WO1989009515A1 - Electronic push-button switch - Google Patents

Electronic push-button switch Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989009515A1
WO1989009515A1 PCT/SE1989/000164 SE8900164W WO8909515A1 WO 1989009515 A1 WO1989009515 A1 WO 1989009515A1 SE 8900164 W SE8900164 W SE 8900164W WO 8909515 A1 WO8909515 A1 WO 8909515A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light conductor
button
push
recess
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1989/000164
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Ragnar Rubbmark
Original Assignee
Electrolux Mecatronik Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Mecatronik Aktiebolag filed Critical Electrolux Mecatronik Aktiebolag
Publication of WO1989009515A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989009515A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
    • H03K17/968—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using opto-electronic devices

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an electronic push-button switch of the kind referred to in the preamble of appending claim 1.
  • U.S. -patent 4,135,147 there is disclosed a switch of the kind indicated having a housing with a recess wherein a push-button is movably mounted.
  • the push-button is made of light-conductive material and has an interior part which can be moved between two positions in the recess.
  • the interior part of the knob has the shape of a prism having a slant surface.
  • Two fiber optic light conductors open in opposite walls in the recess in positions situated in front of each other.
  • the slant surface of the prism is positioned so as to interrupt the flow of light between the light conductors. Said flow of light is instead directed through the push-button lighting up the operating surface of the push-button.
  • the slant surface of the prism is positioned such that without being obstructed the flow of light can pass between the light conductors. In this position the operating surface of the push-button remains unilluminated.
  • the push-button has the shape of a prism.
  • This design offers the advantage that in a suitably designed switch the push-button will be illuminated when pushed indicating a switched- in condition.
  • a disadvantage results from the fact that the prism is an integral part of the push-button which unnecessarily restricts the possiblity of varying the push-button design.
  • the object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantage of the known arrangement and to provide a switch in which the light-indicating function has been placed outside of the push-button.
  • the advantage will be that the push-button not necessarily need to be made of a light-conductive material and, further, that the light conductive prism part of the known push-button can be dispensed with.
  • Fig. 1 shows a push-button switch with the p-jf.h-button being inoperated.
  • Fig. 2 shows the switch of Fig. 1 in operated condition.
  • Fig. 3 shows the light ray path of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 schematically shows an alternative embodiment wherein the push ⁇ button is inoperated.
  • Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of Fig. 4 with the push-button in the operated position.
  • Fig. 6 and 7 show another alternative embodiment with the push-button taking the inoperated and the operated position, respectively.
  • a switch 10 has a housing 11 and a push-button 12 which is movably mounted in the housing.
  • the push-button has the shape of a membrane fixed on the upper side of the housing.
  • a light conductor 13 opens to form an indication surface 14.
  • a fiber optic light conductor 15 extends through the housing 11 and opens in a recess 16 centrally disposed in said housing.
  • the light conductor 15 is connected to a light source 17 in the shape of a light emitting diode.
  • the light conductor 15 extends further through the recess 16 to a point in front of the opposite end of the light conductor 13, said opposite end having a slant surface 18.
  • This end of the light conductor 13 has the shape of a prism.
  • a stop 19 co-operates with the free end of the light conductor 15 to limit the upward movement of said light conductor as will be described below.
  • the light conductor 15 is stiffly connected with the push-button 12 by a pin 20.
  • a light conductor 21 also extends through the housing 11 opening in the wall of the recess 16 below the slant surface 18 of the light conductor 13.
  • the other end of the light conductor 21 is connected to a light detector 22, in the example a photodiode. By means of conductors 23, 24 the light detector is connected to a block representing an electronic switch 25.
  • Fig. 1 the switch is shown in its inoperated position.
  • the thin push-button membrane has a bulge or bubble which is directed upwards and which via pin 20 biases the lig ⁇ it conductor upwards such that the free end of the conductor bears against the stop 19.
  • the bulgy shape of the push-button has been achieved by the membrane being made of a polyester film in which a bubble has been preformed.
  • the biasing force can be performed in many different ways, for example by the use of different spring arrangements.
  • Fig. 2 discloses what happens when the push-button 12 is being pushed. Via pin 20 the part of the light conductor 15 situated in the recess 16 is forced to participate in the movement which is stopped when the free end of the light conductor hits a stop 26. Thereby, the free end of the light conductor 15 will line up with the light conductor 21 and light will be conducted to the light detec ⁇ tor 22 for activating of the switch 25. At the same time the light supplied to the indicator surface 14 will cease. In the lower part of Fig. 2 there is shown more clearly the ray path for the light in this case.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show the light conductor connected to the light source, here having the reference numeral 27, having a larger diameter than the light conductor referred to by 28, leading to the light detector.
  • Fig. 4 shows the light ray path when the push-button is inoperated
  • Fig. 5 shows the propagation of light when the push-button is operated.
  • a certain portion of the incoming light hits the slant surface 18 illumi ⁇ nating to a certain extent the indication surface 14 also when the switch is operated.
  • the light conductor 28 extends through the slant surface 18 whereby all light not hitting the light conductor 28 will be led to the indication surface 14.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 a modified embodiment is shown wherein the same light conductor 29 is being used both for incoming and for outgoing light. Hence, light is being reflected back through the common light conductor to the light detector which can be situated in the same area as the light source.
  • a mirror 30 is disposed in the area of opening of the light conductor 21.
  • Fig. 6 shows the ray path when the push-button is inoperated while Fig. 7 shows how, when the button is pushed, the light is reflected back by the mirror 30.

