Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Rocking actuator
Patent
1996-03-08
2000-01-04
Friedhofer, Michael
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Solid contact
Rocking actuator
200523, 362 74, H01H 1356, B60Q 302
Patent
active
06011228&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This invention relates to a push-button nonrestoring switch, notably for the interior reading light of an automobile, comprised of a housing and pertaining base, a spring-loaded push-button that is movable relative to the housing, a tappet movable by the push-button, and a rocker that is pivotable by the tappet and features a spring-loaded contact bridge acting on contacts provided on the base.
Known from DE-OS 37 24 736 A1 is an electric switch, notably for automobiles, which features a housing to which pertains a base and with whose push-button, which is movable preferably linearly in relation to the housing. Moreover, the electric switch comprises a tappet that allows displacement by the push-button and pivots relative to the push-button and also, comprises which is pivotably mounted in the base. The rocker is alternately pivoted back and forth by means of the push-button and the tappet, between two limit positions, and controls a movable contact bridge, notably a snap-action spring, the tappet being fitted in the base.
Due to the direct linear stacking of base, housing and push-button with their enclosed rocker and tappet, the prior switch is very large in size. The stroke required for changeover of the rocker must be possible also on the push-button.
Therefore, the objective underlying the invention is to provided a push-button nonrestoring switch of the type where an extremely short actuating stroke is accomplished while at the same time having a small size given.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This objective is inventionally met in that the push-button is fitted pivotably to the housing, the tappet pivotably to the push-button, and the rocker--acted upon by the tappet--pivotably to the housing.
The push-button, housing, tappet and rocker are given pivotal points that are exactly defined relative to one another, thereby eliminating the relatively large tolerances of the guideways.
According to a favorable advancement of the invention, the direction of actuation of the push-button is perpendicular to the axis of the housing, leading to small dimensions.
According to a further favorable embodiment of the invention, a bearing is provided between push-button and housing, on the end opposite of where the actuation direction is provided for on the push-button. There are two pivot levers molded to the push-button in which the bearing between push-button and tappet is integrated. The axis of the bearing between push-button and tappet being in the inoperative position in alignment with the axis of the housing. In addition to the extremely short stroke, this arrangement also achieves a switching without appreciable idle stroke.
In order to achieve an identical switching force level and identical switching feel in switching on and off, an advancement of the invention provides for arranging the bearing between housing and rocker on the center axis of the housing.
In a preferred embodiment, the joining the bearing between housing and push-button, the bearing between push-button and tappet, and the bearing between housing and rocker is possible with the use of clips. Thus, all parts of the push-button nonrestoring switch are from the operating side structured already as a module, which allows easy and cost-effective push-button nonrestoring switch assembly.
Also preferred is that at least one of the pivot levers contained on the push-button possess a spring rest, that a spring abutment is molded to the housing, and that a spring is fitted between the spring rest on the pivot lever and the spring abutment on the housing. As a development of the preferred embodiment, a stop pin is molded to at least one pivot lever contained on the push-button, which pin limits with upper and lower stop cams arranged on the housing the actuation stroke of the push-button. This limits, for one, the safe actuation of the push-button by striking on the lower stop cam under the effect of the actuating force on the push-button and, for another, limits upon release of the actuating force the path of re
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Eaton Controls GmbH & Co. KG
Friedhofer Michael
Johnston Roger A.
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