EP0170172B1 - Piezoelectric relay - Google Patents

Piezoelectric relay Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0170172B1
EP0170172B1 EP85109068A EP85109068A EP0170172B1 EP 0170172 B1 EP0170172 B1 EP 0170172B1 EP 85109068 A EP85109068 A EP 85109068A EP 85109068 A EP85109068 A EP 85109068A EP 0170172 B1 EP0170172 B1 EP 0170172B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bending transducer
leaf spring
spring
bearing
relay according
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Expired
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EP85109068A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0170172A1 (en
Inventor
Klaus Dipl.-Ing. Lüneburger
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H57/00—Electrostrictive relays; Piezo-electric relays

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a piezoelectric relay with a bending transducer clamped on one side according to the first part of patent claim 1.
  • a piezoceramic relay which is constructed according to the first part of the main claim.
  • This relay has an electrostrictive or piezoceramic element which is arranged parallel to a contact arm which can be pivoted about a bearing point. The free end of the piezoceramic element engages the short lever of the contact arm in order to achieve the desired large contact stroke.
  • both the contact arm itself and a V-shaped tilting spring engaging it are designed and arranged in a relatively complicated manner.
  • a piezoelectric toggle switch is also known, in which, in one embodiment, a piezoelectric bender and an elongated contact element are arranged parallel to one another and clamped in with opposite ends.
  • the clamped end of the contact element is offset there beyond the free end of the piezo transducer, while the free end of the piezo transducer engages the contact element via lateral stop elements and switches it to one side or the other in accordance with its respective deformation. Since the contact element is firmly clamped at one end in the manner mentioned and only lateral forces are exerted on this contact element by the piezo element, this contact element must contain an additional tilting device, which, however, is not further explained in this example. In any case, a simple leaf spring cannot produce a tilting characteristic with the structure mentioned.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a piezoelectric relay of the type mentioned, in which a KraftWeg characteristic as an electromagnetic relay can be realized in a simple and space-saving construction.
  • this object is achieved in that the spring element of the tilting device acts directly on the bearing point of the leaf spring in its longitudinal direction.
  • the relatively small deflection of the bending transducer can be converted by the lever action into the switching movement of the contact spring that is necessary for a relay.
  • the clamping point of the bending transducer and the bearing point of the contact leaf spring are arranged symmetrically, a bistable or a monostable switching characteristic is achieved.
  • a sliding-edge bearing formed by the spring element can form the bearing point for the leaf spring.
  • the point of application of the bending transducer to the leaf spring can also be designed as a cutting edge bearing.
  • the leaf spring can be U-shaped with two spring legs lying in one plane, the bending transducer between the two spring legs lying approximately in the same plane, i. That is, that both the spring legs of the leaf spring and the bending transducer go through a common plane of symmetry with each switching movement.
  • the two spring legs can also form two independent contact springs, electrically separated from one another, which are connected in the area of the bearing point, for example, to an insulating material carrier.
  • a permanent magnet arrangement can be provided which generates or amplifies the tilting characteristic of the relay.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of a piezoelectric relay with a bending transducer 1, which is clamped at one end 1a in a housing 2. With the other end 1b, the bending transducer engages a contact spring 3 which is designed as a leaf spring and which is movably mounted with its end 3a in a bearing point 4 and with its other end 3b can be switched between two counter-contact elements 5.
  • the distance between the point of attack 6 of the bending actuator on the contact spring 3 and the bearing point 4 is small compared to the total length of the contact spring 3, so that a relatively small movement of the bending transducer 1 or its end 1b due to the leverage a relatively large movement of the free end 3b of the contact spring 3 results.
  • the contact spring 3 is subjected to an axial force.
  • a spring element 7 acts approximately in the longitudinal direction of the bending transducer 1 or the contact spring 3 on the bearing point 4, which strives to shorten the distance between the bearing point 4 and the clamping point of the bending transducer 1.
  • the contact spring is biased from the unstable middle position into the two end positions.
  • the arrangement of the spring element 7 and the coupling of the spring element with the contact spring 3 must be such that it is not possible to move the bearing point 4 to the side.
  • Fig. 2 shows a modification of the structure of Fig. 1, with which a monostable switching behavior of the relay is achieved. All parts are designed and connected as before. Only the bearing point 4a is shifted from the central plane to the left relative to the bearing point 4 of FIG. 1. This gives the contact spring 3 a stable end position in the continuously drawn position, while the opposite position, which is shown in dashed lines, is only maintained as long as the bending transducer 1 assumes the position shown in dashed lines. If the bending transducer moves into a central position (not shown) after the voltage has been switched off, the contact spring returns to the (right) position, while in the case of a structure according to FIG. 1 the position reached in each case is maintained after the voltage is switched off.
  • FIG. 3 Another modification of the schematic relay structure is shown in FIG. 3.
  • the bearing point 8 corresponds to the bearing point 4 of FIG. 1, but the longitudinal force on the bearing point 8 must be directed in the opposite direction. As a result, the pretension of the contact spring in the end positions is achieved with a smaller overall length of the relay.
  • a practical embodiment of the relay of Fig. 1 is shown.
  • the bending transducer 1 is clamped in a housing 2 and coupled to a U-shaped leaf spring 13, the two spring legs 13a and 13b of which lie on both sides of the bending transducer 1 and can be switched over between corresponding counter-contact elements 5.
  • the contact spring 13 With the central part 13c, the contact spring 13 forms a bearing cutting edge 14 which is mounted in bearing notches 15 of a spring element 17.
  • the point of application 16 of the bending transducer 1 on the contact spring 13 is also designed as a cutting edge bearing, the contact spring 3 forming a bearing bracket 18.
  • the contact spring 13 instead of the spring element 17, the contact spring 13 could also be shaped in its area 13c in such a way that it itself exerts an axial force.
  • the bending transducer 1 is to be clamped firmly at its end 1a.
  • two fastening elements 12 can be formed on the housing, between which the bending transducer is glued.
  • the bearing point 16 could, for example, be designed according to FIG. 7.
  • the end 1 b of the bending transducer is provided with a metal coating 19, on which a bearing cutting edge 20 is formed.
  • This bearing cutting edge 20 in turn, lies in the bearing recess 18 formed on the contact spring 13.
  • the spring element 27 is slightly modified compared to the spring element 17 in the previous figures.
  • a plastic bearing element can also be molded or glued to the bending transducer.
  • the contact spring 13 shown in FIG. 4 can be used, for example, as a bridge contact element, so that it does not require its own power supply. But it can also be used as a spring for a (double) changeover contact and have its own power supply. Since an axial force acts on the bearing point 16, the current supply via the bearing is possible. However, if the bearing resistance is too high for the application, A flexible power supply can also be provided.
  • the contact spring legs 13a and 13b can also be electrically separated from one another and connected to one another in the bearing area via an insulating bearing element. With corresponding power supplies to the two spring '- no two switch contacts are thus obtained.

