Multipolar switch

A multipolar switch includesa first electrical contact zone connected to a first electrical circuit, anda second electrical contact zone connected to a second electrical circuit. In addition,a first part made from an electrically conducting material is arranged on and at a distance from the first electrical contact zone, anda second part made from an electrically conducting material is arranged on the first part.An electrically insulating layer is arranged between the first part and the second part so as to electrically insulate them from one another.So configured, the first part is configured to be elastically deformed when being mechanically solicited in an actuating direction of the multipolar switch, and the second part is configured to be elastically deformed or be displaced in the actuating direction of the multipolar switch, between a rest configuration and an activated configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The benefit of priority to French Patent Application No. 1912949 filed Nov. 20, 2019, is hereby claimed and the disclosure is incorporated here in by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multipolar switch for selectively opening or closing at least two electrical circuits.

BACKGROUND

Switches for industrial machines are widespread in industry. They are connected to the control system of the machine, and allow an operator to interact with the control system, in particular to stop the operation of the machine in the case of an emergency stop switch for example.

There are different mechanisms for actuating a switch (toggle switch, rotary switch, deformable membrane, etc.).

A particular type of switch comprises contact zones connected to an electrical circuit, and an actuator button mechanically connected to a part made from a conducting material. When a user actuates the actuator button by exerting a pressure on the latter, the actuator button is displaced or is deformed, and causes the part made of conducting material and the electrical circuit to be put into contact: the electrical circuit thus switches from the open state to the closed state.

An instruction corresponding to the function of the switch is sent to the control system that then controls the various effector members of the machine according to the instruction received.

In industry, industrial machines have to operate by ensuring maximum safety for users and for the surrounding personnel. That is why it is common to set up a redundancy of the electrical signal. Redundancy consists of doubling the information at the input of a system and/or the effector members at the output. Applied to a switch for an industrial machine, redundancy consists in doubling the number of electrical circuits for the carrying out of the same function. For example, two electrical circuits are used instead of a single electrical circuit to ensure the emergency stopping of a machine. Thus, if a failure is detected in the closure of one of the two electrical circuits, the instruction can even so be carried out thanks to the closure of the other electrical circuit, which improves safety.

Since there are two electrical circuits, it is necessary to provide two switches instead of a single switch, as shown inFIG. 1. A first switch100makes it possible to open or close the first electrical circuit, and a second switch101makes it possible to open or close the second electrical circuit. In order to ensure redundancy of the electrical signal, the two switches100,101must be actuated simultaneously. Thus, a single actuator button120is generally provided that is common to the two switches. The actuating of this single actuator button makes it possible to simultaneously close the two electrical circuits.

The necessity of providing two switches instead of a single switch substantially increases the size of the actuating system within the industrial machine. This can generate additional constraints during the design and the manufacturing of the machine, and also during the use thereof.

Moreover, existing switches do not generally provide the user with a satisfactory force-feedback, in such a way that it is not always easy to detect the actuation, or the degree of actuation, of the switch by touch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A purpose of the invention is to propose a multipolar switch that makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages described hereinabove.

The invention aims in particular to propose a multipolar switch that has a reduced size compared to known switches.

The invention aims very particularly to supply a multipolar switch that makes it possible to improve the tactile effect, also called the haptic effect, felt by a user when they actuate the switch.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a multipolar switch for selectively opening or closing at least two electrical circuits, comprising:at least one first electrical contact zone connected to a first electrical circuit, and at least one second electrical contact zone connected to a second electrical circuit, the first electrical circuit being electrically insulated from the second electrical circuit,a first part made from an electrically conducting material arranged on and at a distance from the first electrical contact zone, and a second part made from an electrically conducting material arranged on the first part made from an electrically conducting material,an electrically insulating layer arranged between the first and the second part made from an electrically conducting material so as to electrically insulate them from one another,

wherein

the first part made from an electrically conducting material is configured to be elastically deformed when it is mechanically solicited in an actuating direction of the switch,

and the second part made from an electrically conducting material is configured to be elastically deformed or be displaced in an actuating direction of the switch,

between a rest configuration wherein said first and second parts are separated from the first and second electrical contact zones, and an activated configuration wherein said first and second parts are respectively in contact with the first and second electrical contact zones so as to respectively close the first and second electrical circuits.

