Fixing module for a control and signaling device having an integrated grounding function

A fixing module is for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device. In an embodiment, the fixing module is constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, each including a cuboidal structure with a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside. In at least one embodiment, on the top side of the bottom housing part, a material that extends at least partially in this plane and has a grounding function is formed or an electrically conductive component made of metal with a grounding function is arranged.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European patent application number EP 19189262.9 filed Jul. 31, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a fixing module for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device, and more specifically one wherein the fixing module is constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, which each have a cuboidal structure with a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside.

BACKGROUND

A fixing module of this kind is used in machines or electrical systems that are operated via control devices such as, for example, push buttons, selector switches, etc., which act on the controller. These control devices are mounted in control panels, operator panels, switch cabinet doors or housing covers. Control devices are generally of modular construction, meaning that they include a push button, a fixing module such as, for example, a ring nut or a mounting holder and a plurality of switch elements, which are embodied as break-contact or make-contact switching elements. For mounting, the push button is generally guided from the front through a hole in the control panel and mounted from the rear via a fixing module. The switch elements are mounted mechanically on the fixing module by screws, snap-fits or catches. The electrical connection of the switch elements to the controller is effected via connecting terminals.

The housing of the fixing modules for control and signaling devices is sometimes manufactured from a metal material, for example a zinc die-casting, in order to achieve advantages in terms of mechanical robustness and visual appearance. On account of the electrical conductivity of the housing, measures have to be taken to ensure the requisite isolating distances and air gaps.

SUMMARY

The inventors have discovered that a drawback of the housing variant manufactured from metal is that, although this solution is very robust, it is also very expensive on account of the choice of material.

Accordingly, at least one embodiment of the present invention creates a fixing module for control and signaling devices that is cost-effective to produce and ensures reliable grounding.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a fixing module; a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator having a fixing module; and a control and signaling device. Advantageous configurations and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject matter of the claims.

At least one embodiment of the invention is directed to a fixing module for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device, wherein the fixing module is constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, which each have a cuboidal structure with a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside. The invention is characterized in that, on the top side of the bottom housing part, a material that extends at least partially in this plane and has a grounding function is formed.

At least one embodiment is furthermore directed to a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator having one of the two fixing modules.

At least one embodiment is also directed to a control and signaling device having a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator and at least one switch element, wherein the push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator and the at least one switch element are mounted on one of the two fixing modules.

At least one embodiment is also directed to a fixing module for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device, wherein the fixing module is constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, each of the top housing part and the bottom housing part including:a cuboidal structure including a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside, wherein, on the top side of the bottom housing part, a material extending at least partially in a plane and including a grounding function is formed.

At least one embodiment is also directed to a fixing module for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device, the fixing module being constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, each of the top housing part and the bottom housing part including:a cuboidal structure including a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside, wherein, on the top side of the bottom housing part, an electrically conductive component made of metal with a grounding function is arranged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The above and other elements, features, steps, and concepts of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description in accordance with example embodiments of the invention, which will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that the following description of embodiments is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described hereinafter or by the drawings, which are taken to be illustrative only.

At least one embodiment of the invention is directed to a fixing module for fixing a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator of a control and signaling device, wherein the fixing module is constructed from a top housing part and a bottom housing part, which each have a cuboidal structure with a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside. The invention is characterized in that, on the top side of the bottom housing part, a material that extends at least partially in this plane and has a grounding function is formed.

An advantageous embodiment of the concept, according to the invention, of a fixing module can reside in that the material that extends at least partially in the plane and has a grounding function is a grounding foil.

A continuation of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module can reside in that the material that extends in the plane of the top side of the bottom housing part has a plurality of layers.

A development of a specific configuration of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module can provide for the material that extends in the plane of the top side of the bottom housing part to be arranged on the top side of the bottom housing part in a positionally stable manner via an adhesive layer.

In a specific embodiment of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module, the material that extends in the plane of the top side of the bottom housing part has a polymer-containing layer.

A continuation of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module can reside in that the material that extends in the plane of the top side of the bottom housing part has a graphite layer.

A development of a specific configuration of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module can provide for the material that extends in the plane of the top side of the bottom housing part to be configured such that grounding of the electric currents that flow through metal components in the housing of the fixing module is formed via at least one contact point.

In a specific embodiment of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for the fixing module, the housing parts of the fixing module are both manufactured from metal or one housing part is manufactured from plastic and the other is manufactured from metal.

A further example embodiment of the fixing module resides in that, on the top side of the bottom housing part, an electrically conductive component made of metal with a grounding function is arranged.

In a specific embodiment of the concept, according to an embodiment of the invention, for this fixing module, the electrically conductive component is a spring element.

