Key switch

Abstract

The key switch (100) A support base (101); a key (102) manually operable to move relative to the support base (101) between at least a first operating position and a second operating position spaced from the first position to establish or interrupt at least one electrical connection; A leaf spring member (103) is interposed between the support base (101) and the key (102), The first operating position is a stable operating position of the key (102) in which the leaf spring member (103) is deformed between the key (102) and the support base (101) so as to assume a first curved shape, and this operating position is such that the leaf spring member (103) between the key (102) and the support base (101) is deformed so as to assume a first curved shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical switches, and more particularly to key switches. Such switches are particularly suitable for being mounted on transport vehicles, especially on saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of electrical switches, switches having a manually operated key, such as a rocking key, are known. A rocking key switch includes a casing and a rocking key. The rocking key is operably attached to the casing and is configured to rotate relative to the casing between at least two operating positions that are angularly spaced apart from each other to establish or interrupt at least one electrical connection. At least one of the two operating positions of the rocking key is a stable position. For example, a switch in which the rocking key has two operating positions, one being unstable and the other being stable, is generally used as a key for turning on the traction engine of a motorcycle. Another example of a rocking key switch is also used in a motorcycle to switch a front light unit to generate high beam or low beam, respectively, at one of two stable operating positions and at the other of the two stable operating positions.

[0003] For example, a key switch configured such that the rocking key has three operating positions (two stable positions and one unstable position) is also known. This latter type of key switch is also used in a motorcycle to switch a front light unit to generate high beam at a first stable operating position of the key, generate low beam at a second stable operating position of the key, and generate high beam at an unstable operating position of the key. Generally, the second stable operating position is an intermediate position between the first stable operating position and the unstable operating position. The above-described type of key switch is known from patent application IN201611029890 and patent application IN0925 / DEL / 2011.

[0004] In a key switch having at least one stable operating position, the key is automatically returned to the stable operating position by releasing the manual pressure acting on the key, and is biased by a helical spring and held in its stable operating position by a piston that slides inside the latter on a shaped surface provided, for example, on the bottom wall of the casing. The stable operating position is the position where the deformation of the helical spring is the least. A similar mechanism is provided in a key switch having two stable operating positions.

[0005] In the above key switch of the prior art, the presence of the piston sliding on the formed surface causes certain drawbacks. Undesirable jamming of the key may actually occur due to wear or friction of the surface and / or the intrusion of external substances such as water, dust, dirt, etc. into the switch. Further, due to the friction between the surfaces involved in sliding, the key may be blocked at an undesirable position. Further, a lack of smoothness may be detected during key operation. Further, the assembly operation of the prior art switch is relatively complicated.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] A general object of the present specification is to enable the use of a key switch that can completely or at least partially solve the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0007] Such an object is achieved by a key switch as generally defined in claim 1. Preferred advantageous embodiments of the above key switch are defined in the appended dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of its specific embodiments, which is made for purposes of illustration and thus non - limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described in the following paragraphs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The same or similar elements are denoted by the same numerical reference signs in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Accompanying FIGS. 1 to 2 show embodiments of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 embodied in a two-wheeled motorcycle having front and rear wheels 6 and 7, particularly a two-wheeled scooter, without introducing limitations in the specific examples shown.

[0012] Henceforth, without introducing any limitations, reference will be made to a general motorcycle 1, which means that the following description generally applies to any type of saddle-riding vehicle having a main body 2, 3, 4, at least two wheels 6, 7 constrained to the main body 2, 3, 4, and an engine 8, such as a thermal engine, an electric propulsion engine, or a hybrid traction engine, which is constrained to the main body 2, 3, 4 and is operatively connected directly or indirectly to at least one of the two wheels 6, 7.

[0013] The main body 2, 3, 4 of the motorcycle 1 extends along a longitudinal axis L-L parallel to the drive shaft of the motorcycle 1 and has a front part 2, a tail part 4, and an intermediate part 3 interposed between the front part 2 and the tail part 4. The intermediate part 3 is constituted by, for example, a walkable footboard 5.

