DE20007101U1 - Electric rotary switch - Google Patents

Description

Electrical rotary switch

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The invention relates to an electrical rotary switch, such as a main or cam switch. Two or more different switching states can be set using such a rotary switch. Accordingly, several electrical consumers can be switched on or off and several power levels of one or more electrical consumers can be set.

STATE OF THE ART

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Electrical rotary switches of the type mentioned above are known which have a switching element that can be operated by hand. The switching element can be rotated into different positions. Depending on its respective position, the electrical contacts present in a cam switch, for example, are forced into their closed or open position. Depending on the contacts being in the mutually closed position, the corresponding electrical consumers can then be controlled. The display device on an electrical rotary switch, with which the respective position of its switching elements is made visible and corresponding information on the respective connected electrical consumers is provided, is limited. It is known, for example, to attach the switching element, such as a rotating switch toggle, in the center of a front panel attached to an electrical housing.

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and to add different numbers or short explanatory words as an extension of the knob, which has several rotary positions. Any change in the type or power of the electrical devices connected to the rotary switch cannot be made visible by this type of information on the front panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this previously known prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying an improved electrical rotary switch, such as a main or cam switch.

This invention is defined by the features of claims 1 and 18. Further developments of the invention are the subject of further claims.

Starting from the electrical rotary switch known in the prior art, which is equipped with a manually operable, adjustable switching element, by means of which electrical contacts can be forcibly brought into their closed or open position depending on its respective position, a first embodiment of the invention additionally includes several electronic components. Thus, there is a device for generating different digital switching signals depending on the respective position of the switching element, furthermore there is a device for controlling its switching elements, wherein the switching elements can be controlled depending on the digital switching signals, and finally there is a device for supplying the switching elements with control current.

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With the help of these additional devices, which are provided according to the invention in addition to, for example, a main or cam switch known in the prior art, an optimal display of the switching states switched on the rotary switch can be achieved. The switching elements controlled by the generated digital switching signals can be used both for switching suitable display and signaling devices with regard to the respective switching states of the rotary switch and for controlling electrical machines or comparable electrical consumers. The respective switching state with regard to these electrical consumers can also be displayed by suitable display and signaling devices. Such display devices can work optically or acoustically. The display devices can preferably be provided in the vicinity of the switching element on the front panel or on the switching element itself or integrated in the switching element. Pictorial, textual or numerical characters can also be generated on display devices and made visible on a display. Functionally simple display devices can be installed in the form of diodes on the front panel or integrated in the switching element.

Preferably, the electrical consumers that are "switched" via the switching element are supplied with electrical working current from an external voltage source (mains). The digital switching signals generated by the switching element of the rotary switch can only be used to control switching elements with the help of control electronics.

The above electronic components are preferably constructed in a modular manner. The corresponding modules can

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be designed to be plug-on, screw-on or snap-on in order to facilitate the assembly of parts or the removal of defective parts.

The modules can also be circuit boards equipped with electronic circuits.

The user-friendliness of the rotary switch according to the invention can be increased by additionally providing a device for coding the digital switching signals. This coding device can also be designed in a modular manner, as already mentioned above. Such a coding device can be implemented, for example, in the form of a rotary encoder. With its help, for example, the switching positions of the existing switching elements can be optionally reconfigured.

In a further development stage of the rotary switch according to the invention, a device for converting the digital switching signals into microprocessor-readable data sets can be provided. This device can also be designed in a modular manner. With the help of this device, for example, the type of information displayed on a display can be designed and changed as desired. With the help of a data processing device, the type of display with regard to the respective switching states set on the rotary switch can be displayed and the explanatory information used can be changed via an appropriate interface on this conversion device. In addition, these signals can be received, read and further processed by industrial control systems (BUS systems).

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Such an interface or a similar one can also be arranged on the rotary switch so that the interface is located outside the control cabinet, for example, in which the rotary switch is used. Since control cabinets usually have an external metal housing, which represents an impermeable Faraday cage for radio signals and is generally impermeable for infrared signals, commands can be easily transmitted by radio or infrared from sensors, controls, etc. "wirelessly" out of the control cabinet or vice versa into the control cabinet.

In a simple embodiment of the invention in this regard, a transmitting and/or receiving antenna can be attached to the rotary switch or to the display device thereof. The antenna can be designed for data transmission using radio. Alternatively or additionally, a data interface for data transmission using infrared technology or an interface in the form of a plug or socket can be present on the rotary switch in a comparable manner.

