Electrical switching device with spring-loaded pressure piece

Abstract

Electrical switching device with an actuating rocker (2) pivotably mounted on a base part (3) and a switching mechanism accommodated in the base part (3), which comprises a switching element (6) pivotably mounted in the base part (3) and contact elements, wherein a pressure piece (8) articulated on the actuating rocker (2) is provided for transmitting the movement of the actuating rocker (2) to the switching element (6), which pivots the switching element (6) from a rest position in alternating directions upon actuation of the actuating rocker (2) by deflecting the pressure piece (8), wherein the pressure piece (8) is forked in the end region articulated on the actuating rocker (2) with two fork legs that pivotably engage with the actuating rocker (2), wherein the rest position is defined by a sliding contact between at least one of the fork legs and the actuating rocker (2), and the sliding contact is designed such thatthat when the pressure piece (8) is deflected from the rest position, the distance between the fork legs changes under elastic deformation of the pressure piece (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical switching device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such electrical switching devices are generally designed to switch an electrical circuit on and off, or to switch from one circuit to another. A wide variety of contact systems (fixed and movable contact elements) can be used with such electrical switching devices. Such switching devices are actuated by pivoting an actuating rocker from an initial position into at least one actuating position, with the actuating positions being momentary. Such electrical switching devices are typically referred to as pushbutton switches or push-button sequence switches. This means that the actuating rocker always automatically returns from the actuating position to its initial position after each actuation. The movable contact element, however, remains in the switching position caused by this actuation.Only upon repeated actuation does the movable contact element return to its previous switching position. Such electrical switching devices are often equipped with a light source to provide either a function indicator and / or a search light.

[0003] Electrical switching devices of this type are used in large numbers in building installation technology and, as such, are intended to reliably fulfil their switching function over a period of several decades with the switching feel remaining as consistent as possible.

[0004] An electrical switching device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2015 110 641 B3. The known electrical switching device comprises an actuating rocker and a base part, wherein the actuating rocker is pivotally mounted on the base part under the action of at least one return spring. A pressure piece is pivotally mounted on the actuating rocker, which, under the action of a spring element, alternately comes into contact with two sliding surfaces present on the contact piece with its free end region. The spring element, designed as a trumpet spring, is pre-tensioned on the one hand to the pressure piece and on the other hand to the contact piece. When the actuating rocker is actuated, the spring element is maximally pre-tensioned and laterally deflected to its maximum.After the actuation has been completed, the actuating rocker is moved back to its starting position by the return spring and the pressure piece is moved back to a neutral starting position by the spring element, whereby the spring element is then minimally preloaded again and is not deflected laterally.

[0005] The well-known switch is complex to assemble because it comprises many components and the spring element must be fixed to both sides of the pressure piece and the switching piece during assembly.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an electrical switching device which is simplified in design and assembly and at the same time has a long-term stable switching haptic.

[0007] This object is achieved by an electrical switching device having the features of claim 1.

[0008] This creates an electrical switching device comprising an actuating rocker and a base part, wherein the actuating rocker is pivotally mounted on the base part under the action of at least one return spring. A switching mechanism is accommodated in the base part, which comprises a switching element pivotally mounted in the base part and switchable contact elements. To transmit the movement of the actuating rocker to the switching element, a pressure piece articulated on the actuating rocker is provided, which pivots the switching element in alternating directions from a defined rest position by deflecting the pressure piece. According to the invention, the pressure piece is forked in an end region articulated on the actuating rocker with two fork legs, which pivotally engage with the actuating rocker via a respective joint element.The rest position is defined by a sliding contact between at least one of the fork legs and the actuating rocker. The sliding contact is designed such that when the pressure piece is deflected from the rest position, the distance between the fork legs changes, resulting in elastic deformation of the pressure piece.

[0009] In the switching device according to the invention, the rest position of the pressure piece is thus defined by a detent point of the sliding contact between the pressure piece and the actuating rocker. At the detent point of the sliding contact, the spacing of the fork legs essentially corresponds to an unloaded state. When the pressure piece is deflected from the rest position, the pressure piece leaves the detent point of the sliding contact, with the fork legs elastically deflecting. The spring force of the deflected fork legs thus generates a restoring force for the pressure piece to return to the rest position.

[0010] The switching device according to the invention is thus characterized in that a separate spring element for determining the rest position of the pressure piece can be dispensed with. The spring effect of a separate spring element is integrated into these two components of the switching device through the shape and type of attachment of the pressure piece to the actuating rocker. The integration of the spring function not only simplifies the design of the switching device by eliminating the need for a separate spring element. The assembly effort for the switching device is also reduced, since the rest position of the pressure piece is defined solely by the detent point of the sliding contact in relation to the actuating rocker. In contrast, the previously known separate spring element had to be attached to both sides of the actuating rocker and the base part during assembly.

