Patent Grant
8633412
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch device, and particularly, to a switch device including a snap action mechanism that is operated depending on a pressing operation against an operation member.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, a switch device has been suggested in which a common contact point is provided on an inner bottom surface of a wafer, a return spring having a satisfactory conductivity, which is electrically connected to a movable contact point, and which biases a slider in a direction opposite to a pressing operation direction, is mounted on the common contact point, a normal close contact point and a normal open contact point are provided on an inner wall surface of the wafer, and an elastic piece of the movable contact point is brought into sliding contact with the inner wall surface (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-6661, FIG. 1). In the switch device, the normal close contact point and the normal open contact point are provided on the inner wall surface of a case which become sliding surface of the movable contact point, and circuit switch-over is performed by separating the movable contact points. Since these interval or disposition position of both contact points may be set arbitrarily without limiting the common contact point, the circuit switch-over may be performed according to purpose of use at given timing.
Incidentally, if a plurality of circuits can be synchronized and switched by the above-mentioned switch device, redundancy can be secured and a switch device having superior obstacle resistance can be provided. However, since the switch device of the related art has a configuration which brings the movable contact point into sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the case depending on the pressing operation, there was a problem in that the irregularity in synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over is enlarged.
The invention provides a switch device that can reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over even in a case where the plurality of circuits is synchronized and switched.
The switch device of the invention includes a housing having a receiving portion, an operation member that receives a pressing operation, a plurality of fixed contact points provided in the receiving portion at predetermined intervals, a plurality of movable contact points having contact point portions that come into sliding contact with the fixed contact points, and a snap action mechanism that drives the movable contact points when the operation member is pressed to a predetermined position, wherein the snap action mechanism has a plurality of first driving bodies which has the movable contact points provided at one end side thereof and is formed with a fulcrum portion constituting a rotation fulcrum, a second driving body which is formed with a pressing target portion to be pressed by the operation member at one end side thereof and is formed with a fulcrum portion constituting a rotation fulcrum at the other end side thereof, and a tensile spring which is attached to a part of a first driving body member in which the plurality of first driving bodies is integrally connected to each other by a connecting member and a part of the second driving body at both ends.
According to the switch device, since it includes the snap action mechanism that drives the movable contact points, when the operation member is pressed to a predetermined position, the movable contact points provided in the first driving body member can be driven in an instant by the biasing force of the tensile spring. Thus, it is possible to reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over even in a case where a plurality of circuits is synchronized and switched.
In the switch device, it is desirable that a reinforcing member is embedded in the connecting member in a partially exposed state, and one end of the tensile spring is attached to the exposed portion of the reinforcing member. In this case, since the one end of the tensile spring is attached to the exposed portion of the reinforcing member embedded in the connecting member, which can make an occurrence of a situation, in which the connecting member is deformed by the biasing force of the tensile spring, difficult, it is possible to secure the position accuracy of the movable contact points provided in the plurality of first driving bodies which are integrally connected to each other and switch the plurality of circuits at a suitable timing.
Furthermore, in the switch device, it is desirable that the first driving bodies include a conductor plate formed with the fulcrum portion, and the movable contact points attached to the conductor plate, in which an attachment portion of the movable contact point relative to the conductor plate is embedded in the connecting member. In this case, since the attachment portion of the movable contact point is embedded in the connecting member, whereby the movable contact point can be firmly provided in the first driving bodies, a situation in which the movable contact is missed or deviated can be prevented, and it is possible to secure the position accuracy of the movable contact points provided in the plurality of first driving bodies, which are integrally connected to each other, and switch the plurality of circuits at a suitable timing.
Particularly, in the switch device, it is desirable that the reinforcing member is constituted by a part of the conductor plate. In this case, since a part of the conductor plate can also serve as the reinforcing member, the connecting member can be reinforced without preparing a special member.
Furthermore, in the switch device, it is desirable that the conductor plate and the movable contact point are formed of separate materials, and a material of the conductor plate has rigidity higher than that of a material of the movable contact point. In this case, since the rigidity of the material of the conductor plate can be higher than that of the movable contact point, for example, it is possible to secure the rigidity required for the fulcrum portion or the rigidity required for the reinforcing member in the conductor plate.
