CN112136197B

CN112136197B - Change-over switch

Info

Publication number: CN112136197B
Application number: CN201980034187.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马尔科·布罗乔利; 彼得罗·罗塞雷托; 安德烈亚·马里纳奇
Original assignee: BTicino SpA
Current assignee: BTicino SpA
Priority date: 2018-05-23
Filing date: 2019-03-22
Publication date: 2024-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-22
Also published as: AU2019273780B2; MX2020011485A; EP3797437B1; IT201800005622A1; AU2019273780A1; EP3797437C0; EP3797437A1; WO2019224616A1; CN112136197A; BR112020023774A2

Abstract

A transfer switch (100), comprising: -a housing (20) made of electrically insulating material, a first side button (30 a) and a second side button (30B), both sliding with respect to the housing (20) along respective sliding axes (a-a, B-B) between an initial rearward position and a final forward position; -a rocking control member (50) adapted to be rotated in two opposite directions by means of a first side button (30 a) and a second side button (30 b), respectively; -a rocking switching member (60) having a first end portion (61) and a second end portion (62) opposite to the first end portion (61); -a first movable contact (70 a) and a second movable contact (70 b) arranged on the rocking switching member (60); -a first stationary contact (80 a) and a second stationary contact (80 b); -an electrically conductive support bracket (90) on which the rocking switching member (60) rests; wherein the rocking control member (50) is adapted and configured to rotate the rocking switching member (60) between three stable angular positions: -a first angled end-of-travel position, wherein the first movable contact (70 a) is in contact with the first fixed contact (80 a), and wherein the second movable contact (70 b) is separated from the second fixed contact (80 b); -a second angled end-of-travel position, wherein the second movable contact (70 b) is in contact with the second fixed contact (80 b), and wherein the first movable contact (70 a) is separated from the first fixed contact (80 a); -a central angular position in which the movable contact (70 a, 70 b) is separated from the respective fixed contact (80 a, 80 b). The second end portion (62) of the rocking switching member (60) rests on a support bracket (90).

Description

Change-over switch

Technical Field

The present description relates to the technical field of electrical appliances, and more particularly, to a change-over switch having a swing control member.

Background

It is well known that the use of modular electrical devices, such as modular switches or modular sockets, each designed to perform a predetermined function, is widespread in modern electrical systems, such as household electrical appliance systems. By conveniently combining such modular devices with each other, a relatively complex assembly can be obtained, such assembly making the sum of the different functions available.

So-called transfer switches are one of the different types of modular switches possible.

The prior art diverter switch 1 is shown in fig. 1 and 2, fig. 1 showing a side view of the diverter switch 1, fig. 2 showing an exploded isometric view of the diverter switch 1.

The change-over switch 1 comprises a support structure 2 or housing 2 made of insulating material, having a box-like shape and defining an internal compartment for housing and supporting the electromechanical components belonging to the change-over switch 1. The change-over switch 1 further comprises two sliding buttons 3a, 3b, each under a respective cover member 4a, 4b, which is mechanically coupled, for example snap-coupled, with the associated sliding button 3a, 3b so as to slide together with the sliding button. The sliding buttons 3a, 3b are adapted and configured to slide along respective sliding axes with respect to the housing 2. In particular, the sliding button 3a is adapted to slide along the axis A-A, while the sliding button 3B is adapted to slide along the axis B-B.

The change-over switch 1 comprises two movable contacts 7a, 7b and two fixed contacts 8a, 8b. The movable contacts 7a, 7b are arranged on two opposite ends of a conductive rocking switching member 6 which is included in the change-over switch 1 and has a central portion 6c resting on a conductive support bracket (fulcrum, component providing a fulcrum, fulcrum) 9. The support bracket 9 is made according to the teachings of european patent EP2304749B 1.

