EP0112651B1 - Elektrischer Schalter und Betätigungsmechanismus hierfür - Google Patents

Elektrischer Schalter und Betätigungsmechanismus hierfür Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0112651B1
EP0112651B1 EP83307135A EP83307135A EP0112651B1 EP 0112651 B1 EP0112651 B1 EP 0112651B1 EP 83307135 A EP83307135 A EP 83307135A EP 83307135 A EP83307135 A EP 83307135A EP 0112651 B1 EP0112651 B1 EP 0112651B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
members
contact
frame
sections
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP83307135A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0112651A1 (de
Inventor
David John Gingerich
William Henry Rose
David William Rupnik
David Todd Shaffer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Priority to AT83307135T priority Critical patent/ATE20628T1/de
Publication of EP0112651A1 publication Critical patent/EP0112651A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0112651B1 publication Critical patent/EP0112651B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H15/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
    • H01H15/005—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch adapted for connection with printed circuit boards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H15/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
    • H01H15/02—Details
    • H01H15/06—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical switch and more particularly to an electrical switch and actuating mechanism therefor for use with an electrical contact assembly or for operating a movable member.
  • DIP dual in-line package
  • An object is to provide an improved switch of this kind.
  • the present invention relates to an electrical switch of the above mentioned type wherein said actuating members further comprise slide members, each of the slide members having an opening extending therethrough, a spring member disposed in said opening and including one section extending along a respective movable contact member to move the movable contact member between the actuated and non-actuated positions and another section engaging an inside top surface of said housing and movable therealong.
  • the invention includes an actuating mechanism for a switch according to the invention comprising a housing mountable on a switch frame and actuating members movably mounted in the housing for movement between first and second positions and arranged for association with a movable contact member of the switch to move the contact member between an actuated position and a non-actuated position characterised in that said actuating members comprise a slide member having an opening extending therethrough, a spring member disposed in the opening and comprising a sinuous configuration extending from the slide member between an inside surface of the housing through the opening to an open side of the housing for engagement under compression with the movable contact member of the switch.
  • a membrane sealingly covers the recesses and the exposed contact sections along with the respective movable contact members therein thereby forming a sealed electrical contact assembly.
  • Figures 1 through 4 illustrate a sealed electrical contact assembly 10 and the contact-actuating mechanism 12 that is latchably secured thereto thereby forming DIP switch S as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • Sealed electrical contact assembly 10 includes dielectric frame 14 which is moulded from a suitable commercially-available plastics material, and a series of aligned electrical contact members 16, 18 is moulded in place therein as shown in Figure 4. Electrical contact members 16, 18 are arranged in dielectric frame 14 having opposed an aligned stationary electrical contact sections 16A, 18A which are exposed in recesses 20 in the top surface of frame 14 and spaced from each other thereby. Each of electrical contact members 16,18 has an electrical terminal section 22 extending outwardly from frame 14 for electrical connection with plated-through-holes 24 disposed in proper alignment in printed circuit board 26 with holes 24 electrically connected to appropriate circuit paths 28 located thereon. Electrical terminal sections 22 are provided with projections 30 to limit the movement of electrical terminal sections 22 within holes 24 in order to space switch S from board 26. Electrical contact members 18 are provided with upwardly-directed pivot members 32 that have been stamped therefrom.
  • Electrical contact members 16, 18 are stamped and formed from suitable metal stock in lead frame form.
  • the lead frame acts as a carrier to carry the contact members into position in a mould enabling dielectric frames 14 to be moulded thereon. These assemblies can then be carried to other assembly locations to form completed switches.
  • Movable electrical contact members 34 have V-shaped embossments 36 formed therein which mate with pivot members 32 and the ends are suitably provided with at least two contact fingers to provide contact redundancy when movable contact members 34 are moved into electrical contact with stationary contact sections 16A as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • V-shaped embossments 36 in engagement with pivot members 32 positively position movable contact members 34 relative to the respective sets of stationary contact sections 16A, 18A within recesses 20.
  • Latching lugs 40 having upper bevelled surfaces extend outwardly from the sides of frame 14 between terminal sections 22 on opposite sides of the frame.
  • Membrane 42 of a commercially-available plastic material is sealingly secured on the top surface of frame 14 by a commercially-available adhesive material.
  • Membrane 42 covers all of recesses 20 with movable contact members 34 pivotally mounted on pivot members 32 of electrical contact sections 18A.
