Patent Grant
9552940
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-117921 filed on Jun. 6, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch, a switch assembly and a switch seal structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A water vehicle is provided with various types of switches. For example, a PTT switch is configured to be operated for adjusting the tilt and trim angles of an outboard motor. The PTT switches are attached to a plurality of positions such as an outboard motor body, a tiller handle, a remote controller and so forth.
When a given one of the switches is designed to be attached to a position with low necessity for waterproofing, attaching the switch to the position is performed with a simple construction as described in, for instance, Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-H03-118294. The switch described in the Publication No. JP-A-H03-118294 includes an elastic pawl having a roughly rectangular shape, whereas a grip of an operating handle includes a stepped portion. The elastic pawl is locked with the stepped portion, and thus, the switch is fixed to the operating handle.
The construction described in the Publication No. JP-A-H03-118294 enables the switch to be easily attached to the operating handle, but does not have waterproofing properties. For example, the switch described in the Publication No. JP-A-H03-118294 includes a seal structure formed along a roughly rectangular flange shape. In this type of seal structure, a seal member cannot fit to the corners of the rectangular flange in a good condition. Thus, the sealing properties of the seal member degrade in the corners, and the seal structure cannot exert sufficient waterproofing properties.
Incidentally, with advances in precision of the internal structures of switches, waterproofing has been increasingly demanded even for the aforementioned type of switch from the perspective of erosion prevention. By contrast, another type of switch, which has been so far attached to a position with high necessity for waterproofing (e.g., an outboard motor body), employs a construction different from that employed by the aforementioned type of switch in order to reliably achieve required sealing properties. For example, as shown in
It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch that can exert better sealing properties with a simple construction.
A switch according to a first aspect is attached to an attachment object through a seal member. The switch includes an operating portion, a support portion, a flange portion, a seal holding portion and a pawl portion. The operating portion includes an operating surface. The support portion supports the operating portion so as to enable a push operation for the operating portion. The flange portion is disposed so as to enclose a surrounding of the support portion. Additionally, a projected area of the flange portion is larger than the operating portion. The seal holding portion is disposed in a direction of the push operation to the flange portion. As used herein, the direction of the push operation (which may also be referred to as a pushing direction”) may mean the direction a user pushes or actuates the operating portion during the pushing operation. Additionally, the seal holding portion includes a circular or oval portion making contact with the seal member. Besides, the seal holding portion circularly or ovally holds the seal member. The pawl portion is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion. Additionally, the pawl portion is configured to be hooked to the attachment object.
A switch assembly according to a second aspect includes a seal member and a switch. The switch is attached to an attachment object through the seal member. Additionally, the switch includes an operating portion, a support portion, a flange portion, a seal holding portion and a pawl portion. The operating portion includes an operating surface. The support portion supports the operating portion so as to enable a push operation for the operating portion. The flange portion is disposed so as to enclose a surrounding of the support portion. Additionally, a projected area of the flange portion is larger than the operating portion. The seal holding portion is disposed in a direction of the push operation to the flange portion. Additionally, the seal holding portion includes a circular or oval portion making contact with the seal member. Besides, the seal holding portion circularly or ovally holds the seal member. The pawl portion is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion. Additionally, the pawl portion is configured to be hooked to the attachment object.
A switch seal structure according to a third aspect includes a seal member, an attachment object and a switch. The switch is attached to the attachment object through the seal member. The switch includes an operating portion, a support portion, a flange portion, a seal holding portion and a pawl portion. The operating portion includes an operating surface. The support portion supports the operating portion so as to enable a push operation for the operating portion. The flange portion is disposed so as to enclose a surrounding of the support portion. Additionally, a projected area of the flange portion is larger than the operating portion. The seal holding portion is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the flange portion. Additionally, the seal holding portion includes a circular or oval portion making contact with the seal member. Besides, the seal holding portion circularly or ovally holds the seal member. The pawl portion is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion. Additionally, the pawl portion is configured to be hooked to the attachment object.
In the switch related to each of the first to third aspects, the seal holding portion has a circular or oval shape. Thus, the seal member can better fit to the seal holding portion in a position corresponding to a corner of the seal holding portion. Accordingly, better sealing properties can be exerted in the first to third aspects.
Further, the seal holding portion is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the flange portion, and the pawl portion designed to be hooked to the attachment object is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion. With the construction, the seal member is held between the flange portion and the attachment object. Hence, when the push operation is performed, operating load acts on the flange portion in a direction of pressing the seal member toward the attachment object. Degradation in sealing properties can be thereby prevented.
Yet further, when the push operation is performed, the operating load is received by the flange portion. With the construction, the operating load can be inhibited from acting on the pawl portion. Accordingly, detachment of the switch can be prevented.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a portion of this original disclosure:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter explained with reference to the attached drawings.
