Push-button

Abstract

The invention relates to a push-button comprising a snap-action mechanism comprising: - a magnetic strip (24) rigidly connected to an unmoving body (4) of the button, - a moving carrier (22) capable of sliding between: - a high position in which a magnetic part (20) and the strip are magnetically adhered to one another and an upper part (34) of the carrier is distant from the strip, and - a low position in which the magnetic part is distant and detached from the strip, - a spring (26) inserted between a push-piece (6) and the upper part of the carrier to accelerate the movement of the magnetic part away from the strip after this magnetic part has detached from the strip. The upper part (34) of the carrier (22) is shaped to rest on the strip (24) when the carrier is in the low position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a push button.

[0002] Common examples of push buttons include: a fixed body, a movable pusher sliding inside the fixed body between a rest position and a pressed position, and a snap-action mechanism.

[0003] Examples of such known buttons are disclosed in US3310762A, DE2522870B1, DE3043240A1 and US3942145A.

[0004] Thanks to the snap-action mechanism, the force exerted by the user to depress the plunger drops abruptly at a predetermined depth. To achieve this, the snap-action mechanism includes: a magnetic plate fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the fixed body, a permanent magnet which, in the rest position, is stuck to the magnetic plate, and a spring interposed between the pusher and the permanent magnet which releases the potential energy it has stored to quickly move the permanent magnet away from the magnetic plate as soon as the predetermined depth is crossed.

[0005] Furthermore, and advantageously, the snap-release mechanism incorporates a shoulder in the plunger through which, when the predetermined depth is reached, the user's pressing force is directly transmitted to the permanent magnet. Thus, the permanent magnet always detaches at the same depth, practically regardless of the spring characteristics of the snap-release mechanism.

[0006] In known pushbuttons, the spring of the snap-action mechanism does not return the pushbutton to its rest position because it is interposed between the pushbutton and the permanent magnet, and not between the pushbutton and the fixed body. Therefore, in known pushbuttons, at least one or more additional springs are provided to return the pushbutton to its rest position.

[0007] Furthermore, known pushbuttons often incorporate one or more additional springs to return the permanent magnet to its position against the magnetic plate when no external force is applied. An example of such a pushbutton is disclosed in US patent application US3310762.

[0008] The presence of these additional springs complicates the production of these push buttons.

[0009] The invention aims to provide a push button equipped with such a snap-break mechanism but whose implementation is simpler.

[0010] The invention therefore relates to a push button conforming to claim 1.

[0011] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which: there figure 1 is a schematic, perspective illustration of a push button in an assembled state; the figure 2 is a schematic illustration, in vertical cross-section, of the push button of the figure 1 in a disassembled state; the figures 3 and 4 These are schematic illustrations, in vertical cross-section, of the push button of the figure 1 respectively, in a resting position and in a retracted position; the figure 5 is a flowchart of a push-button assembly process for the figure 1 ; THE figures 6 to 14are illustrations, in perspective, of different assembly states of the push button obtained by implementing the process of the figure 5 , THE Figures 15 and 16 These are schematic illustrations in vertical section, respectively, of a first and a second variant of the push button of the figure 1 .

[0012] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements. In the remainder of this description, the characteristics and functions well known to a person skilled in the art are not described in detail.

[0013] In this description, detailed examples of embodiments are first described in Chapter I with reference to the figures. Then, in Chapter II, variations of these embodiments are introduced. Finally, the advantages of the different embodiments are presented in Chapter III. Chapter I: Examples of implementation methods:

[0014] There figure 1represents a push button 2 in an assembled state. This button is typically intended for use as a human-machine interface. For example, such a button 2 is incorporated into an aircraft instrument panel or on an aircraft control handle.

[0015] On the figure 1 and the following, an orthogonal XYZ coordinate system is used to indicate the button's orientation in space. The Z direction is vertical and points from bottom to top. The X and Y directions are horizontal. In this text, terms such as " high ", " down " "superior", "inferior", "above" And "below" are defined with respect to the Z direction.

[0016] Button 2 contains: a fixed body 4 intended to be mounted, without any degree of freedom, in the dashboard or the steering handle, a pusher 6 movable between a rest position, shown on the figures 1 and 3 , and a recessed position represented on the figure 4 , an electronic circuit 8 capable of detecting the position of the pusher 6 and transmitting this information to an electronic processing unit which, in response, triggers a command to an electric actuator according to the detected position of the pusher 6.

[0017] Here, body 4 is a tubular body inside which are housed all the elements of button 2. Here, the cross-section of body 4 is substantially circular.