  • Another membrane can be adhesively secured onto a bottom surface frame 42 if holes are formed in frame 14 by the use of hold-down members.
  • membrane 42 not only maintains movable contact members 34 in position in recesses 20 and on pivot members 32 of stationary contact sections 18A, but membrane 42 also seals electrical contact assembly 10 from contaminants, especially during the flow soldering and cleaning operations to which the contact assembly will be subjected and during the operating life thereof. While a membrane has been disclosed to cover the bottom surface of frame 14 to cover holes therein, frame 14 can be moulded as shown without holes therein thereby eliminating the bottom membrane and using only membrane 42 adhered to the top surface of frame 14, if desired.
  • Contact-actuating mechanism 12 includes housing 48, slide members 50, and springs 52. Housing 48 and slide members 50 are moulded from a commercially-available plastic material.
  • Housing 48 has separate cavities 56 which receive therein contact-actuating members comprising slide members 50 and springs 52 therein as illustrated in Figure 4. Openings 58 are located in sidewalls 45 of housing 48 and terminate in top wall 47 of housing 48; opposing openings 58 communicate with respective cavities 56. Latches 60 extend outwardly from the bottom surface of housing 48 to mate with latching lugs 40 on frame 14 latchably to secure housing member 48 onto frame 14 with the contact-actuating members in position in cavities 56 thereby forming switch S as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4.
  • Each of cavities 56 is bounded by inner surfaces 51 of sidewalls 45 and top wall 47.
  • Dividers 53 extend downwardly from top wall 47 and along sidewalls 45 to about midway thereof.
  • Spaced arcuate recesses 57 are located on an inner surface 59 of top wall 47 in each of cavities 56.
  • Slide members 50 have rectangular openings 62 extending therethrough and projections 64 extending outwardly from end walls of the slide members 50.
  • slide members 50 fit within respective cavities 56 and with springs 52 in openings 62 are slidably movable therein when housing 48 is latchably mounted on contact assembly 10.
  • Projections 64 are positioned in openings 58 depending on the position slide members 50 have been moved to.
  • Each of springs 52 is stamped and formed from suitable metal stock having the necessary spring characteristics and has a generally E-shape configuration.
  • a central section 65 of springs 52 has a U-shape configuration.
  • Contact-actuating section 66 extends outwardly and reversely from the bottom leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate downwardly projecting section 68 while detent section 70 extends outwardly and reversely from the upper leg of central section 65 and includes an arcuate upwardly projecting section 72.
  • the free ends of sections 66 and 70 are curved inwardly toward the bight of central section 65. As shown in Figure 3, sections 66 and 70 along which arcuate sections 68 and 72 are located are progressively narrower towards the free end.
  • central section 65 and adjacent integral parts of sections 66 and 70 are the same and are just slightly less than the widths of openings 62 in side members 50 to enable springs 52 to freely move within openings 62 and to stabilise their movements therein as slide members 50 move back and forth in respective cavities 56 of housing 48.
  • Arcuate sections 68 and 72 extend outwardly from the top and bottom surfaces of slide members 50.
  • terminal sections 22 are sheared from their carrier strips along with sections connecting the terminal sections together between projections 30 whereafter terminal sections 22 are bent to their appropriate angle for insertion into holes 24 of board 26.
  • the board can now be subjected to a flow soldering operation to solder the terminal sections to the holes and the sealed contact assembly is protected from being contaminated during and after such operation.
  • sockets can be disposed in holes 24 and soldering thereto so that terminal sections can be disposed in holes 24 and soldered thereto so that terminal sections 22 can be electrically connected thereto by insertion into the sockets.
  • the nature of the parts of the switches lends them to automatic assembling practices that enables the manufacture of the switches to be substantially increased.
  • slide member 50 is in a contact-operated position with arcuate section 68 maintaining movable contact 34 in electrical engagement with contact section 16A through membrane 42 and arcuate section 72 is disposed in the left-handed recess 57.
  • the spring characteristics of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52 coupled with the detent arrangement of arcuate section 72 in recess 57 and arcuate section 68 located on the left side of embossment 36 maintain slide member 50 in this contact-operated position.
  • a probe (not shown) is used to engage the left projection 64 through opening 58 and pushes slide member 50 toward the right within cavity 56 of housing 48. This causes arcuate sections 68 and 72 to move inwardly against the spring forces of sections 65, 66 and 70 of spring 52. Arcuate section 68 slides along membrane 42, the left side of movable contact member 34, over embossment 36 and onto the right side of contact member 34 which moves the left side of contact member 34 out of electrical engagement with contact section 16A thereby disconnecting contact sections 16A, 18A. Arcuate section 72 is moved into right recesses 57 and this detent arrangement under the spring forces of spring 52 coupled with arcuate section 68 being on the right side of embossment 36 maintains slide member 50 in the non-contact-operated position.