At least one embodiment is furthermore directed to a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator having one of the two fixing modules.

At least one embodiment is also directed to a control and signaling device having a push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator and at least one switch element, wherein the push button or emergency stop button or rotary actuator and the at least one switch element are mounted on one of the two fixing modules.

The fixing module according to at least one embodiment is the invention preferably has a two-part housing made up of a top housing part and a bottom housing part. The housing parts are each configured in a cuboidal manner with a top side, an underside and four side parts connecting the top side to the underside. The housing parts can be fastened together preferably via clamping lugs, wherein the top housing part has recesses for receiving the clamping lugs on the bottom housing part. This arrangement for the clamped connection for fixing the housing parts together can also be the other way around. A concentric passage opening is arranged preferably in a centered manner in an identical position in both housing parts.

The fixing module for the push button has a snap ring, which rests on the top side of the bottom housing part and surrounds the passage opening. An actuating lever is arranged, preferably in one piece, on the snap ring, the actuating lever releasing the push button when actuated. Beneath the snap ring, a gearwheel is arranged in the bottom housing part, the gearwheel being operatively connected to a pinion. Fastened to the snap ring is a restoring spring, which allows restoration into the starting position. Positioned in the pinion, from the underside of the bottom housing part, is a contact pin, into which a peg has been inserted as a rotation lock.

The grounding function of the fixing module can be implemented either via a spring element, which is fastened between the pinion and a connection dome on the top side of the bottom housing part, or via a grounding foil. The grounding foil has preferably at least one contact point in the form of a tab with the pinion. The grounding foil is positioned between the top side of the bottom housing part and the snap ring. The grounding foil has cutouts for possible connection domes.

FIG.1shows a fixing module according to an embodiment of the invention having a top housing part1and a bottom housing part2. The fixing module according to an embodiment of the invention has preferably a two-part housing made up of a top housing part1and a bottom housing part2. The housing parts are each formed in a cuboidal manner with a top side3, an underside4and four side parts5,6,7,8connecting the top side3to the underside4. The housing parts can be fastened together preferably via clamping lugs9, wherein the top housing part1has recesses10for receiving the clamping lugs9on the bottom housing part2. This arrangement for the clamping connection for fixing the housing parts together can also be the other way around. A concentric passage opening11is arranged preferably in a centered manner in an identical position, one on top of the other, in both housing parts.

FIG.2illustrates a holding device in a fixing module according to an embodiment of the invention for a control and signaling device. The holding device for the push button has a snap ring12, which rests on the top side3of the bottom housing part2and surrounds the passage opening11. An actuating lever13is arranged, preferably in one piece, on the snap ring12, the actuating lever13releasing the push button when actuated. Beneath the snap ring12, a gearwheel14is arranged in the bottom housing part2, the gearwheel14being operatively connected to a pinion15. Fastened to the snap ring12is a restoring spring16, which allows restoration into the starting position.

FIG.3shows the bottom housing part2according toFIG.1with a first example embodiment of a grounding function in the form of a spring element19. The spring element19is tensioned between a connection dome16and the pinion15on the top side3of the bottom housing part2.

FIG.4illustrates an enlarged detail according toFIG.3. It is apparent from this illustration that a contact pin17, formed in a U-shaped manner, is arranged in the pinion15, with an introduced peg18, which serves as a rotation lock for the fixing module. The grounding function of the fixing module is implemented via the spring element19, which is fastened between the pinion15and connection dome16to the top side3of the bottom housing part2. A material extending in a plane of the top side3of the bottom housing part2includes a plurality of layers23.

FIG.5illustrates a fixing module according to an embodiment of the invention having a second example embodiment for the grounding function in the form of a material with a foil-like appearance, for example a grounding foil22. Formed on the top side3of the bottom housing part2is a material, extending at least partially in this plane, with a grounding function. The material has preferably at least one contact point20in the form of a tab with the pinion15. The material, or the grounding foil22, is positioned between the top side3of the bottom housing part2and the snap ring12. The material, or the grounding foil22, has cutouts21for possible connection domes16. The material is arranged on the top side3of the bottom housing part2in a positionally stable manner on an adhesive layer24.

FIG.6illustrates an enlarged detail according toFIG.5. In this second example embodiment, too, a contact pin17, formed in a U-shaped manner, is arranged in the pinion15with an introduced peg18as a rotation lock for the fixing module.

The fixing module according to an embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the housing parts manufactured from metal retain simple grounding via a spring element or by the grounding foil. A housing combination with one housing part manufactured from metal and one from plastic represents a cost saving and can likewise be grounded in a simple manner via the grounding foil.

Although the invention has been illustrated in greater detail using the example embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and a person skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS