Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
  • H01H3/12—Push-buttons
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
  • H01H3/12—Push-buttons
  • H01H3/122—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to the field of electrical equipment.
• a mounting frame which is fixed relative to the insulating base and which has an access opening to the switching mechanism
• a control key which comprises, on the one hand, a front engaged through the access opening of the mounting frame to be accessible to the user, and, on the other hand, tilt mounting means on said mounting frame around at least two separate axes, so as to be movable between a stable rest position and at least two actuating positions of the switching mechanism.
• the electrical switches commonly called “push-push” allow, internally, to perform a bistable function of change of state, opening or closing a circuit each time it is acted on their control key, while they behave externally like monostables, their control key returning each time to the rest position as soon as the depressing action exerted on it is released.
• document EP2187414 discloses two embodiments of an electrical switch.
• a switch in which the push button is adapted to be moved in translation inside the housing.
• the push button has four legs each provided with a hook to limit the output of the push button.
• the push button is adapted to be moved tilt inside the housing.
• the push button comprises, on one side, two pins that allow the push button to tilt around a single axis, and, on the other side, two jambs each provided with a hook to limit the output of the pushbutton.
• the axis of tilting of the control key is provided along an edge of the control key.
• these electrical switches are installed in such a way that the tilt axis of their control key is located horizontally on the high side of this control key. Conversely, in other countries, these electrical switches are installed in such a way that the tilt axis of their control key is located horizontally on the bottom side of this control key.
• Such a switch can then be mounted always in the same direction (the inscriptions at the place), since the user can act on the upper part or on the lower part of the control key, according to his habits, to make it to toggle.
• the mounting frame is closed at the rear by a bottom from which rise four U-shaped bridges each defining an oblong space of closed contour.
• the control key has corresponding, in protruding from its rear face, four studs respectively engaged in oblong spaces delimited by these U-shaped bridges.
• Each pad is thus free to pivot within this oblong space, or to sink backwards. In this way, the control button can swing in one direction or the other, or even sink backwards.
• the present invention proposes a new, more reliable switch in which the installation of the control key in the mounting frame is facilitated.
• the invention proposes an electrical switch as defined in the introduction, wherein the mounting means comprise at least two teeth protruding from the edge of said facade which, when the control key is in the rest position , are engaged in two grooves provided at the rear of the mounting frame.
• each groove has at least one profiled section of arcuate cross-section
• each tooth has at least one profile section of arcuate cross-section, the diameter of which is identical to that of the arc-shaped portion of each groove;
• Each groove has at least one profiled portion of dihedral cross section
• each tooth has at least one profiled portion of bevelled cross-section, with an apex angle smaller than the angle of opening of the dihedral of each groove;
• an apparatus support which is equipped with means for attachment to an electrical box, first securing means of the insulating base of the switching mechanism, second means of securing the mounting frame;
• said apparatus support also comprises third means of securing a covering plate which is adapted to cover the outer edge of said equipment support and to border and / or cover said mounting frame;
• said mounting frame is adapted to cover the outer edge of said apparatus support.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an electrical switch according to the invention
• FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views of the control button of the electrical switch of Figure 1, shown at two different angles;
• FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the mounting frame of the electrical switch of Figure 1;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view along the plane A-A of Figure 4.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the electrical switch of Figure 1, shown in a first section plane;
• FIGS. 7 to 10 are schematic sectional views of the electrical switch of Figure 1, shown in a second sectional plane orthogonal to the first section plane, which illustrate different depression positions of the control key;
• FIG. 1 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the control key and the mounting frame of a first embodiment of the electrical switch according to the invention
• FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view in assembled section of the control key and of the mounting frame of a second variant embodiment of the electrical switch according to the invention.
• FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the area XIII of FIG. 12.
• this electric switch 1 is of the type to be fixed on an electrical box (not shown) embedded in a wall.
• the electrical switch could rather be of the type to be fixed on a frame mounted on a wall.
• the terms "before” and “back” will be used by relative to the direction of the user's gaze towards the wall on which this electrical switch is reported 1.
• the wall will be a one-room wall partition
• the front will designate the inward side of the room and the back will point to the outward facing side of the room.
• the electric switch 1 comprises a control key 10, a mounting frame 30, a cover plate 50, an equipment mechanism 70, and an equipment support 90.
• the mounting frame and the trim plate may for example form a single piece.
• the equipment support 90 is intended to be fixed to the electrical box (or, according to the first variant, to the projecting frame) and to support the mounting frame 30 as well as the mounting plate. 50.
• the covering plate 50 is provided to aesthetically cover this equipment support 90.
• the mounting frame 30 is provided for guiding the tilting of the control key 10 so that it can switch the mechanism equipment 70.
• the covering plate 50, the equipment mechanism 70 and the equipment support 90 not being the object of the present invention, they will only be briefly described at the end of this presentation.
• the present invention thus relates more to the control key 10 and to its mounting frame 30.
• the mounting frame 30 delimits an access opening 31 inside which the control key 10 is engaged.
