GB2586755A

GB2586755A - Damper apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2586755A
Application number: GB2016211.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ruskys Gintautas
Original assignee: Piolax Inc
Current assignee: Piolax Inc
Priority date: 2018-04-13
Filing date: 2019-03-15
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-15
Also published as: WO2019198423A1; GB2586755B; CN111971484A; GB202016211D0

Abstract

Provided is a damper apparatus that is configured so that a switch is turned ON/OFF in association with a sliding motion of a piston, wherein sound generation is suppressed, and component wear does not occur. A cylinder 101, a piston 102 that is inserted into the cylinder in a slidable manner, and a switch housing 103 that is attached to the cylinder are provided; the switch housing is provided with a lead switch 117 that serves as a magnetic switch; and a first magnet 138 is attached to the piston 102, the first magnet 138 causing the lead switch to be turned ON/OFF when being brought close to the lead switch or when being separated from the lead switch.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF INVENTION DAMPER APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper apparatus including a cylinder and a piston such that a switch is turned on or off in accordance with a slide operation of the piston.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For example, in an opening and closing member such as a vehicle glove box, in order to prevent a loud sound from occurring or to prevent housed articles from jumping out by an opening and closing operation being suddenly performed due to a weight of the housed articles of the glove box or the like, a damper is attached between a pair of members that perform an opening and closing operation, for example, an instrument panel and a glove box.

[0003] As such a damper, the following Patent Literature 1 discloses an apparatus in which when a door of a glove box is opened, a piston rod of a damper is pulled, a slope of a control mil provided on the piston rod pushes a contact tongue piece provided on a housing of the damper, and a contact provided on the contact tongue piece is pressed against a fixed contact, so that a lamp of the glove box is turned on.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

[0004] Patent Literature 1: U.S. Patent No. 6298959

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] However, since a contact switch described in Patent Literature 1 is adopted, a sound may be easily generated when the switch is opened and closed, and a component such as a contact may also be easily worn.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a damper apparatus in which a switch is turned on and off in accordance with a slide operation of a piston, and in which a sound is unlikely to be generated and a component is also not worn.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a damper apparatus including: a cylinder; a piston slidably inserted into the cylinder; and a switch housing attached to the cylinder. A magnetic switch is provided in the switch housing. And a first magnet configured to cause the magnetic switch to perform an ON/OFF operation when the first magnet is close to or away from the magnetic switch, is attached to the piston.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, when the piston is moved in the push-in direction or is moved in the pull-out direction with respect to the cylinder and is close to or away from the magnetic switch provided in the switch housing, the magnetic switch can be turned on and off by the magnetic force of the first magnet attached to the piston. Therefore, for example, when the damper is mounted on an opening and closing member such as a glove box, the reed switch is turned on when the glove box is opened, so that the lamp (light) that illuminates inside of the glove box can be turned on. Since the magnetic switch is a non-contact switch, a sound is unlikely to be generated, and a contact is also not worn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a damper apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the damper apparatus.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an illustrative view showing an operation of the damper apparatus. Fig. 3(a) is a partially notched side view showing a state where a piston is moved in a push-in 25 direction. Fig. 3(b) is a side view showing a state where the piston is moved in a pull-out direction.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a coupling structure between a cylinder and a switch housing of the damper apparatus.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment 30 of a damper apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a switch housing and attachment bands thereof in the damper apparatus.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a damper apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an illustrative view showing an example in which the damper apparatus of the present invention is applied to an opening and closing mechanism of a glove box of an automobile.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is an illustrative view showing an example of a closed type switching circuit as a switching circuit applied to the damper apparatus of the present invention. [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is an illustrative view showing an example in which a hall effect sensor is used as a switching circuit applied to the damper apparatus of the present invention. [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is an illustrative view showing an example of an open type 10 switching circuit as a switching circuit applied to the damper apparatus of the present invention. [Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of a damper apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a switch housing that constitutes the damper apparatus.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a state where a cover portion is opened with respect to a housing opening of a housing portion of the switch housing to house a magnetic switch.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a state where the cover portion is closed from the state shown in Fig. 14.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of Fig. 15 in a state including the cylinder, the piston, and the like.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a side view of Fig. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a damper apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the damper apparatus of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a damper apparatus 100 includes a cylinder 101, a piston 102 slidably inserted into the cylinder 101, and a switch housing 103 attached to an end surface 105 (see Figs. 3 and 4) of the cylinder 101 in a push-in direction of the piston 102 and disposed on an outer side of the cylinder. Further, an actuation wire 104 is coupled to the piston 102 so as to be coupled to an opening and closing member such as a glove box described later. The piston 102 is inserted into the cylinder 101, so that a cylinder chamber 147 (see Fig. 3(B)) is formed between the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 and the piston 102. Hereinafter, these members will be sequentially described in detail.

