Push button

Abstract

The present invention proposes a push button comprising a housing, a button which moves longitudinally in the housing, an electrical contact box intended to provide electrical transmission, a tilt plate in contact with micro-push buttons intended to transmit the pressing of the button to the micro-push buttons for electrical transmission to the electrical terminals and a push mechanism. The push mechanism additionally comprises a ring, a rotary inner sleeve supported on the button, a push pin fixed to the inner sleeve, a contact rod partially inserted into the push pin, an outer sleeve fixed to the housing and in which the inner sleeve moves longitudinally, a first spring between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, a second spring between the plate and the ring, and a third spring between the push pin and the contact rod.

Description

[0001] PUSH BUTTON

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention belongs to the field of compact push buttons with latching or momentary operation. The push button object of this invention can be manufactured without the need for injection moulds, which facilitates the use of various materials and allows for extensive customisation of the push button function.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Push buttons are essential components in a wide range of applications, from industrial machinery and consumer electronics to military and aviation systems. These push buttons serve as vital interface elements, allowing users to control and operate various devices and systems with a simple pressing action.

[0007] Traditionally, push buttons have based on mechanical elements such as springs, latches or straps to achieve their functionality. These conventional push buttons, while effective, often face limitations in terms of size, reliability and adaptability to modern lighting technologies and advanced compatibility requirements. Furthermore, traditional manufacturing methods, particularly those involving injection moulds, may restrict the use of various materials and limit customisation options.

[0008] Recent advances have led to the development of compact push buttons that address some of these limitations. These state-of-the-art push buttons are designed to maintain or improve functionality by meeting a number of regulatory requirements. Innovations in materials and manufacturing techniques have enabled the creation of smaller and more robust push button mechanisms that can withstand rigorous conditions of use.

[0009] Modern push buttons are available in various configurations, including latching (where the button remains in the pressed position until pressed again) and momentary (where the button returns to its original position after being pressed), which meet various application needs. These designs, however, still often lack flexibility in customisation and material use due to conventional manufacturing limitations. In addition to improvements in size and reliability, contemporary push buttons often integrate advanced lighting technologies, such as LEDs and incandescent lights. Furthermore, certain push button switch designs are compatible with night vision imaging system (NVIS) technologies, making them suitable for military and aerospace applications where visibility in low light conditions is crucial.

[0010] Despite these advances, existing push button switches generally do not offer extensive customisation options in terms of size, force, distance of travel and latched positions. Therefore, there is still a need for a push button with extensive customisation options and improved reliability.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention proposes a push button comprising a housing, a button which moves longitudinally in the housing, an electrical contact box intended to provide electrical transmission, a tilt plate in contact with micro-push buttons of the box which is intended to transmit the pressing of the button to the micro-push buttons which determines the electrical transmission inside the box to the electrical terminals and a push mechanism.

[0013] The push mechanism comprises a ring, the tilt plate supported on the micro-push button arranged on an inner surface of the box facing the button, an inner sleeve supported on the button, a push pin fixed to the inner sleeve, a contact rod partially inserted into the push pin, an outer sleeve fixed to the housing and in which the inner sleeve moves longitudinally, a first spring between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, a second spring between the plate and the ring, and a third spring between the push pin and the contact rod.

[0014] The push mechanism allows the push button to function as a momentary push button or as a latching push button depending on the shape of the ring. Said push button has three static positions: a rest position in which the button is not pressed and the electrical contact box is shorted between the electrical contacts, a pressed position in which the button is pressed and the box provides electrical transmission between the electrical contacts, and an intermediate latched position in which the button is not pressed but the box provides electrical transmission between the electrical contacts. In the case of the push button in momentary push mode, the rest position and pressed position are available; and in the push button in latching push mode; the rest position, pressed position and latched position are available, where the latched position is a transition position between the two other positions.

[0015] Thus, the joint displacement of the button, inner sleeve and push pin over a certain distance of travel produces controlled, minimum pressure on the plate by the third spring and the contact rod with a shorter distance of travel than the button. This allows the plate to be tilted continuously and precisely by transforming the longitudinal displacement of the button into a smaller, controlled displacement of the contact rod. This results in minimum displacement of the contact rod to press the plate and overcome the force of the micro-push buttons to press them.