[0014] In an embodiment, the front part 2 is constituted by a front shield 21, a steering handlebar 22, and a front wheel 6.

[0015] The motorcycle 1 is constituted by at least one headlight 12 attached to the front part 2 and at least one taillight 14 attached to the tail part 4. In a situation where the steering handlebar 22 does not rotate, that is, in a situation where both the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 7 are aligned along the longitudinal axis L-L, the headlight 12 emits a light beam mainly directed along the longitudinal axis L-L, particularly illuminating a part of the space located in front of the motorcycle 1.

[0016] The motorcycle 1 further comprises, for example, a key switch 100 adapted and configured such that the driver of the motorcycle 1 can control the headlight 12. For example, the key switch 100 is attached to the steering handlebar 22 of the motorcycle 1.

[0017] According to a possible embodiment, the key switch 100 enables the driver of the motorcycle 1 to selectively control the headlight 12 to emit a low beam, a high beam, or a high beam that blinks during the emission of the low beam.

[0018] Hereinafter, without touching on the limitations of the possibilities of implementing different embodiments, the above-described embodiments will be described. Even in a simpler embodiment, for example, the above-described key switch 100 is a switch for starting the motorcycle 1 and has one stable position and one unstable position. Or, the above-described key switch has two stable operating positions, and the driver of the motorcycle 1 can selectively control the headlight 2 to emit a low light beam or a high light beam.

[0019] The key switch 100 includes a support base 101, a key 102 that is manually operable to move between at least a first operating position and a second operating position spaced apart from the support base 101 to establish or interrupt at least one electrical connection, and a leaf spring member 103 operatively interposed between the support base 101 and the key 102.

[0020] The first operating position of the key 102 is a stable operating position where the leaf spring member 103 is deformed between the key 102 and the support base 101 so as to take a first curved shape. For example, the first operating position is shown in FIG. 3, and the second operating position is shown in FIG. 4. For example, in the first operating position, the key switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit a low light beam.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 is interposed and sandwiched between the key 102 and the support base 101, so it is deformed between the key 102 and the support base 101. This preferably occurs at both the first and second operating positions of the key 102.

[0022] The support base 101 is made of, for example, an electrical insulating material, such as a rigid plastic, such as PA (polyamide). Conveniently, the key 102 is made of an electrical insulating material, such as a rigid plastic, such as PA (polyamide).

[0023] The support base 101 is, for example, the bottom wall 104 of the casing 110 of the switch 100, where the key 102 is held so that when the key 102 is a rocking key, it rotates relative to the support base 101 about the rotation axis a1, and when the key 102 is a slide key, it slides parallel to the latter relative to the support base 101.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 is a leaf spring made of a metallic material, such as harmonic steel.

[0025] In the embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawings, the leaf spring member 103 is formed by a single plate. According to an alternative embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 may be composed of two or more plates arranged side by side so as to form an arrangement of two or more plates according to the pattern of a so-called laminated spring.

[0026] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 has a plate-like shape in the absence of an external stress, i.e., it is a planar plate. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 may also have a curved shape in the absence of an external stress. That is, such an element may be a plate that is originally bent even before being interposed between the support base 101 and the key 102 during the assembly step of the switch 1. The latter embodiment has the advantage that different operating forces are required to move the key in opposite directions (e.g., rotate or slide) with respect to the operating force required to move the key. The leaf spring member 103 may have a rectangular shape or a different shape, such as an hourglass shape with a narrow middle portion to improve contact with the base 101 and the key 102 and to reduce the operating force by increasing the width of both end portions 103a, 103b.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, the leaf spring member 103 extends between a first end portion 103a and a second end portion 103b, and the first end portion 103a is in contact with the key 102. The second end portion 103b is preferably directly resting on the support 101. For example, if the switch 100 consists of a casing 110 of an open box-shaped body consisting of a bottom wall 104 defining the support 101, a side wall 105, and an upper opening closed by the key 102, the second end portion 103b of the leaf spring member 103 may be provided so as to rest on the bottom wall 104 of the casing 110. According to an advantageous embodiment, the first end portion 103a and / or the second end portion 103b of the leaf spring member 103 are curved or folded or rounded end portions, or end portions engaged with a safety element of a rounded tip, for example, a safety cap of a rounded tip (not shown in the figure). This advantageous method makes it possible to limit or avoid wear in the region of the key 102 and / or the support 101 in contact with the first and / or second end portions 103a, 103b of the leaf spring member 103. Thereby, furthermore, the movement of the key 102 can be made smoother.