[0012] The cylinder 101 includes the end surface 105 (see Figs 3 and 4) in the push-in direction of the piston 102. The end surface 105 is provided with a ventilation hole 106.

Further, an end portion of the cylinder 101 on a pull-out direction side of the piston 102 is an opening portion 107. A cap 108 is mounted on the opening portion 107. The cap 108 has an insertion hole 109 through which the actuation wire 104 is inserted. Further, a first engagement claw 110 is provided at a predetermined position on an outer periphery of the cap 108. When the cap 108 is inserted into the opening portion 107, the first engagement claw 110 is engaged with an engagement hole 111 provided in a peripheral edge of the opening portion 107 of the cylinder 101, and the cap 108 is prevented from coming off from the cylinder 101. On an outer periphery of the cylinder 101, a bracket 112 is integrally formed on an end portion side surface of the piston 102 in the push-in direction, and a bracket 113 is also integrally formed on the end portion side surface of the piston 102 in the pull-out direction. An attachment holes 114 are provided in the bracket 112 and the bracket 113, respectively. Either one or both of the bracket 112 and the bracket 113 are fixed to one of the opening and closing members via the attachment holes 114.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 4, the switch housing 103 includes a housing main body 115 and an adapter 116. The housing main body 115 is coupled to the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 via the adapter 116. A housing chamber 119 in which a reed switch 117 is housed is provided in the housing main body 115. Further, a socket 120 having a connector insertion hole 121 is formed on an outer side of the housing chamber 119. The reed switch 117 includes terminals 118. The terminals 118 are inserted into a connector insertion hole 121 side through a terminal insertion hole 122 provided in a wall between the housing chamber 119 and the connector insertion hole 121. A connector coupled to an end portion of a lead wire (not shown) is inserted into the connector insertion hole 121 of the socket 120, so that a terminal of the connector is connected to the terminals 118 of the socket 120. Second engagement claws 123 are provided at a plurality of locations on an outer periphery of an end portion of the housing main body 115 on a side opposite to the socket 120.

[0014] On the other hand, the adapter 116 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and an end surface 130 is provided at one end portion of the adapter 116. Further, engagement pieces 124 are provided at two locations facing each other in a circumferential direction, and engagement holes 125 are provided in the engagement pieces 124.

[0015] A cylindrical rib 126 is formed on an outer side of the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101. Third engagement claws 127 are formed at two locations facing each other in a circumferential direction of an outer periphery of the cylindrical rib 126.

[0016] The second engagement claws 123 of the housing main body 115 are engaged with the engagement holes 125 of the engagement pieces 124 of the adapter 116, and the third engagement claws 127 of the cylindrical rib 126 are engaged with the engagement holes 125 of the engagement pieces 124 of the adapter 116, so that the housing main body 115 is coupled to the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 via the adapter 116.

A valve housing chamber 129 in which a valve seat 128 is housed is formed at an inside of the cylindrical rib 126. An end portion of the adapter 116 on an end surface 130 side is inserted into an opening portion side of the valve housing chamber 129, and protrusions 131 that protrude outward from the end surface 130 prevent the valve seat 128 from coming off. The valve seat 128 is disposed on an outer side of the ventilation hole 106 formed in the end surface 105. When the piston 102 is moved in the push-in direction, the valve seat 128 is separated from the ventilation hole 106 so as to release air in the cylinder chamber 147 to outside through the ventilation hole 106, so that movement resistance of the piston 102 is reduced. Further, when the piston 102 is moved in the pull-out direction, the valve seat 128 is in close contact with the ventilation hole 106 so as to prevent inflow of external air, and inside of the cylinder chamber 147 is effectively decompressed to cause a damper force to act.