[0016] Therefore, the micro-push buttons are pressed when the force of the third spring on the contact rod is greater than the resistance force of the micro-push buttons, causing the plate to rotate on the micro-push buttons so that the box provides electrical transmission between the electrical contacts. Said plate can rotate about an axis fixed to the housing between the micro-push buttons and the contact rod, depending on the force exerted by each one.

[0017] The inner sleeve is provided with a contact head at one end, which can be moved by pushing the button, and a toothed section at the opposite end. Said inner sleeve may have a longitudinal anti-rotational groove extending totally or partially from the contact head to the toothed section.

[0018] The push pin is fixed at one end in the inner sleeve, preferably on the inside, protruding from the end opposite the contact head. The push pin has a protrusion at the end close to the plate and a cavity therein to house the third spring and the contact rod.

[0019] Preferably, the contact rod is provided with an inner extremity and an outer extremity, where the inner extremity is connected via the third spring to the inside of the push pin and the outer extremity is in contact with the plate. Therefore, when the third spring is compressed sufficiently, it exerts a force on the inner extremity which causes the outer extremity to tilt the lever and press the micro-push buttons. Depending on the qualities of the third spring, the sensitivity, force, distance of travel, etc. of the contact rod can be adjusted.

[0020] The outer sleeve is fixed to the housing of the push button, so that it does not move and it provides a support point for the push mechanism, allowing the inner sleeve to move longitudinally therein. The outer sleeve also has a crenelated section formed by notches at the end facing the box and may have an inner or outer groove to guide and prevent rotation of the inner sleeve.

[0021] Optionally, the push mechanism may comprise a washer fixed in the inner groove of the outer sleeve and which is inserted into the inner sleeve in the longitudinal anti-rotational groove. The washer has a projection which is housed in the anti-rotational groove and prevents the inner sleeve from rotating in its longitudinal displacement.

[0022] The first spring is located between the contact head of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, and may alternatively be located between the inner sleeve and the washer. Said first spring is compressed when the button is pressed, exerting an opposing force when the button is released which returns the inner sleeve to the rest position, or latched position as the case may be.

[0023] Furthermore, the push mechanism comprises the ring which surrounds and allows longitudinal displacement of the push pin, and it is pushed by the inner sleeve on one side and by the second spring on the opposite side. Said ring has a thickness that provides a stop for the push pin, which is fixed to the inner sleeve, during the push of the first spring in which the inner sleeve is moved against the button. In this way, the protrusion of the push pin rests on the ring, preventing the force of the first spring from pressing the inner sleeve against the button. Thus, protection of the button is achieved by preventing constant pressure on the button by the mechanism.

[0024] Alternatively, for the push button used in latching mode, the ring has a second toothed section in which the toothed section of the inner sleeve comes in contact, which causes the ring to rotate at a certain angle while moving longitudinally. The second spring located between the ring and the plate is compressed when the button is pressed and exerts an opposing force to separate the ring from the plate, causing the ring to move towards the crenelated section of the outer sleeve.

[0025] Said crenelated section has notches in which the second toothed section of the ring latches or not depending on the given angle of rotation of the ring caused by the inner sleeve. Thus, when the button is pressed, the inner sleeve rotates the ring from a rest position to a latched position and vice versa successively during longitudinal displacement.

[0026] When the ring is in the latched position, the protrusion of the push pin comes in contact with the ring, preventing the push pin and the inner sleeve from returning to the original rest position. In this way, the third spring continues to press the contact rod against the plate, which remains in the tilt position by pressing the micro-push buttons.

[0027] The housing consists of a series of mechanically-welded folded sheet metal elements that provide the push button with mechanical resistance to external actions such as vibrations or shocks (according to MIL- STD-202, RTCA DO-160 or similar standards).

[0028] Additionally, the push button comprises a display in the form of an etched foil backlit by LEDs or incandescent lights and connected to the terminals by means of a flexible PCB, which controls both the power supply and the switching on of said display or the elements of said display. The display may remain hidden until lit up by the PCB. The display may include a lighting system consisting of some elements such as filters, lightinsulating elements, etc. to achieve lighting, if compatible with NVIS systems, according to aeronautical standards (MIL-DTL-3009, MIL-STD-7788, MIL-S-22885, among others) and for isolating some indications from others inside the same push button. Said lighting system may be configured with different electrical characteristics, such as lighting voltage, power consumption, brightness dimming curve or different electrical connection interfaces (connectors), among others.