The user can operate the change-over switch 1 by actuating the buttons 3a, 3b by applying manual pressure on the buttons 3a, 3b to slide them to rotate the rocking switch member 6. The rocking switching member has three stable angular positions:

A first angled end of stroke position, wherein the movable contact 7a is in contact with the fixed contact 8a, and wherein the movable contact 7b is separated from the fixed contact 8 b.

A second angled end-of-travel position, in which the movable contact 7b is in contact with the fixed contact 8b, and in which the movable contact 7a is separated from the fixed contact 8 a.

A central angular position in which the two movable contacts 7a, 7b are separated from the respective fixed contacts 8a, 8 b.

The change-over switch 1 further comprises a rocking control member 5 operatively coupled and in particular hinged to both of the buttons 3a, 3b and movable, in particular rotatable, by means of the above-mentioned buttons 3a, 3b, so that the rocking switching member 6 selectively assumes one of three stable angular positions. Also included in the change-over switch 1 is a support frame 10 made of electrically insulating material, which is inserted into the housing 2 to support the buttons 3a, 3b and the rocking control member 5. From a functional point of view, the support frame 10 can be considered as part of the housing 2, in view of that it also performs the housing and support functions for certain components of the change-over switch 1.

Heretofore, a change-over switch 1 of the above-described type has been widely used, for example, for generating an electric control signal to raise or lower a roll-up curtain or an automatic blind associated with a door or window in a house or a commercial building.

Although it is widely used, a diverter switch of the type described above, similar in some respects to the switch described in patent US 4,166,935, has certain drawbacks.

The first drawback is given by the fact that the change-over switch 1 has a relatively high axial volume.

The second disadvantage is given by the fact that: manual pressure applied to one of the two buttons 3a, 3b to cause the button to be pushed towards the housing 2 automatically causes the other of the two buttons to slide in a direction away from the housing 2, whereby when the rocking switch member 6 is in one of the angled end-of-travel positions, one button is lowered and the other button is raised, resulting in an unpleasant appearance due to misalignment between the buttons 3a, 3 b. In addition to the drawbacks of this appearance-related nature, the fact that the movement of one of the two buttons also causes the movement of the other button increases even more the overall inertia of the movement mechanism perceived by the user when the user manually operates the change-over switch 1.

A third disadvantage is given by the fact that: starting from the case where the rocking switching member 6 is in one of the two angular end-of-travel positions, if it is desired to bring said rocking member 6 into the central angular position, a manual pressure needs to be exerted on the button higher than the other. If the manual pressure applied to the button is not sufficiently accurately controlled, the center angular position may be exceeded and the rocking switch member 6 may be undesirably brought into the other of the two angular end-of-travel positions.

It is therefore desirable to make a diverter switch with a rocking control member that completely or partially overcomes the drawbacks of the diverter switches of the known art described above.

The object of the present specification is to provide a change-over switch which is such that: it meets the above-mentioned needs.

Such an object is achieved by means of a change-over switch with a rocking control member as substantially defined in claim 1. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the above-described change-over switch are defined in the appended dependent claims.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example and thus are non-limiting with respect to the accompanying drawings briefly described in the following paragraphs.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side plan view of a prior art transfer switch.

Fig. 2 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the transfer switch of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side plan view of an embodiment of a diverter switch including a cover and an actuating member.

Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the transfer switch of fig. 3 from which the cover and actuating member has been removed.

Fig. 5 is an exploded three-dimensional view of the portion of the transfer switch shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a portion of the transfer switch of fig. 3 showing two side buttons, a swing control member and a center button.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the portion of the transfer switch of fig. 6 from which the center button has been removed.

Fig. 8 is a three-dimensional view of one of the two side buttons of the transfer switch of fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional view of the portion of the transfer switch in fig. 3, in which three connection terminals and a swing switching member are shown.

