EP0516870A1 - Multi-directional switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-circuit switch having at least two individual switches (1 to 8) and a rotatably supported operating device (11) for the individual switches has at least two operating elements (27, 28; 33, 34) which are arranged one behind the other, preferably at right angles to its rotation axis (14, 15). In a first rotation position (30) of the operating device (11), each operating element (27, 28) which is close to the axis operates the operating member (29) of a first individual switch (1), which is preferably constructed as a push switch, or, if the operating device is a rocker, operates the operating member of another first individual switch (5). In a second rotation position having a larger rotation angle (32), a second individual switch (2) or (6) is operated with the aid of the operating element (33, 34), remote from the axis, of the operating device (11). In the case of a so-called four-quandrant switch, the operating device (11) is supported on a universal joint (13) whose rotation axis (20, 21) runs at right angles to the rotation axis (14, 15) of the operating device (11). Provided on the universal joint (13) are two operating elements (42 and 43) which are remote from the axis and, together with the operating elements (33 and 34), remote from the axis, of the operating device (11), form an operating device arrangement which operates in the manner of a cross. The individual switches of a switch pair can be operated simultaneously or shortly after one another, in every defined switch position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a multiple switch with at least two individual switches and a rotatably mounted actuator for the individual switches. With such multiple switches, each individual switch is in a separate circuit. With the help of the actuator, depending on the design of the multiple switch, each individual switch can be operated individually or all or only groups of them. In the case of a group operation, turning or swiveling the actuator causes all the individual switches to be actuated, and turning back or swiveling the actuator back in all the individual switches to their starting position. If the actuator is a rocker switch, you can move the rocker to one side a first single switch and when actuating to the other side - each starting from a middle position - operate the second single switch.

The object is to design a generic multiple switch in such a way that it enables a different type of actuation and in particular opens up the possibility of using a plurality of individual switches, all of which can be actuated at least individually.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes that the multiple switch is designed according to the preamble of claim 1 in accordance with the characterizing part of this claim. If the actuator of this multiple switch is brought from its initial position into a first actuating position, this leads to the actuation of a first individual switch. If you turn the actuator further in the same direction to a second switch position, this leads to the actuation of a second individual switch. However, the first individual switch is not returned to its initial position, rather both individual switches are in their changeover position in the second actuation position. If you move the actuator back to the first rotary position, the second single switch can return to its original position. The first single switch only assumes its starting position when the actuator is moved further, ie into its Starting position turns back.

From the foregoing it follows that, viewed in the direction of rotation, more than two individual switches can be arranged one behind the other and all can be actuated one after the other, in which case the actuator has a number of additive rotary movements or effective rotary positions corresponding to the individual switches. For technical reasons, to be precise precisely because the actuating member of the first switch is moved further in the actuating direction when the second individual switch is switched, etc., a certain limit is generally reached with two or three individual switches arranged in series.

Furthermore, it is of course readily possible to arrange two individual switches, in particular placed next to one another, in such a way that they are operated together in a first rotary position. It is also easy to see that more than two switches can be operated simultaneously in the first rotary position. The same applies to the second rotary position. In this case, the limits are drawn further than in the aforementioned configuration with more than two consecutive rotational positions of the actuator.

Another solution of the task results according to the invention from claim 2. It differs from the first-mentioned solution in that the or the actuating elements in is or are designed in a special manner, indicated in FIG. 6. Each specially shaped actuating element has namely at its free end, that is to say the end which acts directly on the switches, two different actuating edges which project to different extents, each being assigned an actuating member of an individual switch. Because the actuators of the individual switches are on a common level, the two switches of each switch pair are actuated at short intervals when the actuator is moved into the first and / or the second rotary position, the actuator of the switch of each switch pair, of course, being pressed first, of course the above actuating edge is assigned. In the case of two pairs of switches and two actuating elements of the actuator, each with a stepped design at the free actuating end, the two individual switches are pressed briefly in succession in a first rotational position, and the two individual switches of the second pair of switches are briefly pressed in succession in a second rotational position. So you have four different switching operations with two switching positions. In another embodiment, three individual switches are actuated, for example, one switch in a first switching position, or two switches in succession, and two switches in succession in a second switching position, or only one.

If the switch has only one actuator, so a switch position is also sufficient. Nevertheless, one switch position can be used to operate two individual switches of a single switch pair in succession.

