JP5873696B2 - Waterproof switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof switch formed by sealing a movable portion with a waterproof seal member.

  Conventionally, an illumination switch of a type in which an operation knob transmits light emitted from an internal light source has been used to indicate the location of the switch in a dark place or to display an operation state (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  In such an illumination switch, a lens cut for diffusing or refracting irradiation light is performed on the operation knob (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  By the way, switches used in agricultural machines such as tractors are used outdoors, so it is necessary to efficiently radiate and refract the illumination light by lens cut so that the operation state can be recognized even under sunlight. In addition, there is a need to prevent rainwater from entering the switch.

  In order to ensure high waterproofness of the switch, a configuration is adopted in which a seal member such as a rubber boot is disposed between the operation knob and the switch case. Such a switch is called a waterproof switch.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-036333 JP 2007-260010 A

  However, in a waterproof switch using a seal member, when the operation knob is made of a light-transmitting material, light passes through the inside as it is, so the portion where the seal member exists is the color of the seal member. (For example, black), and there is a problem that the design of the switch is deteriorated. In particular, when there is a gap between the operation knob and the seal member, the color of the seal member looks uneven, and the appearance of the switch is significantly impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof switch capable of improving design properties while ensuring high waterproofness.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a switch case that is attached to a panel and accommodates a fixed contact; a movable member that is held displaceably with respect to the switch case and displaces the movable contact; In a waterproof switch comprising an operation knob made of a translucent material connected to the movable member, and a seal member for preventing water from entering between the operation knob and the movable member, the movable knob includes the movable member. Forming a peripheral edge portion that sandwiches one end of the seal member between and a concave portion that reflects irradiation light from the outside on the sandwiching surface that sandwiches the seal member at the peripheral edge portion. Features.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the operation knob is provided with a light bending portion for bending irradiation light from a light emitting portion accommodated in the switch case.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the movable member includes a slider having the movable contact and a knob base engaged with the slider, and the knob base has a peripheral edge thereof. Forming an annular flange portion that clamps one end of the seal member between the peripheral portion of the operation knob, and forming an engagement portion that engages with the operation knob on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the knob base is made of a light-transmitting material, and the knob base is provided with a light transmission portion that forms a closed space with the operation knob. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the seal member is formed in a hollow bellows shape, and the peripheral edge of the operation knob and the flange peripheral edge of the knob base are formed at one end of the seal member. And a fixing portion attached to one end of the switch case is formed at the other end.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the unevenness for reflecting the irradiation light from the outside is formed on the sandwiching surface for sandwiching the peripheral seal member formed on the operation knob, the irradiation light from the outside is uneven. Since the sealing member is in contact with the convex part and not into the concave part, the waterproof part in which the sealing member is disposed is visually recognized in a nearly transparent state, and the color of the sealing member is not visible from the outside. The design of the waterproof switch is improved. Further, since the seal member is sandwiched between the seal member and the movable member, it is possible to reliably prevent water from entering between the operation knob and the movable member, and the waterproofness of the waterproof switch is enhanced.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the operation knob is provided with the light bending portion that bends the irradiation light from the light emitting portion, even if it is a waterproof switch provided in a bright place outdoors for agricultural machinery, Irradiation light can be confirmed visually.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the engaging portion that engages with the operation knob is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion of the knob base, the operation knob can be securely fixed to the knob base, and after the fixing, the engagement is engaged. Since the joint portion is inside the knob base, the operation knob cannot be easily removed. Further, after the knob base, the operation knob, and the seal member are sub-assembled, the knob base may be attached to the slider together with the operation knob and the seal member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the knob base is made of a light transmissive material, and a closed space is formed between the light transmitting portion of the knob base and the operation knob. Even if water permeates, this water is confined in the closed space and does not flow into other parts, so that the waterproofness of the waterproof switch is enhanced.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since one end of the bellows-like seal member is sandwiched by the movable operation knob and the knob base with respect to the switch case, and the other end of the seal member is attached to one end of the switch case, the seal member Is elastically deformed to allow displacement of the operation knob and the movable member, and to reliably prevent water from entering between them (movable part). In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent light from leaking from between the operation knob and the switch case through the knob base made of a translucent material, so that the appearance of the waterproof switch is enhanced.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof switch according to the present invention. 1 is a side view of a waterproof switch according to the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a rear view of the waterproof switch concerning the present invention. It is the B section enlarged detail drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of the operation knob of the waterproof switch which concerns on this invention, a sealing member, and a knob base.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof switch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the waterproof switch, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the waterproof switch, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion B in FIG. 3, and FIG.