Furthermore, in the switch device, it is desirable that a pair of pieces of the movable contact point is connected in the first driving bodies side, the contact point portions are provided in a front end in a side opposite to the first driving bodies, respectively, and a portion in which the contact point portions of the pair of pieces of the movable contact point are provided, is disposed oppositely so as to extend to an upper side. In this case, since a lower side portion of the movable contact point can be opened, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the contact point of the movable contact point is damaged by the contact between the fixed contact point and the movable contact point portion when the movable contact point is assembled in the switch device.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that the tensile spring is attached to a part of the first driving body member and a part of the second driving body member in a position between the adjacent first driving bodies. In this case, since the tensile spring is attached the second driving body member in a position between the adjacent first driving bodies, the movable contact point provided in the adjacent first driving bodies can be driven by the biasing force of the same tensile spring, and thus it is possible to further reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that, in a part of the first driving body member and a part of the second driving body, an engagement means is provided which is engaged depending on the biasing force of the tensile spring and integrates the first driving body member and the second driving body. In this case, since the first driving body member and the second driving body can be handled in an integrated state, it is possible to improve the working efficiency upon being assembled in the receiving member.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that, in a direction side to which a tensile load of the tensile spring of a common contact point of the fixed contact point erected in the receiving portion, a protruding wall, which is adjacent to and faces the front end of the common contact point, is provided on the inner wall surface of the housing. In this case, it is possible to always suppress a situation in which the common contact point, to which the spring load of the tensile spring is added, collapses due to the heat generated due to a fixing work or the like of a terminal relative to the substrate, by the protruding wall provided in a direction side to which the spring load of the tensile spring is added.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that the fixed contact point is disposed in a position which is more distant than a disposition position of the fulcrum portion of the second driving body from a disposition position of the fulcrum portion of the first driving bodies. In this case, since the fixed contact point with which the movable contact point comes into sliding contact is disposed in a position that is more distant than the fulcrum portion of the second driving body, the movement distance of the movable contact point can be sufficiently obtained, and thus it is possible to easily perform the contact point switch-over.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that the lower surface of the connecting member of the first driving body member comes into contact with a supporter, and the rotation of the first driving body member in a lower direction due to the spring load of the tensile spring is restricted. In this case, since the rotation of the first driving body member in a lower direction can be suppressed by the contact between the lower surface of the connecting member and the supporter, the first driving body member can be rotated in a predetermined scope, whereby it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first driving body member is rotated to the lower side in more than a predetermined position and the movable contact point or the like is damaged.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that an upper surface of the connecting member of the first driving body member comes into contact with the housing, and the rotation of the first driving body member in the upper direction due to the spring load of the tensile spring is restricted. In this case, since the rotation of the first driving body member in the upper direction can be restricted by the contact between the upper surface of the connecting member and the housing, the first driving body member can be rotated in a predetermined scope, whereby it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first driving body member is rotated to the upper side in more than a predetermined position and the movable contact point or the like is damaged.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that, in the second driving body, a mounting portion capable of being mounted on the support portion provided in the housing at the time of assembling work is provided, and the fulcrum portion is formed in an end portion of a part of the mounting portion. In this case, since the fulcrum portion is formed in a part of the mounting portion capable of mounting the second driving body, the mounting portion can include a function of the fulcrum portion, whereby the configuration of the second driving body can be simplified.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that, in the switch-over contact point of the fixed contact point, an allowance portion, which allows the disposition of the fulcrum portion of the second driving body at the time of the assembling work, is provided. In this case since the fulcrum portion of the second driving body can be disposed in the allowance portion at the time of the assembling work, when the tensile spring is attached between the first driving body member and the second driving body, the second driving body can be disposed in a position where the tensile spring is easily attached.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that the mounting portion includes a first mounting portion of the common contact point side of the fixed contact point and a second mounting portion of the switch-over contact point side of the fixed contact point, and the second mounting portion is formed to be longer than the first mounting portion in a direction from the common contact point to the switch-over contact point. In this case, since the mounting portion is constituted by the first mounting portion of the common contact point and the second mounting portion of the switch-over contact point side, the mounting portion can be stably mounted on the support portion of the housing. Furthermore, since the second mounting portion is formed to be longer than the first mounting portion, it is possible to stably move the second driving body in a slide manner, while maintaining the state in which the second driving body is supported in the support portion of the housing.
Moreover, in the switch device, it is desirable that, in the first driving body member, a rotation restriction portion is provided which comes into contact with the common contact point of the fixed contact point to restrict the rotation due to the spring load of the tensile spring at the time of the assembling work, and in the second driving body member, a rotation restriction portion is provided which comes into contact with the housing to restrict the rotation due to the spring load of the tensile spring at the time of the assembling work. In this case, since the rotation of the first driving body member can be restricted by the contact between the rotation restriction portion of the first driving body member with the common contact point, and the rotation of the second driving body can be restricted by the contact between the rotation restriction portion of the second driving body and the housing, the first driving body member and the second driving body can be maintained in the stable state in the process of the assembling work, whereby the work efficiency of the assembling work can be improved.
A method of assembling a snap action mechanism according to the invention includes mounting a second driving body on a housing provided with a fixed contact point in a predetermined position relative to the fixed contact point; mounting first driving bodies on the second driving body; attaching a tensile spring between a part of the first driving bodies and a part of the second driving body to push the second driving body toward one side; and disposing a fulcrum portion of the second driving body, which is provided at the other side, in a concave portion of the housing and assembling the same in a predetermined position of the housing by the spring load of the tensile spring.
According to the method of assembling the snap action mechanism, since the first driving bodies and the second driving body can be disposed in a predetermined position of the housing, only by mounting the second driving body and the first driving bodies in the housing and attaching a tensile spring on both, and then disposing the fulcrum of the second driving body in the concave portion of the housing, it is possible to simply assemble the snap action mechanism without requiring complicated work.
In the method of assembling the snap action mechanism, it is desirable that a part of the first driving bodies comes into contact with the common contact point of the fixed contact point to restrict the rotation due to the spring load of the tensile spring, and a part of the second driving body comes into contact with the housing to restrict the rotation due to the spring load of the tensile spring. In this case, since the rotation of the first driving bodies can be restricted by the contact between a part of the first driving bodies and the common contact point, and the rotation of the second driving body can be restricted by the contact between a part of the second driving body and the housing, the first driving bodies and the second driving body can be maintained in the stable state in the process of the assembling work, whereby the work efficiency of the assembling work of the snap action mechanism can be improved.
