NL1044635B1

NL1044635B1 - Soft push electrical switch

Info

Publication number: NL1044635B1
Application number: NL1044635A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Uijterwaal Jeroen
Original assignee: Ion Ind B V
Priority date: 2023-02-23
Filing date: 2023-07-10
Publication date: 2024-09-03

Abstract

The present invention provides a touch-dimmer combination which is quickly and easily to assemble and disassemble. The operation is reliable, safe, and requires very little operating force. A configuration of at least one (micros)witch and a cover which is positioned flush to an outer frame provides a clean and esthetically pleasing look, and easy and accurate operation by a user. The invented construction is less prone to becoming dirty or gather dust and prevents or at least limits largely entry of dust and fluids to the inner construction and electric box which it operates.

Description

SOFT PUSH ELECTRICAL SWITCH

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to electrical switches, More particular the invention relates to manually operable (wall) swifches such as dimmers for use in slectrical circuitry, such ss electrical power supply in homes and other buildings.

BACKGROUND

The most familiar form of switch is a manually operated elsctromechanical device with ons or more sets of electrics] contacts, which are connected to electrical circuits, such as a power circuit at homa. Each set of contacts can be in one of two states: aither closed, meaning the confacts are touching and electricity can flow between them, or open, meaning the contacts are separated and the switch is nonconducting. Closing or opening is usually done by a toggle or latch switch which is operated by moving {usually by pushing or tilting) the switch in a position which activates a closed or an open state until the switch is operated again and which may be moved in another position activating the opposite state. Another type of switch comprises a momentary switch, which activates an alternating state of open or closed and remains in that state as long as the switch is operated, whereby pushing the switch is typically activating the “on” state and releasing the leads fo th “off” state. Finally there are alse switches, so-called dimmers, which gradually increase and decrease power, for eg. increasing or decreasing luminosity of a light source,

Wall switches, for example, are often of the latch type. It is usually desired to switch a light on and Io leave it an until the user deoides to tum the light off. Else, when using a momentary switch, the user would have to hold the switch 38 long as the user wants the light to be turned on, This is most of the time not desirable and awkward. The advaniage of using a lalch switch is that, especially in the case of a wall switch, the switch usually is covered by a caver which is directly connected tx the switch and holds the position in which iis moved by 8 user, This provides the user with 3 visual clue on the state of the switch. Although the cover of a switch may be provided with an indicator, such gs the word “on” at the side of the cover a user has {o push, this is in practice often not provided, for a couple of reasons. A first reason comprises that the cover is usually a separate part, which may be removed and attached whenever the switch needs fo be installed, replaced or repaired. Attaching the cover in the right way is often not obvious, especially for a non-professional. Another reason is that switches may often be of the 2-way switching kind. In a 2-way switching configuration, two switches may be configured to operate the same light for example. In this case the position of the cover of the switch gives no indication of the state at all.

Usually, a switch such as a wall-mounted switch for operating light, comprises an electric box, with an outer frame and a base plate comprising the actual switch, which is connectad to electric wiring of 2.9. a power circuit. Between the outer frame, a moveable cover is configured which covers the swilch assembly. The cover provides a large surface for a user to push the switch effectively, which increases the operahility.

The cover is also part of the esthetics of the light switch and is designed to fit in the outer frame and therefore aims to provide an esthetically pleasing design element in an interior, such as a home interior.

A disadvantage of current switches is that in either position, on or off state, the cover of the switch is protruding from the switch assembly, or at least changes position by tilting, or moves in ar out of the outer frame. Tilting is usually done around a central axis. The resulting oblique position affects the design negatively.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION it is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable, ethically pleasing, easy to use electrical switch, and more particular a touch-dimmer combination. The object is realized by the following aspect and further embodiments.

A first aspect comprises a touch-dimmer combination for mounting on an electrical box, the touch-dimmer combination comprising an outer frame comprising a circumferential edge surrounding an aperture, a base plate with configured for being mounted between the edge of the outer frame, a switch (which may also comprise a dimmer) mounted on the base plate configured for operating the electrical box, the switch configured for alternating switching the electrical box in an on or off position, whereby: ~ the touch-dimmer combination further comprises a subframe, whereby the baseplate is configurad for being mountad on the subframe;

- the outer frame comprises a circumference having a substantially flat front facing surface comprising a first plane; - the outer frame is configured for receiving the subframe and the base plate in the aperture; - a cover is connected to the switch and covers the subframe, the base plate and the switch; - the cover comprises a substantially flat front facing surface; - the cover is configured for being mounted in the aperture, whereby the front facing surface of the cover is arranged for being positioned in a default position which is flush with the front facing surface of the outer frame in the first plane; - the cover is configured for being touched or pushed by a touch or pushing force respectively and for transferring the touch or pushing force respectively to the switch; - the switch is configured as a touch switch or push button switch respectively and configured for being touched, respectively pushed for effectuating the switching, whereby the cover is configured for returning in the default position after being touched, respectively pushed.