[0018] The pusher 6 moves reversibly between its rest and depressed positions by sliding inside the body 4 along a vertical axis 10. The rest position is the position occupied by the pusher 6 when there is no external force. The rest position is therefore a stable position. In the rest position, the upper end of the pusher 6 is less deeply embedded inside the body 4 than in the depressed position. For example, in the rest position, the upper end of the pusher 6 protrudes above the body 4.

[0019] The electronic circuit 8 includes a printed circuit board 12 on which are mounted the various electrical and electronic components necessary for the operation of the button 2. Here, the circuit 8 includes electrical connectors 14 for electrically connecting the button 12 to a power source and to the processing unit. These electrical connectors 14 are mounted on the underside of the board 12. As illustrated in the figure 2 , the circuit 8 also includes one or more detectors 16 of the pressed position of the push button 6 mounted on an upper face of the board 12.

[0020] In this embodiment, the detector 16 is a magnetic field detector. It detects the pressed position when the amplitude of the magnetic field passing through it crosses a predetermined threshold or when the change in the direction of the magnetic field crosses another predetermined threshold. When the pressed position is detected by the detector 16, this information is transmitted to the external processing unit via, for example, a wired connection to connector 14.

[0021] There figure 2 represents button 2 in a disassembled state in which the different elements of button 2 are aligned one above the other along axis 10. Going from bottom to top, button 2 comprises: the electronic circuit 8, a magnetic part 20 capable of generating the magnetic field detected by the detector 16, a movable support 22 on which the magnetic part 20 is fixed, a magnetic bar 24, a spring 26, the pusher 6, the body 4, a sealing gasket 28, and a guide ring 30.

[0022] The magnetic piece 20 is directly attached, by magnetic attraction, to the bar 24. For this purpose, in this embodiment, the magnetic piece 20 is a permanent magnet and the bar 24 is made of magnetic material such as magnetic stainless steel.

[0023] Support 22 includes: a lower part 32 located below the bar 24 when the button 2 is in its assembled state, an upper part 34 located above the bar 24 when the button 2 is in its assembled state, and two vertical slots 36 and 38 diametrically opposed with respect to the axis 10 and intended to receive the bar 24.

[0024] The support 22 is a hollow solid of revolution whose axis of revolution coincides with the axis 10. The hollow inside the solid 22 allows the passage of the bar 24 when it is received in the slots 36 and 38. In this embodiment, this hollow is a cylinder of revolution which opens onto the upper face of the support 22.

[0025] The magnetic part 20 is fixed without any degree of freedom directly onto the lower part 32, without preventing the strip 24 from adhering directly to the part 20 when the strip 24 passes through the slots 36 and 38. For example, to achieve this, the lower part 32 has a hole inside which the magnetic part 20 is fixed. This hole opens, on one side, into the recess of the support 22 and, on the opposite side, onto the lower face of the support 22. When the magnetic part 20 is fixed in this hole, it presents: an upper face intended to be glued and, alternately, detached from the strip 24, and an lower face, turned towards the electronic circuit 8, protruding beyond the lower face of the support 22.

[0026] The upper part 34 here has the shape of a crown centered on the axis 10 and with a rectangular cross-section. Its upper face serves as a bearing surface for the spring 26.

[0027] Slots 36 and 38 are located opposite each other on either side of axis 10. Here, slots 36 and 38 are straight slots with a rectangular cross-section that extend primarily vertically. The width of slots 36 and 38 allows the bar 24 to be inserted into the support 22. When the bar 24 is inserted into the support 22, it has a central portion 40 located inside the recess of the support 22.

[0028] The height of slots 36 and 38, in the Z direction, allows the support 22 to slide along the axis 10 between a high position, shown on the figure 3 and a low position represented on the figure 4 even when the bar 24 is stationary and inserted through the support 22.

[0029] In its upper position, the upper part 34 is away from the bar 24 and the magnetic part 20 is glued to the central portion 40 of the bar 24. In the lower position, the upper part 34 is directly resting on the bar 24 and the magnetic part 20 is away from and detached from the bar 24.

[0030] For example, the height of slots 36 and 38 is greater than 1 mm or 2 mm. This height is also generally less than 20 mm or 10 mm.

[0031] The bar 24 is made of a magnetic material attracted to the magnetic part 20. For example, the bar 24 is made of a ferromagnetic material. In this embodiment, the bar 24 is not permanently magnetized.

[0032] The pusher 6 is essentially shaped like a cylinder of revolution with a circular cross-section. At its upper end, it has an external support face 50, against which a user presses to move the pusher 6 from its rest position to its depressed position. Here, this face 50 extends primarily horizontally.

[0033] The pusher 6 has an internal recess 52 configured to fully receive the spring 26 and the support 22.

