DE60302813T2 - control device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pilot device (1) for controlling/monitoring electrical circuits and/or apparatuses supplied via the circuits, comprising a tubular holder member (20) having a connector end (22) and an operator end (21). An operator element (10) is inserted in the operator end, the operator element being in operative contact with a contact block (30) inserted in the connector end such that the central axes of the operator element and the contact block being coincident with a central axis (CL) of the holder member. The contact block has stationary (33,34) and moving (35) contact elements for opening/closing at least one electrical circuit running through the pilot device, the contacts being actuated through either one of an axial or rotating manipulation of said operator element. <IMAGE>

Description

technical Field of the invention

The The present invention relates to command devices or Control devices for controlling and / or monitoring the state of electrical circuits and devices passing through the circuits be supplied, according to the preamble of claim 1.

background and state of the art

As As used herein, the term "command device" refers to a resource for controlling and / or monitoring the state of electrical circuits and devices passing through the circuits be supplied. Non-limiting examples for command devices, referred to are pushbuttons, selector switches, emergency stop pushbuttons, Signal lights, etc.

Conventionally, the respective command devices will typically be located in the control panel by attaching an actuator element such as a selector switch handle, a pushbutton, a signal lamp lens, etc. to a contact block mount. Separate contact blocks for each electrical circuit are then latched at the opposite end of the support and thus positioned for actuation by the actuator element which extends through the support. The conventional instruction device, such as in US 3,437,775 A can be considered in this regard as a modular structure.

The The invention aims to simplify the arrangement of a control panel and reduce the number of elements by the contact blocks and the actuator element be summarized with the holder. A command device according to the invention can therefore be considered as an integrated structure.

In Another aspect of the invention is a base with several Functions for proposed a command device in an integrated system, what size flexibility in terms of arrangement and structure in the design of the control panel provides.

These and other tasks and goals will be through as well as through the technical Features of claim 1 defined command device met. preferred embodiments are further defined in the subclaims.

Short said beats the invention an instruction device for controlling / monitoring electrical circuits and / or equipment powered by the circuits which are a tubular support member comprising a terminal end and an actuating end. In the actuating end is an actuator element inserted, wherein the actuator element in operative contact with a contact system / contact block thus inserted into the terminal end is that the central axes of the actuator element and the contact block with a central axis of the support member coincide. The contact block has immovable or stationary and movable contact elements for opening or closing at least one electrical circuit electrically separated by the command device is running, the contacts being made by a sliding or a rotating manipulation of the actuator element triggered become.

In a preferred embodiment the support member provides a base with multiple functions for one Command device, which optionally with a selector switch actuator or with a push-button for triggering of the contact (s) of the command device.

As As used herein, a "push button" refers to an actuator that for one axial actuating movement longitudinal the instruction device is manipulated. The "selector switch" on the other hand refers on an actuator, the for a rotating actuating movement around the longitudinal axis of the Command device is manipulated. By the term "depressible Selector switch " an actuator considered that for an operation is designed by a manipulation, which any combination from longitudinal and rotational movements, such as a toggle switch.

drawings

embodiments The invention will be explained in more detail below, wherein reference on the attached Drawings is taken. In the drawings is

1 a prior art modular structure command device,

2 a schematic, partially in cross-section view showing the principles of an instruction device integrated structure according to the invention, and

3 an exploded perspective view showing the main parts included in the new command device.

Full Description of the drawings

Regarding 1 For example, a typical structure of a prior art modular device command device includes an actuator element, here identified by a pushbutton A, a contact block mount B, and one or more contact blocks C, D, E. The command device is mounted in a control panel F, where Push button on the operator side of the field protrudes, and the contact block holder and the contact block / contact blocks on the back of the field protrudes. The push button extends through the support member to engage with the contact blocks that are snapped into an end surface of the bracket B. A sleeve G extends through the field and secures the command device in the mounted position. The modular structure allows the command device to be provided with one, two, or three contact blocks, or more if attached one behind the other, as indicated by dashed lines in the drawing. Each contact block is typically a single pole contact for making or breaking electrical contact. In practice, the state-of-the-art command device requires that a large number of individual parts be handled in the warehouse, in the order and in the attachment.