[0017] An annular groove 132 is provided in an outer periphery of the piston 102, and a seal ring 133 is mounted on the annular groove 132. The seal ring 133 forms a seal portion for an inner periphery of the cylinder 101. Further, a hook groove 134 is formed in an outer periphery of the piston 102. A base-end-side loop 135 of the actuation wire 104 is hooked on the hook groove 134 so that the actuation wire 104 is coupled to the piston 102. A tip-end-side loop 136 is formed on the other end of the actuation wire 104. A tip end of the actuation wire 104 is connected to the other of the opening and closing members via the tip-end-side loop 136. A spring 148 (see Fig. 1) is inserted between the piston 102 and the cap 108 of the cylinder 101, and constantly biases the piston 102 in a direction of the end surface 105.

[0018] A concave portion 137, which is opened on the pull-out direction side, is formed in the piston 102. An orifice 139 is formed in an inner end surface of the concave portion 137. Then, a first magnet 138 is inserted into and fixed to the concave portion 137. In the present invention, the first magnet 138 is moved together with the piston 102 and is moved close to and away from the reed switch 117 serving as a magnetic switch, so that a light 146 (see Fig. 8) described later is turned on and off.

[0019] As the magnetic switch, a reed switch, a switch that uses a hall effect sensor, or the like is known. Further, as a switching circuit that uses the reed switch, there are a closed type in which a circuit is cut off when a predetermined magnetic field applies to the reed switch and the circuit is closed when an action of the predetermined magnetic field disappears, and the open type in which a circuit becomes conductive when a predetermined magnetic field applies to the reed switch and the circuit is cut off when an action of the predetermined magnetic field disappears.

[0020] Fig. 9 shows an example of the closed type switching circuit. Fig. 9(a) shows a state where the circuit is cut off (a state where no current flows through the circuit), and Fig. 9(b) shows a state where the circuit is conductive. In Fig. 9, 117 denotes the reed switch, 146 denotes the light, 150 denotes a DC power supply, 151 denotes a resistor, 152 denotes an N-channel MOS FET, 152a denotes a gate, 152b denotes a drain, 152c denotes a source, and 153 denotes a ground.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 9(a), when a predetermined magnetic field applies to the reed switch 117, the reed switch 117 is closed. At this time, since the gate 152a of the MOS FET 152 is connected to the ground 153, a current is cut off between the drain 153b and the source 153c of the MOS FET 152, and the light 146 is turned off.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 9(b), when no magnetic field applies to the reed switch 117, the reed switch 117 is opened. At this time, since a voltage based on the DC power supply 150 is applied to the gate 152a of the MOS FET 152 via the resistor 151, the circuit becomes conductive between the drain 153b and the source 153c of the MOS FET 152, the current flows, and the light 146 is turned on.

[0023] In a case where the closed type switching circuit shown in Fig. 9 is used, when the glove box 144 (see Fig. 8) is closed, the first magnet 138 can be close to the reed switch 117 to cut off the circuit and turn off the light 146, and when the glove box 144 is opened, the first magnet 138 can be separated from the reed switch 117 to make the circuit conductive so that the light 146 is turned on. However, the closed type switching circuit has a disadvantage that a product cost is high because the number of components is large.

[0024] Fig. 10 shows an example of the switching circuit that uses the hall effect sensor. In Fig. 10, the same components as those in Fig. 9 are designated by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted. In the switching circuit, the hall effect sensor 160 is used instead of the reed switch 117 of the switching circuit in Fig. 9.

[0025] A weak current flows from a terminal 161 to a terminal 162 by the DC power supply 150 in the hall effect sensor 160. However, as shown in Fig. 10(a), when there is no magnetic field around the hall effect sensor 160, no electromotive force is generated at a terminal 163 and no voltage is applied to the gate 152a of the MOS FET 152. Therefore, the current is cut off between the drain 153b and the source 153c of the MOS FET 152, and the light 146 is turned off.

[0026] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 10(b), when there is a magnetic field around the hall effect sensor 160, more precisely, when a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to the current that flows from the terminal 161 to the terminal 162, an electromotive force appears in a direction orthogonal to both the current and the magnetic field, and the electromotive force applies to the terminal 163.

[0027] As a result, since a voltage is applied to the gate 152a of the MOS FET 152, the circuit is conductive between the drain 153b and the source 153c of the MOS FET 152, a current flows, and the light 146 is turned on. However, the switching circuit also has the disadvantage that 15 the product cost is high because the number of components is large.

