ES2527863T3 - Toggle switch that works by push button - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric switch (10) comprising: a push button, a rocker switching mechanism (100) having a rocker member (110), resilient impending means (300), arranged between the push button (200) and the mechanism (100) of swingarm switching and providing a resistive force with resilience to the pushbutton, and to reduce the actuation force necessary to overcome the inertia of the swingarm member (110) in order to bring the swingarm member (110) to a switching movement, and pulse conversion means (400) that provide an interface between the push button (200) and the rocker member (110) to convert the movement of the push button (200) into a suitable movement to change the modes of operation of the rocker switching mechanism (100); wherein the resilient impending means (300) comprise primary (320) and secondary (330) resilient means for providing said resistive force with resilience; said primary resilient impending means (320) provide the resistive force with resilience against the movement of the push button (200) by the pulse conversion means (400) in a direction towards the rocker member (110), and to return the push button (200) towards a zero or neutral spring displacement position, and said impending means with secondary resilience (330) to return the pulse conversion means (400) to a pivotally neutral position in which the switching mechanism (100) The swingarm is intermediate to positions in which the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism (100) will be changed by the pulse conversion means (400), characterized in that the pulse conversion means (400) creates a interface with the rocker member (100) of the pulse conversion means (400) in a first and a second chamfered part (420) of the conversion means of pulse (400) to change the operating modes of the rocker switch mechanism (100).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Toggle switch that works by push button

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to electrical switches and, more particularly, electrical switches that operate by push-button. More specifically, this invention relates to pushbutton switches comprising a rocker switching mechanism.

Background of the invention

Electrical switches are essential, if not essential, in electrical applications such as appliances, appliances and electrical installations. Among the various types of known switches, pushbutton switches and rocker switches are probably the most widely used. A rocker switch typically comprises a rocker member that can alternate between at least two stable alternative operating positions corresponding to different alternative modes of operation. A push button switch typically comprises a linearly operated push button that operates by a sequence of simple linear movements, e.g. ex. by pressing and then releasing a button.

Push-button switches comprising a rocker type switching mechanism are known. However, the drive force characteristics of the known push-button rocker switches are not satisfactory due to the inherent drive force characteristics of a rocker switch. For example, as can be seen in Fig. 1A, which shows a characteristic driving force diagram of a conventional rocker switch, such as that shown in Fig. 1, a stepped driving force has to be applied to overcome inertia. of a spring predisposed rocker member that is typically an integral part of a rocker switch. The user will feel a resistive force, which is the result of a reaction to the driving force. This resistive force will disappear long before the rocker switch has been moved to the next stable mode of operation due to the inherent spring predisposition of the rocker switch.

Pushbutton operated switches with a rocker switching mechanism are also known as the switching center. In this specification, for convenience, such switches will be referred to as a "push-button rocker switch". A conventional push-button rocker switch comprises an actuating button which is spring-loaded so that the button is returned to its neutral spring position after each operating pulse. The pushbutton is typically designed so that the pushbutton will meet the rocker member after a predetermined distance has been moved to the swingarm.

When the operating modes of a conventional push-button rocker switch have to be changed, a user will have to push the button until the rocker switch alternates. Typically, the initial thrust is light and soft and the initial resistive force experienced by a user is an increasing resistive force of the predisposition spring. After the button has moved a predetermined distance, it will meet the swingarm and the inertia of the swingarm will have to be overcome if the swingarm is to be driven to the next mode of operation. In this encounter, the user will detect a sharp increase in resistive force. The resistive force due to the swingarm will gradually decrease and disappear when the swingarm has reached a critical threshold position beyond which the swingarm will automatically move to the next mode of operation without additional alternating forces being necessary.

This sharp or stepped increase in resistive force characteristics offers the user an irregular sensation that is often unpleasant. Therefore, it will be desirable to provide switches that mitigate the above irregular sensation. Since most of the switches will be fixed in fixed installations, such as plugs or wall plates, of a standard or predetermined size, it would have an additional benefit that the switches with an improved driving sensation could have a compact design so that Enhanced switches can fit into standard or existing fixed installations. However, as a rocker switch works by alternating a rocker member around its pivot axis while a pushbutton is typically a linearly moving device that is movable along a longitudinal axis that is substantially orthogonal to the pivot axis of the rocker member, it is a challenge to provide interface means or a mechanism between the push button and the rocker switch while maintaining a compact design.