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein piezoelektrisches Relais mit einem einseitig eingespannten Biegewandler gemäß dem ersten Teil des Patentanspruchs 1.The invention relates to a piezoelectric relay with a bending transducer clamped on one side according to the first part of patent claim 1.

Bei bekannten piezoelektrischen Relais (DE-U-1 917 876. DE-A-2 811 524) ist jeweils das Kontaktelement unmittelbar mit dem Biegewandler verbunden, so daß die Auslenkung des Biegeelements unmittelbar den Kontakthub ergibt. Um bei derartigen Relais einen genügend großen Hub zu erhalten, muß der Biegewandler und damit das Relais insgesamt eine Größe erhalten, die für die meisten Anwendungsgebiete einen wirtschaftlichen Einsatz derartiger Relais nicht ermöglicht. Ist der Wandler gleichzeitig Träger der Kontaktstükke, der Stromzuführungen und evtl. zusätzlicher magnetischer Bauteile, so wird die Wandlerfunktion durch das elektrische Feld der Schaltspannung beeinflußt, während die Erwärmung der Kontaktstücke durch den Schaltstrom das Wandlermaterial selbst beeinträchtigen kann. Außerdem gibt es Probleme, zwischen dem Kontaktmaterial und der Wandlerkeramik eine haltbare Verbindung herzustellen, die keine Bimetall-Wirkung haben darf. Auch sind aufgrund der Wandlereigenschaften (Hysterese, Kriechen) keine konstanten Kontaktkräfte erreichbar.In known piezoelectric relays (DE-U-1 917 876. DE-A-2 811 524), the contact element is connected directly to the bending transducer, so that the deflection of the bending element results directly in the contact stroke. In order to obtain a sufficiently large stroke in such relays, the bending transducer and thus the relay as a whole must be of a size which does not allow economical use of such relays for most fields of application. If the transducer is at the same time the carrier of the contact pieces, the power supply lines and possibly additional magnetic components, the transducer function is influenced by the electrical field of the switching voltage, while the heating of the contact pieces by the switching current can impair the transducer material itself. There are also problems in creating a durable connection between the contact material and the transducer ceramic, which must not have a bimetal effect. Also, due to the transducer properties (hysteresis, creep), no constant contact forces can be achieved.