  • DIP switch S with membrane 42 in sealed engagement with the top surface of frame 14 or with membranes in sealed engagement with the top and bottom surfaces of frame 14 provides a DIP switch having a sealed electrical contact assembly that will protect the contact assembly from contaminants when the board 26 is subjected to conventional flow soldering and cleaning operations as well as during the normal operating life of the switch. This eliminates the need to remove a tape seal which is currently used to protect switches during wave soldering operations.
  • the sealed DIP switch S is also smaller in all dimensions than existing DIP switches thereby enabling it to be used in greater density at a lower profile. Switches S can be packaged in tubes in the manner of integrated circuits and subjected to automated insertion equipment. The construction of switch S minimizes parts, moulds to make them, and inventory.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Slide Switches (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Organic Insulating Materials (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Elektrischer Schalter des Typs, der aufweist: einen dielektrischen Rahmen (14) mit einer Reihe von Paaren elektrischer Kontaktelemente (16, 18), die in dem Rahmen (14) befestigt sind, wobei miteinander ausgerichtete Kontaktabschnitte (16A, 18A) der Kontaktelemente (16, 18) in einer oberen Fläche des Rahmens (14) angeordnet sind und sich Anschlußabschnitte (22) der Kontaktelemente (16, 18) von dem Rahmen (14) nach außen erstrecken, bewegliche elektrische Kontaktelemente (34), die an entsprechenden Paaren der Kontaktabschnitte (16, 18) schwenkbar gehaltert sind, ein an dem Rahmen (14) montiertes Gehäuse (48), sowie Betätigungsglieder (50, 52), die in dem Gehäuse (48) zur Ausführung einer Bewegung zwischen einer ersten Position und einer zweiten Position beweglich angebracht sind und entsprechenden beweglichen Kontaktelementen (34) zugeordnet sind, um diese zwischen einer betätigten Position, in der die Kontaktabschnitte (16A, 18A) elektrisch miteinander verbunden sind, und einer nicht betätigten Position, in der die Kontaktabschnitte (16A, 18A); voneinander getrennt sind, zu bewegen, wobei die Betätigungsglieder (50, 52) außerdem Gleitelemente (50) umfassen und jedes der Gleitelemente (50) eine sich durch dieses hindurcherstreckende Öffnung (62) aufweist, und wobei ein Federelement (52) in der Öffnung (62) angeordnet ist und einen sich entlang eines entsprechenden beweglichen Kontaktelements (34) erstreckenden Abschnitt (68) zur Bewegung des beweglichen Kontaktelements (34) zwischen der betätigten und der nicht betätigten Position, sowie einen weiteren Abschnitt (70) aufweist, der an einer innenliegenden oberen Fläche (59) des Gehäuses (48) angreift und an dieser entlangbewegbar ist.
2. Betätigungsmechanismus für einen Schalter nach Anspruch 1, mit einem auf einem Schalterrahmen (14) montierbaren Gehäuse (48) und mit Betätigungsgliedern (50, 52), die in dem Gehäuse (48) zur Ausführung einer Bewegung zwischen einer ersten Position und einer zweiten Position beweglich angebracht sind und die derart angeordnet sind, daß sie einem beweglichen Kontaktelement (34) des Schalters zugeordnet sind, um das Kontaktelement (34) zwischen einer betätigten Position und einer nicht betätigten Position zu bewegen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Betätigungsglieder (50, 52) ein Gleitelement (50) umfassen, das eine sich durch dieses hindurcherstreckende Öffnung (62) aufweist, und daß ein Federelement (52) in der Öffnung angeordnet ist und eine gewundene Konfiguration besitzt und sich von dem Gleitelement (50) zwischen einer innenliegenden Fläche (59) des Gehäuses (48) durch die Öffnung (62) hindurch zu einer offenen Seite (58) des Gehäuses (48) erstreckt, um unter Kompression an dem beweglichen Kontaktelement (34) des Schalters anzugreifen.
3. Elektrischer Schalter nach Anspruch 1 oder Betätigungsmechanismus nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jedes Federelement (52) eine E-förmige Konfiguration besitzt, die einen U-förmigen zentralen Abschnitt (65) beinhaltet, und daß sich integrale Abschnitte (66) und (70) von entsprechenden Schenkeln des zentralen Abschnitts (65) nach außen und in gegenläufiger Richtung erstrecken.
4. Elektrischer Schalter nach Anspruch 1 oder Betätigungsmechanismus nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede der innenliegenden oberen Flächen (59) voneinander beabstandete Ausnehmungen (57) aufweist und der genannte weitere Abschnitt (70) jedes Federelements (52) einen bogenförmig gekrümmten Abschnitt (72) aufweist, der mit den voneinander beabstandeten Ausnehmungen (57) zusammenwirken kann, wodurch eine Festhalteanordnung definiert ist, um die Betätigungsglieder (50) in der ersten Position oder in der zweiten Position festzuhalten.
5. Elektrischer Schalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die obere Oberfläche des Rahmens (14) Ausnehmungen (20) aufweist, in denen entsprechende Paare von Kontaktabschnitten (16A, 18A) freiliegen, und daß eine Membran (42) in abdichtender Weise an der oberen Oberfläche befestigt ist, die dadurch eine Abdichtung schafft, daß sie die Kontaktabschnitte (16A, 18A) und die beweglichen Kontaktelemente (34) überdeckt.
6. Elektrischer Schalter nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß einer (18A) der Kontaktabschnitte (16A, 18A) einen Schwenkpunktabschnitt (32) besitzt, und daß die beweglichen Kontaktelemente (34) Ausbuchtungen (36) aufweisen, die an entsprechenden Schwenkpunktabschnitten (32) angreifen.
EP83307135A 1982-12-21 1983-11-22 Elektrischer Schalter und Betätigungsmechanismus hierfür Expired EP0112651B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83307135T ATE20628T1 (de) 1982-12-21 1983-11-22 Elektrischer schalter und betaetigungsmechanismus hierfuer.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US45200282A 1982-12-21 1982-12-21
US452002 1982-12-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0112651A1 EP0112651A1 (de) 1984-07-04
EP0112651B1 true EP0112651B1 (de) 1986-07-02