Regarding 2 includes a typical construction of the new instruction device 1 the integrated configuration an actuator element, which here by a push button 10 is displayed, a support member 20 and a contact block 30 ,

The support element 20 is tubular and has an actuating end 21 and a connection end 22 on. In a preferred embodiment, the support member 20 a cylindrical sleeve which extends symmetrically about a central axis CL. The support element 20 is formed internally with grooves, flanges, skirting or protrusions, etc., which are adapted to with similar formations on the push button 10 or the contact block 30 cooperate to snap-lock the push button and contact block with the support member 20 take.

The push button 10 is externally for insertion into the support member 20 from the operator end 21 shaped out. Preferably, the pushbutton 10 a cylinder having a central axis which coincides with the central axis CL of the support member in the inserted position. The pushbutton is formed with snap-lock means adapted to cooperate with the above-mentioned protrusions on the support member for interlocking engagement while allowing the pushbutton limited axial movement relative to the support member. Spring means may be arranged to bias the pushbutton in one or both of the longitudinal directions. The inner end of the pushbutton 10 is shaped to fit in the contact block 30 to trigger arranged contacts.

The contact block 30 is externally for insertion into the support member 20 from the connection end 22 shaped out. Preferably, the contact block 30 a cylinder having a central axis which coincides with the central axis CL of the support member in the inserted position. The contact block is formed with snap-lock means adapted to cooperate with the above-mentioned protrusions on the support member for an interlocking engagement, the relative axial and rotational movements between the support member 20 and the contact block 30 prevented.

In 2 is a partly sectional contact block 30 with two electrically separated sections 31 . 32 formed, each section a set of immovable contact elements 33 . 34 and a movable contact element 35 for making or breaking an electrical contact. The immovable contacts 33 . 34 each section 31 . 32 have a similar shape and are parallel on separate sides of a median plane through the contact block 30 arranged. The movable contact element 35 extends across the median plane and is controlled by a linear motion to pass over the immovable contacts 33 . 34 make electrical contact or interrupt. In 2 the center plane coincides with the parting plane of the severed portion of the contact block 30 together. cable connections 36 . 37 are arranged to connect the contact block / command device to the two separate electrical circuits V1 and V2. In the partially sectioned 2 is just an immobile contact 33 . 34 and a line connection 36 . 37 from every section 31 and 32 Visible electrically through a partition 38 are separated.

A movable contact carrier 39 will be in each separate section 31 . 32 of the contact block 30 received and guided for a sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of the contact block. The movable contact element 35 is in the carrier 39 supported and by a spring 40 against arresting formations 41 preloaded on the moving contact carrier 39 are arranged. The carrier 39 is from a spring 42 biased, which is ready for operation, the movable contact element 35 in electrical contact with the immovable contact tele management 34 to urge, as with respect to section 31 (normally closed, NC), or alternatively as in section 32 shown from the electrical contact with the immovable contact element 33 (normally open, NO) to urge. The operating state of the two contacts can be changed simultaneously by depressing the pushbutton, which with its inner end on the movable contact carrier 39 acts.

Equipped with a push button as disclosed above, the command device 1 alternatively be designed to simultaneously control at least two electrically separate circuits. Alternative designs include that a contact is normally closed (NC); that a contact is normally open (NO); that both contacts are normally closed; that both contacts are normally open and that one contact is normally closed while the other contact is normally open.

The main components that make up a multifunctional command device 1 is constructed with reference to the exploded view 3 explained. A tubular support member 200 with circular cross-section is with an actuator end 201 and a connection end 202 educated. Through the wall of the support element 200 are holes 203 educated. A cylindrical contact block 300 has external terminals 301 on that in the holes 203 snap when the contact block is inserted from the terminal end of the support member. In the inserted position are line connections 302 . 303 through openings 204 accessible through the wall of the support member. Each port has a tightening screw that extends from the end face of the contact block 300 is accessible from. In the inserted position becomes an identification code 304 on every moving contact carrier 305 . 306 of the contact block 300 behind a corresponding window 307 placed, which is formed by the wall of the support member and thus provides an indication, such as a color mark indicating the operating state of the associated electrical circuit passing through the relevant portion of the contact block.

