Safety Switch

Abstract

A safety switch (2) with a latching unit (12), by means of which an associated actuator (3) is held in a latched position. The latching unit (12) has an arrangement of latching jaws (14). Each latching jaw (14) is spring-mounted by means of a spring unit (15). The latching jaws (14) are concentrically arranged and each face one another with a first free end and delimit an insertion opening (A). The latching jaws (14) are held in latched position by the spring forces generated by the spring units (15). The latching jaws (14) can be displaced against the spring forces of the spring unit (15), which serves to enlarge the insertion opening (A).

Claims

1. Safety switch (2) with a latching unit (12), by means of which an associated actuator (3) is held in a latched position, characterized in that the latching unit (12) has an arrangement of latching jaws (14), wherein each latching jaw is spring-mounted by means of a spring unit (15), that the latching jaws (14) are concentrically arranged and each, with a first free end, face one another and delimit an insertion opening (A), that the latching jaws are held in latched positions by means of the spring forces generated by the spring units (15), and that the latching jaws (14) can be displaced against the spring forces of the spring unit (15), whereby the insertion opening (A) is enlarged.

2. Safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the latching jaws (14) extend in radial direction, wherein the extensions of the longitudinal axes intersect at the central point of the insertion opening (A) and wherein the latching jaws (14) can be displaced in the direction of their longitudinal axes.

3. Safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that three latching jaws (14) are provided, the longitudinal axes of which are arranged relative to one another with offsets of 120.

4. Safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching jaws (14) are identically formed.

5. Safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching unit (12) has a locking unit (17) associated with it by means of which the latching jaws (14) are locked in their latched positions.

6. Safety switch (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking unit (17) has a link (18) with a cavity delimited by a wall segment that forms an inner contour, wherein the latching jaws (14) are arranged inside the cavity and wherein segments (23) of the inner contour form means to lock the latching jaws (14) in place.

7. Safety switch (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the link (18) is rotatable about a rotational axis.

8. Safety switch (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the link (18) can be rotated by means of an electric drive.

9. Safety switch (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that in first rotational positions of the link (18), the segments (23) of the inner contour tightly abut the second free ends of the latching jaws (14), which serves to block any motion of the latching jaws (14) out of the latched position, thereby activating the locking function.

10. Safety switch (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that in second rotational positions of the link (18), the second free ends of the latching jaws (14) lie at a distance from the link (18) such that the latching jaws (14) can be displaced against the spring forces of the spring unit (15).

11. Safety switch (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that a mechanical auxiliary unlocker (22) is associated with the electric drive.

12. Safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positions of the latching jaws (14) are monitored by means of sensors.

13. Safety switch arrangement (1) with an actuator (3) and a safety switch (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety switch (2) has a latching unit (12) with an arrangement of latching jaws (14), wherein each latching jaw (14) is spring-mounted by means of a spring unit (15), wherein the latching jaws (14) are concentrically arrangement and each, with a first free end, faces the others, and delimit an insertion opening (A), that the actuator (3) has an actuator head (8), wherein the actuator head (8) can be brought through the insertion opening (A) into a latched position, wherein upon passing the insertion opening (A) the actuator head (8) displaces the latching jaws (14) against the spring forces of the spring unit (15), which serves to enlarge the insertion opening (A), and wherein, in the latched position of the actuator (3), the latching jaws (14) in their latched position grip behind the actuator (3).

14. Safety switch arrangement (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the safety switch (2) has a latching unit (12) with a locking unit (17) associated with it, by means of which the actuator (3) is locked in the latched position, wherein for this purpose the latching jaws (14) that grip behind the actuator head (8) are held in their latched position by means of the locking unit (17).

15. Safety switch arrangement (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the latched position of the actuator (3) is monitored by recording signals from a transponder (10) in the actuator head (8) with a reader unit of the safety switch (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention is explained below based on the drawings. They show:

[0040] FIG. 1 Exemplary embodiment of the safety switch arrangement in accordance with the invention with a safety switch and an actuator.

[0041] FIG. 2 Longitudinal cross-section of the actuator of the safety switch arrangement from FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 Longitudinal cross-section of the safety switch from FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 4A Depiction of a section of the safety switch from FIG. 1 with the components of a latching unit and a locking unit with locking deactivated

[0044] FIG. 4B Depiction of a section of the safety switch from FIG. 1 with the components of a latching unit and a locking unit with locking activated

[0045] FIG. 5A A state of the latching unit and locking unit during insertion of the actuator into a latched position

[0046] FIG. 5B Another state of the latching unit and locking unit during insertion of the actuator into a latched position

[0047] FIG. 5C A further state of the latching unit and locking unit during insertion of the actuator into a latched position

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of a safety switch arrangement 1 with a safety switch 2 and actuator 3.