  The waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention accommodates a movable member 3 in a substantially rectangular cylindrical switch case 2 so that the movable member 3 can be displaced, and a distal end portion (left end portion in FIG. 2) protruding from the switch case 2 of the movable member 3. The operation knob 4 is attached to the terminal case 5 and the terminal base 5 is incorporated into the switch case 2 from the rear end (right end in FIG. 2).

  The switch case 2 is fixed to the panel by engaging engaging claws 2a formed integrally on the left and right sides thereof with the peripheral edge of a mounting hole (not shown). A circular flange portion 2A is integrally formed at the front end portion of the switch case 2, and a ring groove spring receiver 2b is formed on the flange portion 2A as shown in FIGS. Yes. As shown in FIG. 1, rectangular engagement holes 2c (only one is shown in FIG. 1) are formed above and below the rear end of the switch case 2. As shown in FIG.

  The movable member 3 accommodated in the switch case 2 so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 is composed of a rectangular block-shaped slider 6 and a two-stage cylindrical knob base 7 attached to the tip portion thereof. The slider 6 is integrally formed of a light impermeable material, and the knob base 7 is integrally formed of a transparent light transmissive material such as acrylic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal base 5 is provided with a fixed contact 5c.

  A cylindrical fitting cylinder 6A is integrally formed at the front end of the slider 6, and engaging claws 6a (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) are formed on the left and right sides of the fitting cylinder 6A. 1 is formed integrally, and guide projections 6b (only one is shown in FIG. 1) project from the top and bottom of the fitting cylinder 6A. Although not shown, the slider 6 is provided with a movable contact, and the movable contact selectively contacts the fixed contact 5c on the terminal base 5 side by the pressing operation of the operation knob 4.

  The knob base 7 is configured by integrally forming an annular flange portion 7B at the front end of a small diameter fitting cylinder 7A. As shown in FIG. A rectangular engaging hole 7a is formed in a portion corresponding to the engaging claw 6a), and guide grooves 7b having different widths are formed above and below the fitting cylinder 7A. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a light transmitting portion 7c as a circular partition is formed between the fitting cylinder 7A and the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7, and the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 7B. As shown in FIG. 1, rectangular engaging claws 7d (only one is shown in FIG. 1) are formed at four locations, and guide protrusions 7e having different widths are formed above and below the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 7B. (Only one of them is shown in FIG. 1) is projected.

  Thus, the knob base 7 is fitted into the outer periphery of the fitting cylinder 6A of the slider 6 as shown in FIG. 3, and at this time, the knob base 7 has a width formed above and below the fitting cylinder 7A. Positioning of the knob base 7 and the slider 6 in the circumferential direction is achieved by engaging guide protrusions 6b (see FIG. 1) protruding from the top and bottom of the fitting cylinder 6A of the slider 6 in different guide grooves 7b (see FIG. 6). In addition, misconfiguration between the two is prevented. Then, when the knob base 7 is pushed in with the fitting cylinder 7A of the knob base 7 fitted into the fitting cylinder 6A of the slider 6, the engagement holes formed in the fitting cylinder 7A of the knob base 7 as shown in FIG. 7a engages with an engaging claw 6a projecting from a fitting cylinder 6A of the slider 6, and a knob base 7 is attached to the tip of the slider 6 to integrate them.

