Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Rotating actuator
Patent
1995-01-19
1996-08-27
Walczak, David J.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Solid contact
Rotating actuator
200568, 200567, H01H 1920
Patent
active
055503438
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a switch for electrically powered apparatus, in particular for domestic appliances, with a rotary actuating shaft transmitting the switching operation from a rotary handle to a switch contact, the actuating shaft including a longitudinal bore in which an actuating rod is axially movably disposed, an end of said rod being adapted to be urged into the actuating shaft for a depth of some length in opposition to a restoring force.
A switch of this type is already known from DE-U-69 47 257. In this switch, both the continuous-on mode (rotary switch) and the short-time mode (push button) require switch contacts separately disposed in the housing, the rotary switch being used for actuating a windshield wiper of an automotive vehicle, while the push button serves for short-time operation of a windshield washer pump.
Further, from EP 0 081 874 B1 a switch is known in which a variety of switching functions can be accomplished by turning the rotary handle to different settings. This is suitable for switching functions provided for continuous operation, because the operating mode set can be read from the position of the rotary handle. However, in a switching function provided for short-time operation in which the rotary handle must be held in the On position against the action of a restoring torque, the operation of a rotary handle is less convenient. Rather, push-button controls are preferred for effecting a short-time operation. In addition, the known switch is provided with an interlock system locking the rotary handle in the Off position until the lid of the domestic appliance is properly closed. The interlock system includes a two-armed lever which, by closing the lid, is pivotal into a position canceling the interlock, enabling the switch to be turned. When the drive motor of the appliance is turned on, the lever which is then locked in place holds the lid in its closed position, thus preventing the lid from being removed during operation of the domestic appliance.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch of the type initially referred to in which both the continuous-on switch and the short-time or pulse switch actuate the same switch contact. At the same time, the switch shall be of a straightforward construction, assemble readily, and afford low-cost manufacture.
According to the present invention, this object is accomplished in that a transmission element extends through a cutout in the wall of the actuating shaft surrounding the longitudinal bore, said transmission element converting an axial motion of the actuating rod into a switching operation that is transmitted to the switch contact.
Simply by depressing the actuating rod, the switch constructed in accordance with the present invention enables the electrical drive mechanism of the appliance to be turned on for the purpose of effecting a short-time operation, with the drive mechanism of the appliance being maintained in turned-on condition as long as the actuating rod is held depressed by the application of an external force. Other switching operations as continuous or intermittent operations or a reversal of the direction of rotation can be performed through the actuating shaft by means of the rotary handle in a proven manner. The switch configuration of the present invention has the advantage that the actuating rod allows the same switch contact to be actuated that is actuated by the rotation of the actuating shaft. This thus dispenses with the need for an additional switch contact for operating the drive mechanism of the appliance in the pulse mode.
To provide the transmission element, in a further proposal of the present invention the actuating shaft may include an elongate slot in which a resilient tongue is arranged whose radially movable end carries a control cam, with the actuating rod including a ramp inclined towards its longitudinal axis, the ramp enabling the control cam to move radially outwardly into engagement with the switch contact. This configuration affords ease of manufacture and allows co
REFERENCES:
patent: 3032618 (1962-05-01), Johnson
patent: 3493696 (1970-02-01), Rothweiler
patent: 4227058 (1980-10-01), Johnston et al.
Borger Georg
Kamprath Karl-Heinz
Braun Aktiengesellschaft
Walczak David J.
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