The various transmitting and/or receiving devices mentioned above, such as corresponding antennas or plug or socket configurations, are usually not provided at the same time on a device such as a control cabinet. Since a rotary switch in the form of a main switch often has to be provided on a control cabinet or similar electrical housing due to legal regulations, the transmitting and/or receiving device for data transmission can be provided in a technically simple and effective manner in the parts of the rotary switch that are accessible from the outside or in the front panel surrounding the rotary switch.

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Further advantages and features of the invention can be taken from the features further specified in the claims and from the following embodiments.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing. They show:
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Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a first embodiment of a rotary switch according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a representation according to Fig. 1 with an additional module for coding the generated digital switching signals,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 with an additional module for converting the generated digital switching signals into microprocessor-readable data sets,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a rotary switch according to the invention,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a rotary switch according to the invention,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of a rotary switch according to the invention.

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WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

The cam switch 10 shown in Fig. 1 has components which, with reference to Fig. 1 to the left of the dot-dash line 12, are known in the prior art. The components present to the right of this line 12 are additional and all components together make up the cam switch 10 according to the invention.

A front plate 18 of the cam switch 10 with a switch knob 20 is fastened in a recess on the front plate 14 of a housing 16. The switch knob 20 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft, of which the axis 22 is shown.

Behind the front plate 14 of the housing 16, a locking chamber 24 is formed in which the various switching positions of the axis 22 and thus of the switching knob 20 are implemented. In the present case, there are three switching chambers 26 adjacent to the locking chamber 24. In these switching chambers 26, corresponding switching cams are also rotated by turning the switching knob, thereby forcing contacts into the closed or open position. A cam switch made up of these components, namely the switching knob 20, the front plate 18, the locking chamber and the switching chambers 26, is known in the prior art. These components are constructed in a modular manner and are attached to the housing 16.

A rotary encoder 30 is arranged on the axis 22 following the switching chambers 26. This rotary encoder 30 is also designed in a modular manner. With the help of this rotary encoder 30, 20 different digital

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Switching signals are generated. The switching elements placed in a control electronics 32, which is also constructed and designed in a modular manner, are controlled in accordance with these switching signals. The control current required to adjust these switching elements is provided by a power supply unit 34, which is present between the rotary encoder 30 and the control electronics 32 as a modular structure in the axial direction to the axis 22.

The module 32 has various screw terminals 36, via which diodes or other display elements, for example on the front panel 18 or in the switch knob 20, can be electrically controlled. These display elements are supplied with the required operating current via an external power supply (not shown in the drawing).

The cam switch 10.2 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the cam switch 10 in that a module 40 is installed between the rotary encoder 30 and the control electronics 32, which serves to encode the control signals generated in the rotary encoder 30. The module 40 is designed in the form of so-called DIP switches. Depending on the switching position of the DIP switch, for example, the switching states of the switching elements controlled by the control electronics 32 can be reconfigured or reconfigured.

The cam switch 10.3 shown in Fig. 3 has, in addition to the cam switch 10.2, a module 50 with the aid of which the digital switching signals generated by the rotary encoder 30 can be converted into microprocessor-readable data sets. Its plug 52 can be connected to a

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Connection plug 54 of a display 56 which is located on or near the front panel .18.3 in the area of the switch knob 20. The display 56 can thus be connected to the module 50. With the aid of a data processing system, the module 50 can then be acted upon accordingly and data sets can be generated there which can then be made visible as accumulations of images, letters and/or numbers on the display 56. These instructions visible on the display 56 to explain the respective switching state of the rotary switch according to the invention and its connected electrical consumers can be easily changed so that the current electrical consumers and their performance and characteristics can be displayed in a way that is easy to understand for everyone. Incorrect switching of the rotary switch and faults in the operation of the connected electrical consumers can thus be easily made visible and localized.

The required electrical connection between the electrical components shown on the right in the figures and the front panel 18 on the front of the housing 16 or the switch knob 20 there can be made by wiring along the axis 22. The various components (modules) can have cavities that are arranged in such a way that when the various components are assembled, a continuous cavity is created in which the required electrical cables, for example, can be laid. The cavities can also be equipped with branch cavities so that a cable connection can also be made from the outside into the cavity.

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The modules can be plugged into each other, screwed together or snapped together.