Aus der US-A-2 835 761 ist ein piezokeramisches Relais bekannt, das entsprechend dem ersten Teil des Hauptanspruchs aufgebaut ist. Dieses Relais besitzt ein elektrostriktives bzw. piezokeramisches Element, das parallel zu einem um eine Lagerstelle schwenkbaren Kontaktarm angeordnet ist. Das freie Ende des piezokeramischen Elementes greift am kurzen Hebel des Kontaktarms an, um so den gewünschten großen Kontakthub zu erreichen. Um bei dieser bekannten Anordnung eine Kippcharakterisk zu erhalten, sind sowohl der Kontaktarm selbst als auch eine an ihm angreifende, V-förmige Kippfeder verhältnismäßig kompliziert gestaltet und angeordnet.From US-A-2 835 761 a piezoceramic relay is known, which is constructed according to the first part of the main claim. This relay has an electrostrictive or piezoceramic element which is arranged parallel to a contact arm which can be pivoted about a bearing point. The free end of the piezoceramic element engages the short lever of the contact arm in order to achieve the desired large contact stroke. In order to obtain a tilting characteristic in this known arrangement, both the contact arm itself and a V-shaped tilting spring engaging it are designed and arranged in a relatively complicated manner.

Aus der US-A-4 383 195 ist weiterhin ein piezoelektrischer Kippschalter bekannt, bei dem in einer Ausführungsform ein piezoelektrischer Biegewandter und ein langgestrecktes Kontaktelement parallel zueinander angeordnet und mit entgegengesetzten Enden eingespannt sind. Das eingespannte Ende des Kontaktelementes ist dort über das freie Ende des Piezowandlers hinaus versetzt, während der Piezowandler mit seinem freien Ende über seitliche Anschlagelemente an dem Kontaktelement angreift und dieses entsprechend seiner jeweiligen Deformation nach der einen oder anderen Seite umschaltet. Da das Kontaktelement mit einem Ende in der erwähnten Weise fest eingespannt ist und vom Piezoelement jeweils nur seitliche Kräfte auf dieses Kontaktelement ausgeübt werden, muß dieses eine zusätzliche Kippeinrichtung in sich enthalten, die jedoch bei diesem Beispiel nicht weiter erläutert ist. Eine einfache Blattfeder jedenfalls kann bei dem genannten Aufbau eine Kippcharakteristik nicht erzeugen.From US-A-4 383 195 a piezoelectric toggle switch is also known, in which, in one embodiment, a piezoelectric bender and an elongated contact element are arranged parallel to one another and clamped in with opposite ends. The clamped end of the contact element is offset there beyond the free end of the piezo transducer, while the free end of the piezo transducer engages the contact element via lateral stop elements and switches it to one side or the other in accordance with its respective deformation. Since the contact element is firmly clamped at one end in the manner mentioned and only lateral forces are exerted on this contact element by the piezo element, this contact element must contain an additional tilting device, which, however, is not further explained in this example. In any case, a simple leaf spring cannot produce a tilting characteristic with the structure mentioned.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein piezoelektrisches Relais der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei dem eine KraftWeg-Charakteristik wie bei einem elektromagnetischen Relais in einer einfachen und platzsparenden Konstruktion verwirklicht werden kann.The object of the invention is to provide a piezoelectric relay of the type mentioned, in which a KraftWeg characteristic as an electromagnetic relay can be realized in a simple and space-saving construction.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, daß das Federelement der Kippeinrichtung unmittelbar auf den Lagerpunkt der Blattfeder in deren Längsrichtung einwirkt.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the spring element of the tilting device acts directly on the bearing point of the leaf spring in its longitudinal direction.