The support element 20 . 200 is formed inside, with a push button 10 . 100 to cooperate as previously mentioned. For locking purposes grab spring clips 101 . 102 on the push button 10 . 100 a surface at the inner longitudinal end of a radial edge strip 23 (please refer 2 ), which are on the inside of the support element 20 . 200 is formed when the push button 10 . 100 is inserted from the actuator end of the support member. Axially extending guides such as slots 24 ( 2 ) formed on the inside of the support member and extending from the inner end of the skirt 23 extending, receiving the spring clips to prevent relative rotation, while allowing a relative axial movement between the push button and the support member. The relative axial movement is limited between an outer end position in which the spring clips engage the inner end of the skirt, and an inner end position in which the push button bears against the inner end of the contact block while supporting the contact carriers 305 . 306 depresses. A spring element 104 is received between the outer wall of the push button and the inner wall of the support member. The feather 104 acts to lock the pushbutton in a depressed position to the terminal end 202 out. For this purpose, the spring has a semicircular shape with ends 105 . 106 which are bent so that they protrude diametrically to the radial center of the pushbutton. The ends of the arcuate spring element 104 be in recesses 107 . 108 taken on opposite sides of the push button 10 . 100 are formed. The recesses form a passage in two directions for the spring ends, with an intermediate holding position 110 corresponds to the depressed mode in which the push button by the spring 104 is locked in order to be releasable to a further depression.

The specified structure of the support element 200 provides a multifunctional base for a command device, which may optionally be equipped with a selector switch actuator or with the aforementioned pushbutton, by means of an adapter ring connected therebetween.

The selector switch 400 acts with an adapter ring 401 together, which corresponding spring clips 402 . 403 to intervene with the above sidebar 23 on the inner wall side of the support member 20 . 200 wearing. The diameter of the ring 401 and the axial lengths of the spring clips 402 . 403 are relative to the radial width and axial length of the skirt 23 dimensioned to fit the ring in the support member 20 . 200 by fitting contact with both axial ends 23a . 23b Lock the edge strip axially. In the fastened position prevent the above axial guides 24 formed on the inside of the support member so that the inter-connected ring and the support member relatively rotate about the axis CL. A cylindrical selector switch sleeve 404 is received by the ring and is rotatable relative thereto. A knob or selector switch handle (not shown in the drawings) is shaped to engage the actuator end of the sleeve in non-rotating relationship. spring clips 405 . 406 extend axially from the ring 401 , making it to the actuator side of a flange 407 engage, which outside of the sleeve 404 is formed. Radial foothills 408 . 409 on the flange engage with the ring in the spaces between the spring clips 405 . 406 , The sleeve 404 is thus axially by the with the flange 407 engaging spring clips 405 . 406 and through the radial extensions 408 . 409 locked in sliding contact with the flat end surface of the ring 401 are stored. The radially inner side of the ring is formed with a cam surface, the recesses 310 and cam followers 411 . 412 protrude through the wall of the sleeve 404 so as to engage with the cam surface when the sleeve passes through the ring 401 is inserted. A spring element 413 between the cam followers for biasing the cam follower is in abutting contact with the cam surface of the ring 401 , The wells 410 and the cam followers 411 . 412 provide the operator with an audible and physical confirmation of the new operating mode when the selector switch sleeve 404 is turned. It is understood that the rings 401 optionally with wells 401 may be characterized, which correspond to various operating requirements, such as two-, three- or four-point switch.

In the connection end of the sleeve 404 protrude one or two cams 414 . 415 so before that they are using the moving contact carriers 305 . 306 of the contact block 300 intervention. Every cam 414 . 415 is with beveled cam surfaces 416 . 417 provided to slidably engage with the ends of the contact carrier upon rotation of the selector switch. As will be understood, a dual cam embodiment provides simultaneous actuation of the two contacts, and a single cam embodiment selectively and individually actuates one of the contacts.

The selector switch actuator 400 is manipulated for a rotational actuation movement about the longitudinal axis CL of the command device.

