EP1971997B1 - Rotary drive for an electrical switch with toggle-lever actuation - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary drive for a switch actuated by a toggle lever includes an operative connection which swivels, a first catch element on the operative connection, coupled to the toggle lever, and a second catch element on the operative connection. A mounting plate parallel to the switch base and a rotatable shaft are provided, the rotatable shaft disposed through the mounting plate. The rotary drive further includes a swivel arm on the shaft, a rotary knob coupled to the shaft configured to rotate the shaft. A mechanical connection couples the swivel arm to the second catch element, converting movement of the shaft into a movement of the operative connection. A swivel movement of the toggle lever is transferred to the second catch element, and the swivel arm enables the operative connection to swivel through a rotation of the shaft to move the toggle lever.

Description

Technical area

The invention is in the field of electrical switches and relates to a rotary drive for an electrical switch, which is actuated by a rocker arm in two end positions.

State of the art

A rotary drive for a switch with tilting mechanism is described for example in DE 2808585 A1 , With this arrangement, the (translational) tilting movement of a tilting rocker actuating the tilting lever is carried out by a rotational movement. For this purpose, the rocker arm is overlapped by a rotary lever, for which purpose a recess is present in the rotary lever. The rotary lever is pivotally mounted on the actuation-side housing cover of the electrical switch.

Another proposal for carrying out the tilting movement of a rocker arm on a switch by the rotation of a rotatably mounted on a switching shaft handle is in DE 4300313 C1 or DE 43 22 215 A1 presented.

As a rule, important switches on control panels or control cabinets should be accessible from the outside. A problem arises when such a switch can not be placed on or in the housing wall, but when the switch is far behind the wall, and yet should be operable from the outside. In the case of a switch with rotary knob operation can extend the axis of rotation, and pass the axis through the wall. The situation with toggle switches is unfavorable in this respect. A wall duct is not possible. There is only the possibility to leave a disproportionate window in the wall, if at all a wall breakthrough is allowed. For such or similar installation situations, it is desirable to be able to actuate an electric switch with rocker arm operation also rotating.

Presentation of the invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a device with which a switch with Kipphebelbetätigung can also be operated by means of rotary drive.

The solution of the problem can be found in the main claim. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The essence of the invention consists in a rotatably mounted, designed as a frame or as a strap operative connection between the toggle switch and knob whose rotation participates the movement of the rocker arm, or by movement of the operative connection of the rocker arm is actuated. About a driver assembly between a guided in a mounting plate shaft and the operative connection of the rocker arm and thus the lock of the switch can be actuated in the respective end position.

The advantage of the rotary actuator is that in inaccessible or hard to reach front of the built-in switch, the operation of the back is easily possible. Furthermore, the operation of the front remains unhindered possible.

The knob makes the movement of the rocker arm completely with, so that the different positions of the rocker arm in different positions of the knob are "mapped" - and vice versa. For the function of a low-voltage switch, it is important that the lock of the switch must be re-tensioned after tripping. After release, rocker arm and knob are in a central position. This position gives the user an indication of the tripped state. Switching the switch on again using the rotary knob is only possible after the lock has been cocked. It is advantageous if next to the knob functional characteristics (OFF, ON, tripped) are printed or imprinted visible to the user.

The lying on the front side of the switch first driver member may be formed as a driver opening. When using a bracket, the end of the upper stirrup leg may also be formed as a fork, instead of a driving opening, which comprises the end of the rocker arm.

The mechanical active connection can be formed in various advantageous embodiments. First, the operative connection may consist of a two-legged bracket, on the first leg of the first driver member and on the second leg, the second driver member is formed and the legs, each angled at right angles, arranged on a, the axis of rotation receiving strap web. Second, the operative connection may consist of a front, rear and two parallel sides of the switch encompassing rectangular frame, and on the front of the switch lying, first frame strut, the first driver member and lying on the lying on the back of the switch, the second frame strut, the second entrainment member is formed and the axis of rotation extends through the parallel sides of the switch encompassing frame struts.

The lying on the back of the switch second entrainment member may be formed as a slot. The mechanical connection here consists of a located on the pivot axis, the slot thorough driving pin. Alternatively, the second driving member may be formed as a driving pin, wherein the mechanical connection of a driving pin and the pivot axis hingedly connecting rod, whereby a rotational movement of the shaft can be converted into a pivoting movement of the frame.

Advantageously, the transfer of the switch in its two end positions on a Kippsprungwerk.