[0011] A further advantage of the switching device according to the invention lies in its long-term stability during switching. The fork legs of the pressure piece are preferably unloaded in the rest position. Therefore, the pressure piece is not subjected to any continuous load when the actuating rocker is in the unactuated neutral position. The elastic deformation of the fork legs occurs only briefly during actuation of the switching device. This prevents degeneration of the spring action, so that the tactile switching resistance remains largely unchanged over a long period of time when the actuating rocker is actuated.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the sliding contact is formed between a projection and a recess, which are formed opposite one another on at least one of the fork legs and the actuating rocker. The rest position of the pressure piece can be determined by selecting the positioning of the projection and the recess relative to the articulation point.

[0013] For example, the projection can be designed as a rounded nub, and the recess can be curved in cross-section. It has been shown that the rounded shape of the projection, in conjunction with a complementary, curved-cross-section recess, creates a well-defined pressure point for actuating the switching device. The curved-cross-section recess can, for example, be designed as a round profile groove. Alternatively, embodiments with a tooth-shaped projection and a complementary cross-section groove as a recess are also conceivable.

[0014] In other embodiments, the sliding contact can, for example, take the form of a toothing surrounding the joint element and acting axially in the direction of the pivot axis of the pressure piece—for example, in the manner of a Hirth toothing. In this case, the position of the teeth of the toothing determines the rest position of the pressure piece. The restoring force can be adjusted via the angle of the tooth flanks.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the pressure piece has a longitudinal axis that, in the rest position, encloses a pressure angle in the range of 40° to 50°, preferably 42° to 48°, with an actuating surface of the actuating rocker. A pressure angle of the pressure piece in this range achieves a particularly uniform switching feel for both switching directions.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferred if the switching element has two sliding surfaces arranged on either side of a pivot axis of the switching element, as seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pressure piece, with which the pressure piece alternately engages in its free end region upon successive actuations of the actuating rocker. With such a design with two sliding surfaces, the pressure piece can, in the rest position, engage one of the two sliding surfaces depending on the position of the switching element, thus alternately moving the switching piece into the other switching position.

[0017] Preferably, an axle bearing is formed on the actuating rocker, and the joint elements are designed as axle journals that are pivotably mounted in the axle bearing. The axle bearings can be designed, for example, as bores in the actuating rocker or as claws into which the axle journals are inserted or snapped during assembly. Other pivot connections known to those skilled in the art for linking the pressure piece are conceivable.

[0018] In preferred embodiments, the axle journals and the sliding contact are arranged on the outside of the fork legs, and the thrust piece is elastically deformed when the actuating rocker is actuated, bringing the fork legs closer together. The external arrangement of the axle journals simplifies the assembly of the thrust piece in the actuating rocker, where the fork legs can be brought closer together under pressure to insert them into the axle bearing.

[0019] In preferred embodiments, the switching element comprises a pivoting body and a spring-loaded switching pin mounted in the pivoting body. The spring-loaded switching pin, which is separate from the pivoting body, can advantageously compensate for different spacings between the pivoting body and the contact elements in different switching positions or due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0020] Preferably, the actuating rocker and the pressure piece are made of plastic. Plastics exhibit advantageous spring-loading properties and are also easy and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0021] Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the following description and the subclaims.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a switching device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective exploded view of the actuating rocker and the pressure piece of the switching device according to Fig. 1 in a rear view, Fig. 3 a section of the switching device according to Fig. 1 along the actuating rocker, whereby the cutting plane intersects a joint element of the pressure piece, Fig. 4A a detailed view of detail X from Fig. 3, Fig. 4B a section of the switching device according to Fig. 1 transverse to the pressure piece, with the cutting plane in the area of ​​the sliding contact, Fig. 5A to 5D Sectional views of the switching device according to Fig. 1 along the actuating rocker, showing the switching device in four different switching and actuating states.

[0023] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the switching device 1 according to the invention. The switching device 1 comprises an actuating rocker 2 and a base part 3. The actuating rocker 2 is pivotally mounted on the base part 3 under the action of at least one return spring 4. The base part 3 preferably comprises a lower base part 31 and an upper base part 32. A switching mechanism 5 is accommodated in the base part 3, which switching mechanism comprises a switching element 6 mounted in the base part 3 for pivoting about a pivot axis A, and switchable contact elements 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching element 6 comprises a pivoting body 18 and a spring-loaded switching pin 19 mounted in the pivoting body 18.