Family

ID=23794601

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83307135A Expired EP0112651B1 (de) 1982-12-21 1983-11-22 Elektrischer Schalter und Betätigungsmechanismus hierfür

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0112651B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS59138029A (de)
AT (1) ATE20628T1 (de)
BR (1) BR8306950A (de)
CA (1) CA1227515A (de)
DE (1) DE3364391D1 (de)
ES (1) ES285056Y (de)
HK (1) HK7192A (de)
IE (1) IE54946B1 (de)
MX (1) MX153921A (de)
MY (1) MY8800078A (de)
SG (1) SG33289G (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4839483A (en) * 1986-10-22 1989-06-13 Conair Corporation Modular watertight switch for use in personal care appliances
DE4218535C1 (de) * 1992-06-05 1993-09-09 Merit-Elektrik Gmbh, 5270 Gummersbach, De

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4918693U (de) * 1972-05-20 1974-02-16
GB1513300A (en) * 1975-12-18 1978-06-07 Amp Inc Electrical slide switch
US4344224A (en) * 1979-01-26 1982-08-17 Molex Incorporated Method of making hermetically sealed switch assembly
US4311884A (en) * 1979-05-21 1982-01-19 C & K Components, Inc. Miniature sealed dual-in-line switch
JPS55155424A (en) * 1979-05-24 1980-12-03 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Dip switch
CA1220806A (en) * 1981-12-02 1987-04-21 David J. Gingerich Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES285056U (es) 1985-08-01
IE54946B1 (en) 1990-03-28
ES285056Y (es) 1986-05-01
BR8306950A (pt) 1984-07-24
CA1227515A (en) 1987-09-29
MY8800078A (en) 1988-12-31
IE832959L (en) 1984-06-21
JPS59138029A (ja) 1984-08-08
DE3364391D1 (en) 1986-08-07
SG33289G (en) 1989-09-22
HK7192A (en) 1992-01-31
ATE20628T1 (de) 1986-07-15
EP0112651A1 (de) 1984-07-04
MX153921A (es) 1987-02-19

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