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 known in many different ways. Depending on the selected switching functions of the function keys can, respectively, be designed differently one triggered by the function key mechanics and / or electronics. This makes the known switch units under construction very expensive.

Such switch unit is for example disclosed in EP 0232137 A.

The present invention therefore has for its object to propose a switch unit that can perform a wide variety of switching functions possible, the structure of the switch unit to be flexible as a whole and easy.

This object is achieved with a switch unit, in which each function button is associated with a corresponding mechanics and / or electronics a separate individual circuit board, wherein a basic element is provided, on which are arranged the individual printed circuit boards, and wherein said base member side conductor tracks are provided, the free ends as a contact springs are formed and contact spring biased single circuit board side contacts. By such a switch unit can be advantageously achieved that depending on the switching task different function keys with different individual PCBs in the switch unit can be used. About the contact springs on the base element can be done in a simple manner a functionally reliable contacting of the individual printed circuit boards. Depending manageable Direction switching object can be used with different equipment, different function buttons and / or individual circuit boards. Such switch unit is independent of the switching tasks to be handled very flexibly.

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

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

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is obtained if the conductor tracks are arranged on or in the base member. The conductor tracks, for example, at least partially in the base element, which is advantageously made of plastic, to be injected. However, the conductor tracks can also be mounted on the base member, for example by gluing.

In particular, it may advantageously be provided that the conductor tracks are constructed as punched grid. The lead frame can thereby be poured either completely or only partially into the base element. Such a configuration of the base plate can be produced economically in particular in series production.

According to one embodiment of the invention is also conceivable that the base element is provided for contacting the individual conductor tracks a plug contact with different contacts. The contacts of the plug contact cause the contact springs. To ensure that all contact springs are on a common plug contact to, for example a central control unit connected.

According to the invention may further be advantageous if fastening means for fastening the individual circuit boards and / or the function keys are provided on the base element. With the fastening means thus a circuit board, for example, including function key, are arranged precisely positioned and permanently to the base member. The arrangement may be detachable or non-detachable. A detachable arrangement has the advantage that the function keys, including single boards are interchangeable, such as an extended equipment of the vehicle.

To ensure a defined distance from the circuit board to the base member, or to the plane of the base member, in which the contact springs emerge from the primitive, can be inventively provided that support protrusions for supporting the individual circuit boards are arranged on the base element. Defined by the spacing of the individual printed circuit boards to the surface of the base member, an optimum contact pressure of the contact springs can be achieved on the single circuit board side contacts.

As fastening elements can according to the invention arranged on the base member latching tabs may be provided which engage behind the individual circuit boards for mounting of the individual printed circuit boards.

According to the invention is also conceivable that a switch housing part is provided to cover the function keys and the individual circuit boards. Such a switch housing part may comprise, for example, openings for the operating portions of the function keys for the switch unit person activating accessible so. The switch housing part covers the remaining portions of the function keys, the individual printed circuit boards and those of the individual printed circuit boards facing the top of the base housing from protective.

It is particularly advantageous if the switch housing portion and the base member form an at least substantially closed housing. The single printed circuit boards outside facing away from the base member then forms together with the outer side of the switch housing portion of the actual outside of the housing. The housing is therefore at least substantially closed, because, as already mentioned, may be provided on the switch housing part breakthroughs for operating the function keys.

Further details and advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the following description in which the invention using the embodiment shown in the drawing is described and explained.

In the single figure, a switch unit according to the invention 10 is shown in exploded view. The switch unit includes a total of three operable function keys 12, 14, 16. According to the invention is of course conceivable that adjoin the three function keys shown 12, 14, 16 additional function keys. The function keys 12, 14, 16 can be covered by a switch housing part 18th The switch housing part 18 has on its upper side a circular cylindrical through holes 20, in which the operating portions 22 extend of the function keys in the assembled state.

On the switch housing portion 18 side facing away from their own separate individual circuit board 24, 26, 28 are provided for each function key 12, 14, 16th The individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 have different electronic and / or mechanical components: Each of the individual printed circuit boards for example, provides an implied microswitch 30th The respective micro-switch 30 is switched by operating the respective function key 12, 14, 16; the function key 12, 14, 16 associated with switching object is initiated it. Depending on the respective function key assigned switching function, the individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 may be fitted differently. When the function keys 1 and 3, for example a function control lamp 32 is provided, which provides evidence, is whether the respective function key 12, 16 is pressed or not pressed. For the function control lamp 32 light-emitting elements may be provided with fiber optics on the function key or on the single circuit board.

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

The switch unit 10 also has a base element 34 with conductor tracks 36th The interconnects 36 provide free ends, which are designed as contact springs 38th The contact springs 38 are biased such that they protrude in the non-contacted condition, as shown in the figure, from the base member 34th The conductor tracks 36 with the contact springs 38 are formed in the embodiment shown in the figure as a stamped grid which is partially encapsulated by the base member 34 at least.

On the base element 34 are fastening means for fastening the individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 is provided in the form of latching noses, 40, 42, 44th In each case a locking lug pair 40, 42, 44 serves for the positionally accurate fixing of a single printed circuit board 24, 26, 28 on the base element 34. In the locked state, the contact springs 38 act on the single circuit board side, in the figure contacts not shown. The arrangement and number of the contact springs 38, which are respectively for contacting a printed circuit board 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 substantially identical. The individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28 together with their respective assembly and together with the associated function key 12, 14, 16 can thus be located at one of the three provided for the individual circuit boards places on the base housing 34th 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 the base member 34, each having a single printed circuit board and the associated function key.

To contact the conductor 36 and the contact springs 38, a plug contact 46 is provided on the base element. All interconnects 36 can be contacted via the plug contact 46th

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

Instead of locking lugs 40, 42, 44, other fasteners, such as screws or clips, according to the invention can be used.

According to the invention can also be provided that, abutment projections are provided on the side of the base member 34, which faces the individual circuit boards 24, 26, 28, to which the respective single circuit board 24, 26, 28 rests safely. Such, in the figure investment projections, not shown, can in particular be ensured that the contact springs 38 surely come under a defined bias on the single-plate-side contacts manager for concern.

The switch unit shown has the advantage that all of the individual boards with associated function keys can be freely positioned on primitive 34th It does not necessarily have any single circuit board which assigned three contact springs 38 contact. Depending on the switching object may be sufficient that only two contact springs 38 contact the corresponding single printed circuit board.