The engine 4 is disposed inside the engine cover 2. The engine 4 includes a crankshaft 11 extending in the up-and-down direction. A driveshaft 12 is disposed inside the casing 3 and extends in the up-and-down direction. The driveshaft 12 is coupled to the crankshaft 11.
A propeller shaft 13 is disposed in the lower portion of the casing 3. The propeller shaft 13 extends in the back-and-forth direction. The propeller shaft 13 is coupled to the lower portion of the driveshaft 12 through a shift mechanism 14. The propeller shaft 13 is connected to a propeller 15. The shift mechanism 14 is configured to transmit rotational driving force of the driveshaft 12 to the propeller shaft 13. Further, the shift mechanism 14 is configured to switch the rotational direction of the driving force to be transmitted from the driveshaft 12 to the propeller shaft 13.
In the outboard motor 1, driving force generated by the engine 4 is transmitted to the propeller 15 through the driveshaft 12, the shift mechanism 14 and the propeller shaft 13. Thus, the propeller 15 is configured to be forwardly or reversely rotated. This results in generation of thrust for forwardly or backwardly moving a hull to which the outboard motor 1 is attached.
The outboard motor 1 includes a bracket 16 and a PTT (Power Tilt and Trim) device 17. The outboard motor 1 is attached to the hull through the bracket 16. The outboard motor 1 is attached to the hull so as to be capable of pivoting up and down about a tilt axis Ax1 of the bracket 16. The tilt axis Ax1 extends in the right-and-left direction. For example, the PTT device 17 includes a hydraulic or electric cylinder. Alternatively, the PTT device 17 may include a hydraulic or electric motor. The PTT device 17 causes the outboard motor 1 to pivot about the tilt axis Ax1.
The outboard motor 1 includes a PTT switch 21. The PTT switch 21 is a type of switch for performing tilt and trim operations of the outboard motor 1. The PTT device 17 is configured to be driven by the operation of the PTT switch 21. The PTT switch 21 is attached to the engine cover 2. When described in detail, the PTT switch 21 is attached to the lower cover 2b. A switch seal structure for attaching the PTT switch 21 to the engine cover 2 will be hereinafter explained.
The switch assembly 20 includes the PTT switch 21 and a seal member 22. The PTT switch 21 is attached to the switch attached portion 19 through the seal member 22. The PTT switch 21 includes an operating portion 31 and an attachment member 32. The operating portion 31 is supported by the attachment member 32. The attachment member 32 is attached to the switch attached portion 19. The attachment member 32 includes a support portion 33, a flange portion 34, a seal holding portion 35, a body 36 and pawl portions 37 and 38.
The support portion 33 supports the operating portion 31 so as to enable a push operation of the operating portion 31. The operating portion 31 includes an operating surface 39. As shown in
The flange portion 34 is disposed so as to enclose the surrounding of the support portion 33. That is, the flange portion 34 disposed in a direction of the push operation relative to all of the support portion 33 so that the flange portion 34 is underneath all of the support portion 33. The flange portion 34 is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the support portion 33. The flange portion 34 is located between the support portion 33 and the seal holding portion 35. The flange portion 34 has a shape protruding from the seal holding portion 35 in a direction oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the push operation.
As shown in
It should be noted that the attachment direction of the PTT switch 21 is substantially the same as the direction oriented perpendicularly to the plane on which the flange portion 34 is arranged. The direction of the push operation is substantially the same as the direction oriented perpendicularly to the plane on which the flange portion 34 is arranged.
The oval shape of the operating surface 39 includes a pair of short sides 393a and 393b, a pair of long sides 394a and 394b and rounded corners 395a to 395d. On the other hand, the oval shape of the flange portion 34 includes a pair of short sides 341a and 341b, a pair of long sides 342a and 342b and rounded corners 343a to 343d. It should be noted that the terms “short side” and “long side” herein refer to straight portions.
It should be noted that the length of the short side 341a of the flange portion 34 is roughly zero, and thus, the short side 341a and the rounded corners 343a and 343b form a roughly semicircular shape. Likewise, the length of the short side 341b of the flange portion 34 is roughly zero, and thus, the short side 341b and the rounded corners 343c and 343d form a roughly semicircular shape. When seen from the direction of the push operation, the rounded corners 395a to 395d of the operating surface 39 are partially matched with the rounded corners 343a to 343d of the flange portion 34.
As shown in
The curvature radius of each corner 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d is greater than or equal to twice the cross-sectional diameter of the seal member 22 (see R1 in
The body 36 is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion 35. An electric cable 41 extends from the body 36. As shown in
The minor (shorter) axial width of the body 36 is smaller than that of the seal holding portion 35. The major (longer) axial width of the body 36 is the same as that of the seal holding portion 35. When seen from the direction of the push operation, the short sides 361a and 361b of the body 36 are respectively matched with the short sides 351a and 351b of the seal holding portion 35.