Document DE 41 16 793 A1 (SWF Auto Electric GmbH) describes an electrical switch comprising a push button, a rocker switching mechanism, imperative means with resilience and pulse conversion means for converting the movement of the button into a movement suitable for changing the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism. Document DE 102 54 992 (Marquardt GmbH) describes a similar electrical switch having a push button, a rocker member, resilient impending means and pulse conversion means.

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WO 2004/066329 describes another example of an electric switch having a rocker switching mechanism.

Compendium of the invention

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide push-operated rocker switching means, especially push-button rocker switches with resistive force characteristics that alleviate the drawbacks of conventional designs. Also a further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism or pulse interface means for operating a rocker switch by means of a push button. At a minimum, an object of this invention is to provide the public with a useful choice of electrical switches with a push-button rocker switching mechanism.

In general, this invention teaches a push-button rocker switch comprising pulse conversion means that converts a push-button movement into a reciprocating movement to drive a rocker switching mechanism and provided with better resistive force characteristics. .

According to the present invention, an electrical switch according to claim 1 is provided.

Preferably, the resistive force with resilience exerted by the imperative means with resilience on the pushbutton is increasing when the pushbutton moves from the position of zero travel to the rocker member, the rate of increase of the resistive force with resilience is higher when The button is closer to the rocker member and is lower when the button is closer to the zero travel position. The resistance force with two-phase resilience will provide a user with an indication

or useful feedback on how close the alternating position button is.

Preferably, the additional resistive force with resilience of the imperative means with resilience functions to return the pulse conversion means to a neutral position that is far from the position in which it will alter the switching mode of the rocker switching mechanism.

Preferably, the additional resistive force with resilience is positive when the pushbutton moves towards the rocker member and before the pulse conversion means meets the rocker member, the resistive force with resilience is negative after the means Impulse conversion meet the swingarm member and after the inertia of the swingarm member has expired. The negative force helps to return the impulse conversion means and the button to its position of zero displacement, since, once the inertia has been overcome, the sensation of a true resistance is no longer important for most purposes. practical.

Preferably, the resistive force with resilience is negative and decreasing after the inertia of the swingarm has been overcome but before the swingarm member is driven to a position where the switching mode change will occur without an additional external force. drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the impulse conversion means comprise a pendulum member that is pivotally movable about a pivot axis, the pendulum member comprises an impulse head that is pivotally movable about the pivot axis between positions in which the switching modes of the rocker switching mechanism change. The pendulum member is in its neutral pivoting position when the button is in its neutral spring position. In this neutral pivot position, the pendulum member is intermediate to positions in which the rocker switching mechanism will alternate.

Preferably, the pivot axis of the pendulum member is substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the button.

Preferably, the resilient impending secondary means begins to participate to provide an additional resistive force with resilience to the push button after the push button has moved a predetermined displacement from a neutral position to an alternating position but before the conversion means of pulse meet the rocker member, the alternating position is one in which no additional external force is needed to change the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism.

Preferably, the resistance prevailing against the movement of the button towards the rocker member is increased after no additional force is needed to change the operating modes of said rocker switch mechanism.

Preferably, the resilient impedance means comprise first and second impedance spring means, the first spring means function to return the pushbutton to its zero displacement position and the second impedance spring means are adapted to exert impending resistance.

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against the button after the first spring-loaded means have already acted against the button a predetermined movement towards a position, but before reaching it, in which the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism are changed.

Preferably, the first and second spring-impedance means are adapted to provide increased resistance against said button when the button is moved to a position where the operating mode of the rocker switching mechanism is changed and before it is found. the resistance of the rocker switching mechanism.

Preferably, the resistive force of the first spring-loaded means is reactive and substantially parallel to the direction of the applied driving force of the push-button, the resistive force of the second spring-loaded means is at an acute angle with the applied driving force .

In a preferred embodiment, the first spring-impedance means comprises a pair of deformable legs with resilience that are arranged substantially symmetrically about the axis of the push button and that provide a resistive force against the linear movement of the push button.

Preferably, the second spring-impedance means is deformed by resilience away from the swingarm member of the swingarm switching mechanism after the pulse conversion means have met the swingarm member and the resilient deformation of the second impending means Spring function to resist the pivotal movement of the pulse conversion means after the pushbutton has moved a predetermined displacement towards the rocker member.