[0029] The button is removable and encapsulated in the housing in order to modify the characteristics of the display legends, and it is interchangeable in case replacement of said button is necessary.

[0030] The electrical contact box is intended to provide electrical transmission between the electrical contacts when the button is pressed and holds it in case the push mechanism is latched. The elements that make up the electrical contact box withstand a certain electrical current, so that they can be used as switches in control circuits of a certain amperage and different operating voltages. The box may have redundancy by means of two or four micro-push buttons, so that even if one of these elements fails, the others will still provide electrical continuity when operated.

[0031] The push mechanism which is responsible for the functionality of the push button also regulates the mechanical characteristics thereof, mainly tactile sensation, represented in the push force, distance of travel, latching distance and electrical contact distance, among others, as well as transmitting the action on the head of the push button to the box and to the electrical contacts. Depending on the characteristics (length, inclination and relative heights) of the teeth or notches of the parts, such as the inner sleeve, the ring and the outer sleeve, the push lengths as well as the latching lengths can be varied. Furthermore, the lengths of the shafts and the fixing points in the assembly, together with the use of springs with different hardness characteristics, allow a range of possibilities to be obtained both for varying the hardness of the push and the relative position of the head with respect to the rest of the push button in all the stages of travel (push button that is relaxed, latched and with maximum stroke).

[0032] The push mechanism is manufactured by traditional means of machine-tool machining, thus replacing a push mechanism which elements require injection moulding for production thereof. This significantly facilitates their manufacture and allows the use of non-injectable materials.

[0033] The elements of the push mechanism, except for the plate and the washer which are made of a metallic material, are made of resistant and easily machinable thermoplastic materials, with characteristics of good mechanical and tribological resistance and resistance to wear by cycles, as well as to the range of temperatures and climatic conditions to which the push button is exposed. Said thermoplastic materials are derived from one or more materials chosen from a group of materials comprising polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide, etc., thus improving the durability and mechanical resistance characteristics of the push button of the invention.

[0034] The push mechanism is also fully configurable in this invention, as opposed to other examples of push buttons, in the sense that all of these parameters are controllable at the design level. For example, if necessary, it is possible to achieve travel of the push that is different from the standard by modifying the geometry of the elements of the push mechanism, such as the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve, the freely-rotating ring, the springs, the push pin or the head. For example, changing the length of an element of the push mechanism from 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm results in a different force, distance of travel, or latching distance. In this way, it is possible to use the same external design to modify some dimensional parameters of the mechanism in order to change the push characteristics. In one possible implementation, spring pre-tensioning adjustment screws may be included to allow said adjustments to be made without modification to the design.

[0035] The push button of the present invention can be installed in a variety of control panels of a commercial vehicle, in aircraft cockpits / simulators respecting the interface and requirements according to the related regulations. The push button of the invention allows the user to meet a series of shape and size requirements based on existing regulations to certify its use in different fields ranging from industrial machinery and consumer electronics to military and aviation systems.

[0036] The compact push button with momentary or latching operation provides significant advantages, for example, it can be manufactured without the need for injection moulds for its components, allowing the use of various materials and manufacturing methods to simplify production. This flexibility in manufacturing not only reduces production costs but also allows for extensive customisation of the push button features. By parameterising the design, users can choose specific features for the push button.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention includes the push mechanism which ensures continuous operation and easy replacement of parts and manufacturing. The invention offers a versatile, reliable and advanced solution for various applications, significantly improving the limitations of known push buttons and meeting the demanding requirements of modern electronic and control systems.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, wherein by way of illustration and not limitation, the following has been represented:

[0040] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the push button of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the push button without the housing.

[0041] Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the push button without the housing or the outer sleeve.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a view of the push mechanism in the rest position.

[0043] Figure 5 shows another view of the push mechanism in the pressed position.

[0044] Figure 6 shows another view of the push mechanism in the latched position.

[0045] Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the push mechanism.

[0046] Figure 8 shows a front view of the box.

[0047] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0048] In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the push button of the present invention is described below, in which the push button can be used in latching mode, as shown in figures 2 to 7, or in momentary push mode, not shown.

[0049] Figure 1 shows the push button with a housing (1) and a button (2) in the rest position. In one embodiment, said button (2) moves longitudinally inside the housing (1) between a rest position and a pressed position, in the push button used in momentary push mode. In an alternative embodiment, said button (2) moves longitudinally inside the housing (1) between a rest position, a pressed position and an additional latched position, and vice versa, in the push button used in latching mode.

