Pressure piece for an actuator of an electrical switching device, actuator having a pressure piece, and switching device having an actuator

Abstract

A pressure piece (26) for an actuator of an electrical switching device comprising a square housing element, which has a matrix display (2) on a front side of the pressure piece (26), via which the pressure piece (26) is manually actuatable by an operating person for actuation of the actuator and which is visible in an installed state of the pressure piece (26) and the actuator, wherein at least one semiconductor chip for activation for the display (2) is directly electrically contact-connected to a so-called flextail to write information to the display (2), wherein the flextail is contact-connected to electrical connection contacts of columns and / or rows of the matrix display (2) in order to establish an electrical connection between the columns and / or rows of the matrix display (2) and the at least one semiconductor chip, and wherein the flextail is bent around with the semiconductor chip onto a rear side of the matrix display (2), the rear side being located opposite the front side of the pressure piece.

Description

[0001] "Pressure piece for an actuator of an electrical

[0002] Switching device, actuator with a pressure piece and

[0003] Switching device with one actuator"

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The invention relates to a pressure piece for an actuator of an electrical switching device comprising a square housing element which has a matrix display on a front side of the pressure piece.

[0006] Push buttons with a matrix display are already well-known on the market as display switches based on OLEDs. Rectangular displays are used. These buttons have the advantage that individual information can be written onto the push button, depending on the desired application.

[0007] Tasks Advantages of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a pressure piece for an actuator of an electrical switching device, such as a button or an electrical switch, which pressure piece allows comparatively greater flexibility with regard to its design. The invention is based on a pressure piece for an actuator of an electrical switching device, which pressure piece comprises a square housing element which has a matrix display on a front side of the pressure piece, via which front side the pressure piece can be manually actuated by an operator to actuate the actuator and which front side is visible from the outside when the pressure piece and the actuator are installed. Actuation is conceivable directly via the matrix display front side on the surface of the display or via a protective layer which is arranged above the display. This can, for example, be firmly connected to the display surface or merely lie in contact with it.A protective layer can be elastically flexible or pliable, for example, in the form of a pliable film. The protective layers should be sufficiently transparent so that the underlying display is visible to an operator from the outside. The matrix display is, for example, embedded or inserted into the housing element at a square opening.

[0009] The core of the invention lies in the fact that at least one semiconductor chip for controlling the display for writing information into the display is directly electrically contacted, in particular bonded, to a so-called flex part. A flextail is a flexible printed circuit board on which connection contacts are provided, in particular for connecting the semiconductor chip, in particular matching the intended contact pattern of the connection contacts of the semiconductor chip(s), with which, for example, a semiconductor chip can be bonded directly to the flexible printed circuit board, i.e. the flextail. In addition, the flextail is contacted with electrical connection contacts of columns and / or rows of the matrix display in order to create an electrical connection between the columns and / or rows of the matrix display and the at least one semiconductor chip.For this purpose, the flextail preferably has corresponding connection points for the connection contacts and corresponding conductor tracks leading to these connection points. Furthermore, the flextail with the semiconductor chip is bent onto the back of the display, which is opposite the front of the printed circuit board, i.e., the visible side of the matrix display.

[0010] The matrix display preferably has columns and rows, the intersection points of which define pixels of the matrix display. By contacting the at least one semiconductor chip directly on the flexible circuit board, which is preferably also designed to electrically contact all columns and rows of the matrix display, it is possible to design the matrix display in a space-saving manner at all edges, and in particular at the edge where the flexible circuit board, i.e. the flextail, for example, contacts a front side of the matrix display and is bent over onto the back of the matrix display, i.e. without a significant addition of installation space, which would be necessary, for example, for chip placement on the front side of the display. This opens up a comparatively high degree of flexibility with regard to the design of the matrix display, since in particular no significant edge enlargements are required when

[0011] Shaping must be taken into account.

[0012] The matrix display is covered, for example, with a scratch-resistant surface, for example a so-called "Gorilla Glass". The matrix display is preferably located directly behind such a scratch-resistant surface. It is further preferred that the matrix display is a bistable display with, for example, two switching states, which are retained in particular even when there is no power. In these states, the display is preferably translucent or opaque, or reflective or non-reflective in reflective operation.

[0013] With such a bistable matrix display, the energy required to display information can be minimized; in the best case, the information written to the display remains stable even after the power supply is removed. For example, updating the information through a write process is only necessary at very long intervals.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the front side of the printing piece is exactly square.