In the method of assembling the snap action mechanism, it is desirable that the tensile spring is disposed in a state in which the first driving bodies are mounted in parallel to the second driving body. In this case, since the tensile spring is attached in a state in which the first driving bodies and the second driving body are in parallel, the tensile spring can be attached without separately preparing a jig or the like that maintains them in a predetermined state, whereby it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the assembling work of the snap action mechanism.
According to the invention, the snap action mechanism driving the movable contact point is included, and when the operation member is pressed to a predetermined position, the movable contact point provided in the first driving body member can be driven in an instant by the biasing force of the tensile spring. Thus, even when a plurality of circuits is synchronized and switched, the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over can be reduced.
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings in detail.
As shown in
On the upper surface of the upper case 21, an opening portion 211 is formed through which an upper end portion of a shaft portion 62 of an operation member 6 described later can penetrate. On the upper surface of the case 2, around the opening portion 211, a groove portion 212 is formed into which an outer peripheral portion of the cover 3 is inserted. The lower case 22 has a rectangular shape when seen from the plane and a protrusion surface 221 having a shape corresponding to the opening of the upper case 21 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The upper case 21 is suitably positioned by accommodating the protrusion surface 221 in the opening. A plurality of protrusions 221a protruding to the lateral side is provided around the protrusion surface 221. When the upper case 21 is covered on the lower case 22, the protrusion 221a is pressed into an inner wall surface of the upper case 21, whereby the upper case 21 is attached to the lower case 22. Furthermore, on the protrusion surface 221, two opening portions 222a and 222b are formed along a long side of the upper case 21. Supporters 4a and 4b described later are disposed in the opening portions 222a and 222b.
In the receiving portion formed in the housing 2, a pair of supporters 4a and 4b and a pair of fixed contact points 5a and 5b fixed to the lower case 22 are disposed, and an operation member 6, which receives a pressing operation by an operator or the like, and a snap action mechanism 7, which is operated depending on the pressing operation relative to the operation member 6, are received. The snap action mechanism 7 (the details thereof will be described later) includes a first driving body member 90 (not shown in
The supporter 4a is formed, for example, by molding an insulative resin material, and has a foundation portion 41a having a shape corresponding to the opening portion 222a of the lower case 22, and a protruding portion 42a provided so as to protrude upward from the foundation portion 41a. The protruding portion 42a has three protruding pieces 421a to 423a. The supporter 4a is integrated with the opening portion 222a by the foundation portion 41a and is configured so as to support a part of the fixed contact point 5a subjected to an insert molding by the protruding portion 42a. In addition, since the supporter 4b is disposed in the opening portion 222b of the lower case 22 and has the same configuration as the supporter 4a except that the fixed contact point 5b is subjected to the insert molding, a symbol b is added to the drawings such as a foundation portion 41b, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The supporters 4a and 4b are integrated with the lower case 22 and are formed by so-called double molding. In the double molding, the fixed contact points 5a and 5b are subjected to the insert molding upon forming the supports 4a and 4b, and after the supporters 4a and 4b are molded and formed, a lower case 22 is molded in the foundation portions 41a and 41b of the supporters 4a and 4b. At the time of the molding, the opening portions 222a and 222b are formed. However, a method of providing the supporters 4a and 4b in the lower case 22 is not limited thereto but can suitably be changed. For example, the supporters 4a and 4b, in which the fixed contact points 5a and 5b are subjected to the inset molding, may be disposed in the opening portions 222a and 222b of the lower case 22 and they may be fixed and integrated by an adhesive or the like.
The fixed contact point 5a has a common contact point 51a and a switch-over contact point 52a subjected to the insert molding in the supporter 4a. The common contact point 51a and the switch-over contact point 52a are erected so as to be separated at a certain distance along a longitudinal direction of the supporter 4a. The common contact point 51a extends upward from the protruding piece 423a, and has a contact portion 511a which comes into contact with a fulcrum portion 92a of a first driving body 9a described later, and a terminal portion 512a which is bent from the contact portion 511a to a side opposite to a switch-over contact point 52a and extends downward from the end portion.
The switch-over contact point 52a has a first switch-over contact point 521a which is slightly protruded from the protruding piece 421a, and a second switch-over contact point 522a which is embedded near the protruding piece 422a and is disposed near the first switch-over contact point 521a. The first switch-over contact point 521a has a slide-contact portion 523a into which the movable contact point 8a comes into sliding contact, and a terminal portion 524a which is extended downward from the slide-contact portion 523a. Meanwhile, the second switch-over contact point 522a has a slide-contact portion 525a into which the movable contact point 8a comes into sliding contact, and a terminal portion 526a which is bent from the lower end portion of the slide-contact portion 525a to the common contact point 51a side and is extended downward from the end portion. In this case, the lower end portion of the slide-contact portion 523a of the first switch-over contact point 521a and the upper end portion of the slide-contact portion 525a of the second switch-over contact point 522a are closely disposed. A contact point portion 83a of the movable contact point 8a described later is moved between the slide-contact portion 523a and the slide-contact portion 525a, whereby the state of the circuit is switched.
