Switch having a flat display
A switch, particularly a switching device or operating device, includes a flat display, wherein the flat display is provided for the visual display of at least one item of information related to a current or future condition of the switch or a system or machine associated with the switch. A more effective spatial arrangement of the switch components, and reduced energy consumption, is accomplished by a flat display of the switch of at least one embodiment, at least partially including an electrochromic material and electrodes. The electrodes are provided to supply particular regions of the electrochromic material with an electrical voltage, in order to thus activate a color change, and to provide one or more items of information to the use by means of an intelligent control.
1. A switch, comprising: a flat display for visual display of at least one item of information related to a current or future condition, the flat display at least in part including an electrochromic material and electrodes, the electrodes being configured to apply an electrical voltage to at least one area of the electrochromic material, wherein at least part of a viewable portion of the electrochromic material surrounds an entirety of an actuator of the switch, wherein at least some of the electrodes are transparent, and wherein a light element is arranged under the transparent electrodes.
2. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flat display includes a protective layer.
3. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flat display includes at least one transparent electrode.
4. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flat display includes a plurality of electrodes and areas of the electrochromic material, the areas of the electrochromic material being configured like pixels.
5. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flat display is provided entirely or in part to activate the switch.
6. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch includes a grip for changing the switching status of the switch, and the flat display is formed onto the switch.
7. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one item of information contains at least one of a symbol, a number, a letter, a special character and a flowchart.
8. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one item of information includes a time dependency.
9. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic material is configured to generate one or more colors.
10. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch includes two or more electrochromic materials with electrodes, and the electrodes are configured to apply an electrical voltage to at least one area of the electrochromic materials.
11. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the future and current state is the switching state of the switch or a state of a machine or installation associated with the switch.
12. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one item of information contains a physical variable.
13. The switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the protective layer includes a protective film configured to protect the electrodes.
14. The switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the switch includes a grip for changing the switching status of the switch, and the flat display is formed onto the switch.
15. The switch as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the at least one item of information includes a time dependency as scrolling text, flashing information or a screen-type display.
16. The switch as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the physical variable includes at least one of current, voltage, temperature and a signal.
17. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least electrodes provided underneath the electrochromic material are transparent.
18. The switch as claimed in claim 17 , wherein a light element is arranged under the transparent electrodes.
19. A switching device, comprising:
at least one switch as claimed in claim 1 .
20. The switching device of claim 19 , wherein the switching device is a command device, signalling device, positions switch, contact, power switch or compact branch.
21. An overload relay with at least one switch as claimed in claim 1 .
22. A switch, comprising:
a flat display for visual display of at least one item of information related to a current or future condition, the flat display at least in part including an electrochromic material and electrodes, the electrodes being configured to apply an electrical voltage to at least one area of the electrochromic material, wherein
at least some of the electrodes are transparent, and
a light element is arranged under the transparent electrodes.
23. A switch, comprising:
a flat display for visual display of at least one item of information related to a current or future condition, the flat display at least in part including an electrochromic material and electrodes, the electrodes being configured to apply an electrical voltage to at least one area of the electrochromic material, wherein
at least electrodes provided underneath the electrochromic material are transparent, and
a light element is arranged under the transparent electrodes.