[0015] In particular, the arrangement of the at least one semiconductor chip on the flextail makes it possible to create a precisely square front side of the printed part. One challenge is that the at least one semiconductor chip must be bonded very precisely to the flextail, since contact pitches must be maintained, for example, with contact widths of approximately 25 μm and contact spacings of approximately 13 μm. The at least one control chip has dimensions of approximately 20 mm x 6.5 mm, for example.

[0016] The semiconductor chip is preferably encapsulated with the flextail. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the matrix display is exactly square.

[0017] For an appealing design, it is desirable to design not only the pressure piece, but also the matrix display itself, with a perfectly square shape. This allows such a pressure piece for an actuator to fit into common series with the same design language, for example, with a square outer shape, which significantly increases the acceptance of such pressure pieces for actuators, for example, in control units, such as control panels with numerous control devices, such as push buttons.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an active area of ​​the matrix display is exactly square.

[0019] Particularly in a perfectly square matrix display, a perfectly square active area of ​​the display creates a very high-quality design. This is because the border surrounding the active area is then preferably the same width throughout.

[0020] In addition, it is advantageous if the area of ​​the front of the matrix display is smaller than 30 x 30 mm, 29 x 29 mm, 28 x 28 mm, 27 x 27 mm, 26 x 26 mm or 25 x 25 mm.

[0021] In this way, such a pressure piece equipped in this way becomes attractive for many types of actuators, since the dimensions can be integrated into other types of actuators.

[0022] In particular, it is preferred if the active area of ​​the matrix display is smaller than 20 x 20 mm, 19 x 19 mm, 18 x 18 mm, 17 x 17 mm, 16 x 16 mm or 15 x 15 mm.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the matrix display is equipped with more than 50 x 50 pixels. Preferably, the matrix display has more than 60 x 60, 70 x 70, 80 x 80, or 90 x 90 pixels.

[0024] With this minimum number of pixels, a wide range of information can be displayed on the printed piece in the desired resolution and level of detail on the matrix display for an operator.

[0025] It is also preferred that the flextail with the at least one semiconductor chip comprises connecting lines to the outside.

[0026] With the help of at least one semiconductor chip, in particular a desired piece of information is written onto the matrix display. Via the connecting lines, it is preferably possible to "address" the at least one semiconductor chip, e.g. to program it, so that it writes a desired piece of information, which can possibly be specified via the connecting lines, onto the matrix display. Thus, the possibility of access via the connecting lines for a configuration of the information on the matrix display provides a high

[0027] Flexibility provided .

[0028] For example, the connecting lines are an integrated, i.e. in particular a one-piece, component of the flextail. For example, the connecting lines are designed as a connecting lug that is a few millimeters wide and is variable in length, for example, several centimeters. For example, there are three to ten connecting line tracks on a connecting lug in order to, for example, “program” the semiconductor chip and / or to be able to write the desired information to the matrix display via the semiconductor chip. The connecting line tracks preferably comprise a power supply for the at least one semiconductor chip and, if appropriate, a power supply for illuminating the matrix display, for example a backlight. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure piece has a hollow plunger through which connecting lines for controlling the at least one semiconductor chip are guided.

[0029] This measure makes it possible to route connecting lines to the outside in a defined and space-saving manner, in particular through a complete actuator and, if necessary, further through a switching device connected to the actuator to an electronic unit with which the at least one semiconductor chip can be controlled.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a multi-pole electrical female or male plug connection element of an electrical plug connection is attached directly to the flextail in order to enable contacting of the at least one semiconductor chip.

[0031] The connector element may comprise a "male" plug with protruding pins or a "female" socket with recesses for the electrical contacts.

[0032] The plug connection element is preferably connected to connecting lines for the at least one semiconductor chip.

[0033] Preferably, the flextail is led outwards, for example as a connection lug with an electrical plug connection element attached thereto, so that contact with a matching complementary plug connection element can be easily achieved.

[0034] The electrical connector element mounted on the flextail can be used, for example, to provide a power supply for the at least one semiconductor chip and, if necessary, a power supply for the illumination of the matrix display. Data lines for accessing the at least one semiconductor chip are preferably another component on the electrical connector element.

[0035] The electrical connector element is bonded to the flextail, for example. The electrical connector element preferably extends from the flextail by no more than 2 mm, 1.5 mm, or 1 mm in terms of surface area. The connector element is designed, for example, as a micro plug or a micro socket. The lateral extension of the connector element in the surface area is preferably 5-10 mm in the longitudinal direction, in particular of the flextail, and 2-5 mm in the transverse direction.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the matrix display is based on a ZBD technology.