In the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, the first switch-over contact point 521a constitutes a normal close contact point, while the second switch-over contact point 522a constitutes a normal open contact point. It is configured so as to be switched to a circuit in which, in a case where the contact point portion 83a of the movable contact point 8 described later is in contact with the slide-contact portion 523a, the first switch-over contact point 521a as the normal close contact point is connected to the common contact point 51a, while, in a case where the contact point portion 83a of the movable contact point 8 comes into contact with the slide-contact portion 525a, the second switch-over contact point 522a as the normal open contact point is connected to the common contact point 51a. Furthermore, the same circuit is also included between the common contact point 51b and the switch-over contact point 52b (the first switch-over contact point 521b and the second switch-over contact point 522b). Moreover, the movable contact points 8a and 8b are driven in an instant by the operation of the snap action mechanism 7 described later, and the circuit is synchronized and switched.
The operation member 6 is formed, for example, by molding an insulative resin material, and has a pressing portion 61 having approximately a rectangular shape, and a cylindrical shaft portion 62 erected on the upper surface of the pressing portion 61. The pressing portion 61 presses an end of the second driving body depending on the pressing operation relative to the operation member 6. On a lower surface of the pressing portion 61, an accommodation portion 611 which accommodates an end of the second driving body 11 is provided (not shown in
Herein, a configuration of principal parts of the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in
The fixed contact point 5a is embedded in the supporter 4a disposed in the lower case 22 in this manner. The common contact point 51a is disposed so that the contact portion 511a is protruded from the upper end portion of the protruding piece 423a. In the vicinity of the protruding piece 423a in the contact portion 511a, a concave portion 513a is formed at the switch-over contact point 52a side. The concave portion 513a is a portion that accommodates a fulcrum portion 92a of the first driving body 9a described later. By accommodating the fulcrum portion 92a of the first driving body 9a by the concave portion 513a, the contact portion 511a rotatably supports the first driving body 9a.
Among the switch-over contact points 52a, the first switch-over contact point 521a is disposed so that the slide-contact portion 523a is protruded from the upper end portion of the protruding piece 421a over the side surface portion thereof. The second switch-over contact point 522a is disposed so that the slide-contact portion 525a is protruded from the side surface of the protruding piece 421a. On the side surface of the protruding piece 421a, an insulation piece 424a to be disposed between the slide-contact portion 523a and the slide-contact portion 525a is provided. The insulation piece 424a is a portion that temporarily blocks the connection state of the movable contact point 8a which is moved up and down along with the pressing operation relative to the operation member 6. The insulation piece 424a is provided so as to constitute the same plane as the slide-contact portion 523a and the slide-contact portion 525a, and the contact point portion 83a of the movable contact point 8a can smoothly slide between the slide-contact portion 523a and the slide-contact portion 525a.
The protruding piece 422a is provided between the protruding piece 421a and the protruding piece 423a. On the side surface of the protruding piece 423a side (the common contact point 51a side) of the protruding piece 422a, a concave portion 425a is provided. The concave portion 425a is a portion that accommodates a fulcrum portion 115a of a second driving body 11 described later. By accommodating the fulcrum portion 115a of the second driving body 11 by the concave portion 425a, the protruding piece 422a can rotatably support the second driving body 11. In addition, the concave portion 425a is provided at a position lower than the concave portion 513a provided in the common contact point 51a.
The fixed contact point 5b embedded in the supporter 4b is disposed similarly to the fixed contact point 5a embedded in the supporter 4a. Furthermore, in the contact portion 511b of the common contact point 51b protruding from the upper end portion of the protruding piece 423b of the supporter 4b, a concave portion 513b is also provided. In addition, in the protruding piece 422b of the supporter 4b, a concave portion 425b is also provided. The role of the concave portion 513b and the concave portion 425b are the same as the concave portion 513a and the concave portion 425a. In addition, other configurations of the supporter 4b and the fixed contact point 5b are also the same as the configurations of the supporter 4a and the fixed contact point 5a.
As shown in
Furthermore, on the side surfaces of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, notch portions 93a and 93b are formed. The notch portions 93a and 93b are used at the time of the positioning of the movable contact points 8a and 8b attached to the lower surfaces of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. In the lateral side portions of the notch portions 93a and 93b and in the portions between the notch portions 93a and 93b and the protruding pieces 91a and 91b, circular protruding portions 94a and 94b protruding downward are provided (
In addition, on the side surface portion of a side of the first driving body 9b opposite to the notch portion 93b, a reinforcing portion 96b as a reinforcing member extending to the side opposite to the protruding piece 91b in the position between the side surface portion and the first driving body 9a is provided. The front end of the reinforcing portion 96 extends to the position in front of the contact point portions 83a and 83b of the movable contact points 8a and 8b described later. Moreover, in the front end portion thereof, an engagement piece 96a is provided which is bent to the lower side and has a T shape. The engagement piece 96a functions as a part of an engagement means and is engaged with an engagement concave portion 113 of the second driving body 11 described later. Moreover, a hole 96b is provided near a proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion 96. The hole 96b is disposed in the center of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b and an end of the tensile spring 12 is attached thereto.
In the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, since an end of the tensile spring 12 is attached to the hole 96b provided in the reinforcing portion 96, the occurrence of a situation, in which the connecting member 10 described later is deformed by the biasing force of the tensile spring, can be made difficult, whereby it is possible to secure the position accuracy of the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. Particular, since a part of the conductor plate constituting the first driving body 9b is used as the reinforcing portion, it is possible to reinforce the connecting member 10 described later without preparing a special member. In addition, as a reinforcing member that reinforces the connecting member 10, a member different from the first driving body 9b may be used.