In addition to its ability to be rotated, the switch knob 20 can also be designed to be longitudinally adjustable in the direction of the axis 22. Different switching states can also be achieved by such a longitudinal adjustment, which can also be designed only in sections, for example.

The top view of the rotary switch 10.4 shown in Fig. 4 shows the external view of its front panel 18.4 with the switch knob 20. Behind the front panel 18.4, a transmitting and/or receiving antenna 60 in the form of a wire is mounted.

Instead of the wire, a comparable foil could also be used. Using this antenna 60, data can be transmitted by radio in both directions - out of the control cabinet in which the rotary switch is installed, or into this control cabinet.

An infrared interface 70 is provided on the front panel 18.5 of a rotary switch 10.5 shown in Fig. 5. Its two diodes 72, 74 can be seen from the outside in the lower left corner of the front panel 18.5. The IR signals can be picked up via this interface 70 using a reader or mobile phone.

In the front panel 18.6 of a rotary switch 10.6 shown in Fig. 6, an interface 70 for data exchange in the form of a plug or socket 80 is provided in the lower left corner. Such an interface for serial or parallel data transmission is necessary, for example, when data is to be transferred via a

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piping system to another location or to other equipment.

The various transmitting and/or receiving devices 60, 05 70, 80 are usually not used simultaneously - but usually selectively - on one device and thus on one rotary switch and are therefore provided.

Claims (21)

1. Electrical rotary switch, such as main or cam switch ( 10 ), - with a manually operable, adjustable switching element ( 20 ), by means of which electrical contacts can be forcibly brought into their closed or open position depending on its respective position, characterized in that - a device ( 30 ) for generating different digital switching signals depending on the respective position of the switching element ( 20 ) is provided, - a device ( 32 ) for controlling switching elements is provided, - the switching elements can be controlled depending on the digital switching signals, - a device ( 34 ) for supplying the switching elements with control current is provided. 2. Rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized in that - a device ( 40 ) for coding the digital switching signals is present. 3. Rotary switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - a device ( 50 ) for converting the digital switching signals into microprocessor-readable data sets is present. 4. Rotary switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the switching element ( 20 ) is designed to be rotatable about an axis ( 22 ) and/or adjustable in the direction of this axis. 5. Rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized in that - electrical consumers can be connected to the switching elements, - these electrical consumers can be connected to an external device for supplying electrical working current. 6. Rotary switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - optical and/or acoustic display devices can be connected to the switching elements. 7. Rotary switch according to claim 6, characterized in that - the optical and/or acoustic display devices are present as display elements in the vicinity of the switching element and/or on and/or in the switching element. 8. Rotary switch according to claim 6, characterized in that - display devices in the form of displays ( 56 ) are present, - image, text and/or number characters can be generated on the display ( 56 ). 9. Rotary switch according to claim 6, characterized in that - Diodes are present as display devices. 10. Rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized in that - the device ( 30 , 32 , 34 ) for generating digital switching signals and for controlling switching elements and for supplying the switching elements with control current is each designed as a module. 11. Rotary switch according to claim 2, characterized in that - the device ( 40 ) for coding the digital control signals is designed as a module. 12. Rotary switch according to claim 3, characterized in that - the device ( 50 ) for converting the digital control signals is designed as a module. 13. Rotary switch according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, characterized in that - the modules are designed to be plugged on, screwed on or snapped on. 14. Rotary switch according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized in that - the modules are designed as printed circuit boards equipped with electronic circuits. 15. Rotary switch according to claim 4, characterized in that - current-carrying conductor tracks are present along the axis ( 22 ). 16. Rotary switch according to claim 4, characterized in that - the axle ( 22 ) is adjustable at least with axle sections in its longitudinal direction. 17. Rotary switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - Cavities in individual components are present in such a way that when adjacent components are joined together, the adjacent cavities form a common cavity. 18. Rotary switch according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to claim 1, characterized in that - optical and/or acoustic display devices can be connected to the switching elements, - the display device contains a transmitting and/or receiving device ( 60 , 70 , 80 ) for data transmission. 19. Rotary switch according to claim 18, characterized in that - the transmitting and/or receiving device contains a transmitting and/or receiving antenna ( 60 ) for data transmission by radio. 20. Rotary switch according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that - the transmitting and/or receiving device contains a data interface ( 70 ) for data transmission using infrared technology. 21. Rotary switch according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that - the display device contains a plug or socket ( 80 ) as an interface for data transmission.