Fig. 10 is a three-dimensional view of a mounting frame of the transfer switch of fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a three-dimensional view of a swing control member of the transfer switch of fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is a three-dimensional view of the center button of the switch of fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a three-dimensional view of the cover and actuating member of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the transfer switch 100 will now be described with reference to fig. 3 to 13. Such a change-over switch 100 is, for example, a modular electrical device. For the purposes of this specification, a modular electrical device refers to an electrical device intended to be mounted in a wall-mounted frame, which is typically placed side by side with other electrical devices of the same type or other modular electrical devices, such as one or more electrical sockets of other electrical control devices, for controlling and distributing electrical.

The change-over switch 100 may be manually operated by a user and may be used, for example, without any limitation, however: controlling an electromechanical device, such as a roller blind or an automatic blind or curtain, electrically connected to the switch; or to control an optical signal device, for example an optical signal device adapted to take three different signal states.

The change-over switch 100 includes: a housing 20 made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic; a first side button 30a; and a second side button 30b, both of which slide relative to the housing 20. Both side buttons 30a, 30B are preferably constrained, either directly or indirectly, to the housing 20 so as to slide relative to the housing along respective sliding axes A-A, B-B between an initial rearward position and a final forward position. For purposes of this description, the "final forward position" refers to the end of travel position of the side buttons 30a, 30b near the housing 20 during movement, and the "rearward position" refers to the end of travel position of the side buttons 30a, 30b away from the housing 20 during movement. Thus, it is apparent that the terms "forward" and "rearward" refer to the position of the side buttons 30a, 30b relative to the housing 20. According to an advantageous embodiment, the lateral buttons 30a, 30B are independent of each other in translation along the respective sliding axes A-A, B-B, in particular they are mechanically coupled directly or indirectly to the housing 20, and thus independent of each other in translation.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first side button 30a and the second side button 30B are adapted and configured to translate independently of each other along respective sliding axes A-A, B-B with respect to the housing 20.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises at least one elastic return element 32a, 32b for each of the two side buttons 30a, 30b, configured to push the respective side button 30a, 30b to an initial rear position. According to a preferred embodiment, such an initial rearward position is the only stable position of the side buttons 30a, 30 b. In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in the drawings, the transfer switch 100 comprises in particular two helical springs 32a, 32b, each of which urges the respective side button 30a, 30b to a final rearward position.

The side buttons 30a, 30b are preferably made of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic.

The housing 20 of the transfer switch 100 includes a tubular side wall 22 and a bottom wall 23 joined to the side wall 22. The housing 20 includes an open side 24 opposite the bottom wall 23. The tubular side wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 define an internal compartment adapted to house the electromechanical components of the change-over switch 100 and at least three electrical connection terminals 73a, 73b, 73c, for example three screw-operated clamps.

The transfer switch 1 further comprises a rocking control member 50 adapted to be rotated in two opposite directions by the first side button 30a and the second side button 30b, respectively. According to one embodiment, the side buttons 30a, 30b are independent of the rocking control member 50, e.g. the switch 1 does not have any direct mechanical constraint between the side buttons 30a, 30b and the rocking control member.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the lateral buttons 30a, 30b do not interfere with abutment with the rocking control member 50 in their initial rear position, said lateral buttons 30a, 30b being adapted and configured to be in contact with the rocking control member 50 from a specific point along their sliding from their initial rear position to their final forward position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each of the lateral buttons 30a, 30b comprises at least one respective pressure transmission element 31a, 31b adapted to slide along from an initial rearward position to a final forward position, starting from a specific point in abutment with the rocking control member 50. The pressure transmitting elements 31a, 31b allow manual pressure applied to the side buttons 30a, 30b to be transmitted to the swing control member 50, thereby rotating the swing control member. The rocking control member 50 has three stable angular positions and in particular one central angular position and two lateral angular end-of-travel positions.