[0028] By interposing each end 103a, 103b of the leaf spring member 103 in direct contact with the key 102 and the support 101, respectively, a structural simplification and high functionality of the key switch 100 can be obtained.

[0029] In fact, the leaf spring member 103 deforms between a first position and a second position pushed by the direct action of the movement of the key 102. When the key 102 moves, the leaves 103 deform without there being intermediate elements that switch their positions. Thus, the movement of the key 102 causes a direct deformation of the leaf spring member 103 and a relative switching between two stable configurations.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, the key 102 forms respective recesses 113a adapted to receive and hold the first end portion 103a, and / or the support base 101 forms respective recesses 113b adapted to receive and hold the second end portion 103b. Thereby, correct positioning of the leaf spring member 103 between the support base 101 and the key 102 can be ensured. Advantageously, the recesses 113a and / or 113b may be shaped and sized such that the respective end portions 103a and 103b engage within such recesses but are free to move therein.

[0031] In the specific example depicted in FIGS. 2 to 6, the recess 113a defined in the key 102 has a trapezoidal cross-section. Further, the recess 113b defined in the support base 101 has a triangular cross-section. However, it should be noted that recesses of shapes different from those specifically described herein and shown in the drawings may also be provided, and the shapes of the recesses may be reversed. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the recess 113a defined in the key 102 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0032] Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a first embodiment of the switch 100 will be described. In this embodiment, the switch is a rocking key switch, that is, the switch 100 is composed of a rocking key 102 adapted to be rotated about a rotation axis a1.

[0033] For ergonomic reasons, the rocking key 102 here is preferably a sawtooth key.

[0034] The first operating position of the rocking key 102 is shown in FIG. 3, which is a stable operating position. According to a possible embodiment, the second operating position of the rocking key 102 is also a stable operating position. In the second stable operating position, the leaf spring member 103 is deformed between the support base 101 and the rocking key 102 to take a second curved shape. For example, the second operating position of the rocking key 102 and the second curved shape of the leaf spring member 103 are shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] For example, at the second stable operating position of the rocking key 102, the key switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit a high beam.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, when the second operating position of the rocking key 102 is a stable operating position, the leaf spring member 103 curves in a first direction at the first operating position (FIG. 3), and the leaf spring member 103 curves in a second direction opposite to the first direction at the second operating position (FIG. 4). For this to occur, referring to FIG. 6, during the passage between the first and second operating positions of the rocking key 102 and vice versa, the leaf spring member 103 assumes a transient and unstable configuration in which it curves in two opposite directions, for example in a wave shape.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the rocking key 102 of the switch 100 is adapted to rotate to take a third operating position that is angularly displaced from the first operating position (FIG. 3) and the second operating position (FIG. 4), for example as depicted in FIG. 5. This third operating position is an unstable operating position. Here, preferably, the first operating position is an intermediate position between the second operating position and the third operating position, such that when the manual pressure acting on the rocking key 102 is released starting from the third operating position (FIG. 5), the leaf spring member 103 is such as to pull the rotary key 102 back to the first operating position (FIG. 3). For example, at the third unstable operating position, the key switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit both a high beam and a low beam to generate a passing light signal.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the key 102 switch 100 is composed of at least one stop member 106 adapted to bias against the leaf spring member 103 when passing from the first operating position (FIG. 3) to the third operating position (FIG. 5) and to limit the deformation of the leaf spring member 103. By limiting the maximum deformation of the leaf spring member 103 in the unstable operating position of the rocking key 103, advantageously, the rocking key 102 returns towards the first stable operating position with excessive acceleration and / or speed, thereby avoiding the rocking key 102 passing through the first operating position, and thus avoiding undesirable vibrations. In a specific non-limiting embodiment in the figures, the aforementioned stop member 106 is an inclined abutment wall integrated with or attached to the support base 101.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the switch is composed of end-of-stroke elements 112, 122, 121, 111. Such elements may be adapted and configured to establish one or more stable positions of the rocking key 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the stroke-end elements 112 and 122 can stop the rotation of the rocking key 102 at the second stable operating position, and are composed of abutting surfaces provided on the rocking key 102 and the casing 110 respectively and adapted to contact each other at the second stable operating position. Further, the aforementioned stroke-end elements 112, 122, 121, 111 can also be adapted and configured to establish an unstable operating position of the rocking key 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the stroke-end elements 112 and 122 can stop the rotation of the rocking key 102 at the third unstable operating position, and are composed of abutting surfaces provided on the rocking key 102 and the casing 110 respectively and adapted to contact each other at the unstable operating position.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the key switch 100 is composed of at least one conductive movable bridge 130, 131 attached to the rocking key 102 so as to move together with the rocking key 102. The switch 100 further includes at least two fixed contact members n1, n2, p1, p2 adapted to be electrically connected and disconnected from each other by the movable bridges 130, 131 according to the position taken by the rocking key 102.