Preferably, the pulse conversion means comprises a pendulum member or a pendulum-like impeller member having a pivoted end and a rotating end, the rotating end of the driving member is pivotably movable with respect to the pivoted end, the end rotating of the driving member and the swinging member of the swinging switch mechanism are cooperatively configured so that when the pivoted end of the driving member moves towards the swinging member in response to the actuator movement of the push button, the rotating end will rotate towards a actuation position, whereby said rocker member will be driven into a position where the modes of operation of the rocker switching mechanism will be changed.

Preferably, the rocker member is pivotably movable about a rocker shaft, the rocker member comprises a pair of projecting arms that are symmetrical about the rocker shaft, the pendulum-like drive member comprises a pair of driving heads that are symmetrical around the pivoted end, the driving heads of the impulse conversion member and the projecting arms of the swingarm member are arranged so that the projecting arms of the swinging member are alternately driven by the corresponding driving heads to alternate the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional rocker switching mechanism when subjected to a driving force FN,

Fig. 1A is a force-displacement diagram illustrating the driving force necessary to alternate the rocker switching mechanism of Fig. 1 to a next mode of operation with reference to the downward movement of the driving force,

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the most important parts of an electrical switch of a first preferred embodiment of this invention,

Fig. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of a first example of a suitable impellent member with resilience for use in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2B shows a second example of a suitable impellent member with resilience,

Fig. 2C shows a third example of a suitable impellent member with resilience,

Fig. 2D shows a fourth example of a suitable impellent member with resilience,

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch of Fig. 2 when it is assembled and in its first mode of operation with the button in its null displacement position d0 and subjected to a driving force F,

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the switch of FIG. 3,

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Fig. 4 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the pushbutton moved down a distance d1 from the zero displacement position, in this position, a driving head of the pendulum-like driving member is just in contact with a projecting arm of the rocker member and Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the switch of Fig. 4,

Fig. 5 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the push button in a displacement d2, in this position, the driving member has reached a position where it meets a secondary resistive force of return from the resilient impending member but it is still in contact with an outgoing arm of the swingarm member and Fig. 5A is a perspective view of Fig. 5,

Fig. 6 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the pushbutton in a displacement d2 + δ, in this position, the rocker member is about to rotate to the next mode of operation even without externally applying actuating force and Fig 6A is a perspective view of Fig. 6,

Fig. 7 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the button in a displacement d3, in this position, the rocker member is halfway in the following mode of operation and Fig. 7A is a perspective view of Fig. .7,

Fig. 8 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the button in a displacement d4, in this position, the rocker member has reached the following mode of operation and Fig. 8A is a perspective view of Fig. 8 ,

Fig. 9 shows the switch of Fig. 3 with the rocker switch in the second mode of operation and the button returned to its zero travel position,

Fig. 10A is a force-displacement diagram of a conventional push-button rocker switch showing the applied driving force with respect to the entire travel range of the push-button, Fig. 10B is a force-displacement diagram showing an example of a force-distance characteristic due to first spring impedance means of a resilient impedance member of Fig. 2A,

Fig. 10C is a force-displacement diagram showing an example of a force-distance characteristic due to second impedance spring means of the resilient impending member of Fig. 2A, Fig. 10D is an example of a diagram of force-displacement showing the actuating force resulting from a switch of this invention and the individual resistive forces of the rocker member and the spring-loaded impedance means of the resilient impending member,

Fig. 11 is an exploded view showing a switch of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the switch of Fig. 11 with a contact actuating member in its stable initial position and the button in a neutral spring position,

Fig. 13 shows the switch of Fig. 12 with the contact actuator member moved to a position whereby the impeller member is rotated to a position so that it begins to act on the rocker member of the rocker switch ,

Fig. 14 shows the switch of Fig. 13 with the contact actuator member moved to a position whereby the impeller member is rotated to a position such that a resilience return force due to about second impending means with resilience of the spring impending member,

Fig. 15 shows the switch of Fig. 13 with the rocker member rotated to the next mode of operation by the drive member consistent with the downward movement of the push-button contact drive member, and

Fig. 16 shows the switch of Fig. 15 with the button returned to the neutral position of Fig. 12 but with the rocker member alternated to the next operating position.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

A typical rocker switch 100 is shown in Fig. 1. The rocker switch comprises a rocker member 110 and a switching mechanism. The rocker member is configured and arranged so that it can drive a movable electrical contact of the switching mechanism to at least a first operating position and a second operating position so that the first and second alternative connection can be made. Of course, rocker switches can have more than two modes of operation. The swingarm member 110 is pivotally mounted around a swingarm shaft 130 and is under an internal spring predisposition so that, once the swingarm member moves to a critical threshold position, the internal spring predisposition will cause the rocker member to move to the next mode of operation without additional external forces. After the rocker member has moved to an operating mode, it will remain in that operating mode unless its operating mode is alternated again.