The pressure transmitting elements 31a, 31b preferably each comprise at least one wing protruding from the side buttons 30a, 30b towards the rocking control member 50. According to an advantageous embodiment, each side button 30a, 30b comprises two pressure transmitting elements spaced apart from each other, in particular two wings protruding from the side buttons 30a, 30b towards the rocking control member 50.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the rocking control member 50 comprises a central body 51c from which two lateral abutment portions 51a, 51b protrude, each protruding towards a respective lateral button 30a, 30 b. Such side abutment portions 51a, 51b are in contact with the respective side buttons 30a, 30b during sliding movement from the rearward position to the forward position. In the particular embodiment depicted in the drawings, such side portions 51a, 51b are two brackets, preferably flat brackets, projecting from opposite sides with respect to the central body 51c and adapted to come into contact with the projecting wings 31a, 31b of the side buttons 30a, 30b during sliding of the side buttons 30a, 30b from the initial rear position to the final forward position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rocking control member 50 is arranged between the two side buttons 30a, 30b in a central position with respect to said side buttons 30a, 30 b.

The transfer switch 100 further comprises a rocking switching member 60 having a first end portion 61 and a second end portion 62 opposite the first end portion 61. The rocking switching member 60 preferably comprises a plate-like body made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper. The rocking switching member 60 is made of, for example, a cut metal plate material.

The transfer switch 100 further includes a first movable contact 70a and a second movable contact 70b arranged on the swing switching member 60. Thus, the rocking switching member 60 is a movable contact holding support, in particular a rotatable contact holder. The first movable contact 70a and the second movable contact 70b are preferably arranged on the first end portion 61 of the rocking switching member 60 on opposite sides of the rocking switching member 60.

The transfer switch 100 further comprises a first and a second fixed contact 80a, 80b and a conductive support bracket 90 on which the rocking switching member 60 rests. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the support bracket 90 is fastened to the bottom wall 23 of the housing 20 by means of a coupling system made according to the teachings of patent application No. wo 2017194933 a1 entitled "Modular circuit breaker with a coupling system of the supporting fulcrum (modular circuit breaker with coupling system of support bracket)".

For example, the support bracket 90 is made of a bent and cut metal plate material.

The support bracket 90 preferably includes a support and contact portion 91 that is shaped to define a groove, such as a groove having a V-shaped cross-section. The support bracket 90 more preferably further includes a connection portion 93 that forms a part of the connection terminal 73c of the change-over switch 100.

The second end portion 62 of the rocking switching member 60 rests on a support bracket 90, in particular on a support and contact portion 91.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the rocking switching member 60 is an L-shaped plate with a larger base resting on the support bracket 90 and an arm which is narrower than the base and to which the movable contact 70a, 70b is fastened.

The movable contacts 70a, 70b are, for example, two opposing pads made of an electrically conductive material, for example, silver alloy, fastened, for example, soldered, at opposite sides of the first end portion 61 of the rocking switching member 60.

The rocking control member 50 is adapted and configured to rotate the rocking switching member 60 between three stable angular positions:

A first angled end of travel position, wherein the movable contact 70a is in contact with the fixed contact 80a, and wherein the movable contact 70b is separated from the fixed contact 80 b;

A second angled end of travel position, wherein the movable contact 70b is in contact with the fixed contact 80b, and wherein the movable contact 70a is separated from the fixed contact 80 a;

A central angular position in which both movable contacts 70a, 70b are separated from the respective fixed contacts 80a, 80 b.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixed contacts 80a, 80b are fastened, for example welded, to respective conductive contact-holding supports 83a, 83b, for example made of copper, fastened to or integrated in the respective connection terminals 73a, 73 b. The fixed contacts 80a, 80b are two opposing pads made of, for example, a conductive material, for example, a silver alloy.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first movable contact 70a and the second movable contact 70b are adapted and configured to move in a space defined between the first fixed contact 80a and the second fixed contact 80 b. In such embodiments, the first and second stationary contacts 80a, 80b are preferably spaced apart and face each other.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises a support frame 21 inserted in the housing 20, to which a given number of components of the change-over switch 100, such as for example the side buttons 30a, 30b and the swing actuator 50, are fastened. The support frame 21 is mounted in the housing 20, for example, snap-fitted. The support frame 21 is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic. From a functional point of view, the support frame 21 can be considered as part of the housing 20, in view of the fact that it also performs the function of housing and supporting certain components of the change-over switch 100. Thus, it was confirmed that it was correct that the housing 20 included the support frame 21.