Mit der Erfindung werden neben den grundsätzlichen Vorteilen eines piezoelektrischen Relais, nämlich der Vermeidung einer unerwünschten Erwärmung über eine Erregerspule, und neben der im Stand der Technik ebenfalls bekannten Trennung des Biegewandlers vom Kontaktelement zusätzliche Vorteile durch eine besonders einfache und günstige Gestaltung der Kippeinrichtung erreicht. Durch das in Längsrichtung auf den Lagerpunkt der Blattfeder einwirkende Federelement wird sichergestellt, daß die Kontaktfeder auch bei einer Neutralstellung des Biegewandlers nur in jeweils einer der durch die Außenkontakte vorgegebenen Endlagen verharren kann. Mit einer entsprechenden Gestaltung und Anordnung des Federelementes kann damit die Kippcharakteristik der Blattfeder sichergestellt werden.With the invention, in addition to the basic advantages of a piezoelectric relay, namely the avoidance of undesirable heating via an excitation coil, and in addition to the separation of the bending transducer from the contact element, which is also known in the prior art, additional advantages are achieved by a particularly simple and inexpensive design of the tilting device. The spring element acting in the longitudinal direction on the bearing point of the leaf spring ensures that the contact spring can only remain in one of the end positions predetermined by the external contacts, even when the bending transducer is in a neutral position. With a corresponding design and arrangement of the spring element, the tilting characteristic of the leaf spring can be ensured.

Durch die Wahl der Lagerstelle in einem gewünschten Abstand zum Angriffspunkt des Biegewandlers kann die relativ geringe Auslenkung des Biegewandlers durch die Hebelwirkung in die für ein Relais notwendige Schaltbewegung der Kontaktfeder umgesetzt werden. Je nachdem, ob die Einspannstelle des Biegewandlers und die Lagerstelle der Kontakt-Blattfeder symmetrisch angeordnet sind, wird eine bistabile oder eine monostabile Schaltcharakteristik erreicht.By choosing the bearing point at a desired distance from the point of application of the bending transducer, the relatively small deflection of the bending transducer can be converted by the lever action into the switching movement of the contact spring that is necessary for a relay. Depending on whether the clamping point of the bending transducer and the bearing point of the contact leaf spring are arranged symmetrically, a bistable or a monostable switching characteristic is achieved.

In einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform kann ein durch das Federelement gebildetes Gleitschneidenlager die Lagerstelle für die Blattfeder bilden. Auch der Angriffspunkt des Biegewandlers an der Blattfeder kann als Schneidenlager ausgebildet sein.In an advantageous embodiment, a sliding-edge bearing formed by the spring element can form the bearing point for the leaf spring. The point of application of the bending transducer to the leaf spring can also be designed as a cutting edge bearing.

In konstruktiver Ausgestaltung des Relais kann die Blattfeder U-förmig mit zwei in einer Ebene liegenden Federschenkeln ausgebildet sein, wobei der Biegewandler zwischen den beiden Federschenkeln annähernd in der gleichen Ebene liegt, d. h., daß sowohl die beiden Federschenkel der Blattfeder als auch der Biegewandler bei jeder Schaltbewegung durch eine gemeinsame Symmetrieebene gehen. Die beiden Federschenkel können auch elektrisch voneinander getrennt zwei unabhängige Kontaktfedern bilden, welche im Bereich der Lagerstelle beispielsweise mit einem Isolierstoffträger verbunden sind.In a structural design of the relay, the leaf spring can be U-shaped with two spring legs lying in one plane, the bending transducer between the two spring legs lying approximately in the same plane, i. That is, that both the spring legs of the leaf spring and the bending transducer go through a common plane of symmetry with each switching movement. The two spring legs can also form two independent contact springs, electrically separated from one another, which are connected in the area of the bearing point, for example, to an insulating material carrier.