[0025] To transmit the movement of the actuating rocker 2 to the switching element 6, a pressure piece 8 is provided, which is hinged to the actuating rocker 2. When the actuating rocker 2 is actuated, the pressure piece 8 pivots the switching element 6 in alternating directions, deflecting the pressure piece 8 from a defined rest position.

[0026] The inventive articulation of the pressure piece 8 on the actuating rocker is described with reference to the Fig. 2 to 4 are explained in more detail. Fig. 2 shows the actuating rocker 2 and pressure piece 8 in a perspective exploded view. Fig. 3 shows the assembled switching device in longitudinal section. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shows details of the assembled switching device in a sectional view.

[0027] The pressure piece 8 is forked in its end region 11 which is hinged to the actuating rocker 2 and has two fork legs 12. The fork legs 12 are pivotally engaged with the actuating rocker 2 via a joint element 13 (see in particular Fig. 3 and Fig. 4A). The rest position of the pressure piece 8 is defined relative to the actuating rocker 2 by a sliding contact 14 (cf. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B) between at least one of the fork legs 12 and the actuating rocker 2. For this purpose, the sliding contact 14 is designed such that when the pressure piece 8 is deflected from the rest position, the distance between the fork legs 12 changes with elastic deformation of the pressure piece 8.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, an axle bearing 17 is formed on the actuating rocker 2, and the joint elements 13 are designed as axle journals that are pivotally mounted in the axle bearing 17. The axle journals and the sliding contact 14 are arranged on the outside of the fork legs 12, so that the pressure piece 8 is elastically deformed when the actuating rocker 2 is actuated, causing the fork legs 12 to approach each other (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). The sliding contact 14 is formed between a projection 15 and a recess 16, which are formed opposite one another on at least one of the fork legs 12 and the actuating rocker 2. The projection 15 and the recess 16 are preferably designed to complement each other in cross-section, for example, as a rounded nub and a recess with an arcuate cross-section. The recess can be circular, for example, or elongated as a groove.

[0029] Preferably, the actuating rocker 2 and the pressure piece 8 are made of a plastic, for example by an injection molding process.

[0030] As particularly in Fig. 4B, there is a positive connection between at least one, preferably both, fork legs 12 and the actuating rocker 2 in the rest position of the pressure piece 8, which is maintained by an inherent spring action of the fork legs secured to the pressure piece 8. The positive connection between the fork leg 12 and the actuating rocker 2 can be at least partially canceled by pivoting the pressure piece 8 from the rest position, with the fork legs 12 deflecting towards one another. In this way, the sliding contact 14 forms a detent point in the pivoting movement of the pressure piece 8, which defines the rest position of the pressure piece 8.

[0031] The pressure piece 8 has a longitudinal axis L, which, in the rest position, encloses a pressure angle β in the range of 40° to 50°, preferably 42° to 48°, with an actuating surface F of the actuating rocker 2. Due to the one-sided articulation of the pressure piece 8 to the actuating rocker and the determination of the rest position by the sliding contact 14, which is also arranged on the actuating rocker, the pressure angle β in the rest position can be freely selected independently of other reference values. A pressure angle β within the specified range produces a particularly uniform switching feel regardless of the pivoting direction of the switching element 6.

[0032] The Fig. 5A to 5D show the switching device according to the invention in different switching and actuating positions.

[0033] Fig. 5A shows a first switching position in which the actuating rocker 2 remains in the neutral position due to the return spring 4. At the same time, the pressure piece 8 is in the rest position defined relative to the actuating rocker 2 with a pressure angle β. In this first switching position, the fork legs of the pressure piece 8 are in sliding contact 14 with the actuating rocker 2, preferably without load. Two sliding surfaces 10 are provided on the switching element 6, which are arranged on either side of a pivot axis A of the switching element 6, as seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the pressure piece 8. The contact elements 7 are not in contact with each other in this switching position.

[0034] If the switching device 1 is operated from the first switching position, the first actuating position results, which is Fig. 5B. When the actuating rocker 2 is actuated, the actuating rocker 2 is pivoted relative to the base part under compression of the return spring 4. The pressure piece 8 comes into contact with a first of the two sliding surfaces 10 with its free end area.

[0035] By means of the actuating pressure transmitted by the pressure piece 8, the switching element 6 is pivoted, whereby the pressure piece 8 is simultaneously deflected downward from its rest position and assumes a lower deflection angle β1 relative to the actuating rocker 2. As a result of the pivoting of the switching element 6, the switching pin 19 mounted in the pivoting body 18 brings the two contact elements 7 into contact with each other.