[0034] The pusher 6 also has two vertical slots 56 and 58 located opposite each other with respect to the axis 10. These slots 56 and 58 are straight slots. Here, the slots 56 and 58 each open into the lower end of the pusher 6. These slots 56 and 58 therefore have cross-sections in the shape of an inverted "U" and extend mainly vertically ( Figure 7These slots 56 and 58 allow the bar 24 to pass horizontally through the pusher 6 while permitting the pusher 6 to move between its rest and depressed positions. When the bar 24 passes through the pusher 6, it has two ends 42 and 44 that protrude, respectively, to the right and left of the pusher 6.

[0035] The height of slots 56 and 58, in the Z direction, is sufficient to allow the pusher 6 to move between its rest position and its depressed position. For example, the height of slots 56 and 58 is greater than 3 mm or 5 mm. Generally, the height of slots 56 and 58 is also less than 30 mm or 20 mm.

[0036] The width of slots 56 and 58 is dimensioned as for the width of slots 36 and 38 so as to allow the introduction of the bar 24 into these slots.

[0037] The pusher 6 has an upper internal face 54 located on the opposite side to the support face 50 and vertical internal faces 60. The vertical internal faces 60 are shaped to guide the support 22 in translation along the axis 10 by form cooperation with vertical external faces of the support 22.

[0038] The pusher 6 has, at its lower end, a lower stop 62 which retains it inside the body 4. This lower stop 62 extends radially and horizontally and forms a protrusion on the outer periphery of the lower end of the pusher 6. In this embodiment, the lower stop 62 forms a rim which extends continuously over the entire outer periphery of the lower end of the pusher 6 except at the locations where the slots 56 and 58 open into this lower end ( Figure 7 ).

[0039] When the button 2 is in its assembled state, the spring 26 is fully received inside the recess 52 of the push button. It rests, on one side, on the inner face 54 of the push button 6 and, on the opposite side, on the upper part 34 of the support 22.

[0040] The pusher 6 also includes, between the inner face 54 and above the slots 56 and 58, a shoulder 64 adapted to bear directly against the upper part 34 of the support 22 before the pusher has reached its depressed position. This shoulder 64 triggers the release of the magnetic part 20.

[0041] Here, the spring 26 is dimensioned so that it is always in a state of compression when the button 2 is used. For example, for this purpose, the spring 26 is dimensioned to be in a state of compression when the push button 6 is in its rest position and, at the same time, the support 22 is in its lowered position.

[0042] The stiffness of the spring 26 is also chosen to be sufficiently low so that, in the absence of external stress on the bearing face 50, it allows the support 22 to rise from its lower position to its upper position solely under the action of the magnetic attraction force between the part 20 and the bar 24. To this end, when the pusher 6 is in its rest position, the force exerted by the spring 26 on the support 22 is always less than the magnetic attraction force, at the same instant, between the magnetic part 20 and the bar 24. Thanks to this, in the absence of external stress, the support 22 returns to its upper position using only the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic part 20 and the bar 24.

[0043] The stiffness of the spring 26 is also low enough that the force it exerts on the support 22 is less than the force required to detach the magnetic part 20, at least until the shoulder 64 has come directly into contact with the upper part 34 of the support 22. Conversely, its stiffness is sufficient to accelerate the movement of the support 22 towards its lower position after the detachment of the magnetic part 20.

[0044] The body 4 has a vertical wall 70 that completely surrounds the shaft 10 and thus defines within the body 4 a through-hole in which, in the assembled state, the circuit 8, the support 22, the pusher 6, the seal 28, and the ring 30 are housed. This hole opens at the top and bottom, forming a lower circular opening 72 and an upper circular opening 74 at the level of the lower and upper ends of the body 4, respectively. The lower opening 72 is shaped to allow the pusher 6 to be inserted into the body 4 through this opening 72. The upper opening 74 is shaped to allow the seal 28 and the ring 30 to be inserted into the body 4.

[0045] The lower end of the wall 70 includes a mechanism 75 ( Figures 10 and 11) fixing the circuit 8 inside the body 4. This mechanism 75 retains the circuit 8 inside the body 4 only by cooperation of form between the lower end of the body 4 and a periphery of the circuit 8. For example, the mechanism 75 includes for this purpose elastically deformable tabs which allow the circuit 8 to be clipped onto the lower end of the body 4.

[0046] The upper end of the wall 70 has a seat to receive the ring 30.