The support frame 21 includes one or more side walls 25, 26 and a bottom wall 27.

An opening 28 is preferably defined in the bottom wall 27 that is adapted to be traversed by the fixed contacts 80a, 80b and the movable contacts 70a, 70 b. The above-described opening 27 is preferably penetrated by the contact holding supports 83a, 83b of the swing switching member 60 and the fixed contacts 80a, 80b such that the fixed contacts 80a, 80b and the movable contacts 70a, 70b are arranged in the support frame 21.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the elastic return elements 32a, 32b have end portions which rest against and preferably on the bottom wall 27 of the support frame 21. Notably, the resilient return elements 32a, 32b in this embodiment are operatively interposed between the support frame 21 and the side buttons 30a, 30 b.

The arrangement of the support frame 21 has the following advantages: simplifying the assembly of the transfer switch 100 and allowing the use of the available space in the housing 20 to be optimized. In practice, such a support frame 21 causes a division of the space in the housing 20 and is therefore also referred to as a partition frame or partition plate. Although it is advantageous to provide the support frame 21 in the housing 20, the support frame 21 may be omitted in alternative embodiments. However, from now on, without any limitation, reference will be made to the case where the change-over switch 100 and in particular the housing 20 comprises a support frame 21. Thus, while it is described that certain components of the transfer switch 100 are secured to the support frame 21, it should be understood that if the support frame 21 is not provided, these components may be secured directly to the housing 20.

According to one embodiment, the rocking control member 50 comprises two opposite coupling elements allowing the rocking control member 50 to be rotatably coupled to the housing 20, in particular to the two opposite side walls 25 of the support frame 21. In the particular embodiment depicted in the drawings, the opposite coupling elements described above comprise two opposite pins 59 projecting in opposite directions from the central body 51 c. Such opposite pins 59 engage, for example, with respective through holes or recesses 29 defined in the two opposite side walls 25 of the support frame 21.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the opposite pin 59 has a cross-sectional shape resembling the letter T. The through-holes or recesses 29 in such an embodiment preferably have a trapezoidal shape, in particular the shape of an isosceles trapezoid.

According to one embodiment, the central body 51c of the rocking control member 50 comprises an internally hollow seat 52 adapted to receive a resilient element, such as a helical spring 32c, operatively interposed between the rocking control member 50 and the rocking switching member 60. The rocking switching member 60 comprises for this purpose, for example, a protruding appendage 72c which is arranged on the first end portion 61 and which engages with the end of the helical spring 32 c. The above-mentioned internally hollow seat 52 is preferably surrounded by a collar having a recess 56, even more preferably a pair of diametrically opposed recesses 56, adapted to engage with the first end portion 61 of the rocking switching member 60.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises snap-fit elements 33, 233, such that they slidingly constrain the side buttons 30a, 30b to the housing 20 and in particular to the support frame 21 (if provided). Such snap-fit elements 33, 233 comprise complementary snap-fit elements, for example provided on the support frame 21 and on the side buttons 30a, 30 b. The complementary snap-fit elements 33, 233 described above are shaped to facilitate the forced insertion of the side buttons 30a, 30b into the support frame 21 in the step of assembling the side button mounting frame assembly, and once the snap-fit positions are passed, they are shaped to achieve a snap-fit coupling between the side buttons 30a, 30b and the support frame 21, according to which the side buttons 30a, 30b are slidingly constrained to the support frame 21.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the complementary snap-fit elements 33, 233 described above comprise a plurality of teeth 33 protruding from the lateral buttons 30a, 30b towards the support frame 21, and a plurality of recesses or slits 233 defined in the support frame 21, each adapted to receive a respective tooth 33, such that the teeth 33 are engaged in the recesses or slits 233 so as to be able to slide therein.