[0028] Fig. 11 shows an example of the open type switching circuit. Fig. 11(a) shows a state where a circuit is conductive, and Fig. 11(b) shows a state where the circuit is cut off. In Fig. 10, 117 denotes the reed switch, 146 denotes the light, and 150 denotes the DC power supply.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 11(a), when a predetermined magnetic field applies to the reed switch 117, the reed switch 117 is closed, the circuit becomes conductive, and the light 146 is turned on.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 11(b), when no magnetic field applies to the reed switch 117, the reed switch 117 is opened, the circuit is cut off, and the light 146 is turned off.

[0031] Since the open type switching circuit includes a few components, the product cost can be kept low, but if this is used as it is, when the glove box 144 is closed and the first magnet 138 is close to the reed switch 117, the circuit becomes conductive and the light 146 is turned on, and when the glove box 144 is opened and the first magnet 138 is separated from the reed switch 117, the circuit is cut off, and the light 146 is turned off, and therefore a disadvantage occurs.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to adopt the open type switching circuit, a second magnet 141 is installed adjacent to a reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117 housed in the switch housing 103 (see Fig. 1). The second magnet 141 is disposed close to the reed switch 117 to apply a relatively weak magnetic field that can constantly close the reed switch 117. In this embodiment, although the second magnet 141 is installed on the reed switch 117, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second magnet 141 may be installed on the housing main body 115, the adapter 116, or the like.

[0033] On the contrary, the first magnet 138 mounted in the piston 102 has a stronger magnetic force than that of the second magnet 141 and applies a magnetic field in a direction opposite to that of the second magnet 141. Then, when the piston 102 is moved in the push-in direction and the first magnet 138 is close to the reed switch 117, a magnetic field of the second magnet 141 is eliminated, and a switch of the reed switch 117 is operated to open.

[0034] As a result, when the glove box 144 is closed and the first magnet 138 is close to the reed switch 117, the circuit can be cut off so as to turn off the light 146, and when the glove box 144 is opened and the first magnet 138 is separated from the reed switch 117, the circuit can be closed so as to turn on the light 146. In this embodiment, as described above, by using the first magnet 138 and the second magnet 141 in combination, the open type switching circuit can be adopted, and the product cost can be reduced.

[0035] Next, an example of a method for using the damper apparatus 100 will be described. [0036] As shown in Fig. 8, the glove box 144 is attached to an opening portion 143 of an instrument panel 142 in an openable or closeable way. The cylinder 101 of the damper apparatus 100 is fixed to the instrument panel 142 via the bracket 112 and/or the bracket 113.

On the other hand, the lip-end-side loop 136 of the actuation wire 104 coupled to the piston 102 in the cylinder 101 is fixed to the glove box 144. The light 146 is mounted on an upper inner wall of the opening portion 143. The other end of the lead wire 145 having one end connected to the light 146 is inserted into the socket 120 of the switch housing 103 and connected to the reed switch 117 via a connector (not shown).

[0037] In a state where the glove box 144 is closed, as shown in Figs. 3(a) and 4, the piston 102 is pushed into the cylinder 101 by a biasing force of the spring 148 (see Fig. 1) so as to be close to the end surface 105. At this time, the strong magnetic field of the first magnet 138 mounted in the piston 102 eliminates the magnetic field of the second magnet 141 disposed close to the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117, and the switch of the reed switch 117 is opened. Therefore, no current flows through the light 146, and the light is turned off.

[0038] Next, when the glove box 144 is opened, the actuation wire 104 having the tip-endside loop 136 connected to the glove box 144 is pulled out, and the piston 102 is moved in the pull-out direction. At this time, the valve seat 128 shown in Fig. 4 is in close contact with the ventilation hole 106 and is closed, the inside of the cylinder chamber 147 is decompressed, and a braking force is applied to movement of the piston 102 in combination with the biasing force of the spring 148. As a result, the glove box 144 is prevented from abruptly opening due to its own weight or the like to give a sound or an impact.