Anstelle des Federelementes oder auch zusätzlich zu diesem kann eine Dauermagnetanordnung vorgesehen sein, welche die Kippcharakteristik des Relais erzeugt bzw. verstarkt.Instead of or in addition to the spring element, a permanent magnet arrangement can be provided which generates or amplifies the tilting characteristic of the relay.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend an Ausführungsbeispielen anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. Es zeigt

  • Fig. 1 den schematischen Aufbau eines piezoelektrischen Relais mit Biegewandler für bistabiles Schaltverhalten,
  • Fig. 2 eine gegenüber Fig. 1 leicht abgewandelte Ausführungsform für monostabiles Schaltverhalten,
  • Fig. 3 eine weiter abgewandelte Ausführungsform gegenüber Fig. 1, ebenfalls für bistabiles Schaltverhalten und verminderte Baulänge,
  • Fig. 4 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Relais mit Biegewandler in Draufsicht,
  • Fig. 5 und 6 zwei Schnittansichten aus Fig. 4,
  • Fig. 7 eine Detaildarstellung der Lagerung von Biegewandler und Kontaktfeder im Schnitt.
The invention is described below Rungsbeispiele explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows
  • 1 shows the schematic structure of a piezoelectric relay with a bending transducer for bistable switching behavior,
  • 2 shows a slightly modified embodiment for monostable switching behavior compared to FIG. 1,
  • 3 shows a further modified embodiment compared to FIG. 1, also for bistable switching behavior and reduced overall length,
  • 4 shows a further embodiment of a relay with a bending transducer in plan view,
  • 5 and 6 two sectional views of Fig. 4,
  • Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the storage of the bending transducer and contact spring in section.

Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch den Aufbau eines piezoelektrischen Relais mit einem Biegewandler 1, der mit einem Ende 1a in einem Gehäuse 2 eingespannt ist. Mit dem anderen Ende 1b greift der Biegewandler an einer als-Blattfeder ausgebildeten Kontaktfeder 3 an, welche mit ihrem Ende 3a in einer Lagerstelle 4 beweglich gelagert ist und mit ihrem anderen Ende 3b zwischen zwei Gegenkontaktelementen 5 umschaltbar ist. Die Strecke zwischen der Angriffsstelle 6 des Biegehandlers an der Kontaktfeder 3 und der Lagerstelle 4 ist klein im Vergleich zur Gesamtlänge der Kontaktfeder 3, so daß eine verhältnismäßig kleine Bewegung des Biegewandlers 1 bzw. seines Endes 1b aufgrund der Hebelübersetzung eine verhältnismäßig große Bewegung des freien Endes 3b der Kontaktfeder 3 ergibt. Je nach Anlegung einer Spannung an den Biegewandler 1 nimmt dieser die durchgehend gezeichnete Position oder die gestrichelt gezeichnete Position ein ; entsprechend schaltet er die Kontaktfeder 3 zwischen der durchgehend gezeichneten Position und der gestrichelt gezeichneten Position um. Da sich die Lagerstelle in der Symmetrieebene zwischen beiden positionen des Biegewandlers bzw. der Kontaktfeder befindet, hat ein derartiges Relais bistabiles Schaltverhalten.Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of a piezoelectric relay with a bending transducer 1, which is clamped at one end 1a in a housing 2. With the other end 1b, the bending transducer engages a contact spring 3 which is designed as a leaf spring and which is movably mounted with its end 3a in a bearing point 4 and with its other end 3b can be switched between two counter-contact elements 5. The distance between the point of attack 6 of the bending actuator on the contact spring 3 and the bearing point 4 is small compared to the total length of the contact spring 3, so that a relatively small movement of the bending transducer 1 or its end 1b due to the leverage a relatively large movement of the free end 3b of the contact spring 3 results. Depending on the application of a voltage to the bending transducer 1, this assumes the continuously drawn position or the position shown in broken lines; accordingly, he switches the contact spring 3 between the continuously drawn position and the dashed position. Since the bearing point is located in the plane of symmetry between the two positions of the bending transducer or the contact spring, such a relay has bistable switching behavior.

