) and is configured to swing under the drive of the toggle block (2) to achieve switching of the switch state; A toggle reset member is connected between the button (1) and the toggle (2). The toggle reset member is configured to apply a thrust to the toggle (2) to maintain the toggle (2) in a lateral balance state after the button (1) returns to its original position.

2. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button reset device includes a button reset spring (5) installed in the main body of the button (1); the toggle reset member is formed by a single toggle reset spring (4).

3. The switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The toggle (2) includes a toggle part (21) and a mounting part (22). The toggle part (21) is configured to contact the oscillating member (3) to move the oscillating member (3). The mounting part (22) extends from the top of the toggle part (21) relative to the toggle part (21) and is inserted into the main body of the button (1).

4. The switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting part (22) has a slot for snapping the toggle return spring (4) into place. The slot is located at the end of the mounting part (22) away from the toggle part (21) and is open toward the end.

5. The switch according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The actuating part (21) has a trapezoidal overall shape.

6. The switch according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The swing member (3) includes a main body (31) and a contact portion located at the top of the main body (31). The contact portion includes two contact blocks (32) extending toward the toggle block (2) and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. The distance between the two contact blocks (32) is less than the bottom width of the toggle portion (21).

7. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a base (6) comprising a lower housing (61) and a bracket (62) that are snapped together, wherein the button (1) is mounted in the bracket (62) in a manner that allows it to translate in the longitudinal direction, and the swing member (3) is mounted in the bracket (62) in a pivotal manner.

8. The switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a movable contact (81) and two stationary contacts (82) located on both sides of the movable contact (81). The movable contact (81) is mounted in the lower housing (61) in a swing manner and is partially inserted into the swing member (3) so that it can be driven by the swing member (3) to establish an electrical connection with one of the stationary contacts (82) respectively.

9. The switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a panel (9) covering the button (1), which is pivotally mounted on the bracket (62) and arranged to drive the button (1) to move when pressed, and to return to a lateral balance state when the button (1) returns to its original position.

10. The switch according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes an outer peripheral frame (7), which is snapped onto the outer periphery of the lower housing (61) and the bracket (62) and is arranged between the panel (9) and the lower housing (61).

Images