The movable contact points 8a and 8b are formed by performing pressing machining and bending machining on a thin plate-shaped member having elasticity. In the vicinity of the center of the movable contact points 8a and 8b, notch portions 81a and 81b are provided in one side surface portion thereof. Circular opening portions 82a and 82b are provided near the notch portions 81a and 81b. The movable contact points 8a and 8b cause the notch portions 81a and 81b to correspond to the notch portions 93a and 93b of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, and is positioned in the lower surfaces of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b by accommodating the circular protruding portions 94a and 94b of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b by the circular opening portions 82a and 82b. Moreover, for example, by twisting the circular protruding portion 94a and 94b, the movable contact points 8a and 8b are attached to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. In this manner, since the movable contact points 8a and 8b are attached to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b by the twist, the first driving bodies 9a and 9b and the movable contact points 8a and 8b can be constituted by separate materials, whereby it is possible to constitute the movable contact points 8a and 8b by a material suitable for the movable contact point without being limited to the materials of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. In this case, the movable contact points 8a and 8b are provided in the end portion side of a side opposite to the protruding pieces 91a and 91b of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b.
The movable contact points 8a and 8b have a pair of pieces having a U shape when seen from the side thereof, and the contact point portions 83a and 83b having a clip shape connected at the upper end portions of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b sides are provided in the respective front ends of a side opposite to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. That is, the front end portions of the contact point portions 83a and 83b are extended to the upside of the movable contact points 8a and 8b and are disposed oppositely at a certain distance. The switch-over contact points 52a and 52b are disposed between the contact point portions 83a and 83b, and the contact point portions 83a and 83b can come into sliding contact with the contact point portions 523a, 523b, 525a, and 525b of the switch-over contact points 52a and 52b. In the movable contact points 8a and 8b, since the lower side portions thereof can be opened, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the contact point portions 83a and 83b are damaged by the contact between the switch-over contact points 52a and 52b and the contact point portions 83a and 83b of the movable contact points 8a and 8b when the movable contact points 8a and 8b are assembled in the switch device 1.
In the first driving body member 90, with respect to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b disposed in this manner, the connecting member 10 is disposed so that a part of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b and a part of the reinforcing portion 96 are exposed. That is, as shown in
Particular, in the first driving body member 90, the first driving bodies 9a and 9b are formed by a material different from the movable contact points 8a and 8b that come into sliding contact with the slide-contact point portions 523a, 523b, 525a and 525b of the switch-over contact points 52a and 52b. The materials of the first driving bodies 9a and 9b have rigidity higher than those of the movable contact points 8a and 8b. As a result, the first driving body member 90 can secure elasticity as the movable contact points 8a and 8b which come into sliding contact with the slide-contact point portions 523a, 523b, 525a, and 525b, while securing the rigidity that maintains the tensile spring 12.
The second driving body 11 is formed, for example, by mechanically machining a metallic material. As shown in
In the end portion of a side opposite to the pressing target portion 111 in the second driving body 11, an engagement concave portion 113, which is engaged with the engagement piece 96a of the reinforcing portion 96 of the first driving body 9b, is provided. The engagement concave portion 113 functions as a part of an engagement means and is engaged by disposing an arm portion of a T shape of the engagement piece 96a at the lower side and accommodating the base portion thereof.
Furthermore, in the center of the second driving body 11, protruding pieces 114a and 114b protruding from the lateral side thereof are provided. In the end portion side (the end surface of the engagement concave portion 113 side) of a side opposite to the pressing target portion 111 in the protruding pieces 114a and 114b, fulcrum portions 115a and 115b are provided. The fulcrum portions 115a and 115b come into contact with the concave portions 425a and 425b provided in the protruding pieces 422a and 422b of the supporters 4a and 4b, and constitute the rotation fulcrum of the second driving body 11.
In the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 are integrated and assembled to the lower case 22 of the state shown in
As shown in
When assembling the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 integrated in this manner, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Herein, the configuration of the lower case 22, in which the snap action mechanism 7 is assembled in this manner, will be referenced to
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
In the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, with respect to the lower case 22 in which the snap action mechanism 7 is assembled in this manner, the upper case 21 is attached in a state in which the operation member 6 is disposed in the receiving member. Herein, the internal configuration of the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in
Furthermore, in a predetermined position of an inner wall surface (a ceiling surface) of the upper case 21, protruding walls 213a and 214a, which are slightly protruded to the lower side, are provided. The protruding walls 213a and 214a are provided in a position accommodating the upper end portion of the common contact point 51a, and serves to suppress the collapse of the common contact point 51a due to the protruding wall 214a provided adjacently to and oppositely the common contact point 51a in a direction side to which the spring load of the tensile spring 12 is added. Since the front end of the common contact point 51a is accommodated by the protruding walls 213b and 214b provided in the inner wall surface of the housing in this manner, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the common contact point 51a, to which the spring load of the tensile spring 12 is added, collapses due to the heat generated due to the fixing work or the like of the terminal to the substrate. In addition, in
In addition, in the inner wall surface (the ceiling surface) of the upper case 21, in a position of the second switch-over contact point 52a side further than the protruding wall 213a, a protruding wall 215 is provided. The protruding wall 215 is disposed in the upside of the connecting member 10 of the first driving body member 90, and acts to come into contact with the upper surface of the connecting member 10 to restrict the upward rotation of the first driving body member 90 due to the spring load of the tensile spring 12. Since the upward rotation of the first driving body member 90 can be restricted by the contact between the upper surface of the connecting member 10 and the protruding wall 215 in this manner, the first driving body member 90 can be rotated in a predetermined scope, whereby it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first driving body member 90 is rotated upward by more than a certain position and the movable contact point 8 or the like is damaged. In addition, the protruding wall 215 is provided so as to be situated between the movable contact points 8a and 8b, but two protruding walls 215 may be provided in positions corresponding to the movable contact points 8a and 8b, respectively.