[0050] As shown in figures 2 and 3, the push button comprises inside the housing (1): the button (2), an electrical contact box (3), a flexible PCB (28) located between the button (2) and the box (3), a tilt plate (10) in contact with micro-push buttons (11) of the box (3) which is intended to transmit the pressing of the button (2) to the micro-push buttons (11 ) which determines the electrical transmission inside the box (3) to electrical terminals (12), and a push mechanism (4).

[0051] In particular, figure 2 shows the push mechanism (4) comprising an outer sleeve (15) having notches (17), a ring (23) in contact with the notches (17) that has a second toothed section (24) located between two notches (17) of the outer sleeve (15). In this way, the push button is in a rest position in which the electrical contacts of the box (3) are open.

[0052] In an embodiment not shown in which the push button operates in momentary push mode, the ring (23) lacks the second notched section (24) and therefore has only the rest and pressed positions.

[0053] On the other hand, figure 3 shows the push mechanism (4) without the outer sleeve (15) to reveal an inner sleeve (5) having a toothed section (7) and an anti-rotational groove (8). Also shown is a washer (14), fixed to the outer sleeve (15) not shown, which has a projection inserted into the anti-rotational groove (8) of the inner sleeve (5). In this situation, the inner sleeve (5) cannot rotate when moving longitudinally inside the outer sleeve (15).

[0054] The box (3) shown in figure 2 and figure 3 is intended to provide electrical transmission and comprises an inner surface (26) facing the button (2) comprising the independent micro-push buttons (11) facing the plate (10) and an outer surface (27) facing away from the button with the terminals (12).

[0055] The flexible PCB (28) is linked on one side to the box (3) to connect to the terminals (12) and to identify the position of the push button and its operation, and on the other side to the button (2) to control lighting elements housed inside the button (2). In this way, the flexible PCB (28) controls the elements that are lit up inside the button (2) and allows at least a part of the flexible PCB (28) to be bent for the displacement of the button (2) during pressing. For example, the lighting elements are LEDs or lights.

[0056] Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the push mechanism (4) according to the embodiment in which the push button uses latching mode, where figure 4 is the rest position, figure 5 is the pressed position and figure 6 is the latched position.

[0057] Figure 4 shows the push mechanism (4) in the rest position, in which the inner sleeve (5) comprises a contact head (6), which is in contact with the button (2) and which is pushed by a first spring (13). Said first spring (13) is located between the washer (14) fixed to the outer sleeve (15) and the contact head (6), so that the inner sleeve (5) moves longitudinally inside the outer sleeve (15). In this figure 4, the ring (23) and the second toothed section (24) are positioned with respect to the outer sleeve (15) as shown in figure 2.

[0058] Inside the inner sleeve (5), a push pin (9) is fixed at one end thereof, which has a protrusion (25) at the opposite end. A contact rod (19) having an outer end (21) that rests on the plate (10) is partially inserted into the push pin (9).

[0059] Figure 5 shows the push mechanism (4) in the pressed position after pressing the button (2). This figure shows the inner sleeve (5) which on one side has the contact head (6) that compresses the first spring (13) by pushing the button (2) not shown, and on the other side has the toothed section (7) that is in contact with the second toothed section (24) so that it moves longitudinally and rotates the ring (23) a certain angle. Said rotation is caused by the inclination of the toothed sections (7, 24) of the inner sleeve (5) and the ring (23). The displacement of the ring (23) results in the compression of a second spring (18) located between the ring (23) and the plate (10).

[0060] The plate (10) is shown in the pressing position of the micro-push buttons (11) in figure 3 and 8 and is pressed by the contact rod (19) at the outer end (21) thereof.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a position in which the button (2) is latched and the micro-push buttons (11) of figures 3 and 8 are pressed by the plate (10), which determines that the electrical connections of the box (3) are connected. In this position, the first spring (13) and the second spring (18) exert a force opposite to that of pressing the button (2), on the contact head (6) and on the ring (23), respectively.

[0062] Furthermore, the second toothed section (24) is located latched in the notch (17), so as to prevent the ring (23) from returning to its rest position when in contact between the notches (17). In turn, the ring (23) prevents the protrusion (25) from returning to the rest position, which causes the contact rod (19) to continue to press the plate (10) and the micro-push buttons (11) in figures 3 and 8 continue to be pressed.