According to other aspects, the multipolar switch according to the invention presents the following various characteristics taken individually or in any technically admissible combination:the first part and/or the second part made from an electrically conducting material comprises a central portion, an intermediate portion which extends around the central portion, and a peripheral portion which extends around the intermediate portion, said part being dome-shaped at the central portion, the intermediate portion being configured to be deformed elastically with respect to the peripheral portion in such a way that the intermediate portion comes into contact with at least one respective electrical contact zone when said part is mechanically solicited;the first and the second part made from an electrically conducting material comprise a central portion, an intermediate portion which extends around the central portion comprising tabs separated from one another by notches, and a peripheral portion which extends around the intermediate portion comprising the ends of the tabs, the first and the second part being arranged in such a way that each tab of one of the first and second parts coincides with a notch of the other, and wherein the tabs of the second part, or the tabs of the first part and of the second part are configured to be elastically deformed with respect to the peripheral portion in such a way that each tab comes into contact with a respective first or second electrical contact zone in the activated configuration.

The switch further comprises:a housing wherein are housed the first and second electrical contact zones and the first and second parts made from an electrically conducting material separated by the insulating layer, the peripheral portion of said first and second parts made from an electrically conducting material being fixed to the housing,an actuator button arranged on the housing, movable between a rest position wherein the first and the second electrical circuit are open, and an actuation position by application of a pressure by a user, wherein the first and the second part made from an electrically conducting material are mechanically solicited to deform them elastically with respect to the housing, so as to close the first and the second electrical circuit.the switch further comprises:a housing wherein are housed the first and second electrical contact zones and the first and second parts made from an electrically conducting material separated by the insulating layer, the peripheral portion of the second part being fixed to the housing,an actuator button arranged on the housing, movable between a rest position wherein the first and the second electrical circuit are open, and an actuation position by application of a pressure by a user, wherein the second part is mechanically solicited to displace it in the direction of actuation towards the first part in such a way as to exert a pressure against the first part, and the first part is mechanically solicited by the second part to deform it elastically with respect to the housing, so as to close the first and the second electrical circuit.the second part made from an electrically conducting material is able to be deformed after coming into contact with the second electrical contact zones, during the actuation of the switch;the actuator button is a push-button configured to return to its rest position from its actuation position when the user releases said push-button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multipolar switch for selectively opening or closing at least two electrical circuits. The two electrical circuits are electrically insulated from one another.

The multipolar switch1according to the invention is based on the principle of redundancy of the electrical signal, and makes it possible for this purpose to open or to close the two electrical circuits simultaneously (not shown), by actuation of the actuator button14of said switch, as shown inFIG. 2.

Then, a single switch1is sufficient to close the two electrical circuits, while two switches each opening or closing a respective electrical circuit were required in the state of the art. This leads to a reduction in the size of the actuation system within the industrial machine, and thus limits the constraints during the design and the manufacturing and the use of the industrial machine.

According to a first embodiment shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, the multipolar switch1comprises a part made from an electrically conducting material4that advantageously has the form of a metal cup, allowing a user to actuate the switch. This type of metal cup is known per se in the field of electronic devices.

The switch shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5is a switch of a LED. The switch according to the first embodiment is not however limited to a LED switch and the operation of such a LED shall not be described in the present text.

The cup4is advantageously preformed. It has the shape of a disc, comprising a central portion7, an intermediate portion8which extends around the central portion, and a peripheral portion9which extends around the intermediate portion. The invention is not however limited to a cup that has the shape of a disc, and other shapes are suitable according to the type of switch, for example a square, rectangular or triangular shape.

The cup4is dome-shaped at the central portion7. It has an upper face23, and a lower face24opposite the upper face with respect to said cup.

The cup4is configured to be elastically deformed when it is mechanically solicited by a user in an actuating direction of the switch. The direction of actuation is represented by the arrow X inFIG. 4.

The mechanical effort is applied from the upper face23of the cup, which can be directly accessible by the user, or alternatively be provided with an actuator button (not shown) whereon the user can press to mechanically solicit the cup.