In the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, when receiving the pressing operation by the operation member 6 disposed on the pressing target portion 111, the pressing target portion 111 is pushed downward. Along with this, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow A direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum in resistance to the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. Meanwhile, when the pressing operation relative to the operation member 6 is released, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow B direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum depending on the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. In this state, the first driving body member 90 is rotated in arrows C and D directions using the fulcrum portions 92a and 92b as the rotation fulcrum depending on the rotation position of the second driving body 11.
Hereinafter, the motion accompanied by the pressing operation of the operation member 6 in the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
In a state in which the pressing operation is not performed on the operation member 6, the switch device 1 is in the states shown in
When the pressing operation is received by the operation member 6 and the pressing target portion 111 is pressed to the lower side, as shown in
Moreover, when the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, the direction of the biasing force of the tensile spring 12 acting on the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 is reversed, the first driving body member 90 is dragged to the lower side, and as shown in
Meanwhile, when the pressing operation of the operation member 6 is released, as shown in
Moreover, when the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, a direction of the biasing force of the tensile spring 12 acting on the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 is reversed, the first driving body member 90 is dragged to the upside via the tensile spring 12, the first driving body member 90 is rotated in an arrow D direction using the fulcrum portions 92a and 92b as the rotation fulcrum in an instant, and returns to the initial position (see
As described above, according to the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, since the switch device 1 includes the snap action mechanism 7 driving the first driving body member 90 with the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided therein, when the operation member 6 is pressed to a predetermined limitation position, it is possible to drive the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, which are integrally connected to each other by the biasing force of the tensile spring 12, in an instant. Thus, even when a plurality of circuits is synchronized and switched, it is possible to reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over.
Furthermore, in the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, an end of the tensile spring 12 is attached to the hole 96b provided in the reinforcing portion 96 exposed from the connecting member 10, whereby the occurrence of a situation, in which the connecting member 10 is deformed by the biasing force of the tensile spring 12, is made difficult. Thus, it is possible to secure the position accuracy of the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, which are integrally connected to each other, to switch the plurality of circuits at a suitable timing.
In addition, in the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, the attachment portion of the movable contact points 8a and 8b to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b is embedded in the connecting member 10 and the movable contact points 8a and 8b are firmly fixed to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, which can prevent a situation in which the movable contact points 8a and 8b are missed or deviated. Thus, it is possible to secure the position accuracy of the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, which are integrally connected to each other, to switch the plurality of circuits at a suitable timing.
In addition, in the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, since the tensile spring 12 is attached to the second driving body 11 in a position between the first driving body 9a and the first driving body 9b, the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b can be driven by the biasing force by the same tensile spring 12, whereby it is possible to further reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over.
In regard to a configuration when the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment is assembled, similarly to the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, a part of the operation member 6 described later is protruded from a part of the upper surface of a box-shaped housing 2 and a pressing operation from an operator or the like is received by the protruding portion. The cover 3 for preventing foreign matters such as dust or water from entering the housing 2 is attached to a part of the operation member 6 protruding from the housing 2 (see
In the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, generally, the configurations of the supporters 4a and 4b, the fixed contact point 5 (second switch-over contact points 522a and 522b) and the first driving body member 90 are different from those of the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the principal parts of the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described based on a difference from the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in
The support wall portions 427a and 427b function to guide portions 10c and 10d of the connecting member 10 described later upon assembling the snap action mechanism 7 and serve to restrict the rotation of the first driving body member 90 to the lower side due to the spring load of the tensile spring 12. Since it is possible to restrict the rotation of the first driving body member 90 to the lower side by the contact between the lower surface of the connecting member 10 and the support wall portions 427a and 427b, the first driving body member 90 can be rotated in a predetermined scope, whereby it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first driving body member 90 is rotated to the lower side by more than a predetermined position and the movable contact point 8 or the like is damaged. In addition, an addition of a shock absorbing material on the upper surfaces of the support portions 426a and 426b is desirable as an embodiment.
Furthermore, the fixed contact point 5 (second switch-over contact points 522a and 522b) according to the second embodiment is different from the slide-contact point portions 525a and 525b according to the first embodiment in that, on the side surfaces of the slide-contact point portions 525a and 525b exposed from the protruding pieces 421a and 421b to the protruding pieces 422a and 422b, concave portions 527a and 527b as allowance portions which accommodate the front end portions of the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b of the second driving body 11 upon assembling the snap action mechanism 7 are provided.