[0039] At this time, as shown in Fig. 3(B), the piston 102 is moved away from the switch housing 103, and a distance between the first magnet 138 mounted in the piston 102 and the reed switch 117 mounted in the switch housing 103 is increased. As a result, an influence of the magnetic field of the first magnet 138 is reduced, and the reed switch 117 is closed by an action of the magnetic field of the second magnet 141 (see Fig. 1) disposed close to the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117. As a result, a current flows through the light 146, the light 146 is turned on, and inside of the glove box 144 is illuminated brightly.

[0040] Next, when the glove box 144 is closed again, the piston 102 is moved in the push-in direction by the biasing force of the spring 148. At this time, the valve seat 128 of Fig. 4 is separated from the ventilation hole 106, and air in the cylinder chamber 147 is released to outside through the ventilation hole 106. As a result, the piston 102 can be smoothly moved, and the glove box 144 can be rapidly closed.

Then, when the glove box 144 is closed, the piston 102 returns to the state shown in Figs. 3(A) and 4 again. Therefore, the first magnet 138 having a strong magnetic force is close to the reed switch 117, and the magnetic field of the second magnet 141 (see Fig. 1), which has a weak magnetic force and which is disposed close to the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117, is eliminated so as to open the reed switch 117. As a result, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption by turning off the light 146.

[0041] As described above, according to the present invention, since the reed switch 117 is used to turn off and turn on the light 146 while an opening and closing operation of the glove box 144 is performed, wear of a contact and generation of a sound due to opening and closing of the switch can be prevented. Further, since durability against an environmental change such as temperature is high and malfunction is also fairly reduced, reliability can be improved.

[0042] Further, in this embodiment, an open type reed switch is used as the reed switch 117. The second magnet 141 having the weak magnetic force is disposed close to the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117 while the first magnet 138 having the strong magnetic force is mounted in the piston 102. When the piston 102 is moved in the push-in direction so as to be close to the reed switch 117, a magnetic force of the fast magnet 138 eliminates a magnetic force of the second magnet 141, so that the reed switch 117 is opened. When the piston 102 is moved in the pull-out direction and is largely separated from the reed switch 117, an influence of the magnetic force of the first magnet 138 is weakened, and the reed switch 117 is closed by the magnetic force of the second magnet 141. Therefore, a cost of the reed switch 117 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the switch housing 103 is mounted on the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 on a push-in side of the piston 102 and is disposed on an outer side of the cylinder 101, the switch housing 103 can prevent an increase in an outer diameter of the damper apparatus 100, and can also be disposed in a relatively narrow space such as a gap between a side surface of the glove box 144 and an inner surface of the opening portion 143.

[0043] Further, in this embodiment, the ventilation hole 106 is formed in the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101. The valve seat 128 that opens the ventilation hole 106 when the piston 102 is moved in the push-in direction and that opens the ventilation hole 106 when the piston 102 is moved in the pull-out direction is mounted, and the protrusions 131 of the end surface 130 of the switch housing 103 prevent the valve seat 128 from coming off. Therefore, even when a valve-seat type valve is provided, the reed switch 117 can be disposed close to the first magnet 138 of the piston 102.

[0044] Further, in this embodiment, since the first magnet 138 is disposed inside the seal portion in which the seal ring 133 of the piston 102 is mounted, when the piston 102 is close to the reed switch 117, the first magnet 138 can be as close as possible to the reed switch 117.

[0045] Figs 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of a damper apparatus according to the present invention. Substantially the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

In a damper apparatus 200, a piston 201 and a rod 202 are integrally formed. The piston 201 is configured with a diameter-expanded cylinder portion that elastically abuts against an inner periphery of the cylinder 101. The rod 202 extends from an end surface of the piston 201 in a pull-out direction. A coupling hole 203 for attaching the rod 202 to the above-described glove box 144 or the like is formed in an extended end portion of the rod 202. The first magnet 138 is mounted on a portion of the rod 202 close to the piston 201.