In a first embodiment the touch-dimmer combination comprises said switch and at least one further similarly operable switch for operating the electrical box, thereby forming a set of multiple switches each configured for alternating switching of the electrical box jn an on or off position. in a second embodiment a switch of the set of switches is configured as a momentary push button switch for being pushed for effectuating the switching, and configured for returning in a default position after being pushed. in a third embodiment the circumference of the outer frame is configured for only allowing a linear motion of the cover within the aperture when the cover is pushed for the switching.

In a fourth embodiment the switch comprises a microswitch.

In a fifth embodiment two or more switches of the set of switches are positioned on the outer edge of the base plate,

In a sixth embodiment the switch is positioned in the middle of the base plate,

In a seventh embodiment the outer frame, the subframe, the base plate and the cover are substantially rectangular in the first plane.

in an eighth embodiment two or more switches of the set of switches are positioned at corners of the base plate. fn a ninth embodiment four switches are positioned each on a comer of the base plate. in a tenth embodiment the base plate is provided with electric wiring configured for connecting the set of switches with the electric box.

In an eleventh embodiment the electric wiring is bundled, whereby the subframe comprises a cable transit for conducting the electric wiring towards the electric box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures show views of embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invented touch- dimmer combination,

FIGURE 2 Shows an exploded view of the touch-dimmer combination of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a touch-dimmer combination which is quickly and easily to assemble and disassemble. Although the invention may be used just as a switch, the enhancement comprises that the switch function may also be configured as a dimmer function. The operation is reliable, safe, and requires very little operating force. A configuration of at least one {micros witch and a cover which is positioned flush to an outer frame provides a clean and ssthetically pleasing look, and easy and accurate operation by a user. The invented construction is less prone to becoming dirty or gather dust and prevents or at least limits largely entry of dust and fluids to the inner construction and electric box which it operates.

The invention is now described by the following aspects and embodiments, with reference to the figures. To facilitate reading of the figures, the following is a list of references as used in the figures, 101 Outer frame 102 Cover 103 Base plate 104a,b,c,d,e switch

105 pins for electrical connection 106 subframe 107 guide for pins 105 110a,b,c.d clamp part with leaf spring 111a,b,0,d clamp part with barb 120 rim for holding subframe 106.

FIGURE 1 shows the invented touch-dimmer combination 100, wherein an outer frame 101 is configured to enclose a cover 102. The cover is preferably mounted flush in such a manner that the top surface (as shown in the figure) is flush with the top surface of outer frame 101. The perspective view show a touch-dimmar combination 100 lying down, but in practice touch-dimmer combination 100 will usually be mounted on, and partly in a wall on top of an electric box (not shown}, whereby the top surface is facing away from the wall. Cover 102 is of sufficient large surface for easy operation by a user, and even in the dark by touch.

FIGURE 2 shows an exploded view of figure 1, wherein technical details of the invention are shown, which are usually hidden behind cover 102, when mounted on a wall.

The actual switching of an electrical circuit is performed by one or mors switches 104a,b,c,d,e, which are mounted on top of base plate 103. Switches 104 a,...,e are preferably micro switches, which are cheap, reliable and small, with a low profile. Cover 102 is positioned on top of switches 104a,....e. Instead of the usual tilting motion of a wall switch cover, this configuration allows for cover 102 to be moved in a generally linear direction, preferably with a very small displacement, only limited by the travel of the used (micro) switches,

Cover 102 remains in a generally flush position, independent of the on or off position of switches 104a,....e. The look and feel of the touch-dimmer combination and the operation of the touch-dimmer combination by a user is therefore much similar to a touch switch. In principle one switch of switches 104a,...,e is sufficient for performing the basic functionality of touch-dimmer combination 100. Outer frame 101 stabilizes cover 102 for this purpose, Alternatively, two or more switches may be configured.

In the figure, a preferred embodiment is show with five switches 104 a,....e.