[0047] Between its lower and upper ends, the body 4 has a collar 76 projecting inside the housing of the body 4. This collar 76 performs several functions. First, it is shaped to guide the plunger 6 in translation as it moves between its rest position and its depressed position. To this end, its inner periphery forms a circular vertical band which, by its shape in conjunction with the outer periphery of the plunger 6, guides the plunger 6 in translation. This collar 76 also cooperates with the lower stop 62 to retain the plunger 6 inside the body 4. More specifically, the collar 76 prevents the plunger 6 from being removed from the body 4 by pulling it upwards. To this end, the collar 76 has a circular lower horizontal face 78 against which the lower stop 62 bears when the plunger 6 is in its rest position.

[0048] On the side opposite the lower face 78, the collar 76 has an upper face 80 on which the bar 24 rests in the assembled state of the button 2. Here, the upper face 80 is also a circular face that extends mainly horizontally. This upper face 80 has two recesses 82 and 84 diametrically opposed with respect to the axis 10. Here, the recesses 82 and 84 are located along an axis parallel to the X direction and which intersects the axis 10. In the assembled state, the recesses 82 and 84 receive, respectively, the ends 42 and 44 of the bar 24. The ends 42 and 44 are permanently held in these recesses 82 and 84. by the spring 26 and the magnetic attraction force between the part 20 and the bar 24 in the rest position, by the spring 26 and the upper part 34 of the support 22 in the pressed position, and between the rest position and the pressed position, by the magnetic attraction force between the part 20 and the bar 24.

[0049] The recesses 82 and 84 and the ends 42 and 44 are shaped to lock the angular position of the pusher 6 when the ends 42, 44 are received inside the recesses 82, 44. For example, for this purpose, the recesses 82 and 84 and the ends 42 and 44 each have opposing vertical faces which, by cooperation of form, block the rotation of the pusher 6. Thus, if a user tries to rotate the pusher 6 around the axis 10, he is prevented from doing so by the fact that the vertical flanks of the slots 56 and 58 then come to rest on the bar 24 which is itself immobilized against rotation by the fact that the ends 42 and 44 are held in the recesses 82 and 84.

[0050] Finally, the collar 76 has two notches 86 and 88 ( figure 12) diametrically opposed with respect to axis 10. Here, these notches 86 and 88 are located along an axis parallel to the Y direction and which intersects axis 10. Thus, in this embodiment, the notches 86 and 88 are angularly offset by 90° with respect to the recesses 82 and 84.

[0051] The notches 86 and 88 are wide enough to allow the passage of the bar 24 through the collar 76. On the other hand, they are also narrow enough to prevent the lower stop 62 from passing through the collar 76.

[0052] Here, as explained later, the combination of the bar 24, the lower stop 62, the collar 76 and the spring 26 forms a bayonet coupling allowing the pusher 6 to be mounted and fixed simply inside the body 4. More precisely, in this embodiment, it is the bar 24 which plays the role of the bayonet of this bayonet coupling.

[0053] The seal 28 is a seal that ensures, for example, that the button 2 is watertight against splashes of water. In the assembled state, this seal 28 is wedged between the wall 70 and the outer periphery of the push button 6. Here, in the assembled state, it is located between the bar 24 and the ring 30.

[0054] The ring 30 also allows the pusher 6 to be guided in translation along the axis 10. For this purpose, it has a circular orifice centered on the axis 10 inside which the outer periphery of the pusher 6 slides.

[0055] The operation of button 2 is as follows. In the absence of external stimulation, the pusher 6 is in its rest position and the support 22 is in its raised position as shown in the diagram. figure 3In this state, the magnetic part 20 is glued to the bar 24, which holds the support 22 in its upper position against the force exerted by the spring 26. In this state, the spring 26 is compressed between the upper part 34 of the support 22 and the inner face 54 of the pusher 6, which holds this pusher 6 in its rest position.

[0056] Next, the user begins to push down button 6 by pressing down face 50 with a finger. The pushing of button 6 then takes place in two successive phases: an initial phase during which the magnetic part 20 remains stuck on the strip 24, and a final phase during which the magnetic part 20 is detached.

[0057] The initial phase lasts until the shoulder 64 comes into direct contact with the support 22. More precisely, during the initial phase, the pusher 6 begins to descend, compressing the spring 26. The shoulder 64 then comes into contact with the upper part 34 of the support 22. At this point, the support 22 is still in its raised position. When the shoulder 64 is directly in contact with the support 22, it allows the user's pressing force to be transferred directly from the pusher 6 to the support 22, thus exerting a pushing force directly on the magnetic part 20. The user must then exert additional effort to detach the magnetic part 20 from the bar 24. When the magnetic part 20 detaches, the initial phase is complete and the final phase begins.