• this control key 10 comprises, on the one hand, a frontage 1 1 plane and orthogonal to an axis A0, which is accessible to the user, and, on the other hand, mounting means 13 to tilt on said mounting frame 30 around at least two separate axes A1, A2, which allow the control key 10 to be movable between a stable rest position and at least two actuating positions of the mechanism d apparatus 70.
• these mounting means comprise at least two teeth 13 projecting from the edge of said front 1 1 which, when the control key 10 is in the rest position, are engaged in two grooves 33 provided at the rear of the mounting frame 30.
• the mounting frame 30 here has a shape of a square ring axis A0.
• the front 1 1 of the control key 10 then also has a square shape of equal dimensions, to the operating clearance, to the dimensions of the access opening 31 delimited by the mounting frame 30. This facade 1 1 closes then the access opening 31.
• the mounting frame and the control key could of course have different shapes, including circular.
• the facade 1 1 is bordered at the rear by a flange 12.
• This flange 12 runs along the entire periphery of the facade 1 1.
• the teeth 13 then extend from the outer face of the flange 12 and are curved forward. Their curved ends thus extend away from the flange 12, parallel to it.
• At least one tooth 13 is provided on each of two opposite sides of the flange 12, so that the control key 10 can pivot about two parallel axes substantially coinciding with these two opposite sides.
• control key 10 can pivot about eight axes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 separate, parallel in pairs.
• Each tooth 13 is a profile which extends in length along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of the corresponding side of the facade January 1.
• Each tooth 13 has an L-shaped profile (or "cross-section"), with a portion that hooks to the flange 12, and a portion that points forward.
• the front end 14 of each tooth 13 has a particular profile making it possible to ensure a good rotational guidance of the control key 10 with respect to the mounting frame 30.
• the mounting frame 30 comprises a body 32 in the form of a rectangular ring (here square), with four identical branches.
• each branch of the body 32 are planar.
• the front edge of the body 32 is also flat.
• each notch 34 thus forms one of said grooves 33 for receiving the teeth 13 of the key order 10.
• Each notch 34 has a width identical to that of the teeth 13 of the control key 10 and a depth such that:
• each groove 33 is a profile which extends in length along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of the branch in which it is located.
• Each groove 33 has a particular profile (or "cross-section"), whose shape is provided according to the shape of the front ends 14 of the teeth 13, so as to ensure a good rotational guidance of the control key 10 relative to to the mounting frame 30.
• each groove 33 thus has a concave arc-of-circle profile, here in a semi-circle open towards the rear.
• each tooth 13 of the control key 10 then has a convex arc-of-circle profile, here in a quarter-circle of diameter equal to that of the grooves 33 .
• teeth and grooves have different shapes.
• each groove 233 prefferably has a dihedral profile, and for each tooth 213 to have a bevel-shaped profile with an apex angle B1 less than the angle. opening grooves 233.
• teeth 213 will be arranged on the control key 10 so that, when the control key 10 is at rest, the tops of the teeth 213 engage at the bottom of the grooves 233.
• Figures 2 and 3 show the axes of rotation A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 around which the control key 10 can switch when a support is exerted on it by a user, depending on where this support is exercised.
• the first four axes of rotation A1, A2, A3, A4 border the control key 10. They correspond more precisely to the cylinder axes of the front ends 14 of the teeth 13.
• the other axes of rotation A5, A6, A7, A8 are coplanar with the first axes of rotation A1, A2, A3, A4, but inclined at 45 degrees with respect thereto. They each pass through the adjacent ends of each pair of teeth 13 located at the same corner of the control key 10.
• the mounting frame 30 and the operating key 10 here each form in one piece, by molding an insulating material, for example a plastics material.
• FIG. 1 shows a particular embodiment of the apparatus mechanism 70.
• the apparatus mechanism 70 comprises an insulating base 72 and a switching mechanism 71 housed inside the insulating base 72.
• the insulating base 72 generally has a parallelepiped shape open on the front face.
• snap tabs 72B have snap teeth 72C extending rearwardly and away from the peripheral sidewalk 72A.
• the switching mechanism 71 comprises: - one (in the case of a single switch) or two (in the case of a back and forth, as shown here) terminals 75 which each carry a fixed contact ring 76,
• a terminal 75A which delimits a gutter into which a brush 75B equipped with a (in the case of a single switch) or two (in the case of a back and forth) oscillating contact bumps 74, switches, the two or three terminals 75, 75A being furthermore connected to the local electrical network,
• a trainer 73 which is placed in the front opening of the insulating base 72 and which is pivotally mounted on the latter to descend towards the rear or to climb towards the front,
• a nut 77 which is pivotally mounted in the insulating base 72 to tilt from one side or the other to each lowering of said driver 73, so as to hook the brush 75B to tilt it on one side or on the other.
• another of the gutter which makes it possible to put one of its mobile contact elements 74 into contact with one or the other of the two fixed contact grains 76, and
• - Drive means (comprising a spring 78 and a finger 79) adapted to ensure a rapid tilting of the nut 70 at each descent of the driver 73 and to push the driver 73 forward.