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Fig. 1A shows a typical driving force-displacement diagram of a conventional rocker switch. As shown in the Figure, the maximum driving force is produced when a driving force is initially applied to overcome the inertia of the spring-loaded rocker member of the rocker switch. This maximum actuation force is necessary to produce initial movements of the swingarm member around its pivot or swingarm axis so that the swingarm member moves pivotally from a neutral position to an alternating position in which they will be changed. the operating modes of the rocker switch. The subsequent tracking force that is necessary to bring the swingarm member to the alternating position, or to complete the change of operating mode, gradually decreases and becomes insignificant when a critical threshold position has been reached. Once this critical threshold position has been reached, the internal spring predisposition of the swingarm member will take control to complete the alternation and no additional external force is needed to make the swingarm member completely change its operating positions. . In the force diagram shown, the force FN represents the characteristic minimum vertical actuation force necessary to move the button down to the distance D.

Electrical switches are known which comprise a push-button rocker switching mechanism. Such switches typically comprise a push button, a rocker switching mechanism and pulse conversion means for interconnecting the push button and the rocker member of the rocker switching mechanism. The pulse conversion means are also provided to convert the linear movement of the push button into a rotary or pivoting movement to drive the rocker member to different operating positions. For a conventional push-button rocker switch, the resistive force that a user will feel or find in the course of changing the operating modes of the switch is generally shown in Fig. 10A. From Fig. 10A it is evident that there is a steep or stepped increase in the resistive force when the swingarm is initially found.

In the force diagram of Fig. 10A, the entire travel range of the push button of the electric switch of Fig. 9 is shown from 0 to d4. Positions 0 and d4 correspond respectively to the null and maximum displacement of the button. Sometimes, positions are referred to respectively as resting and fully pressed positions.

As is evident from this force diagram, when a user pushes the button 210 towards the rocker member to cause the change of operating modes, the user may feel a resistance that gradually increases until the button has moved to a default distance d1. In this position d1, the pulse conversion means meet the swingarm member and the resistive inertia of the swingarm has to be defeated if the swingarm member is to be moved to the next stable operating position. This force that overcomes inertia is an abrupt step, as shown in d2 of Fig. 10A. As a result, a user will experience a sharp or stepped increase in resistive force. The resistive force will gradually decrease between the positions of displacement d2 and d3 and will resume a positive (i.e. ascending) slope at the point of displacement d3 when the critical threshold position has been passed. This is because, in d3, the predisposition spring to return the button to its neutral position takes control and will appear as the residual resistive force. This predisposition spring force will appear until the push button has completed its full range of travel in position d4.

In the following description, common numbers will be used to refer to parts that are common or equivalent unless the context requires otherwise.

In Figs. 2 to 9, a first preferred embodiment of a push-button rocker switch 10 is shown. The electric switch 10 comprises a rocker switch mechanism 100, a push-button means comprising a button interface cover 200, an assembly with resilience 300, a pulse conversion member 400 and a main housing 500. Although the various parts in the switch of this example are housed in the main housing 500 for convenient mounting and isolation, it will be appreciated that the switch can be mounted as part of A device or equipment.

The rocker switch 100 may have a conventional design, for example, a rocker switch of Fig. 1. Of course, from time to time without loss of generality other suitable or new rocker switches may be used. Similar to a rocker switch of Fig. 1, the rocker switch 100 comprises a rocker member 110 and a contact operated rocker switch assembly. The contact actuated swingarm switching assembly, or abbreviated swingarm switching mechanism, comprises an electrical contact member 120 that can function to facilitate the processing or breaking of a plurality of alternative electrical circuit connections. Specific connections are typically dependent on the instantaneous stable positions of the rocker member 110. For example, a single rocker switching mechanism can provide two or three alternative circuit connections.

A spring assembly is typically provided in a rocker switch. This spring assembly is provided to impel the electric contact member of the swingarm member so that it remains in the stable operating position once it has been moved to that position. The spring set too

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it serves a double function of moving the contact member to the next operating position once the rocker member has moved to the critical threshold position. Typically, the spring assembly comprises a helical spring 140 that is installed within a hollow body of the swingarm member with its axis substantially normal to the axis 130 of the swingarm. Of course, other resilient impending means can serve equal or equivalent purposes.