[0058] During the final phase, the potential energy stored in the spring 26 during the initial phase is abruptly released and used to rapidly move the magnetic part 20 away from the bar 24. Thus, the support 22 quickly reaches its lowered position. The spring 26 has also relaxed, so that the resistance it offered to the depressing of the push button 6 during the initial phase has also decreased sharply. Therefore, at the moment of transition from the initial to the final phase, the user feels a point of resistance, confirming that the push button 6 has been correctly and sufficiently depressed.

[0059] Next, the user continues to press the button 6 while pressing on face 50 to reach the pressed position shown on the figure 4 .

[0060] When the pusher 6 is released, it is no longer subjected to any external force. The spring 26 then relaxes and returns the pusher 6 to its rest position.

[0061] The release of the spring 26 reduces the force it exerts on the support 22. This force then becomes less than the magnetic attraction force between the part 20 and the bar 24. From that moment on, this magnetic attraction force automatically returns the support 22 to its upper position.

[0062] Thus, the combination of the bar 24, the magnetic part 20, the support 22, the spring 26, and the shoulder 64 forms a snap-action mechanism, meaning a mechanism where the pressure exerted on the face 50 to depress the pusher 6 drops abruptly when the pusher 6 is at a predetermined depth inside the body 4 and before reaching the depressed position. Such a snap action is known as "snap action." The snap-action mechanism ensures that there are no intermediate positions in the movement of the magnetic part 20. This allows for precise and unstable detection of the depressed position.

[0063] The assembly of button 2 is now described with reference to the assembly process of the figure 5 and with the help of figures 6 to 14 .

[0064] During step 100, the bar 24 is inserted through the slots 36 and 38 of the support 22 ( figure 6 ).

[0065] In step 102, the spring 26 is inserted into the hollow 52 of the pusher 6 ( figure 7 ).

[0066] In step 104, the combination of the support 22 and the bar 24 obtained at the end of step 100 is introduced inside the hollow 52 of the pusher 6 ( figure 8 ). The spring 26 is then trapped between the face 54 and the upper part 34 of the support 22.

[0067] In step 106, the assembly obtained at the end of step 104 is introduced inside the body 4 from its lower end ( figure 9 ).

[0068] In step 108, the assembly inserted into the body 4 is oriented angularly so that the ends 42 and 44 of the bar 24 are opposite the notches 86 and 88, respectively. The bar 24, which acts as the bayonet for the bayonet lock, is then in a free position. The free position is the position of the bayonet in which the pusher 6 can be freely disassembled and removed from the body 4. Thus, as shown in the Figure 10 , the bar 24 begins to pass through the notches 86 and 88 and the lower stop 62 comes to rest on the lower face 78 of the collar 76. At this stage, the spring 26 is not necessarily compressed.

[0069] In step 110, the support 22 is then pushed upwards until the bar 24 is entirely above the upper face 80 of the collar 76 as shown in the figure 11 .

[0070] During step 112, at this stage, the pusher 6 is rotated 90° while keeping the support 22 pushed upwards to hold the bar 24 above the upper face 80. Under these conditions, the 90° rotation of the pusher 6 rotates the support 22 and the bar 24 by 90° around the axis 10. At the end of this rotation, the ends 42 and 44 of the bar 24 are opposite the recesses 82 and 84. At this stage, the support 22 is released ( figure 12 ). The spring 26 and the magnetic force of attraction between the part 20 and the bar 24 then push and hold the ends 42 and 44 inside the recesses 82 and 84. The state shown on the Figures 12 and 13is then reached. At the end of step 112, the bar 24, which acts as a bayonet, is then in a locked position. The locked position is the position of the bayonet in which it rests against the collar 76 to hold the pusher 6 in a position mounted inside the body 4.

[0071] In step 114, the seal 28 and then the ring 30 are introduced around the pusher 6 from the upper end of the body 4 ( figure 14 ).

[0072] In step 116, the circuit 8 is clipped onto the lower end of the body 4 using the mechanism 75. The button is then in its assembled state as shown in the figures 1, 3 and 4 .

[0073] There figure 15Figure 130 represents a button identical to button 2 except that it includes an additional spring 132 entirely housed inside the push button 6 to increase the return force of the push button 6 to its rest position. The spring 132 bears, on one side, against the inner face 54 of the push button 6 and, on the opposite side, directly against an upper face of the bar 24. For example, here, the spring 132 is housed inside the spring 26 and in the recess of the support 22 located above the bar 24.

[0074] Button 130 works like button 2. In particular, as long as shoulder 64 does not come directly into contact with support 22, magnetic piece 20 remains stuck to strip 24.

