Switch unit for a vehicle

The invention relates to a switch unit, in particular for a motor vehicle, with operable function keys.

Such switch units are in a variety of ways known. Depending on the selected switching functions Function keys can, or one of the Softkey driven mechanics and / or electronics, be designed differently. This makes the known Switch units under construction very expensive.

The present invention therefore has for its object, propose a switch unit as possible a large can perform number of different switching functions, the structure of the switch unit total flexible and easy should be.

This object is achieved with a switch unit, wherein each function key is a separate individual circuit board with associated with a corresponding mechanical and / or electronic , wherein a basic element is provided, which on the Individual circuit boards are arranged, and wherein primitive side interconnects are provided whose free Ends are designed as contact springs and biased single circuit board side contacts are resilient to contact. Thus, by such a switch unit advantageously be achieved that depending on the switching task different function keys with different find individual circuit boards in the switch unit using can. About the contact springs on the base element may on simple way a functionally reliable contacting of Single PCB done. Depending manageable Direction Switching object may have different function keys and / or Single PCB with different equipment be used. Such switch unit independently of the switching tasks to be handled very flexible.

Advantageously, the number and arrangement of Contact springs contact a single printed circuit board, for all foreseeable individual circuit boards equal. This ensures that each individual circuit board at various Positions can be installed in the switch unit. Thereby the switch unit very flexible.

In this connection it is also advantageous if the Dimensions of the individual printed circuit boards at least substantially are equal. The assembly, and thus the switching function of the individual circuit boards, however, may be different. For example, it is conceivable that for each single PCB three contact springs are provided on the base element Whether with the three contact springs to be contacted PCB actually comprises three contact points, depends on the to be handled from switching task. It is conceivable that only two contacts for the three contact springs are provided; a the contact springs contacted then not provided Contact on the single circuit board.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention results when the conductors on the or in the base member are arranged. The conductor tracks, for example, at least partially in the base member is advantageously made of plastic, to be injected. The Conductor tracks may, however, also mounted on the base member be, for example by gluing.

In particular, it can be advantageously provided that the Interconnects are formed as stamped grid. The stamped grid They can either be fully or only partially in the Primitive be poured. Such a configuration the base plate can be particularly in series production economically.

According to another embodiment, it is conceivable that the Primitive a plug contact with various contacts is provided to contact the individual conductor tracks. The contacts of the plug contact cause the contact springs. Therefore all the contact springs on a common Plug Contact For example a central control unit connectable.

According to the invention may further be advantageous if Fastening means for fastening the individual circuit boards provided and / or the function keys on the base member are. With the fastening means thus a PCB, for example, including function key, at the Primitive exact position and be placed permanently. The arrangement may be detachable or non-detachable. A releasable arrangement has the advantage that the function keys, including are single circuit boards interchangeably, for example, in an advanced equipment of the vehicle.

To a defined distance from the circuit board to Basic element, or to the plane of the base element, in which the contact springs emerge from the primitive to guarantee can be inventively provided that the Primitive support protrusions for supporting the Single circuit boards are arranged. By the defined Spacing of the individual printed circuit boards to the surface of the Basic element, an optimum contact pressure of Contact springs on the single circuit board side contacts be achieved.

As fasteners can inventively on Primitive arranged detents may be provided that the Holder of individual circuit boards, the individual printed circuit boards behind raced.

According to the invention is also conceivable that a The switch housing portion to cover the function keys and the Single Conductor keys is provided. such a Switch housing part, for example, openings for the having actuating portions of the function keys, so that the accessible to the switch unit operated Person are. The switch housing portion covers the remaining portions of the function keys, the individual printed circuit boards and those of the Single PCB top side facing the base housing protectively from.

It is particularly advantageous if the switch housing part and the basic element at least largely closed form housing. The remote of the individual printed circuit boards Outer side of the base member then forms, together with the Outside of the switch housing part the actual outside of the housing. The housing is therefore at least substantially closed, because, as already mentioned, on the switch housing part be provided for operating the function keys breakthroughs can.

