Push-button switch assembly with means for indicating a switch status

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11715611-B2
Application number	US-202017423114-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2020
Priority date	Jan 18, 2019
Publication date	Aug 1, 2023
Grant date	Aug 1, 2023

Abstract

A push-button switch assembly with means for indicating a switch status includes: an actuation head for actuating the push-button switch assembly, the actuation head having a disc-shaped upper part and a tubular lower part; a sleeve-type push-button guide which is coupled to the actuation head such that, in relation to a longitudinal axis of the push-button switch assembly, the upper part is arranged above the push-button guide and the lower part surrounds the push-button guide; a sleeve-type locking unit for determining a switch status of the push-button switch assembly, the sleeve-type locking unit being arranged within the push-button guide in relation to the longitudinal axis and being transferrable between a first and a second locking state by the actuation head, the locking unit having a plunger sleeve and an annular detent catch coupled to the plunger sleeve, which delimit a central through-opening through the locking unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A push-button switch assembly with means for indicating a switch status, comprising:
an actuation head configured to actuate the push-button switch assembly, the actuation head having a disc-shaped upper part and a tubular lower part;
a sleeve-type push-button guide which is coupled to the actuation head such that, in relation to a longitudinal axis of the push-button switch assembly, the upper part is arranged above the push-button guide and the lower part surrounds the push-button guide;
a sleeve-type locking unit configured to determine a switch status of the push-button switch assembly, the sleeve-type locking unit being arranged within the push-button guide in relation to the longitudinal axis and being transferrable between a first and a second locking state by the actuation head, the locking unit having a plunger sleeve and an annular detent catch coupled to the plunger sleeve, which delimit a central through-opening through the locking unit perpendicular to and along the longitudinal axis in a predetermined manner, the detent catch comprising a multipiece design and a first detent catch element and a second detent catch element which are preloaded by two spring elements which, in relation to the longitudinal axis, push the detent catch elements outward; and
a light guide configured to guide light, which light guide is coupled to the actuation head such that, in relation to the longitudinal axis, at least portions of the light guide are arranged within the actuation head and within the push-button guide, the light guide, in relation to the longitudinal axis, extending with a top end in a predetermined position through the actuation head and with a bottom end, extending through the through-opening of the locking unit such that the push-button switch assembly is illuminatable in a predetermined manner by a light beam that is couplable into the light guide at the bottom end.

2. The push-button switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the detent catch of the locking unit has a locking element on an outer side and is preloaded by a spring element which, in relation to the longitudinal axis, is configured to push the detent catch and the locking element outward.

3. The push-button switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the detent catch elements each have a locking element on an outer side.

4. The push-button switch assembly of claim 3 , wherein the respective locking element is bolt-shaped with a rounded end facing away from the central through-opening.

5. The push-button switch assembly of claim 3 , wherein the detent catch, in relation to the longitudinal axis, is arranged within the plunger sleeve and the respective locking element extends through an opening in a wall of the plunger sleeve.

6. The push-button switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plunger sleeve and/or the detent catch have guide elements by which the detent catch is movable in a guided manner relative to the plunger sleeve.

7. The push-button switch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a light source unit with a light-emitting diode which, in relation to the longitudinal axis, is coupled to the push-button guide below the locking unit at an end opposite the actuation head such that a light beam of the light emitting diode is emittable unblocked through the through-opening of the locking unit in a direction of the actuation head.

8. The push-button switch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the push-button switch assembly is switchable from a non-released state to a released state by actuating the actuation head,
wherein the push-button switch assembly is configured such that, in the released state, an electrical contact between two conductors of a contact element, which is couplable to the push-button switch assembly, is separable if the contact element comprises an N/C contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is closed in the non-released state, and
wherein the push-button switch assembly is configured such that, in the released state, an electrical contact between two conductors in the contact element is closable if the contact element comprises an N/O contact and the electrical contact between the two conductors is separated in the non-released state.

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Bruchschmidt Frank
• Ries Petra

Classifications

• H01H13/023 Primary

  Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83) · CPC title

• H01H13/14

  Operating parts, e.g. push-button · CPC title

• H01H13/56

  the contact returning to its original state upon the next application of operating force · CPC title

• H01H2219/062

  Light conductor · CPC title

• H01H9/161

  comprising light emitting elements · CPC title