Actuator element for levering in and out printed circuit modules with locking slide, front element for a printed circuit module with actuator element, and subrack that receives printed circuit modules

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to an operating element, by which printed circuit board modules with electronic circuits can be levered into a support system, or removed therefrom, with little application of force.

#2. Description of Related Art

#This invention is explained in greater detail in view of the drawing figures, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective lateral view of one embodiment of an operating element in accordance with this invention; and

#FIG. 2 is a lateral plan view of a front system for a printed circuit board module, having an operating element in accordance with this invention.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a lateral view of one embodiment of an operating element 1 in accordance with this invention, used for levering in and/or levering out a printed circuit board module 3. As basic elements, the operating element 1 has an end piece 11, which is prepared to be connected with a printed circuit board module, and an operating lever 12, which is rotatably seated on the end piece 11. In accordance with this invention, the operating lever 12 has at least a handle element 122 and a locking slide 123 which can be displaced between at least two switching positions A and B. In a first switching position A, the operating lever 12 is maintained in a first position C, which corresponds to the levered in state of the printed circuit board module 3. This position is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. But in a second switching position B, the operating lever 12 is released by the locking slide 123. The operating lever 12 can then pivot, or be pivoted, into a second position D. Such a tilted position can correspond to the state when the printed circuit board module 3 is levered out of the module support. In FIG. 1 the positions C and D of the operating lever 12 are represented by an arrow P2, and the switching position A and B by an arrow P1.

#It is advantageous if the operating lever 12 also has an element 121 for levering in and/or levering out, which is at least partially of a wear-resistant material. This is connected with the handle element 122 and advantageously has a levering in protrusion 1210, as well as a levering out protrusion 1211. For causing a levering in, or levering out of the printed circuit board module 3, the levering in and/or levering out element 121 is supported on the module support. In the examples represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower transverse connecting rail 4 is shown by way of example as a portion of a module support. It has a perforated rail 401 with a series of engagement holes. When levering in, the levering protrusion 1210 is supported in an engagement hole of the perforated rail 401, as represented in FIG. 2, while when levering out, the levering out protrusion 1211 is supported on the front face 402 of the perforated rail 401.

#The end piece 11 of the operating element 1 which, by way of example, is shown in a perspective rear view in FIG. 1 and in a lateral view in FIG. 2, has a support body 110 in its core. The support body 110 has a bore 1101, which can be used for fastening to a printed circuit board module 3, for example with a screw. The end piece 11 has a contact pin 1102 which, when a printed circuit board module having an appropriate operating element is inserted, provides a ground contact between the elements. A holding screw 111, which can engage a transverse groove 400 of the transverse connecting rail 4, can be provided in the support body 110 for holding a unit inserted into a module support, for example a printed circuit board module with an attached front system having a front plate and preferably two operating elements 1 at the ends. The support body 110 has a bore 1105. A rotary shaft 13 can be inserted into the bore 1105, by which the operating lever 12 can be rotatably maintained on the support body 110. The rotary shaft 13 can simultaneously be located in a bore 1212 of an additional levering in and levering out element 121. In this case all parts of the operating lever 12 are connected via the rotary shaft 13 with the end piece 11. Furthermore, a holding groove 1104 for pushing in the lower end of a front plate 2, represented in part, is advantageously provided. Finally, on its side facing the operating lever 12, the support body 110 has a detent protrusion 1103. A corresponding, preferably resilient detent disk 1222 of the operating lever 12 can engage the detent protrusion 1103 when the lever is in the locked-in position.