The cup4is then deformed at its intermediate portion8, passing from a convex curvature wherein the central portion7is directed by moving away from the peripheral portion9according to the direction X, to a concave curvature wherein the central portion7is directed towards said peripheral portion9. In other terms, the curvature of the cup is inverted: the latter switches from a convex curvature to a concave curvature by deformation of its intermediate portion. The central portion7is not deformed, or at the least, is deformed only very slightly.

“Elastic deformation” means the cup4returns to its original position when there is no longer any pressure exerted on it. This deformation is made possible by the material and the structure of the cup, wherein the intermediate portion is compresses and thus accumulates potential energy, which is then released when the user releases the pressure exerted on the cup, in the manner of a spring.

The transition of the cup4from the convex curvature to the concave curvature, during the deformation thereof, is felt by the user as a very slight jolt translating the maximum compression of the intermediate portion. The user thus feels a tactile or haptic effect, i.e. a force-feedback, when he presses on the cup to actuate the switch. The user then knows, without it being necessary to check it visually, that the cup is deformed and that the switch is actuated.

The cup4advantageously has recessed portions25, that make it possible to improve its deformation, i.e., a reduced pressure is required from the user to obtain a deformation of the recessed cup similar to that of a solid cup.

The switch1further comprises electrical contact zones.

The electrical contact zones are located under the cup, facing the lower face24of said cup. InFIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, four electrical contact zones2a,2b,3ab,3bare present.

The first electrical contact zones2a,2bare electrically connected to a first electrical circuit, i.e. they comprise the first electrical circuit, and the second electrical contact zones3a,3bare electrically connected to a second electrical circuit (not shown), i.e. they form the second electrical circuit. The first and the second electrical circuit are electrically insulated from one another.

The switch1also comprises a film32that at least partially covers the lower face of the metal cup. The film32is particularly visible inFIG. 5showing a cross-section view of the switch.

The film32comprises a first and a second electrically conducting portions26,27electrically insulated from one another by a first and second electrically insulating portions28,29.

The first and second electrically conducting portions26,27preferably comprise an electrically conducting material that covers the film32.

The first and second electrically conducting portions26,27preferably comprise metal tracks silkscreened on the film32, preferably silver tracks.

Each electrically conducting portion26,27is arranged in such a way as to come into contact with one or several respective electrical contact zones2a,2band3a,3b, when the switch is actuated, so as to close the corresponding electrical circuit.

Thus, the first electrically conducting portion26is arranged at the intermediate portion8of the cup, in such a way as to come into contact with the first two electrical contact zones2a,2b, and the second electrically conducting portion27is arranged at the intermediate portion8of the cup, opposite the first electrically conducting portion26with respect to the centre of the cup4, in such a way as to come into contact with the second two electrical contact zones3a,3b. The first and second electrically conducting portions26,27are electrically insulated from one another by the two electrically insulating portions28,29located between the latter.

The operation of the switch according to the first embodiment is as follows.

The switch1is initially at rest. The cup4is in a rest configuration wherein its central portion7and its intermediate portion8have a convex curvature. The cup4, in particular the insulating film32covering its lower face, is separate from the electrical contact zones2a,2b,3a,3b.

When the user actuates the switch by exerting on the cup4a force oriented from its upper face23towards its lower face24, said cup4is elastically deformed according to the force exerted by the user.

The intermediate portion8of the cup then takes a concave curvature.

The first electrically conducting portion26comes into contact with the two first electrical contact zones2a,2b, thus closing the first electrical circuit, and the second electrically conducting portion27comes into contact with the two electrical contact zones3a,3b, thus closing the second electrical circuit. The cup4is then in an actuating configuration, and the switch is actuated.

The force-feedback induced by the transition of the cup4between its rest configuration and its actuated position informs the user in a tactile manner of the actuation of the switch.

When the user releases the cup4, the latter returns to its rest configuration. The switch1then returns to rest, thus reopening the two electrical circuits.

Then, the deformation of the cup4by actuation of the single switch1allows the user to simultaneously close the first and the second electrical circuit.

According to a second embodiment shown inFIG. 6, the multipolar switch1comprises two metal cups, of which a first cup4and a second cup5.

The metal cups4,5are similar to those described in the first embodiment, except that the latter are preferably solid. Indeed, it is not necessary to make cuts in the cups to allow for the operation of the switch according to this second embodiment.