[0037] ZBD stands for Zenithal Bistable Device, i.e. a device with two stable high points. These are liquid crystals that can basically be used in all matrix displays. They particularly enable two switching points which advantageously remain in this state once the information has been written into a display, for example, even when an external control voltage is no longer present. This opens up the option of writing information onto the matrix display once, for example via at least one semiconductor chip, and this information remains as information on the matrix display even after the supply voltage is removed. The matrix display therefore works as a light valve, for example, with two switching points, namely transmissive and non-transmissive or, in the reflective case, reflective or non-reflective.In particular, in conjunction with a backlight, which radiates light outward at the transparent pixels in the transparent case and blocks light in the non-transparent case, a clearly legible matrix display can be realized. Another essential aspect of the invention relates to an actuator with a pressure piece according to the invention, wherein the pressure piece is located in an actuator housing.

[0038] Preferably, the actuator housing, like the matrix display, is exactly square. The pressure piece is in particular guided so as to be displaceable in the actuator housing, for example in the direction of a plunger which, for example, projects perpendicular to a front plane of the pressure piece on an opposite side of the pressure piece. By displacing the pressure piece in the actuator housing, a contact action is advantageously triggered, i.e. in particular when the front side of the pressure piece is manually actuated by an operator, whereby a relative movement of the pressure piece to the actuator housing occurs and thus in particular a switching element is actuated which, for example, adjoins the actuator housing and is connected to it. In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuator, connecting lines of the flextail are guided outwards through the actuator in the pressure piece.

[0039] Preferably, different switching devices can be attached to an actuator, thus enabling modular technology to be implemented. It is particularly advantageous if the connecting cables are also routed through any switching device. This makes it easy to access the matrix display and its content from the outside by simply contacting the connecting cables. For example, from a circuit board to which the switching device is also electrically connected. Accordingly, the invention also relates to a switching device with an actuator according to the invention and a switching device that is connected to the actuator.

[0040] Character description

[0041] Several embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, giving further details and advantages.

[0042] It shows :

[0043] Figure la : a matrix display according to the invention in a

[0044] Top view,

[0045] Figure 1b : the matrix display according to Figure la in a side view,

[0046] Figure 1c : the matrix display according to Figure la in a bottom view,

[0047] Figure 2a : a printed piece with matrix display in a top view,

[0048] Figure 2b : a printed piece with matrix display in a sectioned side view along the section line AA in Figure 2a, Figure 2c : the matrix display with printed piece according to Figure 2a in a side view,

[0049] Figure 3a : a housing element for a pressure piece in a

[0050] Top view,

[0051] Figure 3b : the pressure piece in a sectional side view along the section line AA in Figure 3a,

[0052] Figure 3c : the housing element according to Figures 3a and 3b in an isometric view,

[0053] Figure 4a : a complete switching device with an actuator and a switching device in a perspective view obliquely from above and

[0054] Figure 4b: the switching device according to Figure 4a in a side view.

[0055] Figure 5a: another embodiment of a switching device with an actuator in a perspective view obliquely from above and Figure 5b: the switching device according to Figure 5a in a

[0056] Side view .

[0057] Figures 1a to 1c show a matrix display unit 1 which preferably comprises a matrix display 2, a protective glass 3 or a similar protective layer.

[0058] The matrix display 2 is preferably contacted with a so-called flextail 4 of a flexible printed circuit board. For this purpose, the flextail 4 is contacted to the display 2 on a display plane 5 and bent around an edge of the display 2 onto a back side 6 of the matrix display 2.

[0059] The Flextail 4, for example, has a connection lug 7 with connection contacts 8, for example connection contacts No. 1 - 15.

[0060] The flextail 4 is, for example, multi-part, for example, two-part with a first bent section 9 and a further second section 10, which are connected to one another at a contact area 11. The contact area has, for example, contact points Nos. 1 - 27. In the first section 9, for example, an area 12 is provided, which is shown in dashed lines, for contacting electrical components, for example a semiconductor chip.

[0061] In the second section 10, the possible area for electronic components 13 is schematically represented as a bordered box, in this case with two cutouts, one of which is in the area of ​​the connection tab 7. A hatched rectangle represents an area 14 that is covered, for example, with a polyamide film to protect the underlying structures, for example, with a Kapton adhesive film. The Kapton adhesive film covers, for example, the area 13 and / or the contact area 11.

[0062] In the component areas 11 and 13, various electronic components, for example semiconductor chips, can be accommodated, in particular bonded directly to the Flextail 4.