The swinging member 110 comprises a swinging body 111 with a pair of swinging arms 112. The swingarm arms 112 are symmetrically arranged around the neutral pivot axis of the swingarm body. The lateral end of each of the swingarm arms protrudes upward from the swingarm body and extends toward the push button.

The push button means comprise a push button member and a push button interface cover 200. The push button interface cover 200 comprises a main body with a contact surface 210. The upper side and the lower side of the contact surface 210 are respectively to interact with the push button member and to transmit downward movements of the push button member through the swingarm member. The main body of the button interface cover 200 provides a distributed contact surface to interact with the resilient impedance assembly 300 as well as to provide a pivotal support for the pivoting movement of the impulse conversion member which will be explained later. It should be noted that the main body of the button interface cover 200 and the main housing 500 of the switch together form cooperative guiding means so that the button can slide in and out of the main housing along a predetermined direction, this it is, linearly approaching and moving away from the swingarm member during mode change operations.

The resilient impedance means of this embodiment comprise a resilient impedance assembly 300 that is disposed between the button interface cover 200 and the rocker member 110. The resilient impedance assembly comprises first resilient means 320 and a second means with resilience 330. The first means with resilience 320 are to provide an imperative return force with resilience so that the push button or the button interface cover is returned from an oppressed position to the initial zero or neutral spring displacement position d0 after That has been released. These first resilient impending means also help mitigate the abruptness or hardness that a user feels in the course of operating a push-button rocker switch due to the characteristics of the actuation force of a rocker switch by introducing an increasing resistive force against the movement of the button while the button moves to the rocker member but before encountering it. By gradually increasing the resistive force while the button is moving towards the tilting member, the height of the resistive force step will be reduced, that is, the abrupt step in d1, and the user will experience a better "sensation".

Thus, the first resilient impedance means of this resilient impedance set 300 serve a plurality of purposes in this invention. First, it provides an increasing resistive force, for example, a variable resistive force, against the movement of the button that will cause the operation modes to change. Specifically, this resistive force is present so that a user can feel the resistive force substantially along the entire range of travel of the button. Secondly, it provides a resilience spring predisposition to restore the button to its zero travel position when the button is released. Thirdly, it provides an additional additional resistive force to narrow the empty step space of the tilting driving force that will be explained later. In Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show some examples of suitable assembly with resilience. Of course, other suitable forms of imperative assembly can be adopted with resilience without loss of generality. Also, although a set is described in the specification, it will be appreciated that the term is used for convenience only. Naturally, the resilient impedance set can be formed as a single unit or as distributed means.

The second resilient impending means 330 serves to provide additional resistive force with resilience against the pushbutton when the pushbutton moves toward the rocker member but before encountering it. This resistive force is increasing so that the step height of the additional or differential driving force necessary to overcome the inertia of the swinging member is reduced.

To benefit from the additional increased resistive force while still maintaining a compact design, between the button interface cover 200 and the swingarm member 100, pulse conversion means comprising a pulse conversion member 400 are provided to convert a linear movement of the button in a rotary or pivoting impeller movement.

As shown in Fig. 2A, an example of a resilient impedance assembly 300 comprises a platform member 310 and a pair of spring members 320. The pair of spring members are disposed on the side sides below the platform member . Each of the spring members is a spiral spring with the spring axis substantially parallel to the direction of the driving force so that when the button is pressed the spiral springs are compressed. When the button is released, the energy stored in the spring members will provide a return spring force to return the button to the zero spring position. Of course, the spring members can be adapted so that they stretch, rather than compress, during

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push button operation. Fig. 2B shows a variation of an impedance assembly with resilience 300A with a single spiral spring arranged centered to replace the laterally displaced spring members of Fig. 2A. The spiral spring may have a rectangular cross section instead of a circular cross section as shown. Fig. 2C shows another variant of an example of impedance assembly with resilience 300B with the spring members of Fig. 2A replaced by a pair of resilient legs that are symmetrical around the center of the metal panel and are divergent from the metal panel . Fig. 2D shows yet another example of an impellent assembly with resilience comprising a platform member and a pair of legs with resilience. In this design, the platform member and the pair of legs with resilience are separable, which facilitates a possible individual adjustment of the spring forces of the two parts to improve flexibility.

