DE29920404U1 - Electrical installation switch as well as component system and glow lamp for an electrical installation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch casing (3) has a separate module base (16) fastened to the main body (4). Contacts (14) are provided on the module to connect to the switch contacts (6). Independent claims are included for a component system for an electrical switch and a glow lamp for a switch.

Description

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .'J &Idigr;. I * . *..i *··&iacgr; Page

2 Description

3 Electrical installation switch and component system and glow lamp for

4 an electrical installation switch

6 The invention relates to an electrical installation switch with a

7 Switch housing comprising a base body which has several chambers for accommodating switch contacts. The invention further relates to

9 a component system and a glow lamp for an installation switch.

11 Installation switches for electrical installation, in particular for flush mounting,

12 usually have a base body made of insulating material, for example ceramic

13 ramic or plastic as well as electrical contact elements for connecting the in-

14 installation device to a power supply. Installation switch is understood here to be both a button and a classic switch, which usually has a

16 rocker switch, which is operated via a pivoting

&igr;? Switch lever switching contacts can be opened or closed. The base body

is accommodates the switching contacts, which are connected via terminals in the form of

is connected to the power supply using screw or terminal contacts.

20 flush-mounted installation, the switch is inserted into a flush-mounted box and

21 by means of spreading claws, which are attached to a support frame holding the base body

22 are attached.

24 The disadvantage of such a switch is that its construction and in particular

25 especially for the realization of a variety of different switch types, e.g.

26 openers, closers, on and off switches, changeover switches or cross switches,

27 to provide a corresponding number of components or individual elements

28. This is associated with a correspondingly high manufacturing effort and a corresponding

29 correspondingly large storage facilities.

31 The invention is based on the object of achieving a low manufacturing

32 Efforts in the manufacture of an installation switch.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .*! I , II ·*·.·*··· Page

2 The object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical installation

3 ons switch with a switch housing comprising a base body which

4 has several chambers for accommodating switching contacts, wherein the

5 Switch housing has a separate module base attached to the base body.

6, and wherein module contacts for the module base-side connection of the switching

7 contacts are provided.

9 The essential feature of the separate module floor enables

&iacgr;&ogr; the switching contacts inserted into the chambers depending on the desired

11 switch types can be easily connected to each other. The in-

12 installation switch is therefore modular, whereby for the realization of different

13 different switch types, the individual module components can be combined with each other in different ways. The modular structure has the significant advantage that a limited range of module components can be used to create a wide variety of switch types.

16 types are feasible. There are therefore comparatively few individual or modular

17 parts required.

19 In a preferred embodiment, the module base is designed to accommodate

20 differently shaped module contacts, so that different

21 switch types by selecting the appropriate module contacts in a simple way

22 are feasible.

24 The module base conveniently has grooves for safe guidance of the modules.

25 dulkontakte holding elements for their position positioning.

27 In order to keep the manufacturing effort as low as possible, a

28 advantageous embodiment, the module contacts in the module

29 floor are inserted.

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Patent AttorneysTergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ** * J. » 2 , *..!".. 1 Page

&igr; For a secure connection between the base body and the module floor, the latter is

2 connected to the base body via a snap connection. This ensures

3 also ensures secure contacting of the switching contacts via the module contacts.

s When installing the installation switch, it is preferable to first

&bgr; Switching contacts are inserted into the corresponding chambers of the base body,

7 the desired module contacts are inserted into the module base and then

8 together with the module contacts on the base body. Alternatively,

9 First, the module base together with the module contacts is connected to the

10 base body is locked, and only then are the switching contacts of

11 inserted into the chambers at the top. The modular design allows this assembly

12 days only when installing the switch, so that the exact

13 Switching function is only determined at this late stage.

is For easy installation and secure contact, the module connectors

16 clocks in an advantageous embodiment have contact tongues by means of which they can be

&igr;? the switching contacts can be plugged in. The contact between module contacts

18 and switching contacts is carried out in particular in the manner of a knife contact.

20 To ensure a high degree of flexibility of the module concept and to enable a possible

21 Due to the large variety of switch type variants, the chambers are preferably

22 designed to accommodate different switching contacts. The switching contacts

23 are designed in particular differently, so that the selection

24 of the switching contacts the switching distances within the switch can be varied

25 can.

27 In order to achieve the highest possible proportion of standard components, i.e. to

28 To keep the total number of individual parts low, a preferred embodiment

29 design provides that the different switching contacts have an identifiable

30 have the same contact base body and differ only in terms of differently designed contact arms which are arranged, in particular fastened or formed on the contact base body.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ,"J I . » * » .,!*..I Page

2 For a secure contact between the switching contacts and the module contacts,

3 the switching contacts are fixed in the respective chambers, in particular locked into place.