[0041] In the specific embodiment depicted, without introducing any limitations, the switch is composed of two movable bridges 130, 131 and four fixed contact members n1, p1, n2, p2. The fixed contact members n1, n2 are connected, for example, to the negative electrode of a battery mounted on the motorcycle 1. Also, the fixed contact members p1, p2 are connected to a light source emitting a low beam and a light source emitting a high beam, respectively.

[0042] In the configuration of FIG. 3, the movable bridge 130 is adapted to electrically connect the fixed contact members n1, p1 to each other. In this configuration, the key switch 100 controls the front light unit 12 to emit a low beam. In this configuration, the movable bridge 131 does not electrically connect the fixed contact members n2, p2.

[0043] In the configuration of FIG. 4, the movable bridge 130 is such that it electrically connects the fixed contact members n1, p2 to each other. In this configuration, the key switch 100 controls the front light unit 12 to emit a high beam. In this configuration, the movable bridge 131 also does not electrically connect the fixed contact members n2, p2.

[0044] In the configuration of FIG. 5, the movable bridge 130 is adapted to electrically connect the fixed contact members n1 and p1 to each other. Thus, the key switch 100 is adapted to control the front light unit 12 to emit light with a low beam. Further, in this configuration, the movable bridge 131 electrically connects the fixed contact members n2 and p2. Thus, since the key switch 100 controls the front light unit 12, a high beam is also emitted.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment, the two movable bridges 130, 131 are two metal bridges separated from each other and are attached to a common electrically insulated support wall integrated with or attached to the rocking key 102.

[0046] Although a specific configuration of the fixed contact elements and the movable bridges has been described, it is also noted that various other configurations are possible depending on the number of operating positions that the rocking key 102 can take in relation to the functionality to be performed by the switch 100. For example, if the rocking key 102 can take two operating positions alone (e.g., two stable operating positions, or one unstable operating position and one stable operating position), one of the two movable bridges 130, 131 alone and two fixed contact members alone may be provided. Here too, in relation to the configuration of the contact members and the movable bridges, the content of the two patent publications IN201611029890 and IN0925 / DEL / 2011 described above should be intended to be fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a modified embodiment of the switch 100 is shown. In this case, the key 102 is not a rocking key but a slide key. In other words, the key 102 here is adapted and configured to slide parallel to the support base 101, that is, without changing the distance between the support base 101 and the key 102. Thus, the various operating movements of the key 102 are in linearly spaced positions rather than angularly spaced positions.

[0048] The description of the features of the rocking key switch 100 made with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 applies mutatis mutandis to the switch of FIGS. 7 to 8, except for the only substantial difference in this last case that the key 102 is a key that slides along the slide direction d1.