[0036] If the rocker switch 2 is now released, the Fig. 5C. The actuating rocker 2 has returned to its neutral position by means of the return spring 4, whereby the pressure piece 8 is released from the switching element 6. The pressure piece 8 returns to the locking point of the sliding contact 14 under the restoring force of the shaped spring of the fork legs 12, which defines the rest position of the pressure piece 8 with the pressure angle β. The switching element 6 and the switching contacts 7 remain in the switched, contacted position.

[0037] When the rocker switch 2 is pressed again, the Fig. 5D. When the actuating rocker 2 is pivoted, the free end region of the pressure piece 8 now comes into contact with the other of the two sliding surfaces 10 due to the changed position of the switching element 6. Therefore, upon successive actuations of the actuating rocker 2, the pressure piece 8 alternately comes into contact with the two sliding surfaces 10 in its free end region 9. During the setting of the second actuating position, the switching element 6 is pivoted in the opposite direction by the pressure piece 8, with the contact of the contact elements 7 being broken. The pressure piece 8 is thereby deflected upwards from its rest position and temporarily assumes an upper deflection angle β2 relative to the actuating rocker 2, with the fork legs 12 deflecting.

[0038] When the rocker switch 2 is released from the second operating position after Fig. 5D again results in the first switching position after Fig. 5A. List of reference symbols 1 electrical switching device 2 rocker switches 3 Base part 4 return spring 5 Switching mechanism 6 Switching element 7 contact elements 8 Pressure piece 9 free end area 10 Sliding surface 11 hinged end section 12 wishbone 13 Joint element 14 Sliding contact 15 lead 16 Deepening 17 axle bearings 18 swivel bodies 19 Switch pin 31 Base base 32 Base upper part A Swivel axis of the switching element F Actuating surface of the rocker switch L Longitudinal axis of the pressure piece β pressure angle in rest position β1 lower deflection angle β2 upper deflection angle

Claims

[1] Electrical switching device comprising an actuating rocker (2) and a base part (3), wherein the actuating rocker (2) is pivotably mounted on the base part (3) under the action of at least one return spring (4), wherein a switching mechanism (5) is accommodated in the base part (3), which comprises a switching element (6) pivotably mounted in the base part (3) and switchable contact elements (7), and wherein, for transmitting a movement of the actuating rocker (2) to the switching element (6), a pressure piece (8) articulated on the actuating rocker (2) is provided, which pivots the switching element (6) from a defined rest position in alternating directions by deflecting the pressure piece (8), characterized by , that the pressure piece (8) is forked in an end region (11) hinged to the actuating rocker (2) with two fork legs (12) which are pivotally engaged with the actuating rocker (2) via a respective joint element (13), wherein the rest position is defined by a sliding contact (14) between at least one of the fork legs (12) and the actuating rocker (2), and the sliding contact (14) is designed such that when the pressure piece (8) is deflected from the rest position, the distance between the fork legs (12) changes with elastic deformation of the pressure piece (8). [2] Electrical switching device according to claim 1, characterized by that the sliding contact (14) is formed between a projection (15) and a recess (16) which are formed opposite one another on at least one of the fork legs (12) and the actuating rocker (2). [3] Electrical switching device according to claim 2, characterized bythat the projection (15) is designed as a rounded knob and the recess (16) is curved in cross-section. [4] Electrical switching device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the pressure piece (8) has a longitudinal axis (L) which, in the rest position, encloses a pressure angle (β) in the range from 40° to 50°, preferably from 42° to 48°, with an actuating surface (F) of the actuating rocker (2). [5] Electrical switching device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that there are two sliding surfaces (10) on the switching element (6) which, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the pressure piece (8), are arranged on both sides of a pivot axis (A) of the switching element (6), with which the pressure piece (8) alternately comes into contact in its free end region (9) upon successive actuations of the actuating rocker (2). [6] Electrical switching device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat an axle bearing (17) is formed on the actuating rocker (2) and the joint elements (13) are designed as axle journals which are pivotally mounted in the axle bearing (17). [7] Electrical switching device according to claim 6, characterized by that the axle journals and the sliding contact (14) are arranged on the outside of the fork legs (12) and the pressure piece (8) is elastically deformed when the actuating rocker (2) is actuated as the fork legs (12) approach one another. [8] Electrical switching device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the switching element (6) has a pivoting body (18) and a spring-loaded switching pin (19) mounted in the pivoting body (18). [9] Electrical switching device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the actuating rocker (2) and the pressure piece (8) are made of a plastic.

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