EP0341416B1 - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

A switching device (10) is proposed, having an operating device (11) for manually bringing into operation, in a time-limited manner, electrical devices in motor vehicles, especially an electrically heated rear window. The switching device (10) comprises a time- switching device (12) which can be switched on directly by means of the operating device (11) and is spatially connected thereto, and which switches on the electrical device (13) for a time interval which can be predetermined after operation by the operating device (11).

Description

The invention relates to a switching device with an actuating member for manual, at least temporary, commissioning of electrical devices in motor vehicles, in particular an electrically heated rear window, a switchable directly with the actuating member and spatially connected with it, the switching device after actuation by the actuating member electrical device switches on for a predetermined time interval, and a carrier plate and a spring means which holds the actuating member in its inactive end position.

Switching devices of this type are provided, for example, in motor vehicles for starting up windshield wipers in accordance with a predetermined time interval (interval operation). For example, a With such interval operation, windshield wipers are switched on for a predetermined time period and switched off for a predetermined time period, the switched-on and the switched-off state being able to be repeated or canceled in accordance with the structure of the switching device. Switching devices of this type have a manually operable actuating member (switch) which is arranged either in the dashboard or directly in the steering column, in the latter embodiment an extension lever cooperating with the actuating member allows immediate actuation from the steering wheel of the motor vehicle.

The actual control circuit for the time-adjustable operation of the electrical device is arranged at suitable points in the motor vehicle and is connected to the aforementioned trigger switch via separate electrical control and supply lines.

Due to the extremely strong cost pressure in the motor vehicle sector, the work still to be carried out manually in motor vehicle assembly is to be kept as low as possible and one is forced to reduce this proportion even further.

In many motor vehicles, the space available for installing devices and control devices is also very limited due to the large number arranged in them. Finally, due to the general cost situation, the manufacturing costs for tools for the manufacture of switches and switching devices and the like, ie for each of these individual components, are also increasing, whereby In addition, the installation of all these individual components in the motor vehicle, as mentioned above, requires an increased manual and thus more expensive effort.

A switching device is known from US-A-4 378 503, in which the circuit board carrying the time switching device and the actuating member are arranged within a housing. The actuator is designed as a pivotable lever which is held on the front boundary wall of the housing by means of pins which snap into corresponding bearings. In the area of the bearings there are return springs in sleeves to keep the lever in the neutral position. The circuit board carrying the time switch device is mounted in guide rails within the housing. The mounting of the actuating member comprises a large number of individual elements which must be installed accordingly, and the circuit board carrying the time switch device is not arranged in a spatially fixed position relative to the actuating member.

From CA-A-1 109 555 a switching device of the type described at the outset is also known, in which the actuating member and the circuit board carrying the time switching device are arranged within a housing are. The actuator is designed as a rocker arm which is held in the housing via corresponding journal bearings. The rocker arm has an extension which extends into the interior of the housing and which interacts on the one hand with the switching element for switching the time switch device on and off and on the other hand with two spring elements with different spring forces. The switching element is arranged spatially separated from the circuit board of the remaining time switch device. The switching element is arranged separately from the circuit board with the time switch device in the housing, so that electrical connecting lines are required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switching device which is less expensive to produce than the known switching devices, requires considerably less manufacturing tools and can be assembled more easily than previous switching devices of this type.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the time switching device and a switching element which can be acted upon by the actuating element are arranged jointly on the carrier plate, the carrier plate being provided at its end facing the actuating element with a supporting plate projecting essentially at right angles from the carrier plate and the spring means are arranged on the support plate.

This arrangement has the advantage that the support plate carrying the actuating member is firmly connected to the carrier plate, so that the actuating member and the switching element always have a fixed spatial relationship to one another. Another advantage is that the mounting of the actuating member is arranged spatially separate from the carrier plate, since the spring means are only arranged on the support plate. With this design, the manual assembly effort of such a switching device is reduced, so that the switching device can be mass-produced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the support plate has a hole through which a rod-shaped projection, which is provided on the rear side of the actuating element and which engages with the switching element, projects.