[0049] This safety switch arrangement 1 can be used, for example, to secure a protected door that serves as access to a hazard area. The actuator 3 can be arranged on the protective door, the safety switch 2 can be arranged on a frame that delineates the door opening, which is closed up by the protective door.

[0050] The components of the safety switch 2 are integrated into a housing 4 from which a cable connector 5 protrudes for connection to external units.

[0051] As is evident from FIG. 1 and, in particular, FIG. 2, the actuator 3 has a core body 6 in which a connecting element 7 is mounted. The connecting element 7 is formed by an elongated body, the cross-section of which is at least approximately constant over its entire length.

[0052] The connecting element 7 is mounted in the core body 6 with its first free end such that the longitudinal axis of the connecting element 7 is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the core body 6. At the other end of the connecting element 7, an actuator head 8 is mounted. In the present case, the actuator head 8 is sphere-shaped. In principle, the actuator head 8 can also be formed by another body with rotational symmetry. In principle, the actuator head 8 can also have a polygonal cross-section. In any case the actuator head 8 has a larger cross-sectional area than the connecting element 7, such that the actuator head 8 projects across its entire cross-sectional plane beyond the connecting element 7.

[0053] In principle, the connecting element 7 can be made of plastic or a metallic material. In the present case, the connecting element 7 is made of a short piece of steel cable.

[0054] In general, the connecting element 7 is made of a material that ensures high rigidity of the connecting element 7 in the axial direction and which maintains the connecting element 7 in its base position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, especially when the effects of gravity are present. At the same time, the connecting element 7 has flexibility, i.e., elastic deformability, such that when exposed to forces, it can be deformed such that the actuator head 8 can be pivoted out along a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0055] As shown by the double arrow in FIG. 2, the connecting element 7 is mounted in a guide 9 of the core body 6 such that it can be pulled out of or pushed into the core body 6, such that the length of the part of the connecting element 7 projecting beyond the core body 6 can be varied. The connecting element 7 can be fixed at any position.

[0056] As is further evident from FIG. 2, a transponder 10 is mounted in the actuator head 8.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, a reading unit in the form of a reading coil 11 is arranged in the safety switch 2. The reading coil 11 can be used to receive signals sent by the transponder 10 in the actuator head 8 when the actuator 3 has been moved into a latched position, i.e., engaged position, in the safety switch 2, as shown furthermore in FIG. 3.

[0058] For secure latching of the actuator 3 in its latched position, the safety switch 2 has a latching unit 12, the components of which are shown in a top-down view in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The latching unit 12 is located in the region behind the front wall 4a of the housing 4 of the safety switch 2.

[0059] In the latched position of the actuator 3, the actuator head 8 lies within a guide channel 13 in the safety switch 2. The components of the latching unit 12 thereby grip behind the actuator head 8, thereby engaging the actuator 3, i.e., the actuator 3 is secured against slipping out of the safety switch 2.

[0060] In the present case, the latching unit 12 has three identically-formed latching jaws 14 arranged concentrically such that their first free ends delimit an insertion opening A. The longitudinal axes of the latching jaws 14 extend in the radial direction. The extensions of these longitudinal axes intersect at the center of the insertion opening A. Each latching jaw 14 is spring-mounted by means of a spring unit 15, which in the present case is formed by a single spring. The spring forces keep the latching jaws 14 in their latched position, i.e., engaged position, shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0061] The latching jaws 14 are arranged in a rotationally-symmetrical manner relative to one another at offsets of 120. Each latching position of the latching jaws 14 is monitored with a retro-reflective sensor 16.

[0062] The latching unit 12 has an associated locking unit 17. The locking unit 17 has a disc-shaped link 18. The outer contour of the link 18 has a toothing 19 that engages with a cog wheel 20. The cog wheel 20 can be placed into rotational motion by means of an electric drive in the form of an electric motor 21, whereby the link 18 also rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to the disc axis.

[0063] A mechanical auxiliary unlocker 22 is associated with the electric motor 21. In the unpowered state of the safety switch 2, the electric motor 21 and thereby also the link 18, can be mechanically rotated by actuating the auxiliary unlocker 22, e.g., with a screwdriver.

[0064] The link 18 has a central cavity within which the latching jaws 14 of the latching unit 12 are arranged. The cavity is delimited by a wall segment of the link 18 that forms an inner contour.