The first and the second cup4,5are arranged one above the other, facing, the first cup4being located above the second cup5.

The two cups4,5are housed in a housing13provided with a bottom19delimited laterally by a lateral surface20that extends from the bottom19by moving away from the bottom. The peripheral portion8of the two cups4,5is fixed to the housing.

The two cups4,5are arranged in such a way that their convex curvature is separated from the median plane that extends between the two cups. The upper face of the first cup is therefore directed towards the top in the plane of the sheet, opposite the housing, while the upper face of the second cup is directed towards the bottom in the plane of the sheet, towards the bottom19of the housing.

The multipolar switch1further comprises a film33arranged between the two cups4,5.

The film33comprises first electrically conducting zones or portions2a,2b,2cdeposited on the upper face of the film facing the first cup4, and second electrically conducting portion3a,3b,3cdeposited on the lower face of the film facing the second cup5.

The first and second electrically conductrices portions2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3ccomprise more preferably metal tracks silkscreened on the film, more preferably silver tracks.

The first and second electrically conducting portions2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3care arranged on either side of the film33, facing one another, at the peripheral portion9of the two cups4,5, and are then named peripheral electrically conducting portions2a,2c,3a,3c, and at the central portion7of the two cups, and are then named central electrically conductrices portions2b,3b.

The first electrically conducting portions2a,2b,2care electrically connected to a first electrical circuit (not shown), i.e. they form the first electrical circuit, and the second electrically conducting portions3a,3b,3care electrically connected to a second electrical circuit (not shown), i.e. they form the second electrical circuit.

The first electrically conducting portions2a,2b,2care respectively electrically insulated from the second electrically conducting portions3a,3b,3cby electrically insulating portions54of the film that separate them, at the central portion7and the peripheral portion9of the cups.

The central electrically conductrices portions2b,3bare electrically insulated from the peripheral electrically conducting portions2a,2c,3a,3cby electrically insulating portions55of the film.

The upper face23of the second cup5is in contact with the bottom13of the housing, at its central portion7. A lug30protruding from the bottom19of the housing is advantageously provided so as to be used as an abutment to the central portion7of the second cup.

The multipolar switch1further comprises an actuator button14.

The actuator button14is mounted on the housing13. It comprises an upper surface31, and a lower surface22bearing against the upper surface of the first cup, at its central portion.

The actuator button14is movable by actuation between a rest position wherein the first and the second electrical circuit are open, and an actuation position by application of a pressure by a user on its upper face31, wherein the cups4,5are mechanically solicited to deform them elastically with respect to the housing13, so as to close the first and the second electrical circuit.

The actuator button14is preferably a push-button configured to return to its rest position from its actuation position when the user releases said push-button.

The operation of the switch according to the second embodiment is as follows.

The switch1is initially at rest, as shown inFIG. 6. The two cups4,5are in a rest configuration wherein their central portion7and their intermediate portion8have a convex curvature. The central portion7of each one of the two cups4,5is separate from the central electrically conducting portions2b,3b.

When the user actuates the switch1by exerting on the actuator button14a force oriented from its upper face31towards its lower face22, the first cup4is elastically deformed according to the force exerted by the user.

The central portion7and the intermediate portion8of the first cup4then have a concave curvature, and said central portion of the first cup comes into contact with the first central electrically conducting portion2b, thus closing the first electrical circuit. The intermediate portion is deformed, while the central portion7is not deformed, or at the very least, is deformed only very slightly.

Given that the peripheral portions9of the two cups4,5are in contact with one another, and that the abutment of the central portion7of the second cup5against the lug30of the bottom of the housing, the second cup5is deformed simultaneously with, and in a similar manner to, the first cup.

The central portion7of the second cup5comes into contact with the second central electrically conducting portion3b, thus closing the second electrical circuit.

According to a third embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the multipolar switch1comprises an electrically insulating thermoformed film34.

Such a thermoformed film34can be manufactured by heating the material so as to soften it, then by forming the material that has thus become ductile so that the latter takes a predefined shape, and retains it after cooling to ambient temperature.

The material of the thermoformed film preferably comprises a thermoplastic polymer suitable for being formed by thermoforming.

The thermoplastic polymer is preferably chosen from: polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and mixtures thereof, present in the form of homopolymers or copolymers.