The switching device is advantageously surrounded by a preferably one-piece housing body which has guide means for the actuating member on its inner walls. The housing body is shaped in such a way that no separate guides for the actuating member are necessary, which in turn leads to a reduction in manufacturing costs. Advantageously, the carrier plate is provided at its end substantially opposite the actuating member with plug devices, the plug devices preferably being the conventional tongue-shaped tab connectors used in motor vehicle construction, the ends of which are connected to the carrier plate and engage, for example, in a printed circuit on one or both sides of the carrier plate and there can be soldered or otherwise suitably electrically connected.

In order to be able to hermetically seal the switching device generally against dust, moisture, fuel or oil vapors, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching device has a housing end part with openings for the passage of the plug devices, the housing end part being formed on the end of the switching device opposite the carrier plate is.

In order to connect the housing body and the housing end part to one another, any suitable connections can be provided, but it is advantageous to connect the housing body and the housing end part to one another via latching devices which can be formed in one piece with the respective housing parts during the manufacturing process, so that here again the assembly effort is reduced.

The switching device itself has on the housing body, i.e. on its outer surface at least one releasable fastening device which can be designed as a clip device in order to fasten the switching device in a simple manner in the dashboard or at another suitable location in the motor vehicle. The fastening or clip device is designed such that it resiliently nestles against the housing body when the switching device is inserted into a predetermined mounting hole and expands again in the final assembly position and thereby jumps behind a suitable mounting strut or a mounting plate. No screws or other fasteners are required.

The time switch device is advantageously formed by an electronic circuit device, although in principle any suitable non-electronic time switch device is also conceivable according to the invention. However, the electronic circuit device has the advantage over other configurations that the production costs are relatively low, since standardized electronic components can be used which are considerably less expensive to provide than mechanical or electromechanical solutions. However, the electronic solution of the circuit device also has the advantage of a much smaller space requirement and high operational reliability with a low current consumption at the same time.

With such a switching device, it is advantageous that the electronic circuit device comprises a relay, via the working contacts of which the electrical device is switched on, and an electronic circuit element which activates the relay for a predetermined time at least after triggering by the switching element or the actuating element interacting therewith. The duration of the desired triggering of the switching device can be set by suitable selection of circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors and the like. Depending on the type of use of the switching device, for example as a switching device for operating electrically heated rear windows in motor vehicles, the triggering of the switching device can be selected to be as long as desired.

Finally, it is advantageous that the switching device has a display device for displaying the operating state and / or a display device for identifying the switching device as such in the dark.

It is advantageous that the display means are visible through the actuating element in the active state, at least the actuating element being made of a suitable material, for example plastic, which in the area of the display means is at least then light-transparent for the passage of light from the display means to the outside is if either the display means for the operating state and / or the display means is active when the switching device is identified in the dark, ie Light emitted.

Fig. 1

in der Seitenansicht die vollständige Schalteinrichtung mit Gehäusekörper und Gehäuseabschlußteil sowie mit dem Betätigungsorgan in einer inaktiven Endstellung,

Fig. 2

die Schalteinrichtung in der Ansicht wie die Darstellung in Fig. 1, jedoch mit entferntem Gehäusekörper und entferntem Betätigungsorgan,

Fig. 3

eine elektrische Schaltung einer elektronisch ausgebildeten Schaltungseinrichtung,

Fig. 4

ein Blockschaltbild der elektrischen Komponenten der Schalteinrichtung und

Fig. 5

ein mögliches Signaldiagramm der Schalteinrichtung bei Ausbildung der Schalteinrichtung gemäß der elektronischen Schaltungseinrichtung, wie sie in Fig. 3 dargestellt ist.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following schematic drawings using an exemplary embodiment. In it show:

Fig. 1

the side view of the complete switching device with housing body and housing end part and with the actuator in an inactive end position,

Fig. 2

the switching device in the view as the illustration in Fig. 1, but with the housing body removed and the actuator,

Fig. 3

an electrical circuit of an electronically designed circuit device,

Fig. 4

a block diagram of the electrical components of the switching device and

Fig. 5

a possible signal diagram of the switching device when forming the switching device according to the electronic circuit device, as shown in Fig. 3.

The switching device 10 according to the invention is shown in its entirety as a compact component in FIG. 1 and essentially consists of an actuating member 11 which can be moved manually in the direction of the arrow 31 in order to trigger the switching process, and a carrier plate 15, which is surrounded by a housing body 20.