[0049] For example, in FIG. 7, the key 102 drawn in solid line depicts the key at the first stable operating position p1, corresponding to the position in FIG. 3 for example, where the switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit a low beam. The key 102 drawn in dotted line in FIGS. 7 and 8 depicts the key at the second stable operating position p2, corresponding to the position in FIG. 4 for example, where the switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit a low beam. The key 102 drawn in solid line in FIG. 8 represents the key at the third unstable operating position p3, corresponding to the position in FIG. 5 for example, where the key switch 100 controls the headlight 12 to emit both a high beam and a low beam to create a passing optical signal.

[0050] Also, for example, additional switches of the above-described type, such as the key switch 200 where the key can take a stable operating position and an unstable operating position, may be mounted on the motorcycle 1. In this switch 200, it should be noted that the electric circuit can be closed to turn on the traction engine 8 of the motorcycle 1 in the unstable operating position, and in this switch 200, such a circuit can be opened in the stable operating position.

[0051] According to what has been described above, therefore, with reference to the known background art, it will be understood how the key switch of the above-described type makes it possible to achieve the above-described objectives.

[0052] In fact, by providing the leaf spring member, it is possible to advantageously solve the problems of jamming that affect the switch described above with reference to known techniques and the lack of smooth movement. Further, the assembly operation of the switch is easier, and a reduction in terms of the number of components to be assembled may also be obtained.

[0053] Except for the principles of the present invention, the embodiments and details of the embodiments are described and disclosed as non-limiting examples, but can be widely varied without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support base (101), A key (102) that is manually operable to be moved relative to the support base (101) between at least a first operating position and a second operating position remote from the first position to establish or break at least one electrical connection, A leaf spring member (103) interposed between the support base (101) and the key (102), The first operating position is a stable operating position of the key (102), and in the stable operating position, the leaf spring member (103) is deformed between the key (102) and the support base (101) so as to take a first curved shape, The second operating position is a stable operating position of the key (102), and in the stable second operating position, the leaf spring member (103) is deformed between the support base (101) and the key (102) so as to take a second curved shape, The leaf spring member (103) extends between a first end portion (103a) and a second end portion (103b), the first end portion (103a) contacting the key (102), The second end portion (103b) is directly seated on the support base (101), The key (102) is configured to move to take a third operating position spaced apart from the first operating position and the second operating position, The third operating position is an unstable operating position, The first operating position is an intermediate position between the second operating position and the third operating position, whereby, starting from the third operating position, when the manual pressure acting on the key (102) is released, the leaf spring member (103) pulls the key (102) back to the first operating position, a key switch (100).

2. The key switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the key (102) is a rocking key configured to rotate relative to the support base (101) about a rotation axis (a1).

3. The key switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the key (102) is a sliding key configured to translate relative to the support base (101) along a sliding direction (d1).

4. The key switch (100) has a casing (110), The casing (110) has a bottom wall (104), side walls (105), and an upper opening that define the support base (101) so as to define an open box-like body, the upper opening is closed by the key (102), the key switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second end portion (103b) is placed on the bottom wall (104).

5. the key switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first end portion (103a) and / or the second end portion (103b) is a curved or folded or rounded end portion

6. the key (102) includes a recess (113a) configured to accommodate and hold the first end portion (103a), and / or the key switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support base (101) includes a recess (113b) configured to accommodate and hold the second end portion (103b).

7. The key switch (100) according to claim 1, comprising at least one stop member (106) configured to contact the leaf spring member (103) and limit deformation of the leaf spring member (103) when passing from the first operating position to the third operating position.

8. The key switch (100) according to claim 1, comprising at least one conductive movable bridge (130, 131) attached to the key (102) so as to be moved together with the key (102), the key (100) further comprising at least two fixed contact members (n1, n2, p1, p2) configured to be electrically connected and disconnected from each other by the movable bridge (130, 131) based on the position taken by the key (102) by the key (102).

9. A saddle-riding type vehicle (1) including at least one key switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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