Further details and advantageous embodiments of the Invention in the following description refer to, in of the invention with reference to the shown in the drawing is described and illustrated exemplary embodiment.

In the single figure is an inventive Switch unit 10 is shown in exploded view. The Switch unit includes a total of three operable Function keys 12, 14, 16. According to the of course conceivable that the three Function keys 12, 14, 16 shown more Connect function keys. The function keys 12, 14, 16 be covered by a switch housing portion 18th The Switch housing part 18 has on its top side circular cylindrical openings 20 in the in assembled state, the operating portions 22 of the Function keys extend.

On the switch housing part 18 side away for each function key 12, 14, 16 each have their own Single circuit board 24, 26, 28 is provided. The Individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 have different electronic and / or mechanical components on Each of the Single PCB looks example an indicated Microswitch 30 before. The respective microswitch 30 is by actuating the respective function key 12, 14, 16 switched; the function key 12, 14, 16 associated Switching task is initiated it. Depending on the particular Softkey assigned switching function can Single circuit boards 24, 26, 28 may be fitted differently. When the function keys 1 and 3, for example, is a Function control lamp 32, visible from the is whether the respective function key 12, 16 pressed or is not pressed. can for the function control lamp 32 at the function key, or at the provided single PCB lighting elements with light guide be.

The single printed circuit boards 24, 26, 28 have, on their the Function keys 12, 14, 16 remote from bottom in the figure can not be seen on contacts.

The switch unit 10 also includes a base member 34 with Interconnects 36. The interconnects 36 see free ends before, which are designed as contact springs 38th The Contact springs 38 are biased such that they are in the non- contacted condition, as shown in the figure, of the base member 34 protrude. The conductor tracks 36 with the Contact springs 38 are in the shown in the figure Embodiment designed as a punched grid, which of the Basic element 34 is at least partially encapsulated.

On the base member 34 are mounting means for mounting the Individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 in the form of latching noses, 40, 42, 44 provided. In each case a locking lug pair 40, 42, 44 serves to positionally accurate mounting of a single printed circuit board 24, 26, 28 on the base element 34. In the locked state pressurize the contact springs 38, the single printed circuit board side, in the FIG contacts not shown. The arrangement and number of the contact springs 38, one each for contacting PCB 24, 26, 28 are provided for all three Individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 of identical design. The Dimensions of each individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 are also largely identical. The single printed circuit boards 24, 26, 28 together with their respective assembly and together with the associated Function key 12, 14, 16 can consequently in one of the three provided for the individual circuit boards places on the base housing 34 are arranged. All individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 can therefore be held by the locking lugs 40, 42 or 44th This results in a very flexible insertion capability of Basic element 34, each having a single circuit board and the associated function key.

For contacting the conductor track 36 and the Contact springs 38 is the basic element is a plug contact 46 provided. All interconnects 36 can use the 46 can be contacted by plug contact.

The connector housing the switch unit 10 is of the Switch housing part 18 and the base member 34, or of the individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 outside facing away from the base member 34 is formed. The Switch housing part 18, for example, with the Primitive 34 may be formed latching.

Instead of latching noses 40, 42, 44 may be other Fastening means such as screws or clips, find use in the present invention.

According to the invention can also be provided that on the Side of the base member 34, the individual printed circuit boards 24, 26, 28 faces, abutment projections are provided at where each individual circuit board 24, 26, 28 safe rests. not shown by those in the figure Investment projections, can be ensured in particular that the contact springs 38 under a defined bias securely to the single-plate-side contacts for conductors come concerns.

The switch unit shown has the advantage that all single PCB with associated function keys dates can be positioned at the primitive 34th It must not necessarily every single PCB associated her three contact springs 38 contact. Depending on the switching task be sufficient that only two contact springs 38, the contact corresponding single printed circuit board.