Abstract:
A code switch for an electrical appliance comprises triggering magnets at specific points in a rotatable rotor. Stationary opposite contacts are disposed in the housing of the code switch and wipers are provided with contact heads assigned to said opposite contacts at a disconnecting distance. When a triggering magnet is moved above an opposite contact by rotating the rotor, the contact head is pulled upward by magnetic force towards the opposite contact and the contact is closed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority from PCT application no. PCT/EP2005/000299, filed Jan. 14, 2005, which is based on German Application No. 102004004016.8, which was filed Jan. 20, 2004, of which the contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   FIELD OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART 
   The invention generally relates to a magnetically operated contacting device or switching device where contacts, such as signal or switching contacts, in the form of contact heads and opposite contacts, can be closed through the triggering action caused by magnetic force. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   DE 296 10 996 discloses an electromechanical connecting device. Two parts of the connecting device, which fundamentally correspond to the functions of plug and plug coupling, can be brought into mutual opposition in different positions. Only in a specific position does matching thereof take place as a result of mechanical coding in an intended manner. The closing of several contacts can only take place in this appropriate position as a result of magnetic coding by means of differently polled magnets positioned in a specific way. However, the use possibility is limited to producing in each case a single connection based on a single, specific pattern. 
   One problem addressed by the invention is to provide an aforementioned device which is able to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art, more particularly enabling a contacting device or switching device to be obtained for numerous switching or contacting functions with the aim of avoiding rubbing and the associated friction in the vicinity of the contacts despite the movement needed for producing the contacts. 

   
     BRIEF DEFINITION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail relative to the diagrammatic drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a lateral section through a code switch implementing one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view on the part of  FIG. 1  with wipers. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the rotor of  FIG. 1  with triggering magnets. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a rotor with various possible groupings of magnets; and 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate various embodiments of constructions for the contact combs wherein each embodiment incorporates a plurality of wipers. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
   In a simple version of a contacting device, a single triggering magnet can be provided. On the path of its relative movement to the wipers, the magnet can pass over the wipers. In the different activated positions, the magnet can bring a wiper(s) with the contact head against an associated opposite contact. In more complex constructions of the invention, several triggering magnets may be used. The magnets are advantageously juxtaposed or provided in a radially spaced manner. In one embodiment, the magnets are spaced apart in equal amounts, and can be positioned in a grid pattern. In the case of a rotor for accomplishing rotary movement, there can also be several circumferentially positioned triggering magnets, the angular distances being advantageously equal or in a given grid pattern. 
   In one arrangement, an opposite contact is located between the triggering magnet and contact head or wiper in an activated position. Thus, the triggering magnet draws the contact head towards it, and therefore against the opposite contact. 
   In this manner a linear or rotary movement can occur to the slider or wiper, similar to other code switches. As a function of whether there is an activated or deactivated position, one or more electrical contacts between a contact head on a wiper and an associated opposite contact are closed, for example in order to trigger specific signals associated with the given position. Through closing and opening the electrical contacts as a result of the magnetic force of the triggering magnets, it is possible to avoid or minimize rubbing on the electrical contacts thereof. This increases the reliability and service life of the contacting device. 
   A restoring force can be provided to separate the contacts by the omission of the magnetic attraction in a deactivated position. A springing-type force can be provided in the wipers resulting in a force to bring about a separation of the contacts and a resetting of the wipers. When the contacts are separated, there must be a separating distance, which is a function of the voltage applied to the contacts. Typically, this distance is several millimeters. 
   A wiper can be made from thin, flexible material. Preferably, the wiper is advantageously in one piece and may be, for example, in metal strip form. The wiper can be made of materials such as flexible copper, copper plated metals, or the like. 
   Several wipers can be provided, which are fashioned together in one piece or are interconnected. They are in particular electrically interconnected, for example, all to a signal source, which then furnishes a signal that is present on the different, opposite contacts. The wipers can be formed in one piece from a portion of material, for example a flat plate. 