[0063] Electrical components which are electrically contacted on the flextail 4, for example in the areas 12 and 13 which have conductor tracks, preferably serve to control the matrix display 2, in particular an active matrix display area 15.

[0064] The active area 15 has, for example, 72 x 72 pixels and is preferably exactly square, as is a frame 16 surrounding the active area 15. The frame 16 is preferably opaque, i.e., impermeable to light. The protective glass 3, which, for example, surrounds or covers the frame 16, is located on the matrix display 2.

[0065] Thus, the matrix display unit is exactly square in plan and bottom view, apart from a tab 17 for removing a protective film and the connection lug 7. In the side view Fig. 1b, the component area 13 is illustrated with a schematically drawn height 18, which represents a possible installation height of electronic components, in particular

[0066] Semiconductor chips are reflected here as an example.

[0067] The matrix display unit 1 is preferably installed in a housing element 19, as shown in Figures 2a to 2c. A possible embodiment of such a housing element 19 is shown in Figures 3a to 3b.

[0068] The housing element 19 has a preferably exactly square receiving box 20 with a bottom 21 and side walls 22 (see in particular Figure 3c).

[0069] The base 21 is adjoined by a sleeve 23, which is particularly visible in the sectional view according to Fig. 3b.

[0070] The sleeve 23 has, for example, a mounting section 24. A connection to an electronic switching device 27 (see Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b) is possible via the mounting section 24. The matrix display unit 1, inserted into the housing element 19, preferably forms a longitudinally movable pressure piece 26 in an actuator 28, which is connected to the electronic switching device 27 and in which a switching action in the electrical switching device 27 can be brought about by a movement of the pressure piece 26 of the actuator 28.

[0071] Figures 2a to 2c show the state of the matrix display unit 1 when installed in the housing 19, wherein it can be seen that the connection lug 7 passes through the sleeve 23 and preferably leaves the sleeve 23 or the mounting section 24 at the open end 25 of the mounting section 24 and projects there. The projection can be several centimeters depending on the desired application. Accordingly, it is possible for the connection lug 7 with connection contacts 8 to also pass through the switching device 27, for example, after the matrix display unit 1 has been installed with the housing element 19 in an actuator 28 and connected to an electrical switching device 27, in order to be contacted, for example, on an electronics board (not shown) downstream of the switching device, with the option of writing to or controlling the matrix display 2 via an electronics unit.If the matrix display 2 is, for example, a bistable display, a single write operation is preferably sufficient to write information, for example a symbol, into the matrix display 2, after which this information is preferably retained even if no further write signals are present.

[0072] As can be seen from Figure 2b, the protective glass 3 preferably projects beyond the matrix display 2 at the lateral edges, so that the protective glass sits on the respective upper edge of the side walls 22 of the housing element 19 when the matrix display unit 1 is pushed into the housing element 19. For this purpose, the connection lug 7 is preferably bent around the component region 13, then preferably runs along the rear of the matrix display 2 to the center of the housing element 19, so that after a further bend the connection lug 7 passes through the sleeve 23 and can leave this in particular at its open end 25. The protective glass 3 is preferably glued to the upper edge of the side walls 22 in the projecting areas, for example, and advantageously ends flush with the respective outer side of the side walls 22.This advantageously creates a compact pressure piece 26 consisting of the matrix display unit 1 and the housing element 19, in which the matrix display 2 is arranged, which preferably comprises a plunger unit. Installed in an actuator 28, this plunger unit preferably performs a switching movement.

[0073] The flextail 4 with connection tab 7 can also be formed as a single piece. A different bending line of the flextail 4 on the back of the matrix display 2 is also conceivable.

[0074] Figures 4a and 4b show a switching device 29 which comprises an actuator 28 with a pressure piece 26 and a switching device 27 connected to it. A matrix display 2, over which, for example, a protective glass 3 is placed and thus forms a matrix display unit 1, is advantageously controlled via a connection lug 7 with connection contacts 8. The connection lug 7 of a flextail 4 runs through the actuator 28 and the switching device 27 and can project beyond the switching device 27 at the lower end, just like further connection contacts 30 (shown in dashed lines in Figures 4a and 4b). The actuator 28 is preferably connected to a switching device 27 via a thread 31.

[0075] The actuator 28 preferably has a circumferential groove 33 for

[0076] Accommodates a mounting plate in which the switching device can be mounted in, for example, a square opening. The terminal lug 7 of the switching device 29 according to Figures 4a and 4b can be connected to an electronics unit, for example, via its contacts 8. For example, the switching device 27 with the contacts 30 is located on an electronics board (not shown), and a mechanical connection to the electronics board is established, for example, via a locking bolt 32 or several locking bolts 32 provided on the switching device.

