GB2196792A

GB2196792A - Waterproof switch

Info

Publication number: GB2196792A
Application number: GB08702271A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tomoyoshi Uchiya
Original assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co Ltd
Current assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-10-31
Filing date: 1987-02-02
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2007-02-02
Also published as: JPS6373825U; GB2196792B; GB8702271D0

Abstract

A waterproof housing (3, 4) of deformable material includes a first housing member (4) shaped to fit closely a switch operation portion (2a) and a second housing member (3) shaped to fit closely the switching mechanism (2). The second housing member (3) includes tubular ports (5) for the conductors (6), which ports have an inside diameter (5a) which decreases towards one end at which it is slightly less than the outside diameter of the conductors (6). This end is covered during assembly by a thin film which is broken by the conductors (6) when the switch mechanism (2) is inserted into the second housing portion (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Waterproof switch FIELD QF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a waterproof switch, and more particularly to a waterproof switch suitable for use in a hair drier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Referring to figure 11, showing an example of a conventional waterproof switch in section, a switch S is fixedly mounted in a housing H and conductors L1, L2 and L3 connected to the switch S are drawn out from the housing through rubber bushes B1- and B2.

The bushes B1 and B2 are fixed to the housing H by settling members F1 and F2. A portion Ha of the housing opposite to a push button P of the switch S is formed to be deformable so that the switch can be controlled by exerting external force on the portion Ha.

When such a waterproof switch using the rubber bushes is employed for a hair drier, the switch is complex in manufacturing, the manufacturing cost is hence high, and miniaturization thereof is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof switch which can draw out conductors while maintaining the waterproof characteristic without using rubber bushes.

According to the present invention, there is provided a waterproof switch including a switching element containing a mechanism for switching on and off contacts and to which a plurality of conductors are connected and a waterproof housing formed into a shape substantially corresponding to an external shape of the switch element, in which the waterproof housing is formed of deformable material and into a deformable shape and comprises a first housing member having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an operation portion of the switching element and a second housing member having a shape substantially corresponding to the external shape of the switching element and including tubular portions through which conductors are penetrated and having an inside diameter which is tapered toward an end thereof and is slightly narrower at the end than an outside diameter of the conductors, the end of the tubular portions being sealed with thin film in manufacturing the second housing member, the thin film being broken by the conductors so that the conductors are inserted into the tubular portions in manufacturing the waterproof switch, the switching element being fitted into the second housing member, the first housing member being disposed corresponding to the operation portion of the switching element so that the first housing member is fixed to the second housing member.

Since the tubular portions are formed so that the inside diameter thereof is tapered toward the end thereof, it is easy to insert the conductors in the tubular portions. Furthermore, since the inside diameter at the end of the tubular portions is narrower than the outside diameter of the conductors, the conductors inserted in the tubular portions are tightened by resilience of the tubular portions so that waterproof characteristic between the conductors and the tubular portions is obtained. The thin film at the end of the tubular portions serves to seal between the conductors and the tubular portions after the conductors are inserted. The tubular portions are provided for each conductors and the conductors are inserted in the tubular portions one by one.

Since a portion corresponding to the operation portion of the switching element is covered by the first deformable housing member, the switching element can be operated by exerting external force thereon.

Since the first and second housing members are fixed to each other, water is not entered therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view in section of a preferred embodiment of a waterproof switch according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the waterproof switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the waterproof switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a front view of a second housing member for use in the waterproof switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the second housing member of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a front view in section of a first housing member for use in the waterproof switch of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the first housing member of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line B--B of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a switching element for use in the waterproof switch of Fig. 1; and Fig. 11 is a sectional view of an example of a waterproof switch in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI MENT Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a waterproof switch 1, in which a lower portion of a slide switch 2 shown in Fig. 10 is fitted in a second housing member 3 shown in Fig. 4 and an operation portion of the slide switch is covered by a first housing member 4 shown in Fig. 7 which is high-frequency welded to the second housing member 3.