In order to provide an additional additional resistive force against the button in the course of changing the operating modes of the rocker switch to narrow the above-mentioned step or differential resistive force, the resilient impedance assembly 300 provides additional spring means. These additional spring means are adapted to meet the requirements of the secondary resilient means mentioned above and which are referred to herein as secondary spring means for convenience. In this example, platform member 310 is formed of a resilient material, such as a steel plate, and is made as a thin metal panel. The secondary spring means comprise a pair of spring arms 330 that are integrally formed with the metal panel and protrude above the metal panel. As can be seen in Fig. 2A, a spring arm 330 joins the metal panel at one of its longitudinal ends and extends towards the other longitudinal end of the metal panel. The free ends of the pair of spring arms are opposite and approach each other. That is, the pair of spring arms are substantially collinear and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the metal panel.

The pulse conversion means comprise a pendulum-like impulse conversion member (or an abbreviated pendulum member) 400 that is adapted to convert the linear movements of the push button into a rotary or pivoting movement to facilitate changing modes of rocker switch operation. The pendulum-like impulse conversion member 400 comprises a main body 410 pivotally mounted in the housing of the button interface cover 200. At the distal end of the main body 410, which is distal to the pivot axis, a pair of slightly chamfered support pieces 420 is formed. The support pieces 420 are chamfered so that the distal ends of the main body are tilted away from the central line of the main body such that the outer edges of the main body are shorter than the central piece of the main body 410. The support pieces move laterally from the central line of the main body and are always substantially symmetrical about the axis of pivot. This lateral symmetry facilitates symmetrical operation of the rocker switches of the type shown in Fig. 1 with two modes of operation.

The operation of the rocker switch operating by the pushbutton of Fig. 2 will now be explained with reference to Figs. 3 to 9. As shown in Figs. 3 and 3A, the pushbutton is initially in its zero travel position or the neutral spring position d0. When a driving force F is applied, a reactive force F2 due to the primary spring means will be found, that is, the spring members 320. In Figs. 4 and 4A, the button has moved down a predetermined distance and is in a displacement d1. In this displacement, the leading edge in the right support of the impact conversion member similar to a pendulum 400 will begin to move towards the contact with a corresponding projecting head of the swingarm member. In addition, the rear side of the right support piece of the impulse conversion member also touches the lower part of the spring arm 330.

Due to the sloping slope out of the chamfered support piece, the impulse conversion member will function as a cam on the protruding head and will start left around its pivot axis when the push button is pressed further. Since the rear side of the support piece of the impulse conversion means already touches the spring arm in the displacement position d1, when the button is pressed further from displacement d1 to d2, the additional rotation of the conversion member impulse will tend to move the spring member away from the plane of the metal panel. Since the spring member is articulated in the metal panel, the free end of the spring arm 330 will pivot around the joint between the spring arm 330 and the metal panel.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 5A, when the push button is in the displacement position d2, the spring arm 330 has pivoted right an angle α around the pivot joint. Since the spring arm 330 is integrally formed with the resilient metal panel, a resilient impending force such as that represented by an arrow of force F1 will act on the spring arm when the spring arm is in the travel position d2.

In this displacement, the total resistive or opposite force that a user will experience will be the result of the vertical components of forces F1 and F2. The displacement position d2 in this example is selected to be the position in which the swingarm member is about to be subjected to an alternating force. The angular position α is also set to be the maximum angle by which the spring arm can pivot. This maximum angular position is established by means of limiting means arranged in the main housing of the button, for example, in the form of a roof that prevents an additional advance of the spring member 330. As a summary, the origin of the driving and resistive force is as follows:

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(to)

F, the driving force applied by a user on the button,

(b)

F2, the upward resistive force due to the spring member 320 of the resilient impending assembly,

(C)

F1, the force acting on the spring arm when the spring arm has rotated an angle.

In Fig. 6, the push-button has moved an additional shift δ further down and is now in a shift d2 + δ, where δ is an infinitely small value. In this travel position, the button has been pressed with a suitable force applied to overcome the initial inertia of rotation of the swingarm member so that the swingarm member will begin to pivot about its axis. The resistive force represented by the force arrow F3, which is at an angle γ with the vertical, is the additional force acting on the rear edge of the support piece of the impulse conversion member by the push-in housing that provides the force additional threshold to overcome the inertia of the swingarm member. In this displacement, the total resistive or opposite force that a user will experience will be the result of the vertical components of the forces F1, F2 and F3.