Abstract

An electronic push-button switch (10) comprises a housing (11) with a recess (16) in which the push-button (12) is movably mounted. A first optical light conductor (15) has one end opening in the recess (16) to conduct light to and from said recess. A second optical light conductor (13) has one end opening in the recess (16) and is arranged to conduct light to a point of indication (14) in the housing (11) adjacent to the push-button (12). The first light conductor (15) extends through the recess (16) so as to open in an area adjacent to the opening of the second light conductor (13). The push-button (12) is operably connected with the first light conductor (15) to move it between a first position in which the two light conductors (15, 13) are coupled to each other and a second position in which the first light conductor (15) is arranged to conduct light to a light detector (22) provided for initiating the operation of the switch.

Description

Electronic push-button switch
The present invention refers to an electronic push-button switch of the kind referred to in the preamble of appending claim 1.
In U.S. -patent 4,135,147 there is disclosed a switch of the kind indicated having a housing with a recess wherein a push-button is movably mounted. The push-button is made of light-conductive material and has an interior part which can be moved between two positions in the recess. The interior part of the knob has the shape of a prism having a slant surface. Two fiber optic light conductors open in opposite walls in the recess in positions situated in front of each other. In one position of the push-button the slant surface of the prism is positioned so as to interrupt the flow of light between the light conductors. Said flow of light is instead directed through the push-button lighting up the operating surface of the push-button. In the other position the slant surface of the prism is positioned such that without being obstructed the flow of light can pass between the light conductors. In this position the operating surface of the push-button remains unilluminated.
In the switch described the push-button has the shape of a prism. This design offers the advantage that in a suitably designed switch the push-button will be illuminated when pushed indicating a switched- in condition. At the same time a disadvantage results from the fact that the prism is an integral part of the push-button which unnecessarily restricts the possiblity of varying the push-button design.
The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantage of the known arrangement and to provide a switch in which the light-indicating function has been placed outside of the push-button. The advantage will be that the push-button not necessarily need to be made of a light-conductive material and, further, that the light conductive prism part of the known push-button can be dispensed with.
The object is achieved in a switch which in accordance with the invention has been given the characterizing features indicated in claim 1. Preferred embo- diments appear from the appending sub-claims.
The invention will now be described more in detail in connection with a few different embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawing.
Fig. 1 shows a push-button switch with the p-jf.h-button being inoperated. Fig. 2 shows the switch of Fig. 1 in operated condition. Fig. 3 shows the light ray path of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 schematically shows an alternative embodiment wherein the push¬ button is inoperated. Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of Fig. 4 with the push-button in the operated position.
Fig. 6 and 7 show another alternative embodiment with the push-button taking the inoperated and the operated position, respectively.
In Figs. 1 - 3 an embodiment is shown in which a switch 10 has a housing 11 and a push-button 12 which is movably mounted in the housing. The push-button has the shape of a membrane fixed on the upper side of the housing. Also on the upper side of the housing a light conductor 13 opens to form an indication surface 14. A fiber optic light conductor 15 extends through the housing 11 and opens in a recess 16 centrally disposed in said housing. The light conductor 15 is connected to a light source 17 in the shape of a light emitting diode. The light conductor 15 extends further through the recess 16 to a point in front of the opposite end of the light conductor 13, said opposite end having a slant surface 18. This end of the light conductor 13 has the shape of a prism. A stop 19 co-operates with the free end of the light conductor 15 to limit the upward movement of said light conductor as will be described below. The light conductor 15 is stiffly connected with the push-button 12 by a pin 20. A light conductor 21 also extends through the housing 11 opening in the wall of the recess 16 below the slant surface 18 of the light conductor 13. The other end of the light conductor 21 is connected to a light detector 22, in the example a photodiode. By means of conductors 23, 24 the light detector is connected to a block representing an electronic switch 25.
In Fig. 1 the switch is shown in its inoperated position. The thin push-button membrane has a bulge or bubble which is directed upwards and which via pin 20 biases the ligϊit conductor upwards such that the free end of the conductor bears against the stop 19. The bulgy shape of the push-button has been achieved by the membrane being made of a polyester film in which a bubble has been preformed. The biasing force, of course, can be performed in many different ways, for example by the use of different spring arrangements. In the position shown light from the light source 17 is conducted via the light conductor 15 to the slant surface 18 of the prism light conductor 13 from which the light is deviated so as to illuminate the indication surface 14. In the upper part of Fig. 3 the ray path of the light is shown for the position of the switch shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 discloses what happens when the push-button 12 is being pushed. Via pin 20 the part of the light conductor 15 situated in the recess 16 is forced to participate in the movement which is stopped when the free end of the light conductor hits a stop 26. Thereby, the free end of the light conductor 15 will line up with the light conductor 21 and light will be conducted to the light detec¬ tor 22 for activating of the switch 25. At the same time the light supplied to the indicator surface 14 will cease. In the lower part of Fig. 2 there is shown more clearly the ray path for the light in this case.
Sometimes it might be desirable to permit a certain amount of light to reach the indication surface 14 even in the case where light is conducted through the light conductor 21. This is made possible in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5. For this purpose the light conductor connected to the light source, here having the reference numeral 27, has a larger diameter than the light conductor referred to by 28, leading to the light detector. Fig. 4 shows the light ray path when the push-button is inoperated, whereas Fig. 5 shows the propagation of light when the push-button is operated. As appears from the last-mentioned Figure a certain portion of the incoming light hits the slant surface 18 illumi¬ nating to a certain extent the indication surface 14 also when the switch is operated. For this purpose the light conductor 28 extends through the slant surface 18 whereby all light not hitting the light conductor 28 will be led to the indication surface 14.
In Figs. 6 and 7 a modified embodiment is shown wherein the same light conductor 29 is being used both for incoming and for outgoing light. Hence, light is being reflected back through the common light conductor to the light detector which can be situated in the same area as the light source. For this purpose in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 a mirror 30 is disposed in the area of opening of the light conductor 21. Fig. 6 shows the ray path when the push-button is inoperated while Fig. 7 shows how, when the button is pushed, the light is reflected back by the mirror 30.

Claims

Claims
1. An electronic push-button switch (10) comprising a housing (11) with a recess (16) in which a push-button (12) is movably mounted, a first optical light conductor (15) having one end which opens in the recess (16) to conduct light to or from said recess, and a second optical light conductor (13) having one end which opens in the recess and is arranged to conduct light to a point of indication (14) in the housing (11) adjacent to the push-button (12), charac¬ terized in that the first light conductor (15) extends through the recess (16) so as to open in an area adjacent to the opening of the second light conductor (13), the push-button (12) being operably connected to the first light conductor (15) so as to move it between a first position in which the two light conductors (15,13) are coupled to each other and a second position in which the first light conductor (15) is arranged to conduct light to a light detector (22) provided to initiate operation of the switch.
2. A switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the second light conductor (13) has the shape of a prism, the part of which opening in the recess (16) having a slant surface (18), wherein in the first position light from the first light conductor (15) falls on the slant surface (18) to be conducted to the point of indication (14).
3. A switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an optical light conductor (21) leading to the light detector (22) opens in the recess
(16) at a point situated in the same vertical plane as the slant surface but com¬ pletely at the side of the said surface.
4. A switch according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that an optical light conductor (28) leading to the light detector (22) extends through the slant surface, said light conductor (28) having a smaller sectional area than the first light conductor (27).
5. A switch according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first optical light conductor (29) is arranged to conduct light also to the light detector (22), wherein in the second position the light conductor (29) is connected to a mirror (30) reflecting the light.
6. A switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push-button (12) has the shape of a membrane which is stiffly con¬ nected with the first optical light conductor (15) by means of a pin (20).
PCT/SE1989/000164 1988-03-30 1989-03-30 Electronic push-button switch WO1989009515A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8801194A SE460821B (en) 1988-03-30 1988-03-30 ELECTRONIC PRESSURE BUTTONS
SE8801194-5 1988-03-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989009515A1 true WO1989009515A1 (en) 1989-10-05

Family

ID=20371872

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1989/000164 WO1989009515A1 (en) 1988-03-30 1989-03-30 Electronic push-button switch