  The operation knob 4 is integrally formed in a circular shape by a transparent light transmissive material such as acrylic resin, and a fitting cylinder 4A is integrally formed on the back side thereof as shown in FIG. Then, engagement holes 4a (see FIG. 6) are provided at four places in the circumferential direction of the fitting cylinder 4A (four places corresponding to the engagement claws 7d (see FIG. 1) formed on the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7). (Only one is shown) is formed, and guide grooves 4b having different widths are formed above and below the fitting cylinder 4A.

  Thus, the operation knob 4 has its fitting cylinder 4A fitted into the inner periphery of the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7 as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the width formed above and below the fitting cylinder 4A. The guide knobs 7e (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3) projecting up and down on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7 are fitted into the different guide grooves 4b, whereby the operation knob 4 and the knob base 7 are fitted. Is positioned in the circumferential direction, and misconfiguration of both is prevented. When the operation knob 4 is pushed in with the fitting cylinder 4 </ b> A of the operation knob 4 fitted in the inner periphery of the flange portion 7 </ b> B of the knob base 7, the engagement claw 7 d of the flange portion 7 </ b> B of the knob base 7 is The operating knob 4 is attached to the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7 so as to be engaged with the engaging hole 4a projecting from the fitting cylinder 4A, and the operating knob 4 and the knob base 7 are integrated. After the operation knob 4 is fixed to the knob base 7 in this manner, the operation knob 4 cannot be easily removed because the engaging claw 7d on the knob base 7 side is inside the knob base 7.

  As described above, the slider 6 and the knob base 7 constituting the movable member 3 are fixed by engagement to be integrated with each other, and the operation knob 4 is fixed to the knob base 7 by engagement. The movable member 3 is held so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 with respect to the switch case 2, and these are located between the rear surface of the knob base 7 and the spring receiving portion 2 b formed on the flange portion 2 A of the switch case 2. 3 is biased leftward in FIG. 3 (in the direction in which the movable contact on the slider 6 side is separated from the fixed contact on the switch case 2 side and the waterproof switch 1 is turned off).

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the knob base 7 and the return spring 8 which are movable parts protruding forward from the switch case 2 of the waterproof switch 1 are covered and sealed by a waterproof seal member 9. Here, the seal member 9 is formed into a hollow bellows shape by an elastic material such as rubber, and a sandwiched portion 9a is formed at one end and a fixing portion 9b is formed at the other end.

  Further, the peripheral edge portion 4B of the operation knob 4 is bent in an arc shape toward the back side, and the sandwiched portion 9a at one end of the seal member 9 is sandwiched between the peripheral edge portion 4B and the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7. The fixing portion 9b formed on the other end of the seal member 9 is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 2A of the switch case 2 and fixed. In actual assembly, first, the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7 is fitted into the sandwiched portion 9a of the seal member 9, and the operation knob 4 is fixed to the knob base 7 as described above, whereby the seal member 9 is fixed. The sandwiched portion 9a is sandwiched and sandwiched between the peripheral edge portion 4B of the operation knob 4 and the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7. In the state where the seal member 9 is assembled as shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral surface of the sandwiched portion 9a of the seal member 9 and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral edge portion 4B of the operation knob 4 form the same surface. The operation knob 4 is hooked and cannot be removed.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the clamping surface (the surface facing the sandwiched portion 9 a of the seal member 9) that is the inner surface of the peripheral edge portion 4 </ b> B of the operation knob 4 is provided. A plurality of concavities and convexities 10 are formed concentrically. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a light bending portion 11 composed of a plurality of concentric lens cuts for bending light is formed in a circular portion surrounded by the fitting cylinder 4A on the inner surface (back surface) of the operation knob 4. Is formed. In the state where the operation knob 4 is fixed to the knob base 7, the light transmitting portion 7 c of the knob base 7 forms a closed space S with the operation knob 4 as shown in FIG. 3.