In Fig. 7, the pushbutton is shown in offset d3. In this displacement, the rocker member has reached the critical threshold displacement so that it will automatically complete the alternating mode change movement without the need for additional external force. The push button actuation mechanism is configured so that the push button can move further downward from the travel position d3 to the lower end without output d4. An additional free travel path (d3 to d4 in the present example) is provided, for example, to accommodate the variation in the critical threshold shift of the swingarm member or to provide a tolerance in the swingarm member characteristic due to the course weather. In this phase, the resilience force due to the spring arm 330 will act to return the impulse conversion member 400 back to its initial zero displacement position.

In Fig. 8, the button is shown in the d4 offset. In this displacement, the rocker member 110 has completed the change of operating mode and the spring arm 330 will continue to drive the right-hand pulse conversion member back to the initial position.

In Fig. 9, the button has been returned to the null displacement position d0 by the spring members 330 after the button has been released. In this travel position, the rocker member has completed the change of operating mode and the spring arm 330 has returned the pulse conversion member to the initial starting position.

The total resistive force F felt by a user in the aforementioned course of the change in operating mode is shown in Fig. 10D. The force diagram of Fig. 10D is a resultant of 3 forces, namely the force F2 due to the spring members 320 which increases with the displacement between d0 and d4 as shown in Fig. 10B, the vertical component of the opposing force F1 acting on the spring arms 330 which is increasing between d1 and d2 and which remains constant afterwards due to the limiting device and the vertical component of F3, the additional force acting on the rear edge of the support piece of the pulse conversion member on the push button housing. It has been assumed for simplicity that the force acting on the hinge is insignificant. It will be appreciated that the height of the resistive step d1, as shown in Fig. 10A, has been significantly reduced.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 16, a second preferred embodiment of an electrical switch of the present invention is shown in the form of a switchable plug socket comprising a push-button rocker switching mechanism. In the description that follows, because the main operating parts are generally similar, parts that are similar, identical or equivalent to those of the first preferred embodiment above will be identified with the same number for brevity and convenience when appropriate unless that the context demands otherwise.

Similar to the switch 10 of the first preferred embodiment, the electric switch 20 comprises a rocker switch mechanism 100, a push button comprising a button interface cover 200, a resilient impedance assembly 300, pulse conversion means 400 and a main housing 500. Similar to the first preferred embodiment, the resilient impedance assembly comprises primary and secondary impedance means. Primary impedance means with resilience provide an increasing resistive force proportional to the amount of downward movement of the push button and is exemplified by a pair of spring members 320. The second impedance spring means is exemplified by a pair of spring arm members projection 330 with their respective fixed ends disposed near the ends of the side wings of the example of a spring-like metal panel 310 with the free ends directed towards each other.

The switchable socket also comprises a movable contact member and a fixed contact member, the connection of which is alternated by the rocker switching mechanism. Figs. 11-16 show a sequence of operations whereby the movable rocker member 110 is moved by the pushbutton from a first switching position to a second switching position. The sequence of operations is substantially equal to that illustrated by Figs. 2-9 and not repeated here.

E06705541

01-14-2015

While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that they are examples to aid the understanding of the present invention and should not be construed as restrictive. The scope of this

above and referring to the Figures when appropriate or when required by the context.

On the other hand, although the present invention has been explained by reference to a stand-alone switch and a wall-type switch, it should be appreciated that the invention can be applied, with or without modification, to other types of switches without loss of generality. In addition, the reference to dimensions and displacement only serves as a comparison and is not intended to impose any restrictions.

Claims (16)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty E06705541 01-14-2015 1. An electrical switch (10) comprising: a push button, a rocker switching mechanism (100) having a rocker member (110), imperative means with resilience (300), arranged between the push-button (200) and the rocker switching mechanism (100) and which provide a resistive force with resilience to the push-button, and to reduce the necessary driving force to overcome the inertia of the rocker member (110) in order to bring the rocker member (110) to a switching movement, and pulse conversion means (400) providing an interface between the push button (200) and the rocker member (110) to convert the movement of the push button (200) into a suitable movement to change the operating modes of the mechanism (100 ) rocker switching; wherein the resilient impedance means (300) comprise primary resilient means impedance (320) and secondary (330) to provide said resistive force with resilience; said primary resilient impending means (320) provide the resistive force with resilience against the movement of the button (200) by the pulse conversion means (400) in a direction towards the rocker member (110), and to return the button (200) to a zero or neutral spring travel position, and said impending means with secondary resilience (330) to return the pulse conversion means (400) to a pivotally neutral position in which the rocker switching mechanism (100) is intermediate to positions in which the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism (100) will be changed by the pulse conversion means (400), characterized whereby the pulse conversion means (400) creates an interface with the rocker member (100) of the pulse conversion means (400) in a first and a second chamfered part (420) of the pulse conversion means (400) to change the operating modes of the rocker switch mechanism (100)

2.