4 This prevents the switching contacts from slipping when inserting the contact tongues

5 avoided.

7 Preferably, the module base is designed as a contact plug. This enables

8 especially the integration of the switch into a complex bus system. The

9 contact plug is designed in such a way that instead of the individual module

10 contacts a complex contact plug with vertically standing contact tongues

11 is provided. The module contacts are therefore firmly integrated in the contact plug.

12 Connecting the bus system is done simply by connecting the contact plug to the

13 switches connected.

is To achieve the object, according to the invention, a component system for

is provided for the described switch, which can be used to realize various

17 switch types a set of different module contacts and at the same time

is or alternatively comprises a set of different switching contacts.

20 In order to keep the manufacturing effort as low as possible, the models

21 dulkontakte and switching contacts are designed in such a way that preferably only

22 a single switch housing is necessary.

24 To achieve the object, the invention further provides a glow lamp for

25 the described switch is provided, which has three contact legs for contacting

26 in the base body of the switch, with two of the contact legs

27 others are electrically connected.

29 With such a glow lamp, all the functions that can be realized with the switch

Switch types can be fitted with a glow lamp. To form a

31 suitable connection of the glow lamp, this is adjusted by turning it in 90° steps

32 is inserted into the base body in a suitable manner. The modular structure of the

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8th Fig.1 9 Fig.2 10 11 Fig.3 12 Fig.4 13 Fig. 5A 14 Fig. 5B

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .* I * · » * ·*&diams;·!*··· Page

&igr; switch is not a mandatory requirement for the use of the glow lamp.

2 tion. The glow lamp can also be used in conventional switches.

3 should be set.

s Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 6. They show in schematic representations:

an installation switch in an exploded view, the electrical switching components of the switch in an enlarged view,

a module base with indicated module contacts in a top view, a module base designed as a contact plug, a schematic diagram of a cross switch,

a schematic diagram of a changeover switch with a glow lamp, and Fig. 6 shows a glow lamp for an installation switch.

&igr;/ Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

20 The installation switch 2 shown in Fig. 1 - only partially - serves in particular

21 special for flush mounting. It has a switch housing 3, which has a

22 base body 4 and a separate module base 16 each made of an insulated

23 material. The base body 4 is designed to accommodate in particular

24 different switching components. A corresponding combination

25 nation of the switching components, different switch types can be used, for example

26 way off, changeover or cross switches. These switching components are

27 essentially switching contacts 6, switching elements 11 and module contacts 14, the

28 are shown enlarged in Fig. 2 and are explained in more detail with reference to this figure

29 will be.

31 The switching contacts 6 can be inserted into the base body 4 from above and have

32 has a clamping contact 8 and differently designed contact arms 10. The

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Patent attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Clamping contacts 8 are formed by a clamping spring 8a and a contact base body into which the clamping spring 8a can be firmly snapped. The clamping spring 8a clamps a conductor to be contacted between one of its legs and the contact base body 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the base body 4 has six chambers for accommodating switching contacts 6, which are arranged opposite one another in pairs. The chambers 5 can be fitted with the switching contacts 6 from above and are at least partially open towards the bottom. The inserted switching contacts 6 are firmly held in the chambers 5, in particular snapped in.

Three switching elements 11 are pivotably arranged centrally between the switching contacts 6 and have a pivoting recess 12 and a switching tongue 13 formed thereon. Depending on the desired switch type, the switching contacts 6 are connected to one another in a suitable conductive manner from below via the module contacts 14 or also laterally via a module contact 14a. For this purpose, the module contacts 14 have upwardly bent contact tongues 15 which serve for contacting in the manner of a so-called "knife contact" and engage between two legs of a knife edge 17 of the switching contact 6, or vice versa. When assembling the switch 2, the module contacts are preferably inserted into the module base 16, which has holding elements 18 for positioning the module contacts 14. The holding elements 18 are designed in particular as simple webs or knobs formed on the module base 16. The module base 16 is attached together with the module contacts 14 from below to the base body 4 via snap connections 20. The module contacts 14 are inserted into the chambers 5 from below and automatically contacted with the switching contacts 6 via the knife contact.

The switch 2 described is characterized by its modular design and enables the realization of a wide variety of switch types in a uniform switch housing 3 formed from the base body 4 and module base 16. The modular design has the decisive advantage that the number of necessary components is significantly reduced compared to conventional switches. In addition to a large number of universally applicable components,

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .*! ·« ? · &diams;*·.·*··* Page

&igr; Realization of all common switch types only a set of different

2 switching contacts 6 and in particular a set of different module

3 contacts 14 are provided, which, depending on the switch type to be implemented,

4 are inserted in a suitable manner into the chambers 5 or into the module base 16.