  The terminal base 5 fitted into the switch case 2 from the rear end opening is integrally formed with a rectangular cylindrical coupler portion 5A at the rear end, and a front half portion 5B ahead of the coupler portion 5A is formed. The switch case 2 is fixed by being fitted in from the rear end opening. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, engaging claws 5a (only one is shown in FIG. 1) are formed above and below the front half 5B of the terminal base 5, and the terminal base 5 switches the front half 5B. The switch case 2 is fitted into the case 2 from the rear end opening, and the engaging claws 5a projecting vertically are engaged with the engagement holes 2c formed above and below the rear end of the switch case 2. Fixed.

  A substrate 12 is vertically mounted on the front end surface of the terminal base 5, and an LED (light emitting diode) 13 as a light emitting unit is mounted on the substrate 12, and the upper and lower portions projecting forward from the terminal base 5. Two terminals 14 are inserted and electrically connected to the substrate 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a shaft 5b protrudes laterally from the side of the terminal base 5, and a cam spring 15 is wound around the shaft 5b. One end of the cam spring 15 is locked to the terminal base 5, and the other end is engaged with a cam 6c formed on the slider 6 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower two terminals 16 and the upper and lower four terminals 17 are accommodated in the coupler portion 5 </ b> A of the terminal base 5. The cam spring 15 and the cam 6c of the slider 6 with which one end thereof engages constitute a push lock mechanism.

  In the waterproof switch 1 configured as described above, when the operator pushes the operation knob 4 against the urging force of the return spring 8, the movable member 3 connected to the operation knob 4 moves in the same direction (in FIG. 3). Since the movable contact (not shown) provided on the slider 6 of the movable member 3 contacts the fixed contact 5c provided on the terminal base 5, the waterproof switch 1 is turned on. Even when the operator releases his hand from the operation knob 4, the displacement of the movable member 3 is locked, and the ON state of the waterproof switch 1 is maintained by the push lock mechanism. Further, when the waterproof switch 1 is in the ON state, when the LED 13 mounted on the substrate 12 is energized and activated, the light emitted from the LED 13 is transmitted through the light transmitting portion 7c of the transparent knob base 7. Then, the operation knob 4 is advanced, bent by the light bending portion 11 formed on the inner surface of the operation knob 4, and emitted to the outside.

Thereafter, when the operator presses the operation knob 4 again, the movable member 3 is unlocked by the push lock mechanism, and the movable member 3 and the operation knob 4 are displaced to the left in FIG. 3 by the urging force of the return spring 8. Therefore, since the movable contact provided on the slider 6 of the movable member 3 is separated from the fixed contact 5c on the switch case 2 side, the waterproof switch 1 is turned off, and the power supply to the LED 13 is cut off. Stop.

  As described above, in the waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention, the projections and depressions 10 are formed on the clamping surface that clamps the seal member 9 of the peripheral edge portion 4B formed on the operation knob 4, so that the irradiation light from the outside is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, since the light is reflected by the unevenness 10 and the seal member 9 is in contact with the convex part and not in contact with the concave part, the waterproof part in which the seal member 9 is disposed is visually recognized in a nearly transparent state. Since the color (for example, black) is not visible from the outside, the design of the waterproof switch 1 is enhanced. And since the sealing member 9 is pinched | interposed between the sealing member 9 and the movable member 3, the infiltration from between the operation knob 4 and the movable member 3 can be prevented reliably, and the waterproofness of the said waterproof switch 1 is concerned. Is increased.

  Moreover, according to the waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention, since the light bending portion 11 that bends the light emitted from the LED 13 is provided in the operation knob 4, the waterproof switch 1 can be used in agricultural machinery or the like that is used outdoors in bright places. Even if it is provided, the irradiation light can be reliably recognized.