• control key 10 carries, in the middle of the rear face of its front 1 1, a lug 19 which bears against the front face of the driver 73 and which allows to push this last rearward with each support exerted by a user on the front 1 1 of the control key 10, so as to switch the fitting mechanism 70.
• the equipment support 90 serves to mount the equipment mechanism 70 inside the electrical box recessed into the wall (or, according to the first variant, to mount the equipment mechanism on the protruding frame). It forms here a separate part of the insulating base 72 of the equipment mechanism 70. Alternatively, it could form a single piece therewith.
• This equipment support 90 comprises a planar square flat plate 99 which internally delimits a rectangular central opening 91 adapted to receive the insulating base 72 of the equipment mechanism 70.
• the equipment support 90 comprises fixing means 92 to the electrical box recessed in the wall (or, according to the first variant, fixing means to the projecting frame). These fixing means are here in the form of two circular apertures 92 for fixing screw passage, provided in two opposite branches of the flat plate 99.
• the equipment support 90 also comprises securing means 93 of the insulating base 72 of the equipment mechanism 70.
• These securing means are here in the form of two slots 93 provided on either side of the central opening 91, in two opposite branches of the flat plate 99. These two slots 93 are thus provided to accommodate two tabs 72D provided in correspondence to the rear of the peripheral sidewalk 72A of the insulating base 72 (see Figure 1).
• slots 93 are more specifically designed to center and laterally block the insulating base 72 in the rectangular central opening 91 of the flat plate 99.
• the ratchet teeth 72C of the detent tabs 72B 72 of the insulating base are provided to cling to the rear of the flat plate 99 to retain the peripheral sidewalk 72A of the insulating base 72 resting against the front face of the frame 99.
• the equipment support 90 also comprises securing means 95, 96 of the mounting frame 30.
• these securing means comprise a peripheral rib 95 which extends in a square outline, projecting on the front face of the flat plate 99.
• This peripheral rib 95 extends more precisely around and away from the central rectangular opening 91 of the flat plate 99. It delimits internally a housing in which is fitted the mounting frame 30.
• the mounting frame 30 comprises in correspondence four bending tabs 35 which are respectively cut in the center of each leg of the body 32 of the mounting frame 30 and which each bear on their outer faces a tooth d snap-fastening 36.
• Each bending tab 35 has a rectangle shape with three of the edges are free and whose fourth edge, namely here the front edge, is connected to the body 32 of the mounting frame 30 to form a kind of hinge.
• Each snap tooth 36 is then located near the edge rear of the corresponding flexure tab 35.
• Each ratchet tooth 36 has a flat front face which is adapted to hook to the front edge of the corresponding window 96 of the equipment support 90, and a rear face inclined outwards to form a ramp allowing the leg flexion 35 to deform elastically inwardly when the mounting frame 30 is engaged in the housing delimited by the peripheral ridge 95 of the flat plate 99.
• the trim plate 50 has a square frame shape, with a central square aperture 51.
• trim plate 50 is designed to aesthetically cover the switchgear support 90
• the central opening 51 is designed to allow access to the trainer 73 of the switchgear mechanism 70.
• This trim plate 50 is curved so that its edges are bent backwards to be able to be applied against the wall in which is embedded the electrical box (all around the equipment support 90).
• the equipment support 90 comprises securing means 94 for this covering plate 50.
• These securing means are here in the form of snap tabs 94 which rise from the front face of the flat plate 99 and which bear on their outer faces snap teeth adapted to cling to ribs 52 provided in correspondence on the inner face of the curved edges of the trim plate 50 (see Figure 6).
• control key 10 is at rest. It is held in this position by the spring 78 which pushes the coach 73 forward.
• the access opening 31 delimited by the mounting frame 30 to accommodate the control key 10 will have dimensions equal, with the operating clearance, to the outer dimensions of the flange 12 of the control key 10.
• the operating clearance shall be selected to allow the control key to switch around the aforementioned eight axes of rotation A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8.
• control key 1 10 has teeth 13 only on two opposite sides of its rim January 12.
• the mounting frame 130 will then be devoid of notches on two of its branches, so as to have grooves 133 only on two opposite branches.
• the trim plate and the mounting frame form a single piece.
• the mounting frame will then be adapted to aesthetically cover the front face and the edges of the equipment support.

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• Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
• Tumbler Switches (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=48782423

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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Family Cites Families (6)

• 2013
  • 2013-04-23 FR FR1353674A patent/FR3004849B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2014
  • 2014-03-31 WO PCT/FR2014/050761 patent/WO2014174170A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2014-03-31 BR BR112015026340A patent/BR112015026340A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2014-03-31 RU RU2015149982A patent/RU2663812C2/ru active
  • 2014-03-31 CN CN201480022960.6A patent/CN105229767B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-03-31 EP EP14719059.9A patent/EP2989651B1/de active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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