The complementary snap-fit elements 33, 233 described above can be provided on the side buttons 30a, 30b and on the housing 20 if the support frame 21 is not provided.

The change-over switch 1 preferably comprises a spatially distributed guiding system adapted to guide the sliding of the lateral buttons 30a, 30B along the respective sliding axes A-A, B-B with respect to the housing 20 or the support frame 21 (if provided). The spatially distributed guiding system comprises the above-mentioned complementary snap-fit elements 33, 233 and further guides arranged between the side buttons 30a, 30b and the housing 20 or the support frame 21 (if provided), the further guides comprising, for example, guide seats 240a, 240b and slides 34a, 34b adapted to slide in said guide seats 240a, 240 b. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the spatially distributed guiding system is made according to the teachings of patent application WO2017141089 A1.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises a central push button 30c which slides with respect to the housing 20 and is operable to bring the rocking switching member 60 from the first angular end-of-travel position and from the second angular end-of-travel position into the central angular position. The center button 30C is preferably directly or indirectly constrained to the housing 20 so as to slide relative thereto along a sliding axis C-C between an initial rearward position and a final forward position.

The central button 30c is preferably slidingly constrained to the housing 20 and in particular to the support frame 21 (if provided). To this end, the transfer switch 100 comprises snap-fit elements 33c, 233c adapted to slidingly constrain the central button 30c to the housing 20 and in particular to the support frame 21 (if provided).

The snap-fit elements 33c, 233c comprise complementary snap-fit elements, for example provided on the support frame 21 and on the central button 30 c. The complementary snap-fit elements described above are shaped so as to facilitate the forced insertion of the central button 30c into the support frame 21 during the assembly step, and once beyond the snap-in position they are shaped so as to achieve a snap-in coupling between the central button 30c and the support frame 21, according to which the central button 30c is slidingly constrained to the support frame 21.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the complementary snap-fit elements 33c, 233c described above comprise a plurality of teeth 33c protruding from the central button 30c towards the support frame 21, and a plurality of recesses or slits 233c defined in the support frame 21, each adapted to receive a respective tooth 33c, such that the teeth 33c engage in the recesses or slits 233c so as to be able to slide therein.

The complementary snap-fit elements 33c, 233c described above can be provided on the central button 30c and on the housing 20 if the support frame 21 is not provided.

The change-over switch 1 preferably comprises a spatially distributed guiding system adapted to guide the sliding of the central button 30C along the sliding axis C-C with respect to the housing 20 or the mounting frame 21 (if provided). In addition to the complementary snap-fit elements 33c, 233c described above, the spatially distributed guiding system comprises further guiding elements 34c, 240c, which are arranged, for example, between the central button 30c and the housing 20 or the support frame 21 (if provided). The further guiding elements comprise, for example, protrusions 34c protruding from the central button 30c towards the mounting frame 21, and protruding wings 240c between said protrusions 34 c. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the spatially distributed guiding system is also made according to the teaching of patent application WO2017141089 A1.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the central button 30c is placed above the rocking control member 50 between the two side buttons 30a, 30 b.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the central button 30C does not interfere with abutment with the rocking control member 50 in its initial rear position, said central button 30C being adapted and configured to slide along the sliding axis C-C along it from its initial rear position to its final forward position, starting from a specific point in contact with the rocking control member 50.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the initial backward position is the only stable position of the central button 30 c. The side buttons 30a, 30b are preferably adapted and configured to urge the center button 30c to an initial rearward position. The side buttons 30a, 30b exert a pushing force on the central button 30c, for example by means of protruding wings 31a, 31 b. Such thrust is preferably the result of a thrust action exerted on the side buttons 30a, 30b by the elastic return elements 32a, 32 b.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises centering elements 37c, 57c, 38c provided on the central button 30c and on the rocking control member 50, which are such that, during sliding of the central button 30c towards the forward position, the rocking control member 50 and thus the rocking switching member 60 is returned to its stable central position. Such elements comprise, for example, a centering appendage 57c provided on the rocking control member 50, suitable to be received in a centering seat for coupling 37c provided on the central button 30 c. Additionally or alternatively, such centering elements include a plurality of abutment elements 38c provided on the center button 30c, the plurality of abutment elements being adapted to abut the rocking control member 50, e.g. with the side abutment portions 51a, 51b, during sliding of the center button 30c from the initial rearward position to the final forward position.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the change-over switch 100 further comprises a covering and actuation member 40 which can be manually operated to slide both the first button 30a and the second button 30b independently of each other. Referring specifically to fig. 3, by applying manual pressure to one of the two end portions of the cover and actuating member 40, such as the left end portion in fig. 3, a single one of the two side buttons 30a, 30b, such as the left button 30a, may be slid, while by applying manual pressure to the other of the two end portions, such as the right end portion in fig. 3, only the other one of the two side buttons 30a, 30b, such as the right button 30b, may be slid.