[0063] If the button (2) in figure 6 is pressed again, it will return to the position in figure 5 and the ring (23) will rotate again, so that when the button (2) is released, the rest position in figure 4 will be restored. Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the push mechanism (4), comprising the inner sleeve (5), the outer sleeve (15), the plate (10), the washer (14), the ring (23), the push pin (9) inside the inner sleeve (5), and the contact rod (19) inside the push pin (9), which is provided with an inner extremity (20) and outer extremity (21).

[0064] The push pin (9) has an inner cavity with an opening in the protrusion (25), which houses a third spring (22) located between the inner extremity (20) of the contact rod (19) and the inside of the push pin (9). This third spring (22) exerts a controlled force on the push rod (19) to tilt the plate (10) when it overcomes the force of the micro-push buttons (11) in figure 3 and 8, thus producing the pressing of the micro-push buttons (11) in figures 3 and 8.

[0065] Also shown is the washer (14) fixed to the outer sleeve (15) in a longitudinal inner groove (16) of the outer sleeve (15), which has a projection that is located in the anti-rotational groove (8) of the inner sleeve (5). In this way, the inner sleeve (5) can move longitudinally inside the outer sleeve (15) when the button (2) is pressed, but the projection of the washer (14) in the anti-rotational groove (8) prevents the rotation of the inner sleeve (5).

[0066] Figure 8 shows a view of the box (3) where the micro-push buttons (11) starting from its inner surface (26) are in contact with the plate (10) and where the terminals (12) starting from the outer surface (27) of the box (3) can be seen. Therefore, when the plate (10) tilts, it presses the micro-push buttons (11), which causes the electrical connection to be made in the box (3). On the other hand, the terminals (12) electrically connect the inside of the push button to the outside, e.g., to an electrical circuit.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A push button comprising:- a housing (1),- a button (2) located inside the housing (1) in which it moves longitudinally,- an electrical contact box (3), which is intended to provide electrical transmission, comprising an inner surface (26) facing the button (2) comprising independent micropush buttons (11) and an outer surface (27) facing away from the button with the electrical terminals (12), and- a push mechanism (4), characterised in that the push mechanism (4) comprises:- a tilt plate (10) in contact with the micro-push buttons (11) of the box (3) which is intended to transmit the pressing of the button (2) to the micro-push buttons (11) which determines the electrical transmission inside the box (3) to the electrical terminals (12),- an inner sleeve (5) provided at one end with a contact head (6) in contact with the button (2) which can be moved by pushing the button (2), and a toothed section (7) at the opposite end,- an outer sleeve (15) fixed to the housing (1) which is provided with notches (17) at one end thereof, and inside which the inner sleeve (5) is guided,- a first spring (13) located between the contact head (6) of the inner sleeve (5) and the outer sleeve (15), which is compressed when the button (2) is pressed,- a push pin (9) located inside the inner sleeve (5), comprising a protrusion (25) and an inner housing at the outer end thereof,- a ring (23) located between the inner sleeve (5) and the protrusion (25) of the push pin (9),- a second spring (18) located between the ring (23) and the plate (10),- a contact rod (19) located inside the push pin (9), which is provided with an inner extremity (20) and an outer extremity (21) in contact with the plate (10), and- a third spring (22) located between the inner extremity (20) and the inside of the push Pin (9).

2. The push button of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve (15) has a fixed washer (14) in an inner groove (16), said washer having a projection intended to be inserted into a longitudinal anti-rotational groove (8) of the inner sleeve (5).

3. The push button of claim 1 , wherein the ring (23) has a second toothed section (24)intended to come in contact with the toothed section (7) of the inner sleeve (5) which moves and rotates the ring (23) when the button (2) is pressed, as well as to come in contact with the notch (17) of the outer sleeve (15) in a latched position.

4. The push button of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible PCB (28) in contact with the button (2) and the box (3), and wherein the button (2) comprises an illuminated display encapsulated by lighting elements electrically connected to and controlled by the flexible PCB (28).

5. The push button of claim 1 , wherein the plate (10) and the washer (14) are made of a metallic material and the button (2), the inner sleeve (5), the outer sleeve (15) and / or the ring (23) are made of a machinable thermoplastic material.

6. The push button of claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic material is polycarbonate, ABS or polyamide.

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