  Furthermore, in the waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention, since the engaging claw 7d that engages the operation knob 4 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 7B of the knob base 7, the operation knob 4 is securely fixed to the knob base 7. In addition, since the engaging claw 7d is inside the knob base 7 after being fixed, the operation knob 4 cannot be easily removed. Then, after the knob base 7, the operation knob 4 and the seal member 9 are sub-assembled, the knob base 7 may be attached to the slider 6 together with the operation knob 4 and the seal member 9. can get.

  Further, according to the waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention, the knob base 7 is made of a translucent material, and the closed space S is formed between the light transmitting portion 7 c of the knob base 7 and the operation knob 4. Even if water permeates from the sandwiched portion 9a of the seal member 9, the water is confined in the closed space S and does not flow into other portions, so that the waterproof property of the waterproof switch 1 is enhanced.

  In addition, in the waterproof switch 1 according to the present invention, one end of the bellows-like seal member 9 is sandwiched by the operation knob 4 and the knob base 7 which are movable with respect to the switch case 2, and the other end of the seal member 9 is connected to the switch case 2. Therefore, the seal member 9 is elastically deformed to allow the operation knob 4 and the movable member 3 to be displaced, and to reliably prevent water from entering between them (movable part). Further, since the sealing member 9 can surely prevent light from leaking between the operation knob 4 and the switch case 2 through the knob base 7 made of a translucent material, the appearance of the waterproof switch 1 is also this. Sexuality is enhanced.

  In the above, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the waterproof switch adopting the push lock method has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to other waterproof switches not adopting the push lock method. Of course.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof switch 2 Switch case 2A Flange part of switch case 2a Engagement nail of switch case 2b Spring holder of switch case 2c Engagement hole of switch case 3 Movable member 4 Operation knob 4A Fitting cylinder of operation knob 4B Perimeter of operation knob 4a Operation knob engagement hole 4b Operation knob guide groove 5 Terminal base 5A Terminal base coupler 5B Front half of terminal base 5a Terminal base engagement claw 5b Terminal base shaft 5c Terminal fixed contact 6 Slider 6A Slider 6a Slider engaging claw 6b Slider guide protrusion 6c Slider cam 7 Knob base 7A Knob base fitting cylinder 7B Knob base flange 7a Knob base engaging hole 7b Knob base guide groove 7c Knob base light transmitting portion 7d Knob base engagement claw (engagement part)
7e Guide projection of the knob base 8 Return spring 9 Sealing member 9a Clamping part of the sealing member 9b Fixing part of the sealing member 10 Unevenness of the operating knob 11 Light bending part of the operating knob 12 Substrate 13 LED (light emitting part)
14 Terminal 15 Cam spring 16, 17 Terminal S Closed space

Claims (5)

A switch case that is attached to a panel and accommodates a fixed contact, a movable member that is held displaceably with respect to the switch case and displaces the movable contact, and an operation knob made of a translucent material connected to the movable member And in a waterproof switch comprising a seal member that prevents water from entering between the operation knob and the movable member,
The operation knob is formed with a peripheral edge portion that sandwiches one end of the seal member with the movable member, and irradiation light from the outside is applied to the sandwiching surface that sandwiches the seal member at the peripheral edge portion. Waterproof switch characterized by the formation of irregularities to reflect .
  The waterproof switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation knob is provided with a light bending portion that bends irradiation light from a light emitting portion accommodated in the switch case.   The movable member is composed of a slider having the movable contact and a knob base engaged with the slider, and the knob base has one end of the seal member sandwiched between the periphery of the knob and the peripheral portion of the operation knob. The waterproof switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an annular flange portion to be worn is formed, and an engagement portion that engages with the operation knob is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the flange portion.   4. The waterproof switch according to claim 3, wherein the knob base is made of a translucent material, and the knob base is provided with a light transmission portion that forms a closed space with the operation knob. The seal member is formed into a hollow bellows shape, and a clamped portion that is clamped between a peripheral portion of the operation knob and a peripheral portion of the flange portion of the knob base is formed at one end of the seal member, and the other end The waterproof switch according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a fixing portion attached to one end of the switch case.

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