Patent Publication Number: US-2023136132-A1

Title: Switch device structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a switch device structure, and more particularly to a switch device including an assembly of a main body and an operation body. A movable contact arm is mounted on the main body. The movable contact arm includes a first member and a second member. The operation body is equipped with an elastic unit. Accordingly, the arrangement form of the second member is variable to achieve NO mode and NC mode and ensure that the circuit is closed and/or open. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional switch device is applied to an electrical, an electronic or an automatic control system for an operator to operate the machine to work or make the circuit situated in a normally open (NO) or a normally closed (NC) state. 
     Such switch device also can serve as an emergency switch. In the case that an operator improperly operates the machine or the equipment fails or the like, the operator can emergently open the circuit to power off the system so as to avoid serious damage or loss. 
     The conventional emergency switch device generally includes an operation button equipped with a pushbutton and/or rotary switch and a case body for receiving the operation button and the spring. A connection seat (or base seat) and an electrical connection module with a contact arm are assembled in the case body. When an operator presses the operation button to drive and press down the connection seat, the case body relatively forces the connection seat to compress the spring. The spring pushes out the connection seat to locate the same, whereby the connection seat can push and press the electrical connection module to open the circuit. 
     In practice, the operator can rotate or forcedly pull up the operation button and the connection seat to make the connection seat restore to its home assembled position or the close-circuit state of the electrical connection module. Conventional switch devices disclose an embodiment, in which a coiled spring is disposed between the switch case body and the slide body in cooperation with a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring of the electrical connection module. When an operator pulls up or presses the operation button, the first and second leaf springs elastically contact the fixed contact to close the circuit or separate from the fixed contact to open the circuit. 
     With respect to the structure, practical operation and application of the conventional switch device, some shortcomings exist in the conventional switch device as follows:
     1. In some operation and application situations, multiple electrical connection modules are arranged in the switch device, which are respectively situated in NO and/or NC circuit (or mode). In order to meet the requirements of the NO circuit and NC circuit, the movable contact arms of the electrical connection modules often have different structural forms. As well known by those who are skilled in this field, this will increase the manufacturing cost and assembling trouble of the manufacturers. In other words, the movable contact arms with single same structure cannot be mounted to achieve the NO and/or NC circuit at the same time.   2. In the case that the switch device serves as an emergency switch, when an operator urgently cuts off the power or open the circuit, the operator often instinctively over-forces the operation button or the pushbutton to forcedly situate the first leaf spring and/or the second leaf spring in an open (or contact) state.   

     It should be noted that in the conventional switch device, the elasticity of the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring is used in cooperation with the rigid structure of the push member to achieve the NO or NC mode. In the case of long-term (or highly frequent) use or due to human factors, the material fatigue of the first and second leaf springs is apt to take place or the lifetimes of the first and second leaf springs are often shortened. This is not what we expect. 
     To speak representatively, the conventional switch devices reveal some shortcomings of the operation body, the electrical connection module and the relevant connection components of the conventional switch device in use and structural design. In the case that the assembling structures and the application of the switch device, the electrical connection module and the relevant components are redesigned to be different from the conventional switch device, the use form of the switch device can be changed to enhance the application effect thereof. For example, in the condition that the structure is simplified and the operation is facilitated, the redesign should include the following issues:
     1. The electrical connection module has a movable contact arm with one single structural form. In addition, the mounting system of the movable contact arm can be changed so as to achieve the NO and/or NC modes at the same time. This improves the shortcoming of the conventional switch device that the manufacturing cost and the assembling trouble are higher.   2. A new elastic unit structure is provided to provide a motional distance and elastic force to help the movable contact arm in contacting the fixed contact arm of the electrical connection module. This improves the shortcoming of the conventional switch device that elastic fatigue of the conventional structure is apt to take place and the lifetime of the conventional structure is often shortened.   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a switch device structure includes an assembly of a main body and an operation body. An electrical connection module and an elastic unit are mounted on the main body. The (movable) contact arm of the electrical connection module has a first member and/or a second member with variable arrangement position. The elastic unit is disposed on the operation body. The elastic unit includes a fixed section, a free section and a bent section connected between the fixed section and the free section, which together define a geometrical configuration. (The bent section at least includes a bent section and a subsidiary bent section). According to (or in response to) the position or motion of the operation body, the elastic unit provides an elastic force to push the contact arm of the electrical connection module into a contacting circuit closed state or make the elastic unit separate from the contact arm to form a circuit open state. The arrangement form of the first member and/or the second member of the contact arm of the electrical connection module is variable in accordance with the specification of the switch to achieve NO mode and NC mode. 