The pawl portions 37 and 38 are disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion 35. The pawl portions 37 and 38 are designed to be hooked to the switch attached portion 19. The pawl portions 37 and 38 include a first pawl portion 37 and a second pawl portion 38. The first pawl portion 37 is connected to one of the lateral surfaces of the body 36, i.e., a lateral surface forming the long side 362b (hereinafter referred to as “a first lateral surface 362b”). The first pawl portion 37 protrudes from the first lateral surface 362b. On the other hand, the second pawl portion 38 is connected to another of the lateral surfaces of the body 36, i.e., a lateral surface forming the long side 362a (hereinafter referred to as “a second lateral surface 362a”). The second pawl portion 38 protrudes from the second lateral surface 362a. The first pawl portion 37 and the second pawl portion 38 are hooked to the attachment flange 192.
The seal member 22 is disposed between the seal holding portion 35 and the outer surface of the switch attached portion 19. In the present preferred embodiment, the seal member 22 is an O-ring. The seal member 22 is made of, for instance, an elastic material such as rubber. It should be noted that the seal member 22 may take a form other than the O-ring. Further or alternatively, the seal member 22 may be made of a material other than the elastic material.
The seal member 22 seals between the seal holding portion 35 and the outer surface of the switch attached portion 19 in the circumferential direction of the seal holding portion 35. As shown in
As shown in
Next, a method of attaching the switch assembly 20 according to the present preferred embodiment will be explained. The switch assembly 20 is inserted into the aperture 191 of the switch attached portion 19 from the outside of the engine cover 2. In the insertion of the switch assembly 20 into the aperture 191, the pawl portions 37 and 38 pass through the attachment flange 192 while elastically deforming. As a result, the pawl portions 37 and 38 are hooked to the attachment flange 192 in the inside of the engine cover 2. The switch assembly 20 is thereby prevented from being detached from the switch attached portion 19. Further, the seal member 22 herein makes contact with the seal holding portion 35 and the inner surface of the aperture 191. A gap between the PTT switch 21 and the switch attached portion 19 is thereby sealed.
In the aforementioned switch assembly 20 according to the present preferred embodiment, the seal holding portion 35 has an oval shape. With the construction, the seal member 22 can better fit to the seal holding portion 35 in the positions corresponding to the corners 353a to 353d. Thus, sealing properties can be improved.
Further, the seal holding portion 35 is disposed in the direction of the push operation to the flange portion 34, whereas the pawl portions 37 and 38 are disposed in the direction of the push operation to the seal holding portion 35. With the construction, the seal member 22 is held between the flange portion 34 and the attachment flange 192 as shown in
Yet further, when the push operation is performed, the operating load is received by the flange portion 34. Therefore, the operating load can be inhibited from acting on the pawl portions 37 and 38. As a result, detachment of the PTT switch 21 can be prevented.
The operating load is thus received by the flange portion 34. Hence, it is not required to provide the large bracket 102 and bolts 105 for fixing the bracket 102 as shown in
As described above, in the present preferred embodiment, better sealing properties can be achieved with a simple construction.
One preferred embodiment of the present invention has been explained above. However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned preferred embodiment, and a variety of changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The number of operating positions on the operating surface is not limited to two, and may be one. Alternatively, the number of operating positions on the operating surface may be more than two.
The shape of the operating surface is not limited to that described in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, and may be changed. For example, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, the shape of the operating surface 39 is different from that of the flange portion 34 in the view from the direction of the push operation. However, as shown in a first modification of
The shape of the seal holding portion 35 or that of the flange portion 34 is not limited to that described in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, and may be changed. For example, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, each short side 351a, 351b of the seal holding portion 35 includes a length of roughly zero, and thus, hardly includes a liner portion. However, as shown in a second modification of
Alternatively, as shown in a third modification of
Yet alternatively, as shown in a fourth modification of
The switch of the present invention is not limited to the PTT switch 21, and may be another type of switch. For example, as shown in a fifth modification of
The object to which the switch is attached is not limited to the lower cover 2b, and may be changed. For example, the switch attachment object may be the upper cover 2a. Alternatively, the switch attachment object may be other than the engine cover 2. Yet alternatively, the switch attachment object may be other than the outboard motor 1. For example, the switch attachment object may be an operating panel of the hull. Alternatively, the switch attachment object may be a remote controller or a tiller handle to be explained below.
The switch may be attached to the attachment object without using a seal member. For example, when the attachment object is disposed in a position that water intrusion is unlikely to occur as with the aforementioned remote controller 5 disposed inside the hull, the PTT switch 21 may be attached to the attachment object without using the seal member 22.
It should be noted that instead of the PTT switch 21, a filler plug 23 shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-117921 | Jun 2014 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5434375 | Kawada | Jul 1995 | A |
| 6955552 | Ferri | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 8044313 | Yamamoto | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| H03-118294 | May 1991 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150357134 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |
