Snap-action switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9627156-B2
Application number	US-201414532837-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2014
Priority date	Nov 5, 2013
Publication date	Apr 18, 2017
Grant date	Apr 18, 2017

Abstract

A snap-action switch has at least two switching contacts, at least one flexible circuit carrier carrying conductor tracks and at least one multifunction component receiving the flexible circuit carrier. The switching contacts and the conductor tracks are connected with each other via a non-detachable connection. The region of the flexible circuit carrier between the switching contacts is configured as a bending tab.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A snap-action switch with at least two switching contacts, at least one flexible circuit carrier carrying conductor tracks and at least one multifunction component receiving the flexible circuit carrier,
wherein the switching contacts and the conductor tracks are connected with each other via a non-detachable connection, and
the at least one region of the flexible circuit carrier between the switching contacts is configured as a bending tab,
the flexible circuit carrier comprises at least two circuit portions overlapping each other, and in that the switching contacts are arranged on the sides of the circuit carrier portions, facing each other in the overlapping region, and
at least one of the overlapping circuit carrier portion of the flexible circuit carrier forms a knocking tab which is tensioned in the multifunction component via the bending tab.

2. The snap-action switch of claim 1 , wherein the multifunction component comprises at least one actuating structure engaging on the bending tab of the flexible circuit carrier, which structure comprises a travel path which is guided from one side over to the other side of the knocking tab.

3. The snap-action switch of claim 2 , wherein the actuating structure of the multifunction component comprises at least one finger-actuated touch surface.

4. The snap-action switch of claim 1 , wherein the switching contacts are print-ons applied to the conductor tracks of the flexible circuit carrier.

5. The snap-action switch of claim 1 , wherein the switching contacts are contact bodies applied to the conductor tracks.

6. The snap-action switch of claim 1 , wherein the conductor tracks are formed on at least one side of the flexible circuit carrier and in the flexible circuit carrier comprises at least one turn-over fold formed between its switching contacts.

7. The snap-action switch of claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit carrier comprises a reinforcement layer formed at least in the region of the bending tab.

8. A method for manufacturing a snap-action switch from at least two switching contacts and at least one flexible circuit carrier carrying conductor tracks, in particular for manufacturing the snap-action switch,
wherein the switching contacts and the conductor tracks are connected with each other via a non-detachable connection, and
the at least one region of the flexible circuit carrier between the switching contacts is configured as a bending tab,
the flexible circuit carrier comprises at least two circuit portions overlapping each other, and in that the switching contacts are arranged on the sides of the circuit carrier portions, facing each other in the overlapping region, and
at least one of the overlapping circuit carrier portion of the flexible circuit carrier forms a knocking tab which is tensioned in the multifunction component via the bending tab,
the switching contacts are being positioned opposite one another by folding the printed circuit carrier, and
the switching contacts are lied on the sides of the circuit carrier portions facing each other in the overlapping region.

9. The method claim 8 , wherein the switching contacts are printed onto the conductor tracks of the flexible circuit carrier.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the switching contacts and the conductor tracks of the flexible circuit carrier are joined together.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein at least one folding template is cut from the flexible circuit carrier, and in that printing and folding of the flexible circuit carrier is performed on the folding template.

Assignees

• Johnson Electric Sa

Inventors

• Koepsell Martin

Classifications

• Y10T29/49105

  Switch making · CPC title

• H01H1/5805

  Connections to printed circuits (for slide switches H01H15/005; for tumbler switches H01H23/006) · CPC title

• H01H5/04 Primary

  Energy stored by deformation of elastic members (by deformation of bimetallic element in thermally-actuated switches H01H37/54) · CPC title

• H01H2001/5816

  Connections to flexible or curved printed circuit boards · CPC title

• H01H2207/04

  Details of printed conductors · CPC title