Um für die Kontaktfeder eine Kippcharakteristik zu erzeugen, wird die Kontaktfeder 3 mit einer axialen Kraft beaufschlagt. Zu diesem Zweck wirkt ein Federelement 7 etwa in Längsrichtung des Biegewandlers 1 bzw. der Kontaktfeder 3 auf die Lagerstelle 4, welche bestrebt ist, den Abstand zwischen der Lagerstelle 4 und der Einspannstelle des Biegewandlers 1 zu verkürzen. Dadurch wird die Kontaktfeder aus der labilen Mittelposition in die beiden Endlagen vorgespannt. Die Anordnung des Federelementes 7 und die Kopplung des Federelementes mit der Kontaktfeder 3 muß so beschaffen sein, daß ein Ausweichen der Lagerstelle 4 zur Seite hin nicht möglich ist.In order to generate a tilt characteristic for the contact spring, the contact spring 3 is subjected to an axial force. For this purpose, a spring element 7 acts approximately in the longitudinal direction of the bending transducer 1 or the contact spring 3 on the bearing point 4, which strives to shorten the distance between the bearing point 4 and the clamping point of the bending transducer 1. As a result, the contact spring is biased from the unstable middle position into the two end positions. The arrangement of the spring element 7 and the coupling of the spring element with the contact spring 3 must be such that it is not possible to move the bearing point 4 to the side.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine Abwandlung des Aufbaus von Fig. 1, mit der ein monostabiles Schaltverhalten des Relais erzielt wird. Dabei sind alle Teile wie vorher gestaltet und miteinander verbunden. Lediglich die Lagerstelle 4a ist gegenüber der Lagerstelle 4 von Fig. 1 aus der Mittelebene nach links verschoben. Dadurch erhält die Kontaktfeder 3 eine stabile Endlage in der durchgehend gezeichneten position, während die entgegengesetzte position, welche gestrichelt gezeichnet ist, nur solange beibehalten wird, wie der Biegewandler 1 die gestrichelt gezeichnete position einnimmt. Stellt sich der Biegewandler nach Abschalten der Spannung in eine nicht dargestellte Mittelstellung, so kehrt die Kontaktfeder in die (rechte) position zurück, während bei einem Aufbau gemäß Fig. 1 die jeweils erreichte position nach Abschalten der Spannung beibehalten wird.Fig. 2 shows a modification of the structure of Fig. 1, with which a monostable switching behavior of the relay is achieved. All parts are designed and connected as before. Only the bearing point 4a is shifted from the central plane to the left relative to the bearing point 4 of FIG. 1. This gives the contact spring 3 a stable end position in the continuously drawn position, while the opposite position, which is shown in dashed lines, is only maintained as long as the bending transducer 1 assumes the position shown in dashed lines. If the bending transducer moves into a central position (not shown) after the voltage has been switched off, the contact spring returns to the (right) position, while in the case of a structure according to FIG. 1 the position reached in each case is maintained after the voltage is switched off.

Eine weitere Abwandlung des schematischen Relaisaufbaus ist in Fig. 3 dargestellt. Hierbei entspricht die Lagerstelle 8 der Lagerstelle 4 von Fig. 1, wobei die Längskraft auf die Lagerstelle 8 jedoch entgegengesetzt gerichtet sein muß. Dadurch wird die Vorspannung der Kontaktfeder in die Endlagen bei geringerer Baulänge des Relais erreicht.Another modification of the schematic relay structure is shown in FIG. 3. The bearing point 8 corresponds to the bearing point 4 of FIG. 1, but the longitudinal force on the bearing point 8 must be directed in the opposite direction. As a result, the pretension of the contact spring in the end positions is achieved with a smaller overall length of the relay.

In den Fig. 4 bis 6 ist eine praktische Ausgestaltung des Relais von Fig. 1 gezeigt. Der Biegewandler 1 ist in einem Gehäuse 2 eingespannt und mit einer U-förmig ausgebildeten Blettfeder 13 gekoppelt, deren beide Federschenkel 13a und 13b beiderseits des Biegewandlers 1 liegen und zwischen entsprechenden Gegenkontaktelementen 5 umschaltbar sind. Mit dem Mittelteil 13c bildet die Kontaktfeder 13 eine Lagerschneide 14, welche in Lagerkerben 15 eines Federelements 17 gelagert ist.4 to 6, a practical embodiment of the relay of Fig. 1 is shown. The bending transducer 1 is clamped in a housing 2 and coupled to a U-shaped leaf spring 13, the two spring legs 13a and 13b of which lie on both sides of the bending transducer 1 and can be switched over between corresponding counter-contact elements 5. With the central part 13c, the contact spring 13 forms a bearing cutting edge 14 which is mounted in bearing notches 15 of a spring element 17.