[0046] The rod 202 is inserted through an opening portion 204 of the cylinder 101. A support piece 205 that guides sliding of the rod 202 is integrally formed on a peripheral edge of the opening portion 204. Further, a stopper 206, which restricts a maximum movement position of the piston 201 when the piston 201 is moved in a push-in direction, is provided at one location on the peripheral edge of the opening portion 204. Furthermore, a coming-off prevention wall 207, which prevents the piston 201 from being pulled out when the piston 201 is moved in the pull-out direction, is formed on an inner periphery of the opening portion 204. [0047] An end surface of the cylinder 101 on a push-in-direction side of the piston 201 is opened, and a cap 208 is mounted thereon. The cap 208 is integrally formed with a valve 209 that is in close contact with a step portion on an inner periphery of the cylinder 101 to decompress inside of the cylinder 101 when the piston 201 is moved in the pull-out direction, and that is separated from the step portion on the inner periphery of the cylinder 101 to release air in the cylinder chamber 147 of the cylinder 101 to outside when the piston 201 is moved in the push-in direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a switch housing 210 is provided along an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 101 close to an end portion of the piston 201 on the push-in-direction side. The reed switch 117 is housed in the switch housing 210, and a socket 211 is formed on one end of the switch housing 210. As shown in Fig. 6, the switch housing 210 includes a pair of attachment bands 212 that extend in an arc shape from both sides of a lower surface of the switch housing 210. A hole 214 is formed in an end portion of one attachment band 212. A lock member 213 inserted into the hole 214 to bind the attachment bands 212 to each other is provided at an end portion of the other attachment band 212.

[0049] The switch housing 210 is disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 101, surrounds an outer periphery of the cylinder 101 with the pair of attachment bands 212, and performs binding with the lock member 213 by passing the lock member 213 through the attachment hole 114 of the bracket 112 and the hole 214. Thereby, the switch housing 210 is mounted on the cylinder 101.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the piston 201 is moved in the push-in direction in the cylinder 101, the first magnet 138 mounted on the portion of the rod 202 close to the piston 201 is close to the reed switch 117 housed in the switch housing 210. Therefore, a magnetic force of the second magnet 141 (see Fig. 1) is eliminated by the first magnet 138, and the reed switch 117 is opened. Further, when the piston 201 is moved in the pull-out direction in the cylinder 101, the first magnet 138 is moved away from the reed switch 117, and the reed switch 117 is closed by the magnetic force of the second magnet 141 disposed close to the reed switch 117.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the switch housing 210 is mounted on the outer periphery of the cylinder 101, so that an increase in an axial length of the damper apparatus 200 can be prevented. Further, since the switch housing 210 includes the attachment bands 212 and can be attached to the cylinder 101 via the attachment bands 212, the switch housing 210 can also be attached to the ready-made cylinder 101, and versatility can be improved.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of a damper apparatus according to the present invention. Substantially the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] This embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in that the switch housing 210 is mounted on an outer periphery of the cylinder 101 close to an end portion of the piston 201 on a pull-out direction side, and that the first magnet 138 is mounted at a position close to an end portion of the rod 202 on the pull-out direction side. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0054] That is, the lock member 213 of the attachment bands 212 (see Fig. 6) connected to the switch housing 210 is inserted into the attachment hole 114 of the bracket 113 formed at an end portion of the cylinder 101 on a pull-out direction side of the piston 201, so that the switch housing 210 is mounted on the cylinder 101.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the piston 201 is moved toward the push-in-direction side, the first magnet 138 is close to the reed switch 117, and the reed switch 117 is opened. Further, when the piston 201 is moved toward a pull-out direction side, the first magnet 138 is moved away from the reed switch 117, and the reed switch 117 is closed by a magnetic force of the second magnet 141 (see Fig. 1) disposed close to the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117.

[0056] In the above-described embodiments, a braking force is applied when the piston 102 or the piston 201 is moved toward the pull-out direction side, but when the piston 102 or the piston 201 is moved toward the push-in-direction side, inside of the cylinder chamber 147 is pressurized, so that a braking force can also be applied.

[0057] Figs. 12 to 17 show a fourth embodiment of a damper apparatus according to the 25 present invention. Substantially the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] A damper apparatus 300 of the fourth embodiment has a switch housing structure different from those of the above-described embodiments. As shown in Fig. 12, a switch housing 310 in this embodiment includes an adapter 320 mounted on the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 on a push-in side of the piston 102, and a main body portion 330 that is connected to the adapter 320 and that houses a magnetic switch.

[0059] The main body portion 330 includes a housing portion 340 having a housing opening 345 for housing the magnetic switch, and a cover portion 370 coupled to the housing portion 340 via a hinge portion 400 to be able to open and close the housing opening 345. Further, as shown in Fig. 15, the main body portion 330 is provided with a socket 360 having a connector insertion hole 361. The connector insertion hole 361 is formed so as to be opened in a radial direction of the cylinder 101.

