Installation switch for building installation

• US 6,396,007 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Merten GmbH & Co. KG (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Merten GmbH & Co. KG (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Vicktorius, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/520,988
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1 R,5 A,18,600,512,293,294,296,297,303,51 R,51.05,51.11 341/22 345/168,173 379/368-370
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/022 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/038 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/06 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/082 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/002 replaceable; adaptable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/058 flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

The installation switch includes an installation box (10) having a support plate (15) for attachment to a wall. Arranged in front of the installation housing (10) is a base portion (18) carrying a touch panel (19). The touch panel (19) comprises a transparent plate provided with transparent switch elements and projects into the room.

Claims

1. An installation switch for a building installation comprising an installation housing (10) provided with a support plate (15), a base portion (18) detachably arranged in front of the installation housing (10), a touch panel (19) attached to the base portion (18), said touch panel (19) including at least one pressure-actuated switch element (27), and the touch panel (19) including a transparent plate.

2. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the touch panel (19) is attached to the base portion (18) such that an open free space (32) is provided under the touch panel (19).

3. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein the touch panel (19) projects cantilevered from the base portion (18).

4. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein the touch panel (19) has two edges attached to the base portion (18a).

5. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein the touch panel (19) is inclined relative to a vertical plane.

6. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein a decorative plate (26) concealing the base portion (18) is attached to the plate.

7. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein the installation housing (10) includes electric contacts (14) and the support plate (15) includes mechanical holding supports (16);

and the base portion (1.8) includes contacts (21) and holding elements (20) for engaging the respective electric contacts (14) and mechanical holding supports (16).

8. The installation switch as defined in claim 2 wherein the base portion (18) includes an electric selection circuit for generating transmission signals from sensor signals for a circuit included in the installation housing (10).

9. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the touch panel (19) projects cantilevered from the base portion (18).

10. The installation switch as defined in claim 9 wherein the touch panel (19) has two edges attached to the base portion (18a).

11. The installation switch as defined in claim 9 wherein the touch panel (19) is inclined relative to a vertical plane.

12. The installation switch as defined in claim 9 wherein the installation housing (10) includes electric contacts (14) and the support plate (15) includes mechanical holding supports (16);

and the base portion (18) includes contacts (21) and holding elements (20) for engaging the respective electric contacts (14) and mechanical holding supports (16).

13. The installation switch as defined in claim 9 wherein the base portion (18) includes an electric selection circuit for generating transmission signals from sensor signals for a circuit included in the installation housing (10).

14. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the touch panel (19) has two edges attached to the base portion (18a).

15. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the touch panel (19) is inclined relative to a vertical plane.

16. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein a decorative plate (26) concealing the base portion (18) is attached to the plate.

17. The installation switch as defined in claim 16 wherein the installation housing (10) includes electric contacts (14) and the support plate (15) includes mechanical holding supports (16);

and the base portion (18) includes contacts (21) and holding elements (20) for engaging the respective electric contacts (14) and mechanical holding supports (16).

18. The installation switch as defined in claim 16 wherein the base portion (18) includes an electric selection circuit for generating transmission signals from sensor signals for a circuit included in the installation housing (10).

19. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the installation housing (10) includes electric contacts (14) and the support plate (15) includes mechanical holding supports (16);

and the base portion (18) includes contacts (21) and holding elements (20) for engaging the respective electric contacts (14) and mechanical holding supports (16).

20. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the base portion (18) includes an electric selection circuit for generating transmission signals from sensor signals for a circuit included in the installation housing (10).

21. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the installation housing (10) includes a power switch.

22. The installation switch as defined in claim 1 wherein the installation housing (10) includes a bus coupling device.