Yet another embodiment of the instruction device 1 provides a rocker switch actuator (not shown in the drawing) which effects actuation of the contacts by a process involving a combination of longitudinal and rotational movements. The toggle switch has an actuator handle which pivots in one of two directions about an axis transverse to the central axis CL of the command device. The toggle switch has radial extensions which are indirectly on the movable contact carrier of the contact block 300 Act. For example, a piston may be activated by the radial extensions for axial movement in the support member when the toggle switch is pivoted about the axis of rotation. The piston may be biased by a spring to a non-depressed position, which corresponds to a neutral position of the toggle switch. The toggle switch, the rotation shaft, the piston and the associated spring may be housed in a cylinder body which is inserted into the actuator end of the support member so that a center axis of the cylinder body coincides with the center axis CL of the support member. Snap locking formations on the cylinder body engage with mating formations on the inner wall of the support member for axially and non-rotatably fixing the cylinder body relative to the support member.

Of the completeness Half the retaining element with external threads, spring clips, etc. be configured for mounting the command device in the Serve panel. amendments to the details given herein can be carried out without departing from the suggested solution departing. Such a change For example, it may include an emergency pushbutton actuator that initiates a push action to interrupt an electrical contact requires, and a Rotary operation for making an electrical contact. Another amendment can be a security operator comprising both a printing and a turning operation for Actuate of the contact (s). All such obvious ones amendments are in the solution, as by the attached claims set, included.

Claims (11)

Command device ( 1 ) for controlling or monitoring electrical circuits comprising a tubular support member ( 20 ; 200 ), which has a connection end ( 22 ; 202 ) and an actuation end ( 21 ; 201 ), and an actuator element (FIG. 10 ; 100 ; 400 ), wherein the actuator element is in operative contact with a contact block inserted in the terminal end ( 30 ; 300 ), wherein the center axes of the actuator element and the contact block coincide with a central axis (CL) of the support element, wherein the contact block immovable ( 33 . 34 ) and movable ( 35 ) Contact elements for opening / closing of at least one electrical circuit via the immovable contacts, characterized in that the support element ( 20 ; 200 ) for receiving an actuator element ( 10 ; 100 ) which is operative to move the movable contact element (s) ( 35 ) by an axial actuation of the actuator element, and optionally to receive an actuator element operative to move the movable contact element (s) ( 35 ) by a rotary actuation of the actuator element, and the contact block ( 30 ; 300 ) with at least two electrically separated sections th ( 31 . 32 . 38 ), each section comprising a set of immovable contact elements ( 33 . 34 ) and a movable contact element ( 35 ) for making or breaking an electrical contact. The command device of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed for snap-lock insertion of an actuator member in axially sliding relation to the support member, and for snap-lock insertion of an adapter ring 401 ) shaped to form an actuator element ( 404 ) in rotatable relation to the support member. A command device according to claim 2, wherein the actuator element for one simultaneous activation of the at least two contact elements is effective. A command device according to claim 3, wherein the actuator element either a push-button actuator or a selector switch actuator is. The command device of claim 3, wherein the actuator element is a selector switch actuator having two separate cam surfaces ( 416 ), which simultaneously activate all movable contact elements. A command device according to claim 2, wherein the actuator element is effective to separate each of the at least two contact elements to activate. A command device according to claim 6, wherein the actuator element is a selector switch actuator having at least one cam surface ( 416 ) which alternatively engages one of the movable contact elements. A control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact block is formed with two electrically separated sections, each section carrying two immobile contact elements and a movable contact element, a support ( 39 ; 305 . 306 ) movable contacts, which is received in each section of the contact block and is guided therein for a sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of the control device, wherein the contact carrier by actuation of the actuator element moves the associated movable contact for electrically connecting and disconnecting the immovable contact elements of this section Carrier of movable contacts of a spring element ( 42 ) is biased into either a normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) position. The instruction device of claim 8, wherein the carriers are more movable Contacts of sections both in the same normally closed or normally open position are biased. A control device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 9, wherein the actuator element is a selector switch actuator ( 404 ), the cam follower ( 411 . 412 ), which against a cam surface ( 410 ) are biased inside the adapter ring ( 401 ), the cam surface having indicia indicating the operating position of the selector switch. A command device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the support element is provided with viewing windows ( 307 ) which provides an indication of the type of contact (NC / NO) in each electrically separated portion of the contact block inserted in the support member.