An electric switch according to claim 1, wherein the resistive force with resilience exerted by the imperative means with resilience on the push-button is increasing when the push-button moves from the position of zero travel to the rocker member, the rate of increase of the Resistive force with resilience is higher when the button is closer to the rocker member and is lower when the button is closer to the zero travel position.

3.

An electrical switch according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the additional resistive force with resilience of the imperative means with resilience functions to return the impulse conversion means to a neutral position that is far from the position in which it will alter the mode of Toggle switching mechanism switching.

Four.

An electrical switch according to claim 3, wherein the additional resistive force with resilience is positive when the pushbutton moves towards the rocker member and before the pulse conversion means meets the rocker member, the resistive force with Resilience is negative after the impulse conversion means meets the swingarm member and after the inertia of the swingarm member has expired.

5.

An electric switch according to claim 4, wherein the resistive force with resilience is negative and decreasing after the inertia of the swingarm has been overcome but before the swingarm member is driven to a position where the change of the switching mode without an additional external drive force.

6.

An electrical switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulse conversion means comprises a pendulum member that is pivotally movable about a pivot axis, the pendulum member comprises an impulse head that is movably movable. pivoting around the pivot axis between positions in which the switching modes of the rocker switching mechanism change.

7.

An electrical switch according to claim 6, wherein the pivot axis of the pendulum member is substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the button.

11 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty E06705541 01-14-2015

8.

An electrical switch according to claim 7, wherein the resilient impending secondary means begins to function to provide additional resistive force with resilience to the push button after the push button has moved a predetermined displacement from a neutral position to an alternating position but Before the pulse conversion means meet the rocker member, the alternating position is one in which no additional external force is needed to change the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism.

9.

An electric switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impending resistance against the movement of the button towards the rocker member is increased after no additional force is needed to change the operating modes of said rocker switch mechanism.

10.

An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein the resilient impedance means comprise first and second impedance spring means, the first spring means function to return the push button to its null travel position and the second impedance spring means is they adapt to exert an impending resistance against the button after the first spring-loaded means have already acted against the button a predetermined displacement towards a position, but before reaching this position, in which the operating modes of the operating mechanism are changed swingarm switching.

eleven.

An electrical switch according to claim 10, wherein the first and second spring impedance means are adapted to provide increasing resistance against said push button when the push button moves to a position where the mode of operation of the switching mechanism is changed of swingarm and before the resistance of the swingarm switching mechanism is found.

12.

An electrical switch according to claim 10, wherein the resistive force of the first spring-impedance means is reactive and substantially parallel to the direction of the applied actuation force of the push-button, the resistive force of the second spring-impedance means is with a acute angle with the applied driving force.

13.

An electric switch according to claim 12, wherein the first spring-impedance means comprises a pair of deformable legs with resilience that are arranged substantially symmetrically around the axis of the button and that provide a resistive force against the linear movement of the push button. .

14.

An electrical switch according to claim 13, wherein the second spring impedance means deforms resiliently away from the swingarm member of the swingarm switching mechanism after the pulse conversion means have met the swingarm member and the Resilient deformation of the second spring impedance means functions to resist the pivotal movement of the pulse conversion means after the pushbutton has moved a predetermined displacement towards the rocker member.

fifteen.

An electrical switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulse conversion means comprises a pendulum member or a pendulum-like impeller member having a pivoted end and a rotating end, the rotating end of the impeller member is movable from pivotally with respect to the pivoted end, the rotating end of the driving member and the swinging member of the swinging switch mechanism are cooperatively configured so that when the pivoted end of the driving member moves towards the swinging member in response to the movement of actuation of the push-button, the rotating end will rotate towards a driving position, whereby said rocker member will be driven into a position where the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism will be changed.

16.

An electric switch according to claim 15, wherein the rocker member is pivotably movable about a rocker shaft, the rocker member comprises a pair of projecting arms that are symmetrical about the rocker shaft, the pendulum-like drive member it comprises a pair of driving heads that are symmetrical about the pivoted end, the driving heads of the impulse conversion member and the projecting arms of the swingarm member are arranged so that the projecting arms of the swinging member are alternately driven by the corresponding heads drives to alternate the operating modes of the rocker switching mechanism.

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