[0075] In this case, the spring 132 is not in contact with the support 22. Thus, the return of the support 22 from its lower position to its upper position takes place exactly as previously described in the case of the button 2. On the other hand, the spring 132 increases the return force of the pusher 6 towards its rest position.

[0076] In this case, where spring 132, independent of spring 26, is used to return pusher 6 to its rest position, spring 26 does not necessarily need to be in a state of compression when support 22 is in its lowered position. In other words, spring 26 is not necessarily capable of returning pusher 6 from its depressed position to its rest position on its own.

[0077] There figure 16represents the button 130 combined with the quick-release reversible locking mechanism described in applications FR37156 and FR3078174. This quick-release locking mechanism facilitates the replacement of the button 130. For this purpose, the body 4 is shaped to be locked inside a barrel 140 by means of a seal 142, as described in those patent applications. The barrel 140 and the seal 142 are described in detail in those patent applications and are not repeated here. Chapter II: Variants Variations of the bayonet lock:

[0078] Alternatively, the lower stop 62 of the push-button and the bayonet of the bayonet lock form a single piece. In this case, the lower stop 62 is shaped to pass through the notches 86, 88. For example, to achieve this, the lower stop 62 is limited to two diametrically opposed protrusions, each oriented radially. In this variant, the bar 24 is arranged so that its ends 42, 44 do not pass through the notches 86, 88 during assembly. For example, in a first embodiment of this variant, the ends 42, 44 of the bar 24 are wider than the notches 86, 88 and therefore cannot pass through the notches 86, 88. To mount the pusher 6, it is inserted from the upper end of the body 4 until the lower stop 62 passes through the notches 86, 88 and is located below the lower face 78 of the collar 76.At this stage, the pusher 6 is rotated around the axis 10 to move the lower stop 62 from the free position to the locked position. Preferably, as previously described, in the locked position, the ends 42, 44 of the bar 24 are received in the recesses 82, 84.

[0079] In a second embodiment of the variant above, to prevent the ends 42, 44 of the bar 24 from passing through the notches 86, 88 when the lower stop 62 passes through them, an angular offset is introduced between the bar 24 and the lower stop 62. Thus, when the lower stop 62 passes through the notches 86, 88, the bar 24 remains blocked on the upper face 80 of the collar 76.

[0080] Alternatively, the collar 76 has more than two notches 86, 88. In this case, the part that acts as a bayonet is shaped to have as many ends as there are notches. These ends are then positioned relative to each other so that they pass through the notches simultaneously when the bayonet is in its free position. Variations of the pusher rotation lock:

[0081] Recesses to block the rotation of the pusher 6 can also be provided on the underside of the collar. In this case, the lower stop 62 is further shaped to be received inside these recesses when the pusher 6 is in the rest position.

[0082] In a simplified embodiment, the recesses 82, 84 are omitted. Thus, the rotation of the pusher 6 around the axis 10 is not blocked by the shape cooperation between the ends 42, 44 of the bar 24 and these recesses 82, 84.

[0083] The rotation of the push button 6 can be blocked in a different way. For example, sections of the periphery of the push button 6 and the guide ring 30 are shaped to block the rotation of the push button 6 as soon as the ring 30 is fixed to the body 4 of the button. These sections of the periphery of the push button 6 and the ring 30 each have a flat surface which, by their shape, prevents the rotation of the push button 6 around the axis 10. Variations of the snap-break mechanism:

[0084] Alternatively, the bar 24 is permanently magnetized. In this case, the magnetic part 20 is not necessarily also permanently magnetized. For example, the magnetic part 20 is then made of a ferromagnetic material that is not permanently magnetized.

[0085] Alternatively, the magnetic part 20 comprises a permanent magnet and another magnetic part that is not permanently magnetized. This other magnetic part is fixed without any degrees of freedom to the permanent magnet and guides the magnetic field lines generated by the permanent magnet. For example, the permanent magnet occupies the position of part 20 shown in the diagram. figures 3 and 4The other magnetic component is a magnetic stainless steel ring fixed without any degree of freedom around the upper part of the permanent magnet. The height of this ring is adjusted so that only this ring makes direct mechanical contact with the bar 24 when the magnetic component 20 is glued to the bar 24. In this embodiment, when the component 20 is glued to the bar 24, an air gap remains between the bar 24 and the permanent magnet of the component 20. This prevents the permanent magnet from directly striking the bar 24 when the push button 6 returns to its rest position. This makes the push button more robust, particularly with regard to damage to the permanent magnet caused by impacts on the bar 24.

[0086] Other shapes are possible for the support 22. For example, the support can have a "U" shape, with one of the arms of the "U" located below the bar 24 and the other arm of the "U" located above the bar 24. In this case, the support 22 has slots which open into the vertical plane containing the distal ends of the arms of the "U".