The thermoformed film34comprises an upper face35and a lower face36opposite the upper face with respect to the film.

The thermoformed film34comprises a dome-shaped portion37, i.e. a convex protrusion that extends from a substantially planar portion of the film.

The dome-shaped portion37comprises a bearing surface38on the upper face35of the film, on which the user can press, by exerting a force oriented from the upper face towards the lower face of the film, so as to elastically deform the film.

The upper face35of the thermoformed film is advantageously covered, at least at the dome-shaped portion37, with a metal layer39that makes it possible to reinforce the tactile effect during the actuation of the switch by deformation of the dome-shaped portion of the thermoformed film. The metal layer39is preferably deposited by metallisation of the upper surface of the thermoformed film, or by gluing.

The switch1further comprises at least two electrically conducting zones40a,40barranged on the lower face of the thermoformed film, separated electrically from one another by an electrically insulating portion41. The electrically conducting zones are configured to come into contact with a respective first and second electrical contact zone (not shown).

Preferably, the electrically conducting zones40a,40bare metal tracks silkscreened on the thermoformed film, more preferably silver tracks. The insulating portion41is formed more preferably from a portion of the thermoformed film.

The operation of the switch according to the third embodiment is as follows.

The switch1is initially at rest, as inFIG. 7. The thermoformed film34is in a rest configuration wherein the dome-shaped portion37has a convex curvature. The electrically conducting zones40a,40bare separated from the electrical contact zones.

When the user actuates the switch1by exerting on the dome-shaped portion37of the thermoformed film34a force oriented from its upper face35towards its lower face36, said dome-shaped portion is elastically deformed according to the force exerted by the user.

The dome-shaped portion37then has a concave curvature, and the first and second electrically conducting zones40a,40bcome respectively into contact with first and second electrical contact zones, thus closing the first and the second electrical circuit. The thermoformed film34is then in an actuation configuration, and the switch1is actuated.

The force-feedback induced by the transition of the dome-shaped portion37of the thermoformed film34between its rest configuration and its actuated configuration informs the user in a tactile manner of the actuation of the switch.

When the user releases the dome-shaped portion37, the latter returns to its rest configuration. The switch1thus returns to rest.

According to a fourth embodiment shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the multipolar switch1comprises two elastically deformable parts4,5made from an electrically conducting material.

With reference toFIG. 8, the switch1comprises a housing13provided with an upper surface16, a lower surface17, and a blind orifice18that extends in the housing from the upper surface to the lower face. The orifice18is provided with a bottom19and with a lateral surface20that extends from the bottom to the upper surface of the housing.

The switch1further comprises at least one first electrical contact zone connected to a first electrical circuit, i.e. it forms the first electrical circuit, and at least one second electrical contact zone connected to a second electrical circuit, i.e. it forms the second electrical circuit. According to the fourth embodiment, the first and the second electrical contact zone have the shape of electrical contact pads2a,2b,2c, and3a,3b,3carranged on the bottom19of the housing. The pads2a,2b, and2care connected to the first electrical circuit, and the pads3a,3b, and3care connected to the second electrical circuit. The first electrical circuit is electrically insulated from the second electrical circuit.

With reference toFIG. 9, the multipolar switch1comprises a first part made from an electrically conducting material4and a second part made from an electrically conducting material5, which both have the form of a metal cup.

The metal cups are similar in their manufacture to those described in the first and in the second embodiments, but different from the latter in their form.

Indeed, the first and the second cup4,5have the shape of a star with several branches10, or tabs. InFIG. 9, the metal cups comprise three tabs.

The first and the second cup4,5comprise a central portion7from which extend the three tabs10which form the intermediate portion8of the cup. The ends12of the tabs form the peripheral portion of the cup.

The first and the second cup4,5are dome-shaped at their central portion7. In other terms, the tabs10extend from the central portion7towards their ends12by curving in such a way as to move away longitudinally and transversally from said central portion.

The tabs10extend from the central portion7by flaring, i.e. by regularly widening in the direction of their end12.

The tabs10are separated from one another by notches11. The notches have a curved shape that corresponds to the flaring of the tabs10.