[0060] The magnetic switch in this embodiment includes a reed switch 117A. As shown in Figs. 12 and 14, the reed switch 117A in this embodiment includes a substrate 140a having a long plate shape, and the reed switch main body 140 is fixed on the substrate 140a. Further, the pair of terminals 118 and 118 of the reed switch 117A protrude from predetermined positions of one side portion along a longitudinal direction of the substrate 140a. Furthermore, one end portion 140b of the substrate 140a in the longitudinal direction is formed to have a narrow width, and a notch groove 140c is formed in the one end portion 140b.

[0061] First, the adapter 320 will be described. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the adapter 320 in this embodiment includes an annular base portion 321 having an annular shape, and a tubular wall 323 that extends substantially cylindrically from a peripheral edge of the annular base portion 321. A pair of circumferential slits 324 and 324 are formed along a circumferential direction at locations facing a circumferential direction of the tubular wall 323. Further, a pair of axial slits 325 and 325 are formed along an axial direction between the pair of circumferential slits 324 and 324 of the tubular wall 323, so that the tubular wall 323 is easily bent and deformed.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 17, a plurality of engagement portions 326 are formed on an inner surface side of the tubular wall 323 and at peripheral edge portions of the pair of circumferential slits 324 and 324 (in this embodiment, respectively formed in the vicinity of both sides of each circumferential slit 324 in the circumferential direction, and a total of four engagement portions are provided). Then, as shown in Fig. 16, the cylindrical rib 126 on an end surface 105 side of the cylinder 101 is inserted into the tubular wall 323 of the adapter 320, and an annular protrusion-shaped third engagement claw 127A provided on a tip end outer periphery of the cylindrical rib 126 is engaged with back-side edge portions of the plurality of engagement portions 326. As a result, the adapter 320 is rotatably mounted on the end surface 105 on a push-in side of the piston 102.

[0063] A tubular portion 327 having a bottomed cylindrical shape extends from an inner peripheral edge portion of the annular base portion 321. The plurality of protrusions 131 protrude from the end surface 130 that is a bottom surface of the tubular portion 327. As shown in Fig. 16, the tubular portion 327 is inserted into the valve housing chamber 129 defined inside the cylindrical rib 126 provided on the cylinder 101, and the protrusions 131 prevent the valve seat 128 from coming off. Further, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, an engagement hole 321a is formed at a position of the annular base portion 321 aligned with a circumferential center of one of the circumferential slits 324.

[0064] Next, the housing portion 340 that constitutes the main body portion 330 will be described. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the housing portion 340 in this embodiment includes a bottom wall 341 that extends long along an axial direction of the cylinder 101 and a pair of side walls 342 and 343 erected from both sides along a longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 341, and has an elongated box shape in which the housing opening 345 opened along the axial direction is formed on a side opposite to the bottom wall 341 and an opening (axial opening 347) is also provided on one end side in the axial direction. A height (erected length) of the side wall 343 from the bottom wall 341 is larger than that of the side wall 342 from the bottom wall 341. Further, the other end portion of the housing portion 340 in the axial direction is coupled to the annular base portion 321 of the adapter 320. Furthermore, a notch 341a is formed at a position of one end portion of the bottom wall 341 in the axial direction, which is aligned with the axial opening 347.

[0065] On an inner surface side of the bottom wall 341, a placement portion 349 on which the substrate 140a of the reed switch 117A is placed is provided. A ridge 351 protrudes along an axial direction at a predetermined position of the placement portion 349. The ridge 351 extends to the end surface 130 of the tubular portion 327 of the adapter 320, and as shown in Fig. 14, a positioning protrusion 351a protrudes from a tip end in an extending direction thereof. Further, a support protrusion 353 protrudes from an inner surface of the side wall 342 on one end portion side of the placement portion 349 in an axial direction. An engagement protrusion (not shown) protrudes from a position that is on an inner surface of the side wall 343 and aligned with the support protrusion 353. A fourth engagement claw 355 protrudes from a position on an outer surface side of the side wall 343, which is a peripheral edge portion of the housing opening 345 and is closer to one end portion in an axial direction.