In another advantageous embodiment, the covering and actuating member 40 comprises a through opening allowing access to the central button 30c for actuating said central button 30c. In such an embodiment, the center button 30c preferably has a protruding portion 39c that passes through the opening to protrude from the opposite portion with respect to the housing 20 with respect to the cover and actuating member 40.

In a particularly advantageous and non-limiting embodiment, the change-over switch 100 comprises first and second rotatable pressure transmitting members 41a, 41b operatively interposed between the covering and actuating member 40 and the first and second side buttons 30a, 30b, respectively. Such rotatable pressure transmitting members 41a, 41b allow transmission of pressure applied to the cover and actuating member 40 to the side buttons 30a, 30b, respectively.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, which allows to reduce the stroke required by the cover and actuation member 40 to slide the side buttons up to the final forward position, the rotatable pressure transmission members 41a, 41b each comprise at least one respective stroke multiplying lever 42a, 42b. Such a stroke multiplying lever 42a, 42b is for example pivoted to the cover and actuating member 20 and has a first end portion 43a, 43b adapted to abut with the respective side button 30a, 30b and an opposite end portion 44a, 44b adapted to abut against an external support operatively interposed between the switch 100 and the cover and actuating member 40, such as for example a cover or a frame for wall mounting the switch 100.

The proposed transfer switch 100 allows to fully achieve the preset objective in overcoming the drawbacks of the switches of the known art. In fact, a significant reduction in axial volume is obtained, thanks to the fact that the rocking switching member 60 rests with its end portions on the support bracket 90, since the angle of rotation of such member can be more limited with respect to the known art, while successfully ensuring the provision of three stable angular positions of such rocking member 60.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the two side buttons 30a, 30b can move independently of each other, they can always remain perfectly aligned, no matter in which stable angular position the rocking switching member 60 is. In addition, the inertia decreases during movement of the side buttons 30a, 30 b.

Furthermore, the presence of the center button 30c allows the rocking switching member 60 to be accurately in a stable center angular position.

The transfer switch 100 of the type described above may be used, for example, but without limitation, in hotels for controlling signaling devices intended to inform hotel attendant of "do not disturb" requirements and "please sort through my rooms" requirements. For example, pressing the side button 30a may be implemented to signal a "do not disturb" request, for example. Continued pressing of the center button 30c causes the transfer switch 100 to be brought to the neutral position, which in effect resets the signal. Pressing the side button 30b signals the "please sort my rooms" request and continuously pressing the center button 30c brings the change-over switch 100 to the neutral position, which in effect resets the signal. Furthermore, the central button 30c may be manufactured such that it can transmit optical radiation therein, for example by manufacturing it from a transparent material. By associating the switch 100 with a multi-color LED (or several single-color LEDs) herein, a user may be informed of the status of the switch 100, and thus the signal status associated with the switch 100.

