JP3695003B2 - Switch structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switch structure suitable for protecting a device such as a digital panel meter, an electronic counter, or a timer from intrusion of water, oil, dust or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some conventional electronic devices, such as digital panel meters, are used for applications such as food lines that require water washing, and such digital panel meters have their front faces through the mounting holes in the control panel. It is attached to the control panel, and is required to be waterproof from the front surface. For example, it is necessary to satisfy a standard such as NEMA4 (equivalent to IP-66).
[0003]
Therefore, in the conventional digital panel meter, as shown in FIG. 7, a waterproof sheet is provided on the entire surface of the display unit 51 and the switch unit 52 on the front surface of the digital panel meter 50 facing the mounting hole of the control panel (not shown). 53, or as shown in the digital panel meter 54 of FIG. 8, the switch portion 55 is configured by an O-ring 56 for sealing and a key top 57, and further, the switch portion is It is composed of so-called rubber switches.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as shown in FIG. 7, in the conventional example in which the waterproof sheet 53 is attached to the entire surface of the display unit 51 and the switch unit 52, since the keystroke of the switch unit 52 is small, the touch of the key switch, so-called There is a problem that there is little click feeling, and the front of the device is flat, so that a high-quality feeling cannot be obtained sufficiently.
[0005]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, in the conventional example in which waterproofing is performed by the O-ring 56 and the key top 57, a sufficient click feeling can be obtained, but the difficulty is that the number of parts increases and the assembly cost increases. In addition, the conventional example in which the switch part is configured by a rubber switch is weak against oil, and the rubber switch has a drawback that it is difficult to obtain a high-class feeling compared to a switch made of synthetic resin.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a switch structure that can obtain a click feeling while ensuring sufficient waterproofness and can be configured at a relatively low cost. With the goal.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is configured as follows in order to achieve the above-described object.
[0008]
That is, the present invention includes an operation unit and a switch body that operates by operating the operation unit, and a sheet-like sealing member that seals the switch body side is interposed between the operation unit and the switch body. The switch body is incorporated into the device and faces the outside from the opening of the device, and the sealing member is attached to the device so as to seal the switch body and the opening, and the operation unit Is arranged in the device so that the switch body can be operated via the sealing member, and the device includes a base member in which the opening and a display opening are formed, and the display opening. A cover member that seals the operation member, and the operation portion has one end engaged with the engagement portion of the base member and the other end engaged with the engagement portion of the cover member. The member is attached to the base member in a state in which the other end side of the operation unit is engaged, and the operation unit has an operation surface to be pressed and is on a surface opposite to the operation surface. And a pressing portion that faces the switch body, and the operation portion swings at the other end side in response to the pressing operation with an engaging portion with the base member on the one end side of the operation portion as a fulcrum. By doing so, the pressing part operates the switch body via the sealing member.
[0013]
According to the switch structure of the present invention, the sheet-like sealing member for sealing the switch body side is interposed between the operation section that is directly operated and the switch body that is operated by the operation of the operation section. In addition, the sealing member can prevent water and oil from entering the switch body, and the switch body can be operated by operating the operation unit, so that a key stroke can be secured and a sufficient click feeling can be obtained. .
[0014]
Moreover, since the said sealing member is attached to an apparatus so that the switch main body side which faces from the opening part of an apparatus may be sealed, entry of water, oil, etc. to the inside of an apparatus can be prevented.
[0015]
Further, since the operation part is engaged with and attached to each engagement part of the base member and the cover member of the device, the assembly is easy, and the operation part, the cover member and the base member are molded from a synthetic resin. It is possible to obtain a high-class feeling in terms of design.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital panel meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof.
[0018]
On the front face of the digital panel meter of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a 5-digit main display unit 1 for displaying the current value and the set value, and a comparison output between the current value and the set value. A comparison output display unit 2 that displays HH, PASS, LL, etc., and a status display unit 3 such as Min, Max, etc., that lights up when the value displayed on the main display unit 1 is a bottom value or a peak value. Under the display units 1 to 3, five operation keys 4 such as a shift key and an up key are arranged.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital panel meter houses a power supply board 6, a CPU board 7, an input board 8 and an output unit 9 in a main body case 5, and includes a chip LED 10 and five key switches 11. Is mounted, a display case 12 on which is mounted, an LED case 13 in which a through-hole such as a Japanese letter is formed, and a diffusion sheet 14 to be adhered to the surface of the LED case 13 are housed.
[0020]
Further, a base member 17 having five switch openings 15 and a display opening 16 facing the plunger of the key switch 11 is mounted on the front side of the main body case 5 via a waterproof rubber 18. As will be described later, a waterproof sheet 19 as a sealing member is attached to a portion of the switch opening 15 of the base member 17, and each key top 20 of the operation key 4 described above is attached, and a display opening. A cover member 21 that seals the portion 16 is attached. The cover member 21 is made of a transparent material or a semi-transparent material so that display contents can be visually observed.
[0021]
A finger protector 22 is attached to the back side of the main body case 5.
[0022]
As in the conventional case, this digital panel meter has a waterproof packing 23 fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the main body case 5, and the digital panel meter is inserted into the mounting hole of the control panel from the front side of the panel. It is attached to the control panel by the mounting bracket 24.
[0023]
The digital panel meter of this embodiment has a waterproof structure that satisfies the NEMA4 standard so that the digital panel meter can be suitably used in food lines that require washing and the like. 3 and FIG. 4, the details will be described.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged main part of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the front part.
[0025]