[0066] When one end portion 140b of the substrate 140a of the reed switch 117A is inserted into the tubular wall 323 of the adapter 320 from an oblique direction, the positioning protrusion 351a is inserted into the notch groove 140c, and then the other end portion side of the substrate 140a is pushed toward a placement portion 349 side, the substrate 140a is abutted against and placed on the ridge 351. At the same time, the support protrusion 353 is abutted against and supported by one side portion in a width direction of the other end portion of the substrate 140a in the longitudinal direction, and the engagement protrusion (not shown) is engaged with the other side portion in the width direction of the other end portion of the substrate 140a in the longitudinal direction, so that the reed switch 117A is housed and held in the housing portion 340 in a positioned state.

[0067] A notched portion 357 having a rectangular shape is formed at a predetermined position of the side wall 343. Terminal insertion portions 357a and 357a for inserting the pair of terminals 118 and 118 of the reed switch 117A are formed on a bottom surface side of the notched portion 357 and on both sides in an axial direction of the notched portion 357. Further, from an outer surface of the side wall 343, a socket main body 363 having a substantially U-shaped frame shape cross-section extends orthogonally to an axial direction of the housing portion 340 so as to surround the notched portion 357. The socket main body 363 includes a bottom wall 364 and a pair of side walls 365 and 366 erected from both sides in an axial direction of the socket main body 363. A side opposite to the bottom wall 364 is opened, and an extending direction side is opened. Further, the fourth engagement claws 368 respectively protrude from outer surface sides of the both side walls 365 and 366 of the socket main body 363.

[0068] Next, the cover portion 370 will be described. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the cover portion 370 in this embodiment includes a ceiling wall 371 that extends long along the axial direction of the cylinder 101, and a pair of side walls 372 and 373 provided on both sides along a longitudinal direction of the ceiling wall 371, and has a substantially shallow-bottomed box shape in which a location that faces the ceiling wall 371 is opened, one end side in an axial direction is closed by an end portion wall 374, the other end side in the axial direction is opened, and a bottom is shallower than that of the housing portion 340. The side wall 372 of the cover portion 370 and the side wall 342 of the housing portion 340 are coupled to each other via the hinge portion 400 in an openable or closeable way. That is, the cover portion 370 in this embodiment is integrally formed with the main body portion 330 via the hinge portion 400. [0069] As shown in Fig. 14, the hinge portion 400 has a long plate shape. A thin-walled portion 401 is formed along an axial direction at a center in a width direction of the hinge portion 400, and the hinge portion 400 can be folded in two via the thin-walled portion 401 (see Fig. 15). Further, both side edge portions of the hinge portion 400 along a longitudinal direction are coupled to the side wall 372 of the cover portion 370 and the side wall 342 of the housing portion 340.

[0070] A tip end portion 374a of the end portion wall 374 in a protrusion direction is formed to have a narrow width, and is inserted into the notch 341a of the bottom wall 341 of the housing portion 340 when the cover portion 370 is closed. Further, an engagement piece 376 having a substantially U-shaped frame shape is provided on an outer surface side of the side wall 373 and on one end side in an axial direction of the side wall 373. When the cover portion 370 is closed, the fourth engagement claw 355 of the housing portion 340 is engaged with the engagement piece 376 (see Fig. 15). Further, a sixth engagement claw 378, which is engaged with the engagement hole 321a of the adapter 320 when the cover portion 370 is closed, protrudes from the other end side of the ceiling wall 371 in an axial direction.

[0071] As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, a magnet mounting portion 380 for mounting the second magnet 141 that closes the reed switch 117A in a coming-off prevented state is provided at a predetermined position on an inner surface side of the ceiling wall 371. The magnet mounting portion 380 includes a magnet support frame 381 having a substantially U-shaped frame shape and a magnet pressing wall portion 383 disposed adjacent to the magnet support frame 381, when an inner surface side of the cover portion 370 is seen in a plan view. As shown in Fig. 16, the magnet support frame 381 is provided with a support portion 381a that supports a bottom surface of the second magnet 141 so as to raise a predetermined height from an inner surface of the ceiling wall 371, and a coming-off prevention portion 38 lb that receives one end portion of the second magnet 141 and that hooks one end portion of the second magnet 141 on an inner surface side thereof to prevent one end portion of the second magnet 141 from coming off. On the other hand, an inner surface side of the magnet pressing wall portion 383 