The electrical and electronic components arranged on the carrier plate 15, which can simultaneously be a printed circuit, are described in detail below.

It is essential for the switching device 10 according to the invention that the actuating member 11 is directly spatially connected to the time switching device 12, which in an electronic embodiment is based on FIG. 3 and 4 can be seen. The time switch device 12 is formed by electrical and electronic components which are arranged on the carrier plate 15 already mentioned, and will be described in more detail below. The directly spatially constructive connection of the actuator to the time switch allows the manufacturing costs, the costs for installation in the vehicle and the costs for assembly to be significantly reduced, and according to the invention the space for the switch device 10 as a whole compared to that previously used for switch devices Art required space is also reduced.

A switching element 14 is arranged on the carrier plate 15, which is usually a mechanical switch which is triggered by actuating the actuating member 11 in the direction of the arrow 31, specifically by means of a rod-shaped projection (not shown) attached to the rear of the actuating member 11. , which passes through a support plate 18 which is arranged at the end 16 of the support plate 15 facing the actuating member 11 and projecting essentially at right angles. In addition, spring means 19 are arranged on the support plate, which hold the actuating member 11 in an inactive end position, as is basically shown in FIG. 1.

In the housing body 20, guide means (not shown) are formed on the inner wall, via which the actuating member 11 is guided in the direction of the arrow 31 when actuated. Plug devices 21 are provided on the carrier plate 15, by means of which the switching device 10 can be connected to a voltage supply of the motor vehicle and to the electrical device 13 to be controlled. In the embodiment shown here, the plug devices 21 are designed in the form of flat plugs, as are used throughout the entire motor vehicle area, whereby these are tongue-like plug projections. However, it should be mentioned that in principle any other suitable plug devices 21 can be provided.

At the end 17 of the carrier plate 15, on which the plug devices 21 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment, a housing end part 22 is provided which has openings for the passage of the plug devices 21 and which serves to prevent dust, moisture, oil or fuel vapors be prevented from entering the interior of the housing body 20.

On the housing end part 22, guides or anti-rotation devices 32, which protrude from it essentially at right angles, can also be arranged in order to position a socket (not shown here), which is to be brought into engagement with the plug-in device 21, in a clear manner to the latter, so that faulty connection options are provided Rotation of the socket, not shown, can be avoided.

The housing body 20 and the housing end part are connected to one another via latching devices 23, which can be integrally formed in the manufacture of both parts, so that a simple possibility of connecting the two parts is possible without additional fastening or connecting means.

The housing body, cf. FIG. 1, has fastening devices 24 on its two opposite outer surfaces 30 with a substantially cross-sectional design of the housing body 20, which here are preferably formed by spring-loaded clip devices. The fastening devices 24 engage in the relaxed state, cf. FIG. 1, on a surface 33 of a fastening strut or a fastening plate after the switching device 10 is not separated here shown mounting hole, for example in the dashboard of a motor vehicle, has been pushed through.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the switching device 10, wherein the time switching device can be put into operation by the actuating element 11 in any manner, for example by means of a switching pulse. By activating the time switch device 12, a relay 25 is actuated, which is part of the time switch device 12. The normally open contacts 26 of the relay 25 are closed after activation, so that the circuit from terminals <6> to <5> is closed. As a result, an electrical device 13 in the motor vehicle is activated as intended for a predetermined time.

A possible embodiment of the time switching device 12 is shown in FIG. 3 using a complete circuit arrangement. The time-determining element in the time switching device 12 is formed by an electronic circuit element 27, which is formed by a single integrated module, for example of the TYA 0298 type from Motorola. In the exemplary embodiment described, the electronic circuit element 27 is set with respect to its oscillator frequency by the resistor 34 and the capacitor 35, the common connection of the resistor 34 and the capacitor 35 being given to the frequency setting input 273 of the electronic circuit device 27. The electronic circuit device 27 also has an input 271, to which an input signal (positive voltage pulse), see S of FIG. 5, is given by means of the actuator 11. According to the time that can be set by the resistor and the capacitor 34, 35, a positive signal is delivered to the output 272 after triggering by means of the actuating member 11 the relay 25 is given, the relay being activated and the normally open contacts 26 being closed. Accordingly, the electrical device 13 is supplied with voltage in accordance with the preselected time, see R of FIGS. 5 and 3.