     In the above switch device structure, the contact arms of the electrical connection module are classified into a fixed contact arm and a movable contact arm. The first member of the movable contact arm is formed with a connection section. The second member of the movable contact arm includes a base section and a subsidiary connection section directed to outer side. The subsidiary connection section is assembled with the connection section of the first member. Alternatively, after the second member (and/or the elastic unit) is 180-degree turned, the subsidiary connection section is assembled with the connection section of the first member. Accordingly, the arrangement form of the movable contact arm is variable to achieve NO mode and NC mode. 
     In the above switch device structure, the fixed section of the elastic unit is fixed on the operation body, whereby the elastic unit moves in response to the motion of the operation body. The elastic unit includes a base section windingly extending from the fixed section, a bent section connected with the base section and a (concaved) bow section connected with the bent section. In addition, a tail end of the bow section is formed with a subsidiary bent section and a free section connected with the subsidiary bent section. The free section extends in a direction to the fixed section to together define a geometrical configuration. When the elastic unit moves according to (or in response to) the position or motion of the operation body, the elastic unit provides a displacement (motional) distance and elastic force. 
     The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective assembled view of the present invention, showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module, the elastic unit and the operation button, which are assembled with each other; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a part of  FIG.  1   , showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module and the elastic unit, which are assembled with each other 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective exploded view according to  FIG.  2   , showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module and the elastic unit; 
         FIG.  4    is a plane view according to  FIG.  2   , showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module and the elastic unit, which cooperate with each other to achieve an NC mode; 
         FIG.  5    is a plane view according to  FIG.  4   , showing that the operation body is operated to move toward the lower side; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module and the elastic unit; 
         FIG.  7    is a plane assembled view according to  FIG.  6   , showing the structures of the main body, the operation body, the electrical connection module and the elastic unit, which cooperate with each other to achieve an NO mode; and 
         FIG.  8    is a plane view according to  FIG.  7   , showing that the operation body is operated to move toward the lower side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Please refer to  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  3   . The switch device structure of the present invention includes an assembly of a main body  10  and an operation body  20  of the switch device. An operation button  30  is pivotally disposed on the main body  10  and/or the operation body  20 . The operation button  30  is permitted to rotate and/or reciprocally move in an axial direction of the switch to drive the operation body  20  to move. 
     It should be noted that the switch device has such a specification and arrangement that the switch device is situated in an NO and/or NC mode. The relevant cooperative structures for the operation button  30  to drive the operation body  20  to move pertain to prior art and thus will not be specifically described hereinafter. 
     The upper section, lower section, outer section, inner section, front end, rear end, etc. mentioned hereinafter are recited with the direction of the drawings as the reference direction. 
     As shown in the drawings, the main body  10  has a protruding base body  11  and multiple stands  12  positioned around the base body  11 . The base body  11  is assembled with the operation body  20 , whereby the operation body  20  is permitted to reciprocally move on the base body  11  in response to the rotation and/or pressing of the operation button  30 . 
     In this embodiment, the operation body  20  has the form of a shaft-shaped body structure and is fitted on the base body  11 . (At least one or multiple) upper protrusion sections  21  and lower protrusion sections  22  are disposed on the operation body  20 . The upper protrusion sections  21  and the lower protrusion sections  22  (perpendicularly) protrude from the shaft-shaped body structure of the operation body  20 . The upper protrusion sections  21  and/or the lower protrusion sections  22  are formed with retaining sections  23  in the form of a recessed structure. 