   The contacts, or fixing points, of all the wipers can be in one plane. This should be parallel to the plane of the relative movement or the movement plane of the triggering magnets. If the opposite contacts are in a plane parallel thereto, the path to be covered by the wipers is the same in each case. The wipers can be constructed to as to have equal length, but constructions of different lengths are possible, particularly in order to construct a contacting device in space-saving and space-utilizing manner. The association between a contact head or wiper and an opposite contact is advantageously fixed in such a way that the same contact head only engages on the associated opposite contact. 
   In one embodiment, the wipers and opposite contacts are arranged in a fixed, defined manner on a contacting device, particularly on a support or housing thereof, and the triggering magnet is movable. For this purpose, the magnet can be located on a rotor for accomplishing rotary movement. The rotor can be provided with a rotation axis, on which can be coupled or mounted a manual handle, for example a rotary toggle. In other embodiments the handle can be a slider for accomplishing a sliding or linear movement. The rotor or slider can made, for example, from plastic with the triggering magnets fixed thereon. In one embodiment, the magnets are embedded into the rotor or slider. It is possible to mould the triggering magnets into the rotor to create an undetachable, invariable arrangement of the triggering magnets. 
   In a simple version of a contacting device, a single triggering magnet can be provided. On the path of its relative movement to the wipers, the magnet can pass over the wipers. In the different activated positions, the magnet can bring a wiper(s) with the contact head against an associated opposite contact. In more complex constructions of the invention, several triggering magnets may be used. The magnets are advantageously juxtaposed or provided in a radially spaced manner. In one embodiment, the magnet are spaced in an equal amount, and can be positioned in a grid pattern. In the case of a rotor for accomplishing rotary movement, there can also be several circumferentially positioned triggering magnets, the angular distances being advantageously equal or in a given grid pattern. 
   In one arrangement, opposite contact is located between the triggering magnet and contact head or wiper in an activated position. Thus, the triggering magnet draws the contact head towards it, and therefore against the opposite contact. 
   Contact heads or opposite contacts can be arranged in groups. Thus, during a rotary movement with the rotor, the contact heads or opposite contacts are located on a line through the rotation axis or on a line running vertical to the movement direction. These groups also advantageously have identical angular distances or are advantageously arranged in a grid pattern. 
   When there are several groups of wipers, independent modules can be provided for each group. In certain embodiments, it may be appropriate to place all the opposite contacts on a conducting layer. The opposite contacts can in film form, for example, with deposited or printed-on, conductive coatings. However, the opposite contacts are substantially electrically separated from one another and have external terminals or leads extending to the outside and which can be contacted by plug connections or the like. An interconnection of the opposite contacts can therefore advantageously take place by means of the external terminals, which makes the use of the module more universal. 
   These and further features can be gathered from the claims, description and drawings and the individual features, both singly or in the form of subcombinations, can be implemented in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields and can represent advantageous, independently embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections and the subheadings in no way restrict the general validity of the statements made thereunder. 
   Turning to the figures, the code switch  11  in  FIG. 1  has a cylindrical housing  13 , in which is mounted in rotary manner a round rotor  15  with a shaft having a rotation axis  16 , which is mounted on an pivot bearing  17  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
   Turning to  FIG. 3  showing the plan view of the rotor  15 , it can be seen how triggering magnets  19  having a cylindrical shape are provided in a distribution grid (see, e.g., the magnets shown as black circles  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c  of  FIG. 4 ). In  FIG. 4 , circles illustrate other points in the distribution grid where in alternative constructions the triggering magnets can be provided, but are not provided in the present case. Openings can also be provided here in which in the case of an individual construction of a rotor  15  further triggering magnets  19  can be provided. The triple rows shown in  FIG. 4  can be distributed in the same way over the entire rotor  15  around rotation axis  16  with the represented rotation direction. 
   A partition  21  is provided in housing  13  below rotor  15  in  FIG. 1 . On the underside of the partition is provided an opposite contact  23 , which projects downwards from said partition  21 . It is provided with a symbolically represented, outwardly passing lead  35   a.    