On the display substrate 12, together with the chip LED 10 for display, five key switches 11 as the switch body constituting the operation key 4 described above are mounted, and the base member 17 made of synthetic resin has these 5 switches. A rectangular switch opening 15 facing each plunger of each of the key switches 11 is provided in parallel.
[0026]
In this embodiment, in order to prevent intrusion of water, oil, or the like from the switch opening 15 into the inside of the device, the switch opening 15 of the base member 17 includes the key switch 11 and the switch opening. A rectangular waterproof sheet 19 is attached so as to seal the portion 15. The waterproof sheet 19 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and an elliptical portion 19a corresponding to the plunger portion of each key switch 11 is curved toward the front surface (left side in FIG. 4).
[0027]
In order to operate the key switches 11 sealed inside the device by the waterproof sheet 19 in this way, key tops 20 as operation units are disposed at positions corresponding to the respective key switches 11.
[0028]
As shown in the plan view, the side view, and the bottom view of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the key top 20 serves as an operation surface 20a whose upper surface is directly pressed by a finger. The operation surface 20a is formed with three hemispherical convex portions 20b indicating the pressing position. A pressing portion 20c that presses the plunger portion of the key switch 11 via the waterproof sheet 19 to operate the key switch 11 is provided in a projecting manner at a substantially central position on the lower surface side of the key top 20. ing.
[0029]
Further, an engagement protrusion 20d that engages with an engagement recess 21a of the cover member 21 shown in FIG. 4 is provided at the end of the key top 20 on the cover member 21 side so as to protrude along the width direction. Engagement protrusions 20e that engage with the engagement recesses 17a of the base member 17 are respectively provided at two positions along the width direction at the lower portion of the end portion. The engagement protrusion 20e and the end 20j of the key top 20 are attached with the end 17f of the base member 17 sandwiched therebetween.
[0030]
Further, on both sides of the other end of the key top 20, there are formed fitting projections 20f that fit into notches 17b formed at the edge of the base member 17 shown in FIG.
[0031]
The key top 20 engages the engagement protrusion 20f with the notch 17b of the base member 17, engages the engagement protrusion 20e with the engagement recess 17a, and further engages the cover member 21 made of transparent synthetic resin. With the engagement protrusion 20d engaged with the mating recess 21a, the peripheral edge of the cover member 21 is applied to the base member 21 so as to seal the display opening 16 of the base member 17, for example, ultrasonic deposition. It is attached by doing.
[0032]
When the operation surface 20a of the key top 20 attached in this way is pressed, it swings with the engaging portion with the base member 17 as a fulcrum, whereby the pressing portion 20c on the lower surface side of the key top 20 is waterproof. The plunger of the key switch 11 is pressed through the seat 19, and the key switch 11 is operated by this.
[0033]
As described above, the switch opening 15 of the base member 17 on the front surface of the digital panel meter is sealed by the waterproof sheet 19, and the display opening 16 is sealed by ultrasonic deposition of the cover member 21. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water or oil from entering the inside of the digital panel meter from the front.
[0034]
In addition, since the key switch 11 is operated by operating the key top 20, a key stroke can be secured and a sufficient click feeling can be obtained.
[0035]
Moreover, since the key top 20, the base member 17, and the cover member 21 can be formed of a synthetic resin molded product, a high-class feeling can be obtained.
[0036]
Furthermore, since the key top 20 is a so-called one-touch fitting type that engages with the engaging portions of the base member 17 and the cover member 21, the key top 20 is easy to assemble and is waterproofed by attaching an O-ring to the key top. Compared to the conventional example, the cost can be reduced.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the set value is displayed on the main display unit. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 30 may be provided separately.
[0038]
In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital panel meter. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital panel meter, and can be applied to various devices requiring waterproofness such as an electronic counter or a timer. Of course.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a sheet-like shape for sealing the switch body side between an operation section such as a key top that is directly operated and a switch body such as a key switch that is operated by the operation of the operation section. Since the sealing member is interposed, the sealing member can prevent water and oil from entering the inside of the device on the switch body side and can be waterproof, and the switch body can be operated by operating the operation unit. Since it is operated, it is possible to secure a key stroke and obtain a sufficient click feeling.
[0040]
Further, since the operation unit is engaged with and attached to each engagement portion of the base member and the cover member of the device, the assembly is easy, and the operation unit, the cover member and the base member are molded from a synthetic resin. It is possible to obtain a high-class feeling in terms of design.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital panel meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the digital panel meter of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the front portion of the digital panel meter.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a key top.
FIG. 6 is a front view according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Operation Key 11 Key Switch 15 Switch Opening 16 Display Opening 17 Base Member 19 Waterproof Sheet 20 Key Top 21 Cover Member

Claims (2)

An operation unit and a switch body that operates by operating the operation unit, and a sheet-like sealing member that seals the switch body side interposed between the operation unit and the switch body,
The switch body is incorporated inside the device, and faces the outside from the opening of the device, the sealing member is attached to the device so as to seal the switch body and the opening, and the operation unit includes: Arranged in the device so that the switch body can be operated via the sealing member,
The device includes a base member in which the opening and a display opening are formed, and a cover member that seals the display opening,
The operation portion has one end engaged with the engaging portion of the base member and the other end engaged with the engaging portion of the cover member.
The cover member is attached to the base member in a state where the other end side of the operation portion is engaged,
The operation portion has an operation surface to be pressed, and a pressing portion facing the switch body is protruded on a surface opposite to the operation surface, and the operation portion is in accordance with the pressing operation. The pressing portion operates the switch body via the sealing member by swinging the other end side with an engaging portion with the base member on the one end side of the operation portion as a fulcrum. Switch structure to do. The switch structure according to claim 1 , wherein the operation unit is a key top, and the switch body is a key switch disposed on a substrate inside the device.

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