The first driving body member 90 according to the second embodiment is different from the first driving body member 90 according to the first embodiment in that, as shown in
Furthermore, the first driving body member 90 according to the second embodiment is different from the first driving body member 90 according to the first embodiment in that, as shown in
In addition, the first driving body member 90 according to the second embodiment is different from the first driving body member 90 according to the first embodiment in that guide portions 10c and 10d are provided in the end portion lower surface of the contact point portions 83a and 83b sides of the movable contact points 8a and 8b in the connecting member 10 as shown in
Furthermore, the second driving body 11 according to the second embodiment is different from the first driving body member 90 according to the first embodiment in that the protruding portions 114a and 114b of the second driving body 11 have shapes bent at the lateral side end portion thereof and fulcrum portions 115a and 115b are provided in the front end of the bent portion as shown in
In addition, in the second driving body 11 according to the second embodiment, a part of the protruding portions 114a and 114b functions as a second mounting portion of the second driving body 11 upon assembling the snap action mechanism 7. In this manner, since, in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b are formed in a part of the second mounting portion capable of mounting the second driving body 11, it is possible to include a function as the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b in the second mounting portion to simplify the configuration of the second driving body 11.
In addition, the second driving body 11 according to the second embodiment is different from the first driving body member 90 according to the first embodiment in that the engagement concave portion 113 is not provided in the second driving body 11, but a contact piece 117 protruding downward is provided in place of the engagement concave portion 113. The contact piece 117 serves as a rotation restriction portion that comes into contact with the lower case 22 of the housing 2 to restrict the rotation due to the spring load of the tensile spring 12 upon assembling the snap action mechanism 7. In this manner, in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, since the rotation of the second driving body 11 can be restricted by the contact between the contact piece 117 of the second driving body 11 and the lower case 22. Thus, it is possible to maintain the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 in the process of assembling work in a stable state and to improve the work efficiency of the assembling work.
In addition, in the second driving body 11 according to the second embodiment, protruding pieces 118a and 118b protruding to the lateral side are provided near the opening portion 112 of the second driving body 11. The protruding pieces 118a and 118b have a shape slightly protruding from the pressing target portion 111 to the lateral side, and function as the first mounting portion of the second driving body 11. In the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, since the mounting portion is constituted by the first mounting portions of the common contact points 51a and 51b side and the second mounting portion of the switch-over contact points 52a and 52b, it is possible to stably mount the mounting portion on the upper surfaces of the support portions 426a and 426b of the supporters 4a and 4b and the protruding pieces 422a and 422b. Particularly, since the protruding pieces 114a and 114b constituting the second mounting portion are formed to be longer than the first mounting portion in a direction from the common contact points 51a and 51b to the switch-over contact points 52a and 52b, it is possible to stably move the second driving body 11 in a slide manner while maintaining the state of supporting the second driving body 11 on the upper surfaces of the support portions 426a and 426b of the supporters 4a and 4b and the protruding pieces 422a and 422b.
In the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, the snap action mechanism is assembled by assembling the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 having the difference from the first embodiment to the lower case 22 of the state shown in
Hereinafter, in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, the motion upon assembling the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 to the lower case 22 of the state shown in
When the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 are assembled to the lower case 22 of the state shown in
Meanwhile, the first driving body member 90 is mounted in parallel to the second driving body 11 mounted on the lower case 22 in this manner. In this case, the first driving body member 90 is disposed in a state in which the fulcrum portions 92a and 92b are accommodated in the concave portions 513a and 513b formed in the common contact points 51a and 51b, and the guide portions 10c and 10d are disposed outside the support portions 426a and 426b.
Moreover, the tensile spring 12 is attached to the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 disposed in this manner. Specifically, an end of the tensile spring 12 is engaged with the hole 96b of the reinforcing member 96 constituting the first driving body member 90, and the other end of the tensile spring 12 is engaged with the opening portion 112 of the second driving body 11. In this case, the tensile spring 12 is attached from upper side of the first driving body member 90 which is overlapped by the second driving body 11. That is, since the tensile spring 12 is attached in a state in which the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 are parallel to each other, the tensile spring 12 can be attached without separately preparing a jig or the like that maintains them in a predetermined state, whereby it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the assembling work of the snap action mechanism 7. In addition,
After attaching the tensile spring 12 to the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 of the state shown in
Moreover, after the protruding pieces 114a and 114b are moved from the upper surfaces of the protruding pieces 422a and 422b to the position reaching to the right side shown in
When separating a hand pushing the first driving body member 90 from the state shown in
When the first driving body member 90 enters the state shown in
In this manner, in the method of assembling the snap action mechanism 7 included in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, after the second driving body 11 and the first driving body member 90 are mounted on the supporters 4a and 4b and the tensile spring 12 is attached to both, only by disposing the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b of the second driving body 11 in the concave portions 425a and 425b of the protruding pieces 422a and 422b, the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 can be assembled in a predetermined position of the housing 2. Thus, it is possible to simply assemble the snap action mechanism 7 without requiring complicated work.
Herein, the configuration of the lower case 22, in which the snap action mechanism 7 is assembled in this manner, will be referenced to
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
In the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, with respect to the lower case 22 in which the snap action mechanism 7 is assembled in this manner, the upper case 21 is attached in a state in which the operation member 6 is disposed in the receiving member. Herein, the internal configuration of the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.