[0077] The one or more locking bolts 32 are provided, for example, with an engagement slot 33 (see in particular Figure 4a) to allow engagement via a screwdriver and to rotate the locking bolt 32 so that a locking of the switching device 27 can be established with respect to the thread 31 of the actuator 28.

[0078] Figures 5a and 5b show a further exemplary embodiment of a complete switching device 34 corresponding to Figures 4a and 4b. Accordingly, the technical features of the switching device 34 largely agree with the switching device 29. However, there are also differences. The switching device 34 in Figures 5a and 5b is equipped with a somewhat wider groove 35, which allows, for example, installation in a control panel (not shown) with increased thickness. Like the switching device 29, the switching device 34 also has a connection lug 36 which projects beyond the lower end of the switching apparatus 27. In the embodiment according to Figures 5a and 5b, the connection lug 36 projects, for example, several centimeters.The connection lug is preferably the protruding end of the flextail 4, which comprises a multi-pin plug 37, which is attached directly to the flexible connection lug 36 of the flextail 4 in order to contact connection lines for a semiconductor chip, which is arranged, for example, in the rear area of ​​the matrix display 2.

[0079] Instead of a plug, a multi-pin socket can also be used.

[0080] The multi-pin plug or the multi-pin socket is preferably directly contacted, for example bonded, to the connection lug 36.

[0081] This measure makes it possible to electrically connect the switching device 34 with respect to the matrix display unit, so to speak, with one hand, to another unit with the matching counterpart to the plug 37 or a possible socket.

[0082] Reference symbol list

[0083] 1 matrix display unit 31 threads

[0084] 2 matrix displays 32 locking bolts

[0085] 3 protective glass 33 groove

[0086] 4 Flextail 34 switching device

[0087] 5 Display level 35 groove

[0088] 6 Rear 36 Connection flag

[0089] 7 connection flag 37 plug

[0090] 8 connection contacts

[0091] 9 first section

[0092] 10 second section

[0093] 11 Contact area

[0094] 12 Component area

[0095] 13 Component area

[0096] 14 Area

[0097] 15 active matrix display area

[0098] 16 frames

[0099] 17 tab

[0100] 18 height

[0101] 19 Housing element

[0102] 20 recording box

[0103] 21 Floor

[0104] 22 side wall

[0105] 23 sleeve

[0106] 24 Assembly section

[0107] 25 of fenes end

[0108] 26 Pressure piece

[0109] 27 Switchgear

[0110] 28 actuators

[0111] 29 Switching device

[0112] 30 connection contacts

Claims

Claims 1. A pressure piece (26) for an actuator of an electrical switching device, comprising a square housing element (19) having a matrix display (2) on a front side of the pressure piece (26), via which the pressure piece (26) can be manually actuated by an operator to actuate the actuator and which is visible when the pressure piece (26) and the actuator are installed, characterized in that at least one semiconductor chip for controlling the display (2) for writing information into the display (2) is directly electrically contacted to a so-called flextail (4), wherein the flextail (4) is contacted with electrical connection contacts of columns and / or rows of the matrix display (2) in order to establish an electrical connection of the columns and / or rows of the matrix display (2) to the at least one semiconductor chip, and wherein the flextail (4) with the semiconductor chip is bent over onto a rear side of the matrix display (2).which is opposite the front of the pressure piece.

2. Pressure piece according to claim 1, characterized in that the Front side of the pressure piece (26) is exactly square.

3. Printing piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the matrix display (2) is exactly square.

4. Pressure piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an active surface (15) of the matrix display (2) is exactly square.

5. Printing piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an area of ​​the front side of the matrix display (2) is smaller than 30 x 30 mm.

6. Printing piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix display (2) has more than 50 x 50 pixels.

7. Pressure piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flextail (4) with the at least one semiconductor chip comprises connecting lines (7) to the outside.

8. Pressure piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure piece (26) has a hollow plunger (24) through which connecting lines (7) for the at least one semiconductor chip are guided.

9. Pressure piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a multi-pole electrical female or male plug connection element of an electrical plug connection is mounted directly on the flextail, via which contacting of the at least one semiconductor chip is possible.

10. Printing piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix display (2) is based on a ZBD technology.

11. Actuator with a pressure piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure piece (26) is seated in an actuator housing.

12. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that connecting lines (7) of the flextail (4) are guided outwards through the actuator in the pressure piece (26).

13. Switching device with a switching apparatus and a Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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