[0087] In another embodiment, the bar 24 has a hole in its central portion 44, and the support 22 has a rod mounted to slide inside this hole. This rod mechanically connects the lower part 32 to the upper part 34 of the support 22.

[0088] Other solutions are possible for returning the support 22 to its upper position as soon as the pressure on the face 50 ceases. For example, the pusher 6 has a pin that bears, for example, under the lower part 34 of the support 22 when the latter is in its lower position. This pin then pulls the support 22 towards its upper position when the pusher 6 returns to its rest position under the action of the spring 132. In another variant, an additional spring is introduced specifically to return the support 22 from its lower position to its upper position. In these variants, the magnetic attraction force between the bar 24 and the magnetic part 20 does not need to be greater than the restoring force of the spring 26 when the support 22 is in its lower position.

[0089] Alternatively, the spring 132 is configured to perform both functions on its own: returning the push button 6 to its rest position and holding the bar 24 against the upper face 80 of the collar 76. In this case, the spring 26 does not need to participate in these two functions. Thus, when the push button 6 of the button 130 is in its rest position, the spring 26 can be in a state of unstressed compression. This slightly slows the return of the push button 6 to its rest position. Other variations:

[0090] Other embodiments of the pressed-in position detector 16 are possible. For example, alternatively, the detector 16 is replaced by an optical, resistive, or other type of detector. For instance, the detector 16 is replaced by a switch that is mechanically moved from an open position to a closed position by the lower part 34 of the support 22 or by the lower stop 62.

[0091] The lower stop 62 does not necessarily form a continuous rim around the axis 10. For example, alternatively, the stop 62 is formed of several prominences distributed around the periphery of the pusher 6 and which each extend in a respective horizontal radial direction.

[0092] The bearing face 50 of the pusher 6 can have other shapes. For example, in a particular embodiment, the bearing face is a hemisphere.

[0093] Button 2 can be used in any human-machine interface, such as aircraft human-machine interfaces or any human-machine interface of a device other than an aircraft. Alternatively, the push button 6 is moved to its pressed position not by a user's finger, but by another part of the user's body, such as their foot. The push button can also be moved to its pressed position by an object. For example, the push button can be moved to its pressed position by a door. Thus, alternatively, this button can also be used as a sensor for a mechanical position in an automated system. Specific variants related to the presence of the snap-break mechanism:

[0094] The spring 26 is not necessarily received inside the hollow 52 of the pusher 6. Alternatively, as described in US3310762, the pusher has a central rod around which the spring 26 is mounted. In this case, the spring 26 and the support 22 are located below the pusher 6 and not inside the pusher 6.

[0095] The bayonet locking mechanism may be omitted. In this case, the pusher 6 is retained inside the body 4 by other means such as those described in US patent application 3310762. In this case, the pusher 6 is entirely located above the bar 24, and each of the bar's ends 42, 44 is directly fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the body wall 70. The collar 76 and the lower stop 62 are omitted. Chapter III: Advantages of the described embodiments:

[0096] Using the shoulder 64 to trigger the release of the magnetic part 20 allows for precise and simple control of the push button's insertion depth at which this release occurs, even though the spring stiffness is low enough to prevent release before the shoulder 64 comes into contact with the support 22. Furthermore, the fact that the upper part 34 of the support 22 rests on the bar 24 in the lowered position allows the spring 26 to exert a restoring force on the push button 6, returning it to its rest position. Thus, the same spring 26 fulfills both: the spring function of the pusher 6 returning to its rest position, and the spring function of the snap-break mechanism. Thus, combining these features in the same button makes it possible to obtain a push button in which the depth of push button insertion at which detachment occurs is well controlled while simplifying the button's architecture.

[0097] The fact that, in the lower position of the support 22, the attractive force between the bar 24 and the magnetic part 20 is greater than the force exerted on the support 22 by the spring 26, makes it possible to return the support 22 to its upper position without using other elements such as an additional spring.

[0098] Using a single spring at a time to fulfill both the return spring function and the snap-action spring function simplifies the button architecture.

[0099] The fact that the spring 26 is systematically in a state of compression allows the pusher 6 to return to its rest position as soon as the pressure on the face 50 ceases.

[0100] The fact that the magnetic part 20 has a permanently non-magnetized magnetic ring that encircles the upper part of the permanent magnet increases the robustness of the button.

[0101] The fact that detector 16 uses the magnetic field generated by the magnetic part to detect the pressed position allows this magnetic part to be used both for the snap break and for detecting the pressed position. This simplifies the button's architecture.