   In the space between partition  21  and housing bottom  14  are so-called contact combs  25 , which are also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The contact combs  25  have contact arms or wipers  27  projecting from a common base  26 . To the end thereof are fixed contact heads  28 . Either the contact heads  28  or the associated areas of the wipers  27  are magnetic. The contact combs  25  are mechanically fixed to the housing bottom  14 . As a result of the flexibility due to the limited material thickness of the contact combs, the wipers  27  can be moved upwards. This is illustrated by the movement arrow  37  with the two directions in  FIG. 1 . The contact heads  28  strike the facing opposite contacts  23 , which are placed in fixed position on partition  21 . The contact combs  25  are provided with electrical terminals or leads  35   b , as symbolically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   As is apparent from a comparison of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the grid of the arrangement of the triggering magnets  19  of  FIG. 3  corresponds to the placing of the contact heads  28  on wipers  27  according to  FIG. 2 . If the rotor  15  of  FIG. 3  is now brought over the code switch  11  according to  FIG. 2 , then in the represented coincidence the radially inwardly positioned triggering magnet  19   a  of the first grouping  40  of  FIG. 4 , would draw upwards the radially inner wiper  27  with the associated contact head  28 . The contact head  28  would engage on the associated opposite contact  23  producing an electrical contact similar to a relay. As a result of prebending, the remaining wipers  27  remain in a straight form on the housing bottom  14 . 
   If rotor  15  is now further rotated clockwise by approximately 45 degrees in  FIG. 3 , the central grouping  41  of  FIG. 4  of triggering magnets  19   b  is positioned precisely over the contact comb  25  or opposite contacts  23  and contact heads  28 . Due to the fact that triggering magnets  19   b  are provided on both radially inner locations, the two radially inner wipers  27  are drawn upwards, so that the contact heads  28  fixed thereto engage on the opposite contacts  23 . If the rotor  15  is rotated by a further amount, but less than 45 degrees, all the wipers  27  are pressed downwards again due to their springing force present in the wipers  27  and all the contacts are released. If the third grouping  42  of  FIG. 4  with the individual, radially outwardly positioned triggering magnet  19   c  is located over the opposite contacts  23 , exclusively the radially outer wiper  27  with contact head  28  is drawn upwards. Thus, once again the contact is closed, but against the radially outer opposite contact  23 . 
   It is therefore clear that through the design of different arrangements of triggering magnets  19  in extension of the principle of  FIG. 3 , it is possible to provide a certain number of angular positions, for example eight or more, in which in each case some of the wipers  27  can be raised for closing the associated contacts and some are not in each case. 
   In place of the single contact comb  25  according to  FIG. 2 , there can be several contact combs, in certain circumstances also having different constructions, or in each case only individual wipers  27 . For example, in  FIG. 2  a further contact comb can be provided facing the rotation axis  16 . 
     FIGS. 5-7  provide examples of further embodiments of contact combs  125  and  225 . In  FIG. 5  the wipers  127  are of different lengths and extend only in a single direction from the common base  126 . In the case of contact comb  225  in  FIG. 7 , the wipers  227  of different lengths extend in both directions away from the common base  226 . A contact head  228  is shown fixed to the end of the wiper  227 . 
   The provision of several contact combs or several groups of wipers makes it possible to produce contacts in different areas, which may not be linearly arranged, or located in one area. Thus, different contact groups can be actuated in one rotor position. However, the use of this embodiment is a design selection of the code switch  11  with desired contacting pattern, which are dependent on a specific angular position of rotor  15 . 
   As an alternative to a code switch  11  with a rotary movement, one skilled in the art can readily conceive how in a corresponding manner a sliding switch with a straight or also curved rocker arm can be produced. For this purpose it is merely necessary to separate the circular path of the rotor of  FIG. 3  and redesign it as a straight or slightly curved path. Distributed along the sliding direction in a grid a sliding switch can have at random locations triggering magnets similar to those of  FIG. 3 . Along the sliding path can be provided one or more groups of wipers, for example also in the form of adhering contact combs according to  FIG. 2 . In specific sliding positions, those wipers or contact heads above which triggering magnets are located are raised and brought against opposite contacts. See  FIGS. 7-9 .