As shown in
Furthermore, in a predetermined position of an inner wall surface (a ceiling surface) of the upper case 21, similarly to the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, a protruding wall 215 is provided. The protruding wall 215 is disposed on the upside of the connecting member 10 of the first driving body member 90, comes into contact with the upper surface (the upper surface of the connecting member 10) of the first driving body member 90 of the initial state, and functions as a stopper of the rotation of the first driving body member 90. In addition, in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, unlike the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, the protruding walls 213a and 214a are not provided on the inner wall surface of the upper case 21, but they may be provided.
In the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, when receiving the pressing operation by the operation member 6 disposed on the pressing target portion 111, it is operated similarly to the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, as the pressing target portion 111 is pushed downward, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow A direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum in resistance to the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. Meanwhile, when the pressing operation relative to the operation member 6 is released, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow B direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum depending on the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. In this case, the first driving body member 90 is rotated in arrows C and D directions using the fulcrum portions 92a and 92b as the rotation fulcrum depending on the rotation position of the second driving body 11.
Hereinafter, the motion accompanied by the pressing operation of the operation member 6 in the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.
In a state (an initial state) in which the pressing operation is not performed on the operation member 6, the switch device 100 is in the states shown in
When the pressing operation is received by the operation member 6 and the pressing target portion 111 is pressed to the lower side, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow A direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum in resistance to the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. However, when the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, the first driving body member 90 is stopped in an initial position (a position shown in
Moreover, when the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, the direction of the biasing force of the tensile spring 12 acting on the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 is reversed, the first driving body member 90 is dragged to the lower side, and as shown in
Meanwhile, when the pressing operation of the operation member 6 is released, the second driving body 11 is rotated in an arrow B direction using the fulcrum portions 115a and 115b as the rotation fulcrum depending on the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. However, until the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, the first driving body member 90 is still stopped in a position shown in
Moreover, when the second driving body 11 is rotated up to a predetermined limitation position, a direction of the biasing force of the tensile spring 12 acting on the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 is reversed, the first driving body member 90 is dragged to the upside via the tensile spring 12, the first driving body member 90 is rotated in an arrow D direction using the fulcrum portions 92a and 92b as the rotation fulcrum in an instant, and returns to the initial position (see
As described above, according to the switch device 100 according to the second embodiment, since the switch device 100 includes the snap action mechanism 7 driving the first driving body member 90 with the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided therein, when the operation member 6 is pressed to a predetermined limitation position, it is possible to drive the movable contact points 8a and 8b provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, which are integrally connected to each other, in an instant, by the biasing force of the tensile spring 12. Thus, even when a plurality of circuits is synchronized and switched, it is possible to reduce the irregularity of the synchronization timing of the circuit switch-over.
In addition, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified and embodied. In the above embodiments, the size, the shape, or the like shown in the accompanying drawings is not limited thereto, but can be suitably modified within a scope of exhibiting the effect of the invention. In addition, they can be suitably modified unless departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although a case has been described where the first driving body member 90 includes two first driving bodies 9a and 9b, the number of the first driving body 9 is not limited thereto, but three or more first driving bodies 9 may be included depending on the number of the circuit becoming the switch-over target. In addition, in this case, there is a need to include the movable contact point 8 of the number depending on the number of the first driving body 9. Even when the number of the first driving body 9 is increased, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although a case has been described where the movable contact points 8a and 8b are attached to the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, the configurations of the movable contact points 8a and 8b are not limited thereto, but can be suitably changed. For example, the movable contact points 8a and 8b may be set in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b. As above, even when the movable contact points 8a and 8b are provided in the first driving bodies 9a and 9b, the same effect can be obtained.
In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, as shown in
In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the method of assembling the snap action mechanism 7 having the first driving body member 90 and the second driving body 11 which is constituted by connecting the first driving bodies 9a and 9b by the connecting member 10 has been described. However, the method of assembling the snap action mechanism 7 according to the invention is not limited to the snap action mechanism 7 having such components but can be suitably changed. For example, the method can also be applied to the snap action mechanism 7 having a single first driving body 9 and a single second driving body 11 or the snap action mechanism 7 having the movable contact point other than a clip shape. Even when the method is applied to the snap action mechanism 7 having the single first driving body 9 and the single second driving body 11, similarly to the above-mentioned embodiments, the snap action mechanism 7 can be simply assembled without requiring complicated work.
In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a case has been described where the fixed contact point 5 having the common contact points 51a and 51b, the first switch-over contact points 521a and 521b as the normal close contact point, and the second switch-over contact points 522a and 522b as the normal open contact point is included, but the configurations of the fixed contact points 5a and 5b are not limited thereto, but can be suitably changed. For example, a configuration may be adopted which does not include the common contact point, and, upon being operated by the normal open, connects two contact points of the fixed contact points 5a and 5b to each other by the contact point portions 83a and 83b of the movable contact points 8a and 8b.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-243271 | Sep 2008 | JP | national |
| 2009-181519 | Aug 2009 | JP | national |
This application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2009/066345 filed on Sep. 18, 2009, which claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-243271 filed on Sep. 22, 2008 and No. 2009-181519 filed on Aug. 4, 2009). The entire contents of each application noted above are hereby incorporated by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110147186 A1 | Jun 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2009/066345 | Sep 2009 | US |
| Child | 13040169 | US |