       FIGS.  2  and  3    also show that the stands  12  of the main body  10  define therebetween a space  13 . Locating sections  14  are disposed on the stands  12  in the form of raised/recessed structures for mounting a rest section  40  and an electrical connection module  50 . 
     In this embodiment, the main body  10  has four stands  12  and four spaces  13  in adaptation to the rest sections  40 . Accordingly, the switch device can achieve an NO mode and an NC mode or two NO modes and two NC modes. 
     As shown in the drawings, the rest section  40  is in the form of a U-shaped structure having a first section  41 , a second section  42  and a base section  43  connected between the first and second sections  41 ,  42 . The first and second sections  41 ,  42  are respectively formed with subsidiary locating sections  44  in the form of raised/recessed structures and notches  45  positioned at a head end of the first section  41  and a head end of the second section  42 . The subsidiary locating sections  44  of the rest section  40  are assembled with the locating sections  14  of the stands  12  to help in securely mounting the electrical connection module  50  on the rest section  40 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS.  3  and  4   . The electrical connection module  50  includes multiple contact arms. The arrangement position of at least one of the contact arms of the electrical connection module  50  is variable. The contact arms are classified into a fixed contact arm  51  assembled with the first section  41  and a movable contact arm  52  assembled with the second section  42 . Alternatively, the fixed contact arm  51  is mounted in a position between the stand  12  and the first section  41 , while the movable contact arm  52  is mounted in a position between the stand  12  and the second section  42 . The fixed contact arm  51  has a fixed contact  51   a . The fixed contact  51   a  extends through the notch  45  of the first section  41  into the space  13  of the rest section  40  or the stand  12 . 
     In this embodiment, the movable contact arm  52  is a two-piece structure including a first member  56  and a second member  57 . The first member  56  has a head section formed with a connection section  58 . The second member  57  has a free section  54  and a movable contact  52   a  disposed on the free section  54 . The free section  54  and the movable contact  52   a  pass over the notch  45  of the second section  42  into the space  13  of the rest section  40  or the stand  12 . The movable contact  52   a  extends to the position of the fixed contact  51   a , whereby the fixed contact  51   a  and the movable contact  52   a  are positioned in an upper position and a lower position as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     As shown in the drawings, the second member  57  of the movable contact arm  52  is formed with a bent section  55  connected with the free section  54 . The bent section  55  serves to enhance the elasticity and/or motional range of the free section  54 . In addition, the second member  57  has a base section  53  connected with the bent section  55 . The base section  53  is formed with a subsidiary connection section  59  directed to outer side of the stand  12  (or  FIG.  4   ). The subsidiary connection section  59  holds and is assembled with the connection section  58  of the first member  56  and/or the second member  57  is 180-degree turned to assemble the subsidiary connection section  59  with the connection section  58  of the first member  56 . Accordingly, the arrangement form of the second member  57  is variable to achieve NO and NC modes. (This will be further described hereinafter). 
     In this embodiment, the operation body  20  is equipped with an elastic unit  60 , which moves in response to the position or motion of the operation body  20 . The elastic unit  60  includes a fixed section  61 , a free section  66  and a bent section connected between the fixed section  61  and the free section  66 , which together define a geometrical configuration. 
     To speak more specifically, the elastic unit  60  includes a fixed section  61 , a base section  62  windingly extending from the fixed section  61 , a bent section  63  connected with the base section  62  and a bow section  64  connected with the bent section  63 . In addition, a tail end of the bow section  64  is formed with a subsidiary bent section  65  and a free section  66  connected with the subsidiary bent section  65 . The free section  66  extends in a direction to the fixed section  61  to together define a geometrical configuration. When the elastic unit  60  moves in response to the operation body  20 , the elastic unit  60  provides a displacement (motional) distance and elastic force. 
