Patent Application
20170140882
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a holding device for receiving switching elements for a command and alert device, with a first housing portion in which a recess for receiving an actuator of a command and alert device is arranged, and with a second housing portion which is arranged on the first housing portion and which continues the recess of the first housing portion.
2. Description of the Related Art
Command and alert devices with holding devices are used in machines or electrical installations that are operated via command devices, such as pushbuttons or selector switches, which act on the control. These command devices are mounted in control panels, operator panels, switching cabinet doors or housing covers. Command devices are generally of modular construction. This means that they consist of an actuator, a holding device, such as an annular nut, or a special mounting holder, and one or more switching elements, which are formed as switching elements of break contacts or make contacts. For mounting, the actuator is generally guided through an opening in the control panel from the front and is mounted from the rear via a fastening part. Switching elements are mechanically secured to the actuator or to the holding device by screws, snap hooks or catches. The electrical connection of the switching elements to the control occurs via connection terminals.
In safety applications, such as an emergency-off command device, it is stipulated that the signal is generated by the opening of positive-opening contacts. This means that, in an unactuated emergency-off command device, the contacts are closed and consequently so is the associated circuit. In the event of a fault or emergency, the break contact is interrupted by striking the emergency-off actuator, which is located in front of the control panel, and this puts the installation or machine in a safe state. However, this only works if the spatial assignment between the actuator and the switching element is ensured. Defective mounting or violent action may have the effect that the switching elements are mechanically separated from the actuator. In this case, the emergency-off command device is no longer operational. That is, if actuated in the event of an emergency, then the contacts are not opened, and consequently the dangerous state is also not rectified. This may lead to fatal harm. Therefore, the secure connection between the actuator and the switching element is of paramount importance.
In addition to the handling, the optics, the fixed seat, the reliability and the quality, a further decisive product feature for a command and alert device is also the reliable connection of a plurality of switching elements to an actuator designed as a crossbar switch or as a selector switch, or to a holding device.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a holding device for switching elements of a command and alert device and also a command and alert device with such a holding device that permit the connection of a plurality of switching elements.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved in accordance with the invention by a holding device for receiving switching elements for a command and alert device, with a first housing portion in which a recess for receiving an actuator of a command and alert device is arranged, and with a second housing portion that is arranged on the first housing portion and which continues the recess of the first housing portion. The invention is distinguished in that guide rails for guiding transmission elements are formed in the housing portions, where the transmission elements transmit an actuation of the actuator to a switching element.
A plurality of switching elements, preferably at least four, are activated via the actuator. For this purpose, a reliable triggering mechanism is required that transmits the change in switching position from the actuator to the activated switching element. The preferably cylindrically designed basic body of the actuator has only a certain construction space. As a result, the rams in the actuator are configured such that one part of the rams grips directly on a part of the switching elements, while the other part of the rams grips on the corresponding switching elements via the transmission elements in the holding device. The rams in the actuator preferably differ in configuration here, i.e., for example, the space-requiring rams directly activate the respective switching elements, while the rams with a smaller construction volume initially grip on the transmission elements before the corresponding switching element is then activated via the latter.
In a special embodiment in accordance with the invention, each transmission element is acted upon by a spring element. The spring element is preferably configured as a compression spring and serves for resetting the transmission element. The resetting of the transmission element is essential in order, after activation of a first switching element, to be able to activate a second switching element.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the transmission elements are L-shaped with two limbs. This configuration of the transmission element makes it possible firstly to fixedly secure the transmission element in the holding device and secondly to provide the ram of the actuator with a sufficient contact surface in order to achieve a safe change in switching position.
In a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, one limb of the transmission element is guided in the guide rail of the first and second housing portion. The transmission element is thereby fixedly secured in the holding device.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second limb has a portion that is U-shaped and merges via a connecting web into the first limb. The U-shaped portion forms the contact surface with the ram of the actuator.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the second limb is formed such that it projects into the recess. This positioning of the second limb permits direct access of the ram of the actuator to this part of the transmission element.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a receptacle for the spring element is arranged in the form of a housing contour on the transmission element. The housing contour makes it possible to secure the spring element in a stable position, and therefore the resetting of the transmission element, and therefore the resetting of the switching element, can be permanently ensured.
In a further embodiment the invention, a clamping ring that is operable via a lever and that secures the actuator in the recess is arranged in the housing portions of the holding device. The clamping ring firstly permits the fixed positioning of the actuator in the holding device and secondly permits simple exchange of the actuator by the lever.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the holding device is configured to receive at least four switching elements. Four switching elements are required for special applications, such for the connection of a crossbar switch.
In a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, the switching elements are structurally identical standard switching elements. Associated with the use of structurally identical switching elements that are interchangeable among one another and do not have to adopt special positions on the holding device is the advantage that only one set of switching elements has to be manufactured for the holding device in accordance with the invention.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the actuator with respect to its geometry has a basic body that is adapted to the recess of the holding device and which has guide pockets that guide rams mounted therein. The rams in the actuator also have to be secured in a stable position to ensure that the triggering mechanism consisting of actuator, holding device and switching element reliably interlocks.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rams in the actuator can be actuated individually via the actuator. Via the rams to be activated individually, the switching elements positioned on the holding device are likewise activated individually.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rams are U-shaped with two limbs and a transition region, where the limbs of the ram, when actuated, strike against the limbs of the transmission element of the holding device. The rams that are U-shaped are the rams that require less construction space. These rams activate the switching elements indirectly via the transmission elements in the holding device.