Understanding the principles of the invention, embodiments and manufacturing details may vary considerably with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example only, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transfer switch (100), comprising:

-a housing (20) made of electrically insulating material, a first side button (30 a) and a second side button (30B), both sliding with respect to the housing (20) along respective sliding axes (A-A, B-B) between an initial rearward position and a final forward position;

-a rocking control member (50) adapted to be rotated in two opposite directions by said first side button (30 a) and said second side button (30 b), respectively;

-a rocking switching member (60) having a first end portion (61) and a second end portion (62) opposite to the first end portion (61);

-a first movable contact (70 a) and a second movable contact (70 b) arranged on the rocking switching member (60);

-a first stationary contact (80 a) and a second stationary contact (80 b);

-an electrically conductive support bracket (90) on which the rocking switching member (60) rests;

Wherein the rocking control member (50) is adapted and configured to rotate the rocking switching member (60) between three stable angular positions:

-a first angled end-of-travel position, wherein the first movable contact (70 a) is in contact with the first fixed contact (80 a), and wherein the second movable contact (70 b) is separated from the second fixed contact (80 b);

-a second angled end-of-travel position, wherein the second movable contact (70 b) is in contact with the second fixed contact (80 b), and wherein the first movable contact (70 a) is separated from the first fixed contact (80 a);

-a central angular position, wherein the movable contact (70 a, 70 b) is separated from the respective fixed contact (80 a, 80 b);

Wherein:

-the second end portion (62) of the rocking switching member (60) rests on the support bracket (90);

-the change-over switch (100) comprises a central button (30 c) sliding with respect to the housing (20) between an initial rearward position and a final forward position, and operable to bring the rocking switching member (60) from the first and second angled end-of-travel positions into the central angled position.

2. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first movable contact (70 a) and the second movable contact (70 b) are arranged on the first end portion (61) of the rocking switching member (60) on opposite sides of the rocking switching member (60).

3. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first movable contact (70 a) and the second movable contact (70 b) are adapted and configured to move in a space defined between the first fixed contact (80 a) and the second fixed contact (80 b).

4. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30B) are adapted and configured to translate relative to the housing (20) along respective sliding axes (A-A, B-B) independently of each other.

5. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b) do not interfere with abutment with the rocking control member (50) in the initial rearward position, the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b) being adapted and configured to contact the rocking control member (50) from a specific point along their sliding from the initial rearward position to the final forward position.

6. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1 wherein the initial rearward position is the only stable position of the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b).

7. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the center button (30 c) is placed over the swing control member (50) between the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b).

8. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the center button (30 c) does not interfere with abutment with the rocking control member (50) in the initial rearward position, the center button (30 c) being adapted and configured to contact the rocking control member (50) from a specific point along its sliding movement from the initial rearward position to the final forward position.

9. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1 wherein the initial rearward position is the only stable position of the center button (30 c).

10. The transfer switch (100) of claim 9, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b) are adapted and configured to urge the center button (30 c) to its initial rearward position.

11. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, further comprising a cover and actuation member (40) manually operable to slide both the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b) independently of each other.

12. The transfer switch (100) of claim 11, wherein the cover and actuation member (40) comprises a through opening allowing access to the center button (30 c) for actuating the center button (30 c).

13. The transfer switch (100) of claim 12 wherein the center button (30 c) has a protruding portion (39 c) passing through the through opening to protrude from an opposite portion relative to the housing (20) relative to the cover and actuating member (40).

14. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the swing control member (50) comprises two opposing coupling elements allowing the swing control member (50) to be rotatably coupled to the housing (20), wherein the coupling elements comprise two opposing pins (59) having a cross section shaped as a letter T.

15. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30B) are independent of each other in translation along the respective sliding axes (A-A, B-B).

16. The transfer switch (100) of claim 15, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30B) are mechanically coupled to the housing (20), directly or indirectly, so as to be independent of each other in translation along the respective sliding axes (A-A, B-B).

17. The transfer switch (100) of claim 1, wherein the first side button (30 a) and the second side button (30 b) are unconstrained by the rocking control member (50).