5. The individual switching contacts 6 are controlled via the module contacts 14.

6 are connected to each other in different ways, and the contact arms 10 determine

7 which switching contacts 6 are connected to one another via one of the switching elements 11.

8 can be used. The contact arms 10 are shaped differently, in particular

9 specially cranked differently. Due to the different cranking it is

10 allows two adjacent or oppositely positioned

11 de switching contacts 6 to be connected to one another via one of the switching elements 11.

12 For example, according to Fig. 2, the switching contact 6A is connected via the switching element

13 ment 11A - depending on the switch position - either with the switch contact 6B or with

14 is connected to the switching contact 6C. The switching element 11A is pivotally mounted in the contact arm 10A of the switching contact 6A.

&igr;? To operate switch 2, this has - depending on whether it is a single or

is a multiple switch - one or more switching levers 22, which

19 Switch pin 24, which is inserted into the swivel recess 12 of the associated

20 switching element 11. The switching lever 22 is actuated by a not shown

21 rocker switch is operated. This causes a swivel movement by one swivel

22 axis 28, which is transmitted to the switching element 11, so that this with its

23 ner contact surface 30a located on the switching tongue 13, the contact surface 30b

24 of the associated contact arm 10. The switching element 11 is connected to its

25 swivel recess 12 in the contact arm 10 of one of the switching contacts 6

26. It is designed asymmetrically, namely the switching tongue 13 is

27 is attached to the swivel trough 12 either at the end or on one side.

28 The contact arms 10 are designed to be resilient by means of a suitable shape.

29 The asymmetrical switching element 11 allows a comparatively low

30 switching force and thus a pleasant switching feeling and a low switching speed.

31 rush. The pleasant switching behavior is achieved by the springy design

32 of the contact arms 10 has also been significantly improved. Because of the

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&igr; the design reduces the kinetic energy of the switching element 11.

2. Usually this energy is released by striking the switching element

3 ments 11 on a fixed contact surface. This impact

4 leads to "bouncing", and this effect is clearly due to the spring design.

5 reduced, which significantly extends the life of switch 2

6 becomes.

8 In Fig. 1, several unlockers 32 are also shown, each of which can be

9 recess 34 of the terminal contact 8 to form a clamping contact 8

10 terminal-contacted conductors to be released.

12 To illustrate the arrangement of different module contacts 14A to 14E

13 on the module base 16 are several module contacts 14A to 14E as shown in Fig. 3

&eegr; of different shapes are shown simultaneously. To distinguish them,

is hatched differently. The individual module contacts 14A to 14E are

16 the holding elements 18 and from the outer contour of the module base 16 in this

17 sem. The holding elements 18 are shaped in such a way that a single

18 Module base 16 is suitable for accommodating all module contacts 14A to 14E.

19 It is of course possible to use a switch for each switch contact 14A to 14E.

20 separate module floors, but this increases the number of

21 necessary components.

23 According to Fig. 4, the module contacts 14 are firmly integrated in a contact plug 40.

24. Only the individual module contacts 14 are assigned to this

25 contact tongues 15, which form a module contact 14

26 are connected to each other in a suitable manner within the contact plug 40

27, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 4. The contact plug

28 ker 40 is inserted with its contact tongues 15 from below into the base body 4 of the

29 switch 2 is plugged into the knife edges 17. It is used in particular for connecting the switch 2 to a bus system. For this purpose, a bus line 42 leads from the contact plug 40.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .· J :. * ! ..&Idigr;'..* Page

&igr; As examples of the solutions that can be realized with the described modular concept

2 different switch types are in Fig. 5A a cross switch 44 and in

3 Fig. 5B shows a changeover switch 46 with integrated glow lamp 48. As

4 of Fig. 5A, all six chambers 5

5 is assigned to switching contacts 6A to 6F. There are two switching elements 11C and 11F

6, which are pivotably held in the switching contacts 6C or 6F, i.e.

7 are conductively connected to them. The switching contact pairs 6A and 6D as well as 6B

8 and 6E are each conductively connected to each other via module contacts 14.

9 Realization of the cross switch 44, its switching contacts 6C and 6F are each

10 for a current input 5OC or 5OF, i.e. for connection to the phase conductor

11 of a power network. The switching contacts 6A and 6E are each for

12 a current output 52A or 52E is provided. To operate the cross switch

13 ters 44, this has a single rocker switch with which the two switching elements

14 te 11C,11F are operated simultaneously.

is The switching elements 6A to 6F are selected such that in the switching position

17 "bottom" of the switching elements 11C,11F, i.e. when they are in the direction of the switching contacts

18 clocks 6A to 6C are tilted, the switching elements 11 C,11F the two switching contacts

19 Connect the contacts 6B and 6C as well as the two switching contacts 6F and 6A.

20 den. In the switch position "down" there is a connection between the

21 current input 5OC and the current output 52E as well as between the current input

22 input 5OF and the current output 52A. The switching contacts 6A to 6F are further

23 is designed in such a way that in the opposite switching position "top" the

24 Switch contacts 6F and 6E as well as the switch contacts 6C and 6D are connected to each other.

25 tend to be connected via the switching elements 11 C, 11 F. Accordingly, the inputs

26 or outputs 5OF and 52E as well as 5OC and 52A are conductively connected to each other.