In a particular embodiment in accordance with the invention, the rams in the actuator are L-shaped with two limbs, where one limb of the ram is guided in the basic body of the actuator and the other limb is oriented in the direction of the center point of the basic body. The L-shaped rams require more construction space in the interior of the cylindrical basic body of the actuator. The rams directly activate the corresponding switching elements.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, four switching elements can be actuated by the actuator via the holding device. Four switching elements are required for special applications, such as for the connection of a crossbar switch.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the actuator is a crossbar switch. Four switching elements can be used for the connection of a crossbar switch because the crossbar switch can assume four defined switching positions.
In a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, the actuator is a selector switch. Four switching elements can also be used for the connection of a selector switch because the selector switch can assume four defined switching positions.
The objects upon which the disclosed embodiments of the invention are based is also achieved by a command and alert device with a holding device in accordance with the invention.
The holding device in accordance with the invention substantially has a cuboidal basic body with a first housing portion that has a preferably concentric recess for receiving an actuator of a command and alert device, and with a second housing portion which is preferably arranged lying against the first housing portion and which continues the recess of the first housing portion and which has guide rails for guiding transmission elements, where the transmission elements serve to transmit an actuation of an actuator to a switching element. The first and second housing portions may be formed in one part. However, they may also be formed in two parts, and therefore the second housing portion is fastened to the first housing portion, for example, via a detent or a screw connection or a clamping connection. A clamping ring is preferably arranged between the two housing portions, where the clamping ring is operable via a lever that fixedly secures the actuator in the recess of the holding device. The actuator can also be released again via the lever in order, for example, for the actuator to be exchanged. Housing contours in the form of projections that predetermine the correct position of the actuator upon insertion into the recess are arranged in the recess of the holding device.
At least four switching elements can be fastened to the holding device in accordance with the invention. Here, the switching elements can be of structurally identical design, i.e., standard switching elements can be used. No special switching elements have to be manufactured. Two of the switching elements can be activated via the preferably two transmission elements arranged in the holding device. The other switching elements are activated directly via the actuator.
The transmission elements are preferably L-shaped with two limbs that are preferably at an angle of 90° to each other. Here, one limb of the transmission element is arranged in a guide rail of the second housing portion. The second limb of the transmission element has a preferably U-shaped portion with two limbs and a transition region that is connected to the first limb of the transmission element via a connecting web. The transmission element has a receptacle on the first limb for a spring element or a compression spring. The receptacle is preferably formed as a housing contour in the manner of a blind hole, with a centrally arranged guide dome. The spring element can be introduced into the blind-hole-like housing contour via the guide dome. The spring element serves for resetting the actuator.
The actuator is preferably configured as a crossbar switch or selector switch. The actuator preferably has a cylindrical basic body. Housing contours in the form of projections and recesses, which are configured to fit precisely with the housing contours in the recess of the holding device, are arranged on the outer side of the cylindrical basic body. At least four rams via which the switching elements on the holding device can be activated either directly or indirectly are preferably arranged in the cylindrical basic body. The actuator has an activation mechanism that individually activates the rams. The rams in the actuator are either preferably U-shaped or L-shaped. The U-shaped rams and the L-shaped rams are arranged opposite and parallel to one another. When the U-shaped rams are actuated, two limbs protrude out of the cylindrical basic body of the actuator. The limbs of the ram of the actuator, when actuated, strike against the U-shaped limbs of the transmission element of the holding device. The limbs, which are of L-shaped with respect to one another, of the ram of the actuator strike directly against the switching elements with the surface of the limb that is oriented into the interior of the cylindrical basic body of the actuator, where the limbs are at an angle of approx. 90° to one another. The other limb of the L-shaped ram of the actuator is positioned in guide pockets on the housing edge of the cylindrical basic body of the actuator.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which, schematically:
At least four switching elements can be fastened to the holding device in accordance with the invention. Here, the switching elements can be of structurally identical configuration, i.e., standard switching elements can be used. No special switching elements have to be manufactured. Two of the switching elements can be activated via the transmission elements 6 arranged in the holding device. The other switching elements are activated directly via the actuator 3.
The transmission elements 6 are preferably L-shaped with two limbs 7, 8 that are preferably at an angle of 90° to each other. Here, one limb 7 of the transmission element 6 is arranged in a guide rail 5 of the second housing portion 4. The other limb 8 of the transmission element 6 has a preferably U-shaped portion 9 with two limbs 10, 11 and a transition region 12 that is connected to the first limb 7 of the transmission element 6 via a connecting web 13.
The actuator 3 in
The holding device in accordance with the invention is distinguished by transmission elements in the holding device, where the transmission elements transmit the ram movements of the actuator to the outer switching elements. In addition, the holding device is formed with at least four direct receptacles for switching elements. The holding device in accordance with the invention permits the use of structurally identical standard switching elements.
Thus, while there have shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15195116 | Nov 2015 | EP | regional |