The first and the second cup4,5are able to be elastically deformed, by accumulation and release of potential energy, at their intermediate portion8, i.e. at the tabs10, switching from a convex curvature to a concave curvature. The central portion7is not deformed, or in the very least, is deformed only very slightly.

The transition of the cups4and5from a convex curvature to a concave curvature, during the deformation thereof, is felt by the user as a very slight jolt translating the maximum compression of the intermediate portion. The user this feels a haptic effect or force-feedback when he presses on the second cup5to actuate the switch. The user then knows, without it being necessary to check it visually, that the cups are deformed and that the switch is actuated.

The first cup4is arranged on and at a distance from the electrical contact pads2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3c.

An electrically insulating layer6is arranged between the first4and the second cup5so as to electrically insulate them from one another.

The first cup4is arranged in such a way that its ends12face the first electrical contact zone in the direction of actuation. More precisely, each end12of the first cup faces a first corresponding electrical contact pad2a,2b,2c.

The second cup5is arranged on the first metal cup4, and is offset with respect to the latter by an angle determined according to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane containing the central portion of the second cup. Due to this offset, each one of the ends12of the second cup5coincides with a corresponding notch11of the first cup4, and each end12of the second cup5faces a second corresponding electrical contact pad3a,3b,3c. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the second cup5is offset by an angle of 60° with respect to the first cup4.

The operation of the multipolar switch according to the fourth embodiment shall now be described.

The first and the second cup4,5are initially in a rest configuration, wherein said parts are separated from the first and second electrical contact zones2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3c. The first and the second electrical circuit are therefore open.

When the user exerts a pressure on the first cup4, preferably via an actuator button such as shown inFIG. 15in reference to a fifth embodiment described hereinafter, the actuator button switches from a rest position to an actuating position wherein it transmits the pressure of the user to the central portion7of the second cup5.

More precisely, under the pressure of the actuator button14, the second cup5is elastically deformed and presses against the first part4, via the electrically insulating layer6, thus causing the deformation of said first cup4.

Under the effect of the mechanical pressure, and due to the pressing of the ends12of the tabs10of the first and second cups4,5against the bottom19of the housing13, the curvature of the first and second parts is inverted: the latter become concaves by deformation of their intermediate portion8.

The first and second parts4,5are then in an activated configuration.

In their activated configuration, the first cup4is in contact with the first electrical contact pads2a,2b,2c, and the second cup5is in contact with the second electrical contact pads3a,3b,3c, thus making it possible to respectively close the first and second electrical circuits.

FIG. 10shows a fifth embodiment of the multipolar switch according to the invention.

The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment described hereinabove as for the structure of the first and second parts made from an electrically conducting material4,5.

The first part4comprises four tabs10, and the latter extend from the central portion7of the part by thinning regularly in the direction of their end.

The first part4is dome-shaped at the level of its central portion7, as shown inFIG. 13. In other words, the tabs10extend from the central portion7to their ends12by curving, in such a way as to move away longitudinally and transversally from said central portion.

The second part5has the form of an X, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 15. It comprises a central portion comprising a disc42pierced with an opening21in its centre, as well as an intermediate portion comprising four tabs10that extend from the central portion, to their ends12which form the peripheral portion of the part.

The tabs10are preferably dome-shaped so as to favour the elastic deformation of the first part.

As shown inFIG. 11, the first part4is arranged in such a way that two opposite ends12among its four ends each face a first electrical contact pad2a,3b. The electrical contact2ais connected to a first electrical circuit via a terminal48located on the housing and protruding outwards from the latter. The electrical contact3bis connected to the first electrical circuit via a terminal49located on the housing and protruding outwards from the latter.

The first part4is able to be elastically deformed, by accumulation and release of potential energy, at its intermediate portion8, i.e. at its tabs10, switching from a convex curvature to a concave curvature. Its central portion7is not deformed, or at the very least, is deformed only very slightly.

The transition of the first part4from a convex curvature to a concave curvature, during the deformation thereof, is felt by the user as a very slight jolt translating the maximum compression of the intermediate portion. The user thus feels a haptic effect or force-feedback when he presses on the second part5to actuate the switch. The user then knows, without it being necessary to check it visually, that the first part4is deformed and that the switch is actuated.