The mounting plate may be formed as part of a door or flap of a cabinet, whereby the switch is accessible from the rear by opening the flap. In this case, an alternative storage of rotary knob and shaft must be provided. For example, the knob can be stored in the mounting plate designed as a flap so that it comes out of engagement with the shaft in the opening of the flap. The connection between the knob and the shaft may be formed as a plug connection, so that when pivoting away the flap, the knob moves and comes out of engagement with the shaft. When swinging the flap of the knob returns to the shaft into engagement.

For the mounting of the switch in the cabinet different solutions can be used. A solution is shown in the figures, and will be described there in more detail. Another solution may be that the switch bracket off a stamped and bent part, in which the spacers are not separately formed as individual parts. The person skilled in such embodiments should be easily possible. It is essential that the driver elements are stored safely and the distances between the switch holder and mounting plate, which may be the rear wall of a cabinet, are sufficient.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht mit Bügel als Wirkverbindung;

Figur 2:

eine zweite perspektivische Ansicht mit Rahmen als Wirkverbindung;

Figur 3:

eine Darstellung einer pendelnd gelagerten unteren Rahmenstrebe.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, with reference to figures explained embodiments. Show it

FIG. 1:

a perspective view with bracket as operative connection;

FIG. 2:

a second perspective view with frame as operative connection;

FIG. 3:

a representation of a pendulum-mounted lower frame strut.

Best way to carry out the invention

In the Figures 1 and 2 one recognizes the following details of the arrangement according to the invention: An electrical switch 100 is located with its back 104 on a switch support 71 and can be releasably secured there. On the front side 102 of the switch 100, a rocker arm 120 is visible. On the right side of the switch openings 130 are shown as access to terminals. Further details of the switch are not shown and are not important to the invention. The switch support consists essentially of a plate 71 which is parallel to the rear wall 104 of the switch. The plate (support surface 71) is spaced from the mounting plate 80 by supports or spacers 76. The distance produced is so large that the driver assembly with the reference numerals 44, 46, 48, 28 between support surface 71 and mounting plate 80 has room. On the switch support 70, a flange 72 is formed on both sides of the switch, in Fig. 1 is mounted on the flange 72 about the axis 30 rotatably mounted a bracket 20 '. In Fig. 2 is attached to the flange 72 about the axis 30 rotatably mounted a frame 20.

The frame in Fig. 2 is rectangular and has four frame struts 22, 23, 24 and 25. The frame struts embrace front 102, back 104 and two parallel sides 103,105 of the switch 100. The axis of rotation 30 of the frame 20 coincides exactly or approximately with the (located inside the switch) axis of rotation of the rocker arm 120 together. In the lying on the front side 102 of the switch 100, the first frame strut 22 is a rectangular cam opening 26 is formed, in which engages the end of the rocker arm 120. At the lying on the back 104 of the switch 100, the second frame strut 24, a driver 28 is formed. Parallel to the switch support 71 is the mounting plate 80 through which a shaft 42 extends, which is rotatable from the outside with a hand knob 40. The mounting plate may also be a housing wall of a cabinet or the like.

On the shaft 42, a pivot arm 44 is arranged, which mediates a rotary motion between the pivot arm 44 and frame driver 28 via the rod 48. The Schwenkarmlänge is dimensioned so that on the size of the rotational path of the shaft 42 (or the hand knob), the frame is such (complete) pivotal that the rocker arm from one of its end positions in its other end position can be transferred. Due to the axial position of the frame approximately in alignment with the axis of the rocker arm ensures that the rocker arm remains at each position of the frame in the cam opening 26 on the first frame strut 22. Frame strut and rocker arms make the same circular arc movement.

In Fig. 1 is formed as an operative connection between toggle switch 120 and knob 40 of the bracket 20 '. In contrast to the frame 20 after Fig. 2 , the bracket 20 'has only one bearing on the axis 30 on the flange 72. The frame struts 22' and 24 'are shorter than the bracket legs 22 and 24; they only go so far that the front end of the toggle switch and the driver 28 is taken up on the back. The front-side entrainment opening 26 can be designed as an all-round closed opening or as a fork.

The Fig. 3 shows an embodiment which can be produced when the switch 100 is mounted horizontally or or in horizontal position of the switch holder. Here, the lying on the back 104 of the switch 100 BügelSchenkel 24 ', or lying on the back 104 of the switch 100 frame strut 24 should remain on pivoting of the bracket 20', and the frame strut 24 in a horizontal position. For this purpose, the mentioned lower bracket leg 24 ', or the mentioned lower frame strut 24 is rotatably mounted in an axis 32. The drawing shows the facts for the storage of the frame strut 24 again (but not for the storage of the lower hanger arm 24 '). The skilled person can easily understand and execute the embodiment, not shown. The driver assembly on the underlying frame strut 24 is formed as a slot 28 '. The pivot arm 44 'formed on the pin 46 passes through the slot. Upon rotation of the axis 42 of the pivoting pin 46 moves the underlying frame strut 24 and the hanger arm 24 '. Likewise, the frame loaded by the rocker arm side moves the pin 46, pivot arm 44 'and knob 40.

Claims (11)

1. Rotary drive for an electrical switch, which can be actuated by a toggle lever (120) in two end positions, wherein:

   - the switch is fixed via its rear (104) on a switch support (70, 71);

   - the toggle lever (120) is arranged on a front (102) of the switch (100);

   - the toggle lever (120) is encompassed by a first catch element (26, 26');

   - the first catch element (26, 26') is constructed on an operative connection piece (20, 20') which (20, 20') is mounted movably about an axis of rotation (30), and converts the pivoting movement of the toggle lever (120) into a pivoting movement of a second catch element (28, 28'), which is constructed on the operative connection piece (20, 20'), at the rear (104) of the switch;

   - the axis of rotation (30) of the operative connection piece (20, 20') coincides approximately with the axis of rotation of the toggle lever (120);

   - a mounting plate (71) is located parallel to the switch support (71) and at a distance therefrom, through which mounting plate a axle extends which is rotatable by means of a manual rotary knob (40);

   - a pivot arm (44) is arranged on the axle;

   - a mechanical connection (44, 46, 28, 28') is constructed between the pivot arm (44) and the second catch element (28, 28'), by means of which mechanical connection a rotational movement of the axle can be converted into a pivoting movement of the operative connection piece (20, 20'); and

   - the pivot arm length is dimensioned such that the operative connection piece (20, 20') is pivotable through the extent of the rotational path of the axle in such a way that the toggle lever can be transposed from one of its end positions into its other end position.
2. Rotary drive according to claim 1, characterised in that the first catch element is constructed as a catch opening (26) or as a fork into which the end of the toggle lever (120) projects.
3. Rotary drive according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the operative connection piece consists of a two-legged stirrup (20'), the first catch element (26, 26') being constructed on the first leg (22') thereof and the second catch element (28, 28') on the second leg (24') thereof, and the legs (22', 24') are arranged on a stirrup bar (25') which incorporates the axis of rotation (30).
4. Rotary drive according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the operative connection piece (20, 20') consists of a rectangular frame (20) which encompasses the front (102), rear (104) and two parallel sides (103, 105) of the switch (100), and the first catch element (26, 26') is constructed on the first frame strut (22), located at the front (102) of the switch (100), and the second catch element (28, 28') on the second frame strut (24) at the rear (104) of the switch (100), and the axis of rotation (30) extends through the frame struts (23, 25) which extend parallel to the parallel sides (103, 105) of the switch (100).
5. Rotary drive according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the second catch element is constructed as an elongated hole (28') and the mechanical connection (44, 46, 48, 28) consists of a catch pin (46) which is located on the pivot shaft and engages through the elongated hole (28').
6. Rotary drive according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the catch arrangement is constructed as an elongated hole either on a stirrup leg (24') located at the rear (104) of the switch (100) or on frame strut (24) located at the rear (104) of the switch (100).
7. Rotary drive according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second catch element is constructed as a catch pin (28) and the mechanical connection (44, 46, 48, 28) consists of a rod (48) hingedly connecting the catch pin (28) and the pivot shaft (44).
8. Rotary drive according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that, when the switch (100) is fitted horizontally, a stirrup leg (24'), located at the rear (104) of the switch (100), is mounted on the stirrup bar (25') in a shaft (32) in such a way that the stirrup leg (24') remains in the horizontal position as the stirrup (20') pivots.
9. Rotary drive according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that, when the switch (100) is fitted horizontally, the frame strut (24) located at the rear (104) of the switch (100) is mounted on the two frame struts (23, 25) disposed parallel to the sides of the switch (100) in a shaft (32) in such a way that the frame strut (24) remains in the horizontal position as the frame (20) pivots.
10. Rotary drive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch (100) is transposed into its two end positions via a tilting snap-action mechanism.
11. Rotary drive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting plate (71) is constructed as part of a door or flap of a switch cabinet, and the rotary knob (40) is mounted in the part of the mounting plate and the axle in the switch support (70, 71) in such a way that the rotary knob disengages from the axle as the part of the mounting plate (71) opens.

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