Non-contacting electronic switch gear

Claim 2

A contactless electronic switch comprising a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, said magnet is a permanent magnet, a pole shoe secured to said magnet and having a formation for concentrating the lines of force of said magnetic field, and said formation facing adjacent said field plate means in one relative position of said members.

Claim 3

The switch, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said formation narrows in cross section in a direction toward said field plate means, thereby increasing the concentration of the magnetic lines of force.

Claim 4

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, and a pushbutton movably mounted partially in said housing and operatively connected to said one member for displacing the latter.

Claim 5

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, and a pushbutton movably mounted partially in said housing and operatively connected to said one member for displacing the latter.

Claim 6

A contactless electronic switch comprising a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magNetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic filed, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, said magnet defines a magnetic axis drawn through its north and south poles, and the direction of displacement of said one member is parallel to said magnetic axis.

Claim 7

A contactless electronic switch comprising a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magNetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic filed, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, said magnet defines a magnetic axis drawn through its north and south poles, and the direction of displacement of said one member is parallel to said magnetic axis.

Claim 8

The switch, as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a pole shoe secured to one pole of said magnet and laterally projecting crosswise to said direction of displacement and pointing toward said field plate means in one relative position of said members.

Claim 9

The switch, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said one relative position of said members constitutes one end position of the displacement path of said one member, the portion of said pole shoe pointing toward said field plate means in said one end position is laterally opposite said field plate means in said one end position, and said portion of said pole shoe is longitudinally displaced from said field plate means in the other end position of the displacement path.

Claim 10

The switch, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the portion of said pole shoe pointing toward said field plate means includes a face substantially the same size as the magnetic-active face of said field plate means.

Claim 11

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, spring means holding said one member in one extreme end position of the displacement path, a carrier mounted in said housing and having said field plate means secured thereto, and said carrier formed with an abutment operatively cooperating with said one member for limiting the displacement of the latter when moved against the force of said spring means.

Claim 12

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upon a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, spring means holding said one member in one extreme end position of the displacement path, a carrier mounted in said housing and having said field plate means secured thereto, and said carrier formed with an abutment operatively cooperating with said one member for limiting the displacement of the latter when moved against the force of said spring means.

Claim 13

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upoN a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, and a magnet carrier movably disposed in said housing and carrying said magnet, and a slide bushing of nonferromagnetic material disposed between said housing and said magnet carrier, in order to provide a noncontacting guide for said magnet carrier.

Claim 14

A contactless electronic switch comprising: a housing, a first member comprising at least one current-carrying field plate means for electrically changing dependent upon a magnetic field and disposed in said housing, a second member comprising a magnet providing said magnetic field and disposed in said housing, the latter confining and densifying said magnetic field, at least one of said members being displaceably mounted in said housing for relative movement of said members such that said magnetic field of said magnet operatively changes on said field plate means, electrical lines connected to said field plate means, contact pins of a switching means connected to said electrical lines for operatively switching the electrical condition of said switching means upoN a predetermined relative movement of said members and a corresponding predetermined change in said magnetic field on said field plate means, and a magnet carrier movably disposed in said housing and carrying said magnet, and a slide bushing of nonferromagnetic material disposed between said housing and said magnet carrier, in order to provide a noncontacting guide for said magnet carrier.