     In this embodiment, the aforesaid bent section includes the bent section  63 , the subsidiary bent section  65  and/or the bow section  64 . The fixed section  61  of the elastic unit  60  is fixed on the operation body  20 . The fixed section  61  is bent upward (to the upper side of the drawing) and transversely extends to form the base section  62 , whereby an indentation  69  is defined between the fixed section  61  and the base section  62 . The base section  62  is upward bent (to the upper side of the drawing) to form the bent section  63 . The bent section  63  transversely extends to form the (concaved) bow section  64 , (that is, the bow section  64  has the form of a concaved bow structure). The tail end of the bow section  64  is bent to form the (convex) subsidiary bent section  65 . The subsidiary bent section  65  extends in a direction to the fixed section  61  (or to the lower side of the drawing) to form the free section  66 . The length of the free section  66  passes through the horizontal position of the base section  62  to together define a geometrical configuration with a confined space  68 . 
       FIG.  4    shows the structures of the main body  10 , the operation body  20 , the electrical connection module  50  and the elastic unit  60 , which cooperate with each other to achieve the NC mode. The bent section  55  of the movable contact arm  52  is upward convex (in a direction to the upper side of the drawing). The fixed section  61  (and/or the indentation  69 ) of the elastic unit  60  is securely assembled on the lower protrusion section  22  (and/or the retaining section  23 ) of the operation body  20 , whereby the subsidiary bent section  65  (or the bow section  64 ) of the elastic unit  60  is directed to the free section  54  of the movable contact arm  52 . 
     When the operation body  20  is positioned in an initial position (or defined as a first position), the lower protrusion section  22  serves as a support point for the elastic unit  60  (or the fixed section  61  or the base section  62 ) and the subsidiary bent section  65  pushes and presses the movable contact  52   a  into contact with the fixed contact  51   a , whereby the switch device is situated in an NC mode. Also, the elastic unit  60  (and/or the free section  66 ) is displaced in a direction to the lower side of the drawing, whereby the elastic unit  60  is situated in an energy storage state. 
     Please refer to  FIG.  5   . When an operator presses down the operation button  30  due to emergency condition, the operation body  20  (and/or the lower protrusion section  22 ) is driven to drive the elastic unit  60  to move from the first position to the lower side of the drawing (or defined as a second position). Under such circumstance, the movable contact  52   a  is released from the push force of the subsidiary bent section  65  and the elastic unit  60  releases the stored energy so that the movable contact  52   a  separates from the fixed contact  51   a  of the fixed contact arm  51  to achieve an open circuit state. 
     As shown in the drawings, the upper protrusion section  21  of the operation body  20  pushes and presses the free section  54  of the movable contact arm to ensure that the movable contact  52   a  of the free section  54  separates from the fixed contact  51   a.    
     Please now refer to  FIGS.  6  and  7   .  FIGS.  6  and  7    show the structures of the main body  10 , the operation body  20 , the electrical connection module  50  and the elastic unit  60 , which cooperate with each other to achieve an NO mode of the switch device. In the drawings, the second member  57  of the movable contact arm  52  (and/or the elastic unit  60 ) is 180-degree turned. 
     In this embodiment, the first section  41  of the rest section  40  is formed with a first mouth section  46  (in a position near the base section  43 ). The fixed contact  51   a  of the fixed contact arm  51  can extend through the first mouth section  46  into the space  13  of the rest section  40  or the stand  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the fixed contact arm  51  is formed with a bent finger section  51   b , which is inserted in an insertion hole  48  of the base section  43  of the rest section  40  to help in assembling the fixed contact arm  51  with the rest section  40  or securing the fixed contact arm  51  to the rest section  40 . 
       FIGS.  6  and  7    show that the second section  42  is formed with a second mouth section  47  (in a position near the base section  43 ). After the second member  57  of the movable contact arm  52  is 180-degree turned, the free section  54  (and/or at least a part of the bent section  55 ) and the movable contact  52   a  can extend through the second mouth section  47  into the space  13  of the rest section  40  or the stand  12 . The movable contact  52   a  extends to a position of the fixed contact  51   a , whereby the fixed contact  51   a  and the movable contact  52   a  are positioned in an upper position and a lower position as shown in  FIG.  7    without contacting each other (or so-called NO mode). 