The time switch device 12 can also be designed such that whenever, for example, the electrical network of a motor vehicle switches on (by actuating the ignition key), the switch device 10 is first switched on for a predetermined time, i.e. that relay 25 is activated for a predetermined time whenever the motor vehicle is started by turning the ignition key or the like. As mentioned, this function when starting up the motor vehicle can mean an additional possibility of starting up the electrical device 13 to be put into operation, but in principle the switching device 10 is started up by actuating the actuating member 11 to trigger a start pulse for the electronic circuit device 27 described above remains unaffected, see the pulse diagram of FIG. 5.

Simultaneously with the activation of the relay 25, a display means in the form of an incandescent lamp or light-emitting diode can also be provided, so that the active operating state can be displayed. Furthermore, the switching device 10 can be provided with a display means 29 for identifying the switching device 10 as such in the dark, the display means 28, 29 preferably being visible through the actuating member 11 in the active state.

If the switching device 10 according to the invention is provided for the activation of a rear window heater in a motor vehicle, the battery of the Motor vehicle is accidentally emptied. The rear window heater is only switched on for a predetermined time, for example 10 minutes, after actuation by the actuator 11. This time is usually sufficient to defrost them in the event of severe frosting.

Reference list

10th

Switching device

11

Actuator

12th

Time switch device

13

electrical equipment

14

Switching element

15

Carrier plate

16

End of the carrier plate

17th

End of the carrier plate

18th

Support plate

19th

Spring means

20th

Housing body

21

Plug device

22

Housing end part

23

Locking device

24th

Fastening device

25th

relay

26

Work contact

27

electronic circuit device

271

entrance

272

output

273

Frequency setting input

28

Display means

29

Display means

30th

Outer surface of the housing

31

arrow

32

Guide / anti-rotation

33

surface

34

resistance

35

capacitor

Claims (13)

1. A switching device that has an actuator for manually setting into operation, in at least timely limited manner, electrical devices in motor vehicles, especially an electrical heater for a rear window,
   said switching device further comprising
   a time control unit (12) that is adapted to be directly turned on by said actuator (11) and is physically connected to it, with said time control unit switching on said electrical device for a predetermined interval of time after turning on said time control unit by said actuator,
   a carrier plate (15) and a spring means, which holds said actuator (11) in its inactive final position,
   characterized in that
   said time control unit (12) and a switching element adapted to be acted upon by said actuator are both disposed on said carrier plate (15), said carrier plate being provided on its end (16) facing to said actuator (11) with a support plate (18), which mainly projects rectangularly from said carrier plate (15), and said spring means (18) being disposed on said support plate (18).
2. A switching device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   said support plate (18) comprises a hole, through which a stick-shaped projection, provided on a back of said actuator, projects, which is engaged with the switching element (14).
3. A switching device according to one or both of claims 1 or 2,
   chracterized in that
   said switching device is surrounded by a housing body (20), which includes guiding means for said actuator (11) on its interior side.
4. A switching device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   said carrier plate (15) is provided with plug means (21) on its end (17) that is mainly disposed opposite said actuator (11).
5. A switching device according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   said end (17) is provided with an housing end member (22), which comprises openings through which extend said plug means (21).
6. A switching device according to one or more of claims 3 to 5,
   characterized in that
   said housing body (20) and said housing end member (22) are interconnected via locking means (23).
7. A switching device according to one or more of claims 3 to 6,
   characterized in that
   said housing body (20) is provided with a securing means (24) on its outer surface (30).
8. A switching device according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   said securing means (24) is in the form of a clip means.
9. A switching device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   said time control unit (12) is in the form of an electronic switching device.
10. A switching device according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    said electronic switching device includes a relay (25), which has operating contacts by which said electrical device (13) is switched on, and also includes an electronic switching member (27) that activates said relay for a predetermined period of time after activation thereof via said switching element (14).
11. A switching device according to one or more of claims 1 to 10,
    chracterized in that
    said switching device includes indicator means (28) for indicating the operating state thereof.
12. A switching device according to one or more of claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that
    said switching device includes indicator means (29) for the purpose to recognize said switching device (10) in darkness.
13. A switching device according to one or both of claims 11 or 12,
    characterized in that
    said indicator means (28,29) are visible in an active state through said actuator (11).

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