A further development of the invention provides that the actuator is designed in the manner of a rocker and that it has at least two actuating elements arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation, on each side of an axis, in particular in the center plane, to which at least one individual switch is assigned. The plane mentioned is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the individual switches are arranged one behind the other. However, this does not mean that all individual switches of this multiple switch must be arranged exactly on a common line. Of the four actuators of this multiple switch, two are off-axis and two are near-axis actuators. If you press one of the rocker arms down, the associated one close to the axis and the associated one away from the axis becomes effective when turning further. When the other rocker arm is actuated, the other actuation element close to and away from the axis become active one after the other.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention results from claim 4. The actuator of this multiple switch can alternatively be operated at least in four mutually perpendicular directions. Unless there are special reasons to oppose it, and also the other training for this Multiple switch and especially its universal joint allows this, but movements in mixing directions are also possible. If you restrict the movement to the two axes of the gimbal, at least six or eight individual switches can be operated on a rocker with the help of this multiple switch. On the basis of the exemplary embodiments, it is then shown that such a multiple switch enables a whole series of circuit diagrams.

The term "housing or the like." is to be understood in the most general sense; i.e. it can e.g. are a lower housing part or an upper housing part designed as a cover. In addition, this housing need not necessarily be a closed housing.

A further variant of the invention includes claim 5. Pushbutton switches are particularly suitable in connection with this multiple switch due to their simple construction and in particular their problem-free operation and compact design. Since the free pusher ends are on a common plane, it only makes sense if all actuation elements near the axis and all of the axles or their free ends are each on a common plane that runs parallel to the plane of the free pusher ends.

A further embodiment of the invention can be found in claim 6. In this embodiment, the actuator has only two each other opposite actuators close to the axis. Of course, each actuator is also assigned a remote actuator. The actuating elements of the gimbal, which are remote from the axis, are therefore not assigned an actuating element of the actuator near the axis. However, it is provided that the actuating elements of the gimbal, which are remote from the axis, are large enough, for example, to actuate two individual switches simultaneously.

Another embodiment of the invention is that the free end of the actuating elements of the gimbal is designed in a step-like manner to form successively effective actuating edges. Because the actuating members of the individual switches are on a common plane, the protruding edge of the actuating element in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 reaches the actuating member of its associated individual switch shortly before the somewhat backward actuating edge also reaches its actuating member of the other individual switch of this pair of switches.

Another variant of the invention results from claim 8. This describes a so-called four-quadrant switch. In this exemplary embodiment, each positive and negative X or Y axis are assigned two individual switches or switch pairs, which are located one behind the other in the direction of rotation and are assigned to each other, in the case of switch pairs, with respect to the coordinate zero point Individual switches can be operated simultaneously or by means of stepped operating edges one after the other.

In a further development of the invention it is proposed that the actuator carries a stick-like approach which is guided in a backdrop. This enables the individual switching positions to be found quickly and precisely, particularly in the case of a four-quadrant switch. The backdrop is preferably designed in the form of a cross, the bars of the cross running parallel to the X or Y axis.

Figur 1

explosionsartig und teilweise schematisiert, in Schrägbild-Darstellung, eine erste Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

schematisch die Zuordnung der Einzelschalter zu einem X-Y-Koordinatensystem;

Figur 3

in vergrößertem Maßstab eine zweite Variante der Erfindung in der ersten Schaltstellung;

Figur 4

eine demenstprechende Darstellung in der zweiten Schaltstellung;

Figur 5

einen Ausschnitt aus einem Betätigungsschema einer anderen Einzelschalter-Anordnung.

Figur 6

einen Ausschnitt aus Figur 1 einer abgewandelten dritten Ausführungsform.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows three embodiments of the invention. Here represent:

Figure 1

exploded and partially schematic, in oblique view, a first embodiment;

Figure 2

schematically the assignment of the individual switches to an XY coordinate system;

Figure 3

on a larger scale a second variant of the invention in the first switch position;

Figure 4

a corresponding representation in the second switching position;

Figure 5

a section of an actuation diagram of another single switch arrangement.

Figure 6

a section of Figure 1 of a modified third embodiment.

According to Figure 1, the individual switches 1 to 8 are arranged on a base plate 10 so that the individual switches 2,1,5 and 6 lie on a line which coincides with the X axis of a coordinate system (Figure 1). On this side of the line, i.e. In the direction of positive Y values, the individual switches 3 and 4 are mounted in addition to the individual switches 1 and 5. Beyond the X-axis, besides the individual switches 1 and 5, there are the individual switches 7 and 8. Thus, the switches 3.1 and 7 on the one hand, and 4.5 and 8 on the other, each lie on a straight line that runs parallel to the Y-axis . An actuator 11 is rotatably mounted on a gimbal 13 about a first axis of rotation 12, which also forms the Y axis of the coordinate system. For this purpose, the gimbal has two bearing journals 14 which extend from one another and protrude in the opposite direction, of which only one can be seen in FIG. Each engages in a bearing bore 15 of the actuator 11.

The cardan cross 13 is in turn rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation 16 on a housing 17, the second axis of rotation 16 corresponding to the X axis of the coordinate system.