     As shown in the drawings, after the second member  57  is 180-degree turned, the subsidiary connection section  59  of the second member  57  is directed to the outer side of the stand  12  (or  FIG.  7   ) can hold and assemble with the connection section  58  of the first member  56 . Accordingly, the arrangement form of the second member  57  is variable to achieve the aforesaid NO mode of the switch device. 
       FIG.  7    shows that the bent section  55  of the movable contact arm  52  is downward convex (in a direction to the lower side of the drawing). Also, the elastic unit  60  is 180-degree turned, whereby the fixed section  61  (and/or the indentation  69 ) is securely assembled on the upper protrusion section  21  (and/or the retaining section  23 ) of the operation body  20 . In this case, the subsidiary bent section  65  (or the bow section  64 ) of the elastic unit  60  is directed to the free section  54  of the movable contact arm  52 . 
     As shown in the drawings, the lower protrusion section  22  of the operation body  20  pushes and presses the free section  54  of the movable contact arm to ensure that the movable contact  52   a  of the free section  54  separates from the fixed contact  51   a  (without contacting the fixed contact  51   a ). 
     Please refer to  FIG.  8   . When an operator presses down the operation button  30 , the operation body  20  (and/or the upper protrusion section  21 ) is driven to drive the elastic unit  60  to move toward the lower side of the drawing. The upper protrusion section  21  serves as a support point for the elastic unit  60  (or the fixed section  61  or the base section  62 ) and the subsidiary bent section  65  pushes and presses the movable contact  52   a  into contact with the fixed contact  51   a , whereby the switch device is situated in an NC mode. Also, the elastic unit (and/or the free section  66 ) is displaced in a direction to the upper side of the drawing, whereby the elastic unit  60  is situated in an energy storage state. 
     To speak representatively, in the condition that the structure is simplified and the operation is facilitated, in comparison with the conventional switch device, the switch device structure of the present invention has the following advantages:
     1. The main body  10 , the operation body  20 , the electrical connection module  50 , the elastic unit  60  (and/or the rest section  40 ) and the relevant cooperative structures have been redesigned. For example, the main body  10  has a base body  11 , stands  12  and spaces  13 . The rest section  40  has a first section  41  and a second section  42  and a base section  43  in adaptation to the stands  12  for assembling with the electrical connection module  50 . The first member  56  of the electrical connection module  50  is formed with a connection section  58  assembled with a subsidiary connection section  59  of the second member  57 , which is directed to outer side. The elastic unit  60  includes a fixed section  61 , a base section  62 , a bent section  63 , a bow section  64 , a subsidiary bent section  65  and a free section  66 , which together define a geometrical configuration with a confined space  68 . Obviously, the use and operation form of the switch device structure of the present invention are different from the conventional switch device.   2. The elastic unit  60  has a structural form, which is displaceable to store energy or release energy. This obviously improves the shortcomings of the conventional switch device that in the case of long-term (or highly frequent) use or due to human factors (such as in the conditions of improper operation, failure of the equipment, etc., when an operator urgently cuts off the power or open the circuit, the operator is apt to instinctively increase the application force), the switch device is easy to damage or material fatigue of the switch device is apt to take place to shorten the lifetime of the switch device.   3. Especially, the movable contact arm  52  is formed with a subsidiary connection section  59  directed to outer side. The subsidiary connection section  59  is assembled with the connection section  58  of the first member  56 . The elastic unit  60  has a geometrical configuration with a confined space  68 . Therefore, it is only necessary to 180-degree turn the second member  57  and/or the elastic unit  60  for achieving the specification of the switch device with NO mode and/or NC mode. This obviously improves the shortcoming of the conventional switch device that the movable contact arm of the electrical connection module must have different structural forms in adaptation to the NO mode and/or NC mode of the conventional switch device. This will increase the manufacturing cost and assembling trouble. Also, the movable contact arms with single same structure cannot be mounted to achieve the NO and/or NC circuit at the same time.   

     In conclusion, the switch device structure of the present invention is effective and different from the conventional switch device in space form. The switch device structure of the present invention is inventive, greatly advanced and advantageous over the conventional switch device. 
     The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.