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3412489A (en)
SE (1) SE460821B (en)
WO (1) WO1989009515A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996011820A1 (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-04-25 Werner Dorsch Arrangement for manually switching an electric switching current in a motor vehicle
EP0777327A1 (en) * 1995-11-30 1997-06-04 Haschkamp, Joachim, Dipl.-Ing. Push button switch for household appliances
DE19638788A1 (en) * 1996-09-21 1998-03-26 Grohe Kg Hans Sanitary fitting, e.g. for shower head valve
GB2333589A (en) * 1998-01-24 1999-07-28 Motorola Ltd Illuminated optical switch
DE19805301A1 (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-12 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Device with at least one sensor switch
EP0943940A2 (en) * 1998-03-18 1999-09-22 DaimlerChrysler AG Optical connection box and method for connecting optical transmission lines
GB2339276A (en) * 1998-07-07 2000-01-19 Motorola Ltd Self-illuminating pivotal switch
WO2016066356A1 (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-05-06 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Switching apparatus for a control system for a vehicle, and control system for a vehicle

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5163112A (en) * 1992-01-09 1992-11-10 Wireless Control Systems, Inc. Remote fiber optic electrical switch

Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3526775A (en) * 1968-12-10 1970-09-01 Int Standard Electric Corp Contactless touch switch responsive to interruptions of indirect light
US4315147A (en) * 1980-02-15 1982-02-09 Battelle Memorial Institute Photoelectric switch with visible signal
US4322126A (en) * 1979-02-08 1982-03-30 Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. Mechanical optical switching devices
US4480184A (en) * 1982-03-16 1984-10-30 Burroughs Corporation Molded optical waveguide switching apparatus
EP0200592A1 (en) * 1985-04-01 1986-11-05 Daniel Vissiere Static switch with manual control
DE3535551A1 (en) * 1985-10-04 1987-04-09 Guenter Brueninghaus Keyboard
EP0246938A1 (en) * 1986-04-22 1987-11-25 Claude Battarel Keyboard with radiation interruption

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3526775A (en) * 1968-12-10 1970-09-01 Int Standard Electric Corp Contactless touch switch responsive to interruptions of indirect light
US4322126A (en) * 1979-02-08 1982-03-30 Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. Mechanical optical switching devices
US4315147A (en) * 1980-02-15 1982-02-09 Battelle Memorial Institute Photoelectric switch with visible signal
US4480184A (en) * 1982-03-16 1984-10-30 Burroughs Corporation Molded optical waveguide switching apparatus
EP0200592A1 (en) * 1985-04-01 1986-11-05 Daniel Vissiere Static switch with manual control
DE3535551A1 (en) * 1985-10-04 1987-04-09 Guenter Brueninghaus Keyboard
EP0246938A1 (en) * 1986-04-22 1987-11-25 Claude Battarel Keyboard with radiation interruption

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, Vol. 10, No. 352, E458 & JP,A,61 150 411, (09-07-86), MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD. *

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996011820A1 (en) * 1994-10-18 1996-04-25 Werner Dorsch Arrangement for manually switching an electric switching current in a motor vehicle
EP0777327A1 (en) * 1995-11-30 1997-06-04 Haschkamp, Joachim, Dipl.-Ing. Push button switch for household appliances
DE19638788A1 (en) * 1996-09-21 1998-03-26 Grohe Kg Hans Sanitary fitting, e.g. for shower head valve
GB2333589A (en) * 1998-01-24 1999-07-28 Motorola Ltd Illuminated optical switch
DE19805301A1 (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-12 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Device with at least one sensor switch
EP0943940A2 (en) * 1998-03-18 1999-09-22 DaimlerChrysler AG Optical connection box and method for connecting optical transmission lines
EP0943940A3 (en) * 1998-03-18 2000-08-23 DaimlerChrysler AG Optical connection box and method for connecting optical transmission lines
GB2339276A (en) * 1998-07-07 2000-01-19 Motorola Ltd Self-illuminating pivotal switch
WO2016066356A1 (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-05-06 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Switching apparatus for a control system for a vehicle, and control system for a vehicle
CN107148753A (en) * 2014-10-29 2017-09-08 Zf 腓德烈斯哈芬股份公司 Switching equipment for the control system for the vehicles and the control system for the vehicles
US20170321801A1 (en) * 2014-10-29 2017-11-09 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Switching apparatus for a control system for a vehicle, and control system for a vehicle
US10651847B2 (en) 2014-10-29 2020-05-12 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Switching apparatus for a control system for a vehicle, and control system for a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8801194D0 (en) 1988-03-30
AU3412489A (en) 1989-10-16
SE460821B (en) 1989-11-20
SE8801194L (en) 1989-10-01

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