[0065] The symmetry of the inner contour matches the symmetry of the latching jaws 14. Accordingly, the inner contour has three identically formed segments 23, rotated by 120, that serve to lock the latching jaws 14 in place. Two adjacent segments 23 are each connected by an intermediate segment 24 of the inner contour. The intermediate segments 24 are also identically formed.

[0066] FIG. 4A shows the locking unit 17 with deactivated locking function. Here the link 18 is rotated by means of the electric motor 21 in a rotary position in which the intermediate segments 24 lie in the region of the latching jaws 14. The intermediate segments 24 are formed such that they lie at a distance from the rear, second free ends. In this way, the latching jaws 14 can be displaced against the spring forces of the spring unit 15 from their latched positions, i.e., engaged positions, and can be moved in the direction of the intermediate segments 24.

[0067] FIG. 4B shows the locking unit 17 with activated locking. Here the link 18 is rotated by means of the electric motor 21 into a rotary position in which the segments 23 of the inner contour lie in the region of the latching jaws 14. The segments 23 of the inner contour lie tightly against the latching jaws 14 such that a movement of the latching jaws 14 from the latched positions is blocked, which effects a locking function.

[0068] The transition from the state of deactivated locking function (FIG. 4A) into the state of activated locking function (FIG. 4B) is achieved through further rotating the link 18 by 60 in the direction shown in FIG. 4A. By further rotating the link 18 another 60, a state with deactivated locking is reached again, and so on.

[0069] The functioning of the latching and locking of the safety switch arrangement 1 is explained based on FIGS. 5A to 5C.

[0070] In the starting position, for example, with open protective door, the actuator 3 lies at a distance from the protective door. When the protective door is closed, the actuator 3 is moved into a latched position inside the safety switch 2.

[0071] To do so, first the actuator head 8 is moved against the insertion opening A. Since the actuator head 8 can be arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connecting element 7 by means of the elastic deformability of the connecting element 7, the actuator head 8 self-centers itself at the insertion opening A. The diameter of the actuator head 8 is larger than the diameter of the insertion opening A. Therefore, when the actuator head 8 is moved against the insertion opening A, the pressure forces exerted by the actuator head 8 on the latching jaws 14 displace the latching jaws 14 out of their latched position. This is possible since the locking of the locking unit 17 is deactivated, i.e., the intermediate segments 24 lie in the region of the latching jaws 14. This situation is depicted in FIG. 5A. The actuator head 8 lies in the region of the expanded insertion opening A. The latching jaws 14 are pushed out and back from their latched positions by the actuator head 8 and lie against the intermediate segments 24.

[0072] Then the actuator 3 is inserted farther into the safety switch 2, until it lies in the engaged position depicted in FIG. 3, i.e., latched position. In this latched position, the actuator head 8 has passed the latching jaws 14. The latching jaws 14 are therefore returned to their latched position by the spring forces, such that their free ends about the connecting element 7 of the actuator 3 with little play. The latching jaws 14 then grip behind the actuator head 8, wherein the actuator 3 is securely latched and engaged by the spring forces that keep the latching jaws 14 in their latched positions. Now the locking function is still deactivated. This state is shown in FIG. 5B. In this state, the actuator can still be unlatched under load, since the actuator 3 can be pulled by force out of the latching unit 12.

[0073] Next, as depicted in FIG. 5C, the locking function is activated, such that the link 18 is rotated against an unlocking.

[0074] When the safety switch arrangement 1 according to the invention is used to secure a protective door serving as access to a hazard area, the safety switch 2 can, when the actuator 3 is latched, engaged and locked, emit a switching signal that can be used to release a hazardous system within the hazard area for operation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0075] (1) Safety switch arrangement [0076] (2) Safety switch [0077] (3) Actuator [0078] (4) Housing [0079] (4a) Front wall [0080] (5) Cable connection [0081] (6) Core body [0082] (7) Connecting element [0083] (8) Actuator head [0084] (9) Guide [0085] (10) Transponder [0086] (11) Reading coil [0087] (12) Latching unit [0088] (13) Guide channel [0089] (14) Latching jaw [0090] (15) Spring unit [0091] (16) Retro-reflective sensor [0092] (17) Locking unit [0093] (18) Link [0094] (19) Toothing [0095] (20) Cog wheel [0096] (21) Electric motor [0097] (22) Auxiliary unlocker [0098] (23) Segments [0099] (24) Intermediate segment [0100] (A) Insertion opening