28 To implement the changeover switch 46, only three switching contacts are

29 te 6A,6E and 6F are necessary. The switching element 11F is held in the switching contact 6F.

30 ten. This is assigned to the current input 5OF and the other two switching contacts si are assigned to the current outputs 52A and 52E. In the switching position "down" 32 the current input 5OF is connected to the current output 52A and in the switching position

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&igr; "top" connected to the current output 52E. This is done by a corresponding

2 appropriate design of the individual contact arms 10 of the switching contacts 6A,6E

3 and 6F. The glow lamp 48 is conductive with the two switching contacts 6F

4 and 6A. Via the glow lamp 48, current input 5OF

5 and current output 52A permanently connected, so that the glow lamp 48 un-

6 lights up depending on the switch position.

e In order to be able to install the glow lamp 48 in all switch types and to

9 as simple as possible, it has only three contact elements as shown in Fig. 6.

10 ne 54. These are arranged on a neon lamp base 56. They have

11 U-shaped rails, in each of which a contact element 58 is guided. In the

12 Glow lamp base 56 is provided with a socket for a lamp 60, and

13 A cover 62 is provided for covering, which is preferably in the glow lamp

14 pen base 56 is snapped in. The three contact legs 54 are arranged at three of the four corners of the glow lamp 48. Two contact legs 54 are connected to each other

16 conductively connected. This three-legged design with the conductive connection

&igr;? two contact legs 54 allows the glow lamp 48 to be used universally for any

18 switch type. This only requires a corresponding rotation

19 in the base body 4 in 90° steps.

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Patent attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg

·

List of reference symbols

2 Switch 22 Gear lever 3 Switch housing 24 Switch pin 4 Base base 28 Swivel axis 5 chamber 30a,30b Contact surface 6 Switch contact 32 Unlocker 8th Terminal contact 34 Recess 8a Clamping spring 40 Contact plug 9 Contact body 42 Bus line 10 Contact arm 44 Cross switch 11 Switching element 46 Changeover switch 12 Swivel trough 48 Glow lamp 13 Switch tongue 50c,50f Power input 14, 14A-14E module contact 52a,e Current output 15 Contact tongue 54 Contact legs 16 Modular floor 56 Neon lamp base 17 Knife edge 58 Contact elements 18 Holding element 60 Lamps 20 Snap connection 62 Lid

Claims (13)

1. Electrical installation switch ( 2 ) with a switch housing ( 3 ) which comprises a base body ( 4 ) which has a plurality of chambers ( 5 ) for receiving switching contacts ( 6 ), characterized in that the switch housing ( 3 ) has a separate module base ( 16 ) fastened to the base body ( 4 ), and that module contacts ( 14 ) are provided for connecting the switching contacts ( 6 ) on the module base side. 2. Switch ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the module base ( 16 ) is designed to accommodate differently shaped module contacts ( 14 ), via which the switching contacts ( 6 ) can be contacted with one another to form different switch types. 3. Switch ( 2 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the module base ( 16 ) has holding elements ( 18 ) for positioning the module contacts ( 14 ). 4. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module contacts ( 14 ) are inserted in the module base ( 16 ). 5. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module base ( 16 ) is connected to the base body ( 4 ) via a snap connection ( 20 ). 6. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module contacts ( 14 ) have contact tongues ( 15 ) for contacting the switching contacts ( 6 ). 7. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers ( 5 ) are designed to accommodate different switching contacts ( 6 ). 8. Switch ( 2 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the switching contacts ( 6 ) each have a uniform contact base body ( 9 ), a uniform clamping spring ( 8a ) and different contact arms ( 10 ). 9. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching contacts ( 6 ) are fixed in the respective chambers ( 5 ). 10. Switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module base ( 16 ) is designed as a contact plug ( 44 ). 11. Component system for an electrical switch ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a set of different module contacts ( 14 A- 14 E) and/or a set of different switching contacts ( 6 A- 6 F) is provided for realizing different switch types. 12. Component system according to claim 11, characterized in that a uniform switch housing ( 3 ) is provided for the realization of different switch types. 13. Glow lamp for a switch ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that three contact legs ( 54 ) are provided for contacting in the base body ( 4 ) of the switch ( 2 ), two of which are electrically conductively connected to one another.