In Figure 1, only two walls 18 and 19 of the housing 17 are drawn. Each carries a bearing pin 20 which engages in a bearing bore 21 of the gimbal 13. In the perspective view of Figure 1, only one journal and one bearing bore can be seen.

The cardan cross 13 is essentially designed as a tubular hollow body, with a spike-like extension 24 of the actuator 11, which extends in the starting position of the multiple switch in the direction of a Z-axis 23, engages in the cavity 22. In the illustrated embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, this approach 24 consists of four cross-arranged strips. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the strips 25 and 26, which extend from one another, can be seen in a side view. They extend in the direction of the X axis. The two other strips, not shown, extend perpendicular to this, so that the cross mentioned above is created.

The free edges of the strips 25, 26 protruding downwards in FIGS. 3 and 4 can form actuating elements. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the end edges of the strips 25 and 26 form actuating elements 27 and 28 for a single switch each. They can be of an angular design, in which case the angular corner can then be placed directly on an actuating member of a single switch. In a first rotary position (Figure 3), in which the actuator starting from a central position by a first angle of rotation 30 in the counterclockwise direction about the Y axis, the actuating element 27 of the strip 25 has depressed the actuating member 29 of the individual switch 1 and thereby brought this individual switch into the changeover position. If the actuator 11 is pivoted even more strongly in the direction of arrow 31 until finally the second angle of rotation 32 is reached, then the actuating element 33 remote from the axis depresses the actuating member 29 of the individual switch 2, so that this individual switch also comes into the switchover position.

The actuator 11 has on both sides of its central axis 35 not only the two actuating elements 27 and 28 near the axis, but also two actuating elements 33 and 34 remote from the axis. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the right actuating element 34 remote from the axis can be assigned to the individual switch 6. Both actuation elements 33, 34 remote from the axis are formed by the free, in the drawing lower end of a strip-shaped extension 36 or 37 of the actuator 11. This lower end can be roof-shaped, spherical, or similarly convex.

From FIG. 3 it results in connection with FIGS. 1 and 4 that the free ends 38 of the actuating members 29 lie on a common plane 39. In the middle or starting position of the actuator 11, that is, if it is When the central axis 35 is perpendicular to the common plane 39, the common plane 40 of the actuating elements 27, 28 near the axis is at a short distance from the common plane 39. The two levels 39 and 40 can also coincide approximately. In any case, however, the plane 41 of the actuating elements 33, 34 remote from the axis is at a greater distance or a vertical distance from the common plane 39. In this way, it is achieved that at the first angle of rotation 30 only the “inner” individual switches 1 and 5 are actuated , while at the second angle of rotation 32 the "outer" individual switches 2 and 6 are additionally actuated.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, only the two actuating elements 27 and 28 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are attached to the actuator 11. Although this also has two strips running perpendicular to the strips 25 and 6, their lower free edges are inclined so inwardly or upwards that they do not form any effective actuating elements close to the axis.

If one now acts on the actuator 11 such that the cardan cross 13 is pivoted about its axis 16, this leads to a corresponding pivoting of the actuating elements 42 and 43 of the cardan cross 13 remote from the axis. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, these are wider than the strip-shaped approaches 36 and 37 with the actuators 33 and 34 remote from the axis, which is why they are simultaneously or can successively operate two individual switches, for example 3 and 4 or 7 and 8. The actuation takes place in succession when the actuation elements 42 and 43 remote from the axis are designed step-like at their free end according to FIG. 1, ie have actuation edges 53 and 54. Figure 5 shows the operating diagram of a four-quadrant switch. The individual switches 3 and 4 are assigned to the positive Y axis. The individual switches 5 and 6 are located on the positive X axis. In a manner not shown, there are two individual switches 7 and 8 on the negative X axis, based on the coordinate zero point 44. Two individual switches 1 are located on the negative Y axis and placed 2. The individual switches 3 and 5, as well as the further individual switches 1 and 7, not shown, lie on an inner circle 51 around the coordinate zero point 44. The individual switches 2, 4, 6 and 8 lie on an outer circle 52 which is arranged concentrically with the inner circle 51 is. If the actuator 11 is depressed in the region of the positive Y axis, the individual switch 3 is actuated first, and when the second angle of rotation 32 is reached the individual switch 4 is also actuated. When the actuator 11 is depressed in the region of the positive X axis, the individual switches 5 and 6 are actuated one after the other. The same applies to depressing the actuator 11 in the region of its negative X axis or its negative Y axis.

If instead one depresses the actuator 11 in the area of the positive first diagonal 45, this leads first to actuate the individual switches 3 and 5 and then also to actuate the individual switches 4 and 6. When the actuator 11 is depressed in the region of its bisector 46 or 47, the individual switches 3, 4 and 5 or the individual switches become when the second angle of rotation is reached 3,5 and 6 operated. The same applies analogously to the three other quadrants, not shown.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the actuator 11 carries on its upper side a stick-like extension 48. In this exemplary embodiment, it passes through a cross-shaped link 49 of a link plate 50. With the aid of this link device 48, 49, actuation can be achieved exactly in the X or Y direction and thereby ensure that only the switch or switches that are actually to be actuated are actuated.

