Snap-action switch

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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to figures of the accompanying drawings. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same reference numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a snap-action switch according to the invention in an inoperative switching position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of a snap-action switch according to FIG. 1, but in an operative switching position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a flexible circuit carrier cut to size for forming a folding template;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the flexible circuit carrier according to FIG. 3, with conductor tracks applied;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the flexible circuit carrier according to FIG. 4, with switching contacts applied;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the flexible circuit carrier according to FIG. 5, with a protective coating applied;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view from below a multi-function component, forming a part of the switch of FIG. 1; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from below of the multi-function component fitted with the flexible circuit carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a snap-action switch according to the invention, with two switching contacts 1, 2, a flexible circuit carrier 5 having conductor tracks 3, 4 and a multi-function component 6 receiving the flexible circuit carrier 5. For better understanding of the constructional switch design, FIG. 1 shows only one half of the multi-function component 6 divided into two halves by a mirror-symmetrical section. The underside of the multi-function component is shown in FIG. 7 and the underside of the assembled switch is shown in FIG. 8. The switching contacts 1, 2 are print-ons applied to the conductor tracks 3, 4 of the flexible circuit carrier 5. A region of the flexible circuit carrier 5 between the switching contacts 1, 2 is configured as a bending tab 7. Since the conductor tracks 3, 4 are both formed on the same side of the flexible circuit carrier 5, the carrier comprises a turn-over fold 8 formed between its switching contacts 1, 2. In addition the flexible circuit carrier 5 comprises two overlapping circuit carrier portions 9, 10, wherein the switching contacts 1, 2 lie on the sides of the circuit carrier portions 9, 10 facing each other in the overlapping region. With one of the circuit carrier portions 9, 10 of the flexible circuit carrier 5 a knocking tab 11 is formed, which is tensioned in the multi-function component 6 via the bending tab 7. The multi-function component 6 comprises an actuating structure 13 engaging on the bending tab 7 of the flexible circuit carrier 5, and having a travel path as per double arrow 12, wherein the travel path is guided from one side over to the other side of the knocking tab 11. The actuating structure 13 of the multi-function component 6 comprises a finger-actuated touch surface 14. In FIG. 1 a switching position opening the switching contacts 1, 2 is shown, where the touch surface 14 of the actuating structure 13 is not actuated. Attachment points 15, 16 formed between the multi-function component 6 and the flexible circuit carrier 5 as well as two knocking tab limiters 17 associated with the knocking tab 11 act as abutments for maintaining a folding load acting upon the bending tab 7. In order to connect the snap-action switch according to the invention with an electric circuit the flexible circuit carrier 5 comprises a connecting tab 18 receiving the free conductor track ends of the conductor tracks 3, 4.

(11) FIG. 2 also shows a perspective view of a snap-action switch according to the invention, however the snap-action switch in this view is shown in a switching position for closing the switching contacts 1, 2, in which the touch surface 14 of the actuating structure 13 is actuated by a power source not shown. Again the figure shows only one half of the multi-function component 6 which is divided in two halves by a mirror-symmetrical section. Identical components are marked with the same reference numbers.

(12) FIGS. 3 to 6 show the flexible circuit carrier 5 in four consecutive processing steps over time.

(13) According to a first processing step shown in FIG. 3 a folding template 19 has been cut from the flexible circuit carrier 5. From the blank were formed on the flexible circuit carrier 5: the bending tab 7, the knocking tab 11, a folding tab 20, four fastening cut-outs 21, 22 as well as the connecting tab 18, wherein the bending tab 7, the knocking tab 11 and the folding tab 20 are each limited by a U-shaped cut-out 23, 24, 25.

(14) According to a second processing step shown in FIG. 4 the conductor tracks 3, 4 are applied to the flexible circuit carrier 5. Whilst the conductor track 3 has a functional surface 26 provided on the folding tab 20, the conductor track 4 comprises a functional surface 27 provided on the knocking tab 11. In addition the conductor track 4 comprises a conductor extension extending areally on the bending tab 7, which is configured as a reinforcement layer 28 reinforcing the bending tab 7.

(15) According to a third processing step shown in FIG. 5 the switching contacts 1, 2 are printed onto the functional surfaces 26, 27 (see FIG. 4) of the conductor tracks 3, 4. Whilst the switching contact 1 comprises printed-on silver the switching contact 2 comprises printed-on carbon.

(16) According to a fourth processing step shown in FIG. 6 the flexible circuit carrier 5 is provided with a protective coating 29 covering the conductor tracks 3, 4, which coating comprises cut-outs 30, 31, 32 exposing the switching contacts 1, 2 as well as the connecting tab 18. The flexible circuit carrier 5 shown in FIG. 6 is one of the components to be kept ready for assembling the switch according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(17) All features mentioned in the above description and in the claims can be combined selectively at random with the features of the independent claim. The disclosure of the invention is therefore not limited to the described/claimed feature combinations, rather all feature combinations relevant in terms of the invention are to be considered as disclosed.

(18) In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs comprise, include, contain and have, and variations thereof, are used in an inclusive sense, to specify the presence of the stated item or feature but do not preclude the presence of additional items or features.

(19) It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

(20) The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.