[0102] The slots 36, 38 of the support allow both to guide the support 22 in translation and to serve as a bearing surface of the upper part 34 of the support on the bar 24 when it is in its lower position.

[0103] Using a bayonet locking mechanism simplifies the mounting of the push button 6 in the fixed body 4. For example, the push button 6 can be mounted and removed without the need for tools. Furthermore, the fact that the same bar serves both the snap-action mechanism and the bayonet locking simplifies the button's design.

[0104] The fact that the spring 26 of the snap-action mechanism is also used to keep the bar 24 attached to the upper face 80 also simplifies the architecture of the button.

Claims

1. Push button comprising: - a push button (6) capable of sliding along a displacement axis (10) between a rest position and a depressed position, this push button comprising a support face (50) and the rest position corresponding to the position occupied by the push button in the absence of external stress on the support face of the push button, - a fixed body (4) inside which the push button slides when it moves between its rest position and its depressed position, - a snap-action mechanism, this snap-action mechanism comprising: - a magnetic bar (24) integral with the fixed body, - a movable magnetic part (20) capable of being magnetically attached to the bar, - a movable support (22) comprising: - a lower part (32) located below the bar and to which the magnetic piece is fixed without any degree of freedom, and - an upper part (34) located above the bar, this support being capable of sliding along the axis of movement between: - an upper position in which the magnetic piece and the bar are magnetically attached to each other and the upper part is distant from the bar, and - a lower position in which the magnetic piece is distant from and detached from the bar, - a spring (26) interposed between the pusher and the upper part of the support to accelerate the removal of the magnetic piece from the bar after the magnetic piece has been detached from the bar, - a shoulder (64) formed in the pusher, this shoulder being capable of coming into direct contact with the upper part of the support after the movement of the pusher from its rest position to its depressed position has compressed the spring without causing the magnetic piece to lift off, characterised in that the upper part (34) of the support (22) is shaped to bear on the bar (24) in the lower position so that the spring (26) of the snap-action mechanism pushes the push rod back to its rest position even in the lower position of the support (22).

2. Button according to claim 1, in which the bar (24) and the magnetic part (20) are configured so that, in the lower position of the support, the magnetic attraction force between the bar and the magnetic part is greater than the force exerted by the spring on the upper part of the support in the absence of external stress on the bearing surface of the push button.

3. Button according to any of the preceding claims, wherein only the spring (26) of the snap-action mechanism is used to return the push button from its depressed position to its rest position.

4. Button according to claim 3, wherein the spring (26) of the snap-action mechanism is configured to be systematically in a compressed state regardless of the position of the support (22).

5. Button according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic part (20) comprises: - a permanent magnet, and - a ring made of non-permanently magnetised magnetic material, this ring encircling the part of the permanent magnet facing the bar and the height of this ring being such that, when the magnetic part (20) is stuck to the bar (24), only the ring is directly mechanically supported on the bar (24).

6. Button according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the magnetic piece (20) comprises a permanent magnet, and - the button comprises a detector (16) capable of detecting the depressed position of the push button based on the variation in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet when it is moved by the support.

7. Button according to any of the previou , wherein: - the support (22) comprises two slots (36, 38) each extending mainly parallel to the axis of movement, and - the bar (24) passes through these two slots in the support and its ends (42, 44) which protrude from the support are each integral with the body, this bar being able to slide inside these two slots when the support moves between its upper position and its lower position and to come into contact with an upper wall of the slots when the support is in its lower position.

8. Button according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the button comprises a bayonet lock for mounting the push button (6) inside the fixed body, this bayonet lock comprising a bayonet mechanically connected to the push button so as to be moved angularly by rotation of the push button about the axis of movement between: - a locked position in which the bayonet retains the push button in a mounted position inside the fixed body, and - a free position in which the pusher can be disassembled and removed from the fixed body, and - the bayonet of the bayonet lock and the bar (24) form a single piece.

9. Button according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the push button comprises: - two opposing slots (56, 58) each extending substantially parallel to the axis of movement, and - on the side opposite the bearing surface, a lower stop (62) extending in directions perpendicular to the axis of movement, - the fixed body comprises a collar (76) inside which the pusher slides when it moves between its rest position and its depressed position, this collar comprising a lower face (78) on which the lower stop of the pusher rests in the rest position to retain the pusher inside the collar, - the bar (24) passes through the two vertical slots in the push rod and its ends (42, 44) which protrude from the push rod each rest on an upper face (80) of the collar, this bar being able to slide inside these two slots when the push rod moves between its rest position and its depressed position, and - the spring (26) of the snap-action mechanism is entirely housed inside the hollow push button and constantly pushes the bar towards the upper face of the collar.

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