Switches 1043,b,c,d are positioned on corners of base plate 103, which secures that, from whatever angle a user operates the switch by pushing/touching cover 102, a switch is operated. When using momentary switches, operating one switch will be sufficient to initiate a switching action. A momentary switch may for example operate a relay for alternatingly making or breaking an electrical path,

A centrally positioned switch 104 may be added to respond to a user (softly) pushing or touching somewhere in the middle of cover 102. Switches 104a,...,e are connected to pins 105 for electrically connecting the switches to an electrical circuit which needs io be switched. Base plate 103 is preferably placed in a subframe 106,

Cover 102 is configured to cover both base plate 103 and subframe 106, when baseplate 103 is mounted on subframe 106. Cover 102 is configured to transfer a pushingftouch operation of the user to switches 104 a,....e.

Pins 105 are led through subframe via opening and guide 107 towards an elsctric box (not shown).

Subframe 106 is mounted in outer frame 101 and held in place by a rim 120. For securing subframe 106 to an outer frame 101, clamps are provided, which preferably comprise lower clamp parts 110a,b,c,d with a leaf spring for clamping to outer frame 101 and upper clamp parts 111a,b,c,d with a barb construction for unidirectionally connecting the clamps to base plate 106. Using this construction allows a user or electrician to quickly and easily assemble and disassemble switching assembly 100.

As current art tilting switches have lost their functionality with respect to a direct relation between position of the switch and the state of the switch, the present invention provides more design freedom and advantages as described above, without the disadvantages of current art switches.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that a person skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed betwesn parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise” and its conjugations does not excludes the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim, The term “and/or” includes any and ali combinations of ons or mora of the associated listed items, The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The arficle “the” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements, In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mers fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims doas not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used lo advantage.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. A single-touch dimmer combination for mounting on an electrical box, the touch dimmer combination comprising an outer frame having a peripheral edge surrounding an opening, a base plate configured to be mounted between the edge of the outer frame, a touch dimmer element mounted on the base plate configured to operate the electrical box, the touch dimmer element configured to switch between alternately on and off states of the electrical box and/or control current through the electrical box, Characterized in that , - the touch dimmer combination further comprises a subframe, the base plate 14 configured to be mounted on the subframe; - the outer frame having a periphery with a substantially planar forwardly facing surface comprising a first plane; - the outer frame being adapted to receive the subframe and the base plate in the opening; - the touch dimmer element is connected to a cover plate covering the subframe, the base plate and the touch dimmer element; » the cover plate comprises a substantially planar operating element; - the cover plate is configured to be mounted in the opening, the operating element of the cover plate being adapted to be positioned in a standard position flush with the forward-facing surface of the outer frame in the first plane; - the cover plate is adapted to be touched or pressed by a touch or pressing force and to transmit the touch or pressing force to the touch dimmer element; - the touch dimmer element is configured as a load-sensitive switching element in combination with a dimmer module for controlling the current and configured to be touched or pressed to effect switching or controlling the current, the cover plate being configured to return to the standard positions after being touched or pressed.

2. The touch dimmer combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch dimmer combination comprises said touch dimmer element and at least one other similarly controllable touch dimmer element for operating the electrical box, thereby forming a set of multiple touch dimmer elements each configured for alternately switching the electrical box on or off and/or controlling the current through the electrical box.

3. The touch dimmer combination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the touch dimmer element includes one or more momentary switches provided with a return mechanism, whereby the touch dimmer element returns to a standard position after pressing.

4. The touch dimmer combination according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the periphery of the outer frame is configured to allow only linear movement of the cover plate within the opening when the cover plate is depressed for switching.

S.

The touch dimmer combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the touch dimmer element comprises microswitches, 8, The touch dimmer combination according to claim 5, characterized in that two or more of the microswitches are positioned on the outer edge of the base plate.

7. The touch dimmer combination according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that one of the microswitches is placed in the middle of the base plate.

8. The touch dimmer combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt frame, the subframe, the base plate and the cover plate are substantially rectangular or square in the first plane.

9. The touch dimmer combination according to claim 8, characterized in that the microswitches are positioned at corners of the base plate.

10.The touch dimmer according to claim 3, characterized in that four microswitches are each positioned on a corner of the base plate.

11.The touch dimmer combination according to claim 1, characterised in that the base plate is provided with electrical wiring for connecting the touch dimmer element to a meter cupboard or central box.

12.0¢ touch dimmer combination according to claim 11, characterised in that the electrical wiring is bundled, the subframe comprising a cable feed-through for the