FIG. 6 shows a detail from FIG. 1, but with a modified mandrel-like extension 24a of the actuator 11. The extension can be cross-shaped. At least two arms of the cross carry a cross bar. Each forms an actuator 27a or 28a close to the axis. The actuating edge of each transverse bar, which acts directly on the actuating member 29 of the associated individual switch, can be flat in the first switching position for the simultaneous actuation of two individual switches or for briefly delayed actuation. In this case, according to Figure 6 actuating edges 55 and 56 available. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, one or more switches 1 to 8 switch pairs 1a, 1b to 8a, 8b can take the place of one or more switches. The same applies analogously to the switch arrangement of FIG. 2.

Claims (10)

Multiple switch with at least two individual switches (1 to 8) and a rotatably mounted actuator (11) for the individual switches, characterized in that the actuator (11) has at least two actuating elements () arranged one behind the other, in particular approximately perpendicular to its axis of rotation (14, 15). 27, 28; 33, 34), and the actuating element (27, 28) close to the axis in a first rotational position (30) of the actuator (11), the actuating member (29) of a first individual switch (1,5) and the actuating element (33 , 34) actuates the actuating member (29) of a second individual switch (2,6) in a second rotational position with a larger rotational angle (32). Multiple switch with at least two individual switches and a rotatably mounted actuator (11), characterized in that the actuator (11) has at least one, but preferably two, successively arranged actuating elements (for example 27a, transversely, in particular approximately perpendicular to its axis of rotation (14, 15) 28a; 33,34), which or at least one of which has two free actuating edges (55, 56) or the like projecting to different extents, each of which has an actuating member (29) of an individual switch (for example 5a, 5b; 7a, 7b , 6,8) 1a to 8a), the actuating members (29) preferably being located in a common plane (39), and that in the case of two actuating elements (for example 27a, 28a; 33, 34), the actuator, in a first rotational position (30) of the actuator (11), the actuating member (29) of one or the actuating members (29) of two actuating edges (55 , 56) or the like. Assigned individual switches (for example 5a, 5b; 7a, 7b) and in a second rotational position with a larger angle of rotation (32) the actuators (29) of another or the actuators (29) of two further individual switches (for example 6.8 ) operated. Multiple switch according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (11) is designed in the manner of a rocker and that it has at least two actuating elements (for example 27, 33; 28.34), each of which is assigned at least one individual switch (eg 1.2; 5.6). Multiple switch according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (11) is mounted on a gimbal (13), its axis of rotation (14, 15) forming a first axis of rotation (12) and the gimbal (13) around it vertical second axis of rotation (16) is mounted on a housing (17, 18, 19) or the like. of the multiple switch, that the actuator (11) has two opposite (for example, 27, 28) or four crosswise arranged actuators near the axis, and that Cardan cross (11) has at least one actuation element (42, 43) located on either side of it and beyond its axis of rotation (16), which form a crosswise actuator arrangement with the actuation elements (33, 34) of the actuator (11) remote from the axis. Multiple switch according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual switches (1 to 8) are switches each having an actuating member (29) designed as a pusher, the free pusher ends lying in a common plane (39), and in that with an ineffective one Starting or central position of the actuator (11) or the actuating elements (27, 28) close to the axis from the common plane (39) is or have a smaller distance than the actuating element (33, 34; 42, 43) remote from the axis. Multiple switch according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that four individual switches (2,1,5,6) are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation (16) of the gimbal (13) on the housing (17,18,19) or the like, and the like Axis of rotation (16) forms an X-axis of an XY system, and that on the left and right of the inner switch (1,5) located on the X-axis (16), one switch or pair of switches (3,4; 7,8 ) is arranged on the Y axis. Multiple switch according to at least one of Claims 1 and 3 to 6, characterized in that the free end of the actuating elements (42, 43) of the gimbal (13) is designed in a step-like manner to form actuating edges (53, 54) which act in succession. Multiple switch according to at least one of Claims 4, 5 or 7, characterized in that the axis of rotation (20, 21) of the gimbal (13) is an X axis (16) of an XY system and the axis of rotation (14, 15) of the actuator ( 11) form an associated Y-axis (12), and that at least four individual switches (1 to 8) are placed on two concentric circles (51, 52) to the coordinate zero point (44) each assigned to the coordinate axes. Multiple switch according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (11) carries a joystick-like extension (48) which is guided in a link (49). Multiple switch according to Claim 6 or 8 and 9, characterized in that the link (49) is designed in a cross shape, the bars of the cross running parallel to the X (16) or Y axis (12).

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