Der Angriffspunkt 16 des Biegewandlers 1 an der Kontaktfeder 13 ist ebenfalls als Schneidenlager ausgebildet, wobei die Kontaktfeder 3 eine Lagerkimme 18 bildet. In Abwandlung gegenüber der dargestellten Ausführungsform könnte anstelle des Federelementes 17 auch die Kontaktfeder 13 in ihrem Bereich 13c so geformt sein, daß sie selbst eine Axialkraft ausübt.The point of application 16 of the bending transducer 1 on the contact spring 13 is also designed as a cutting edge bearing, the contact spring 3 forming a bearing bracket 18. In a modification of the illustrated embodiment, instead of the spring element 17, the contact spring 13 could also be shaped in its area 13c in such a way that it itself exerts an axial force.

Der Biegewandler 1 ist an seinem Ende 1a fest einzuspannen. Beispielsweise können am Gehäuse 2 Befestigungselemente 12 angeformt sein, zwischen denen der Biegewandler eingeklebt wird. Da der Biegewandler selbst mit seinem Keramikmaterial als Lagermaterial nicht geeignet ist, könnte die Lagerstelle 16 beispielsweise gemäß Fig. 7 ausgebildet sein. Dort ist das Ende 1 b des Biegewandlers mit einem Metallüberzug 19 versehen, an welchem eine Lagerschneide 20 angeformt ist. Diese Lagerschneide 20 liegt ihrerseits in der an der Kontaktfeder 13 ausgeformten Lagerkimme 18. Das Federelement 27 ist dabei gegenüber dem Federelement 17 in den vorhergehenden Figuren leicht abgewandelt. Anstelle des metallischen Lagerelementes kann aber beispielsweise auch ein Kunststofflagerelement am Biegewandler angespritzt oder angeklebt werden.The bending transducer 1 is to be clamped firmly at its end 1a. For example, two fastening elements 12 can be formed on the housing, between which the bending transducer is glued. Since the bending transducer itself with its ceramic material is not suitable as a bearing material, the bearing point 16 could, for example, be designed according to FIG. 7. There, the end 1 b of the bending transducer is provided with a metal coating 19, on which a bearing cutting edge 20 is formed. This bearing cutting edge 20, in turn, lies in the bearing recess 18 formed on the contact spring 13. The spring element 27 is slightly modified compared to the spring element 17 in the previous figures. Instead of the metallic bearing element, for example, a plastic bearing element can also be molded or glued to the bending transducer.

Die in Fig. 4 dargestellte Kontaktfeder 13 kann beispielsweise als Brückenkontaktelement verwendet werden, so daß sie keine eigene Stromzuführung benötigt. Sie kann aber auch als Mittelfeder für einen (doppelten) Umschaltkontakt verwendet sein und dabei eine eigene Stromzuführung besitzen. Da an der Lagerstelle 16 eine Axialkraft einwirkt, ist die Stromzuführumg über die Lagerung möglich. Falls jedoch der Lagerwiderstand für den Anwendungsfall zu hoch ist, kamn auch eine flexible Stromzuführung vorgesehen werden. In Abwandlung zu Fig. 4 können die Kontaktfederschenkel 13a und 13b aber auch elektrisch voneinander getrennt und im Lagerbereich über ein isolierendes Lagerelement miteinander verbunden sein. Mit entsprechenden Stromzuführungen zu den beiden Federschen- ' kein erhält man somit zwei Umschaltkontakte.The contact spring 13 shown in FIG. 4 can be used, for example, as a bridge contact element, so that it does not require its own power supply. But it can also be used as a spring for a (double) changeover contact and have its own power supply. Since an axial force acts on the bearing point 16, the current supply via the bearing is possible. However, if the bearing resistance is too high for the application, A flexible power supply can also be provided. In a modification of FIG. 4, the contact spring legs 13a and 13b can also be electrically separated from one another and connected to one another in the bearing area via an insulating bearing element. With corresponding power supplies to the two spring '- no two switch contacts are thus obtained.