The slide switch of Fig. 10 includes six conductors connected thereto. Accordingly, the second housing shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is provided with six tubular portions 5 through which the conductors are penetrated.

The tubular portions 5 of the second housing include an inside diameter which is tapered toward an end thereof, and an inside diameter 5a at the end is slightly narrower than an outside of the conductors 6. In order to prevent entrance of water after the insertion of the conductors 6 through the tubular portions 5, the second housing member is formed of resilient material such as, for example, synthetic rubber, urethane resin, vinyl chloride and the like.

The slide switch of Fig. 10 includes the operation portion 2a which moves between three points and accordingly the first housing member 4 is formed to cover positions corresponding to the three points to which the operation portion of the slide switch moves. The operation portion 2a of the slide switch is operated by exerting external force on the operation portion through the first housing member from the outside. Thus, the first housing member 4 is formed of resilient material such as, for example, synthetic rubber, urethane resin, vinyl chloride and the like. Since the first housing member 4 must be deformable, it is preferable to make a portion 4a corresponding to the operation portion thinly.When it is desired to confirm a position of an operation lever of the operation portion of the slide switch visually, the first housing member 4 may be formed of transparent or semitransparent insulating material with resilience such as, for example, vinyl chloride resin.

The first housing member 4 and the second housing member 3 are welded by high-frequency heating at sealing portions 4b and 3b provided along the whole peripheries of respective contact portions of the housing members 4 and 3. The fixing portion 4b of the first housing member 4 is formed stepwise.

The first and second housing members 4 and 3 can be fixed to each other by welding using ultrasonic heating, thermocompression bonding and adhering.

The waterproof switch 1 is mounted to a hair drier (not shown) using holes 2b of the slide switch. In order to indicate positions of the holes 2b of the slide switch, the first housing member 4 is provided with recesses 4c formed in positions corresponding to the holes 2b. The recesses can be through holes.

When the first and second housing members 4 and 3 are fixed to each other, the positions corresponding to the holes of the slide switch is closed by the second housing member (refer to Fig. 1).

Since the second housing member 3 can be easily broken by screws, the waterproof switch can be mounted to the hair drier by using the holes.

While the slide switch is used as the switching element in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the slide switch and is applied to a lever switch, a toggle switch, a seesaw switch, a push-button switch and the like.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Penetration of water from the drawing portion of the conductor into the switch can be prevented by the simple tubular structure without using rubber bushes. It is not required to fill the inside of the housing with fillers. Since no rubber bush is employed, the manufacturing process of the waterproof is reduced and the switch can be formed small. Accordingly, there can be provided a low-cost and small waterproof switch.

Claims

1. A waterproof switch including a switching element containing a mechanism for switching on and off contacts and to which a plurality of conductors are connected and a waterproof housing formed into a shape substantially corresponding to an external shape of the switch element, in which said waterproof housing is formed of deformable material and into a deformable shape and comprises a first housing member having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an operation portion of said switching element and a second housing member having a shape substantially corresponding to the external shape of the switching element and including tubular portions through which conductors are penetrated and having an inside diameter which is tapered toward an end thereof and is slightly narrower at the end than an outside diameter of the conductors, the end of the tubular portions being sealed with thin film in manufacturing said second housing member, said thin film being broken by the conductors so that the conductors are inserted into said tubular portions in manufacturing the waterproof switch, said switching element being fitted into said second housing member, said first housing member being disposed corresponding to the operation portion of said switching element so that said first housing member is fixed to said second housing member.

2. A waterproof switch according to Claim 1, wherein said first and second housing members are formed of synthetic rubber, urethane resin or vinyl chloride.

3. A waterproof switch according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second housing members are fixed to each other by high-frequency heating welding, ultrasonic heating welding, thermocompression bonding or adhesives.

4. A waterproof switch according to Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said first housing member is transparent or semitransparent.

5. A waterproof switch according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said waterproof switch is mounted in a hair drier.