As shown inFIG. 12, the second part5is arranged on the first part4in such a way that each one of the ends12of the second part5coincides with a corresponding space between two consecutive tabs10of the first part4. Each end12of the second part5faces a second corresponding electrical contact pad2b,2c,3a,3c. The electrical contacts2b,2c,3a,3care connected to a second electrical circuit via respective terminals50,51,52,53located on the housing and protruding outwards from the latter.

The connections of the first and second parts to the electrical contacts is not limited to those shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. The number of tabs of each part4and their connection to the electrical contacts of the housing can be adapted according to the number and the arrangement of said electrical contacts.

With reference toFIGS. 13 and 14which show the mounting of the first and second parts4,5in the housing13, the central portion7of the first and of the second part is centred with respect to the housing.

The ends of the first part4are bearing against the bottom19of the housing13, while their central portion is separated by a determined distance from the bottom19of the housing.

A thin (50 microns) and couple electrically insulating layer6is arranged between the first and the second part4,5so as to electrically insulate them from one another.

The insulating film is high temperature (about 420° C.).

The second part5rests on the electrically insulating layer6.

The multipolar switch1further comprises an actuator button14shown in theFIGS. 15 and 16. Although shown only for the fifth embodiment, the actuator button can also be present in the switch described according to the fourth embodiment, and is arranged in a manner similar notwithstanding the structural differences of the parts made from an electrically conducting material.

The actuator button14is arranged on the body45. It comprises an upper surface31, and a lower surface22bearing against the central portion7of the second part5.

The actuator button14is movable by actuation between a rest position wherein the first43and the second electrical circuit44are open, and an actuation position by application of a pressure by a user on its upper face31, wherein the first and the second part4,5are mechanically solicited to deform them elastically with respect to the body45, so as to close the first43and the second electrical circuit44.

The actuator button14is preferably a push-button configured to return to its rest position from its actuation position when the user releases said push-button.

The multipolar switch further comprises a closing cover15that maintains the actuator button14against the body45of the housing in a sealed manner. The closing cover15makes it possible to maintain all the elements of the switch in the housing13in a sealed manner.

The actuator button14comprises at its periphery a membrane56that ensure the seal of the switch by being compressed between the body45of the housing and the closing cover15.

The operation of the multipolar switch according to the fifth embodiment shall now be described with reference toFIGS. 15 and 16.

InFIG. 15, the actuator button14is in a rest position.

The first and the second part4,5are in a rest configuration, wherein said parts are separated from the first and second electrical contact zones2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3c. The first43and the second electrical circuit44are therefore open.

When the user exerts a pressure on the actuator button14of the switch, shown by the arrow X inFIG. 16, the actuator button14switches in its rest position to its actuation position wherein it transmits the pressure of the user to the central portion7of the second part5. The second part5vertically translates, according to the direction of actuation of the switch by the user, i.e. in the direction of the first part4.

More precisely, under the pressure of the actuator button14, the second part5is displaced and presses against the first part4, via the electrically insulating layer6, thus causing the deformation of said first part4. The second part5can be deformed slightly under the effect of the mechanical pressure.

The ends12of the second part5come into contact with electrical contact pads2b,2c,3a,3c, thus closing the first electrical circuit.

At the same time, under the effect of the mechanical pressure, and due to the pressing of the ends12of the tabs10of the first part4against the bottom19of the housing13, the curvature of said first part is inverted: the latter becomes concave by deformation of its intermediate portion8. The tabs10of the first part come into contact with the electrical contact pads2aand3b, thus closing the second electrical circuit.

The dome shape of the tabs10of the second part5make it possible to clear the first part4at its intermediate portion8, which favours the elastic deformation of said first part and improves the haptic effect.

The first and second parts4,5are then in an activated configuration, shown inFIG. 16. In this configuration, the first and second electrical circuits43,44are closed.

Preferably, the second part5is able to be deformed after coming into contact with the second electrical contact pads2b,2c,3a,3c, during the actuation of the switch. This additional deformation, or after travel, of the second part5makes it possible to improve the electrical contact between the latter and the second electrical contact pads2b,2c,3a,3c, as well as between the first part4and the first electrical contact pads2a,3b, given that the second part5transfers the force due to the actuating of the switch to the first part4, thus causing the deformation of the latter.