Claims (10)

1. Piezoelectric relay having a bending transducer (1) clamped at one end, by means of the free end (1 b) of which at least one contact element (3, 13) can be actuated, which element is constructed as leaf spring arranged approximately parallel to the bending transducer (1), which spring is connected to the free end (1 b) of the bending transducer (1) and faces at least one counter-contact element (5) with its free end (3b) in the region of the clamping location (1 a) of the bending transducer (1), the leaf spring (3 ; 13) being capable of swivelling about a bearing point (4 ; 4a ; 8 ; 14), which with reference to the point of action (6 ; 16) of the bending transducer (1) is displaced in its longitudinal direction to a small extent by comparison with its total length, a tilting device with a spring element (7 ; 17 ; 27) acting on the leaf spring (3 ; 13) also being provided, which device tends to swivel the leaf spring (3 ; 13) from the position parallel to the bending transducer (1), characterized in that the spring element (7; 17 ; 27) of the tilting device acts directly on the bearing point (4, 4a ; 8 ; 14) of the leaf spring (3 ; 13) in its longitudinal direction.
2. Relay according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bearing location (4 ; 14) of the leaf spring (3 ; 13) is arranged in the plane of symmetry between the two positions of the bending transducer (1).
3. Relay according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bearing location (4a) of the leaf spring is displaced with respect to the plane of the symmetry between the two extreme positions of the bending transducer (1).
4. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bearing location (4 ; 14) is provided at the end (3a ; 13c) of the leaf spring (3 ; 13) extending beyond the point of action (6 ; 16) of the bending transducer (1).
5. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bearing location (8) for the leaf spring (3) is provided between the point of action (6) of the bending transducer and the contact-making end (3b) of the leaf spring (3).
6. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sliding knife-edge bearing (15) formed by the spring element (17 ; 27) is provided as bearing location (4 ; 14) for the leaf spring (3 ; 13).
7. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the point of action (16) of the bending transducer is constructed at the leaf spring (13) as knife-edge bearing (18, 20).
8. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the leaf spring (13) has two spring legs (13a, 13b), which lie in one plane, and enclose the bending transducer (1) between themselves.
9. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that there are provided two contact springs, which lie in one plane and enclose the bending transducer (1) between themselves, and whose bearing ends are connected via a covering of insulating material.
10. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a permanent magnet arrangement is provided which holds the leaf spring in its particular extreme position.
EP85109068A 1984-07-24 1985-07-19 Piezoelectric relay Expired EP0170172B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3427266 1984-07-24
DE3427266 1984-07-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0170172A1 EP0170172A1 (en) 1986-02-05
EP0170172B1 true EP0170172B1 (en) 1989-05-17

Family

ID=6241442

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85109068A Expired EP0170172B1 (en) 1984-07-24 1985-07-19 Piezoelectric relay

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EP (1) EP0170172B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3570318D1 (en)

Cited By (1)

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US6668892B2 (en) 1999-06-11 2003-12-30 3M Innovative Properties Company System for printing and applying tape onto surfaces

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US5440194A (en) * 1994-05-13 1995-08-08 Beurrier; Henry R. Piezoelectric actuators
US6432528B1 (en) 1998-12-09 2002-08-13 3M Innovative Properties Company Variably printed tape and system for printing and applying tape onto surfaces
DE19904623C2 (en) * 1999-02-05 2001-05-31 Hengstler Gmbh Switches, preferably relays
US6652172B2 (en) 2001-01-05 2003-11-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Method and apparatus for handling linerless label tape within a printing device
US6884312B2 (en) 2002-04-12 2005-04-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Apparatus for printing and applying tape and methods of printing and applying tape
AT412365B (en) * 2002-06-18 2005-01-25 Hygrama Ag VALVE

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US2835761A (en) * 1953-05-25 1958-05-20 Electric Machinery Mfg Co Electrostrictive ceramic actuator
GB1108566A (en) * 1964-05-01 1968-04-03 Plessey Uk Ltd Improvements in electric relays
US4383195A (en) * 1980-10-24 1983-05-10 Piezo Electric Products, Inc. Piezoelectric snap actuator
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US6668892B2 (en) 1999-06-11 2003-12-30 3M Innovative Properties Company System for printing and applying tape onto surfaces

Also Published As

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EP0170172A1 (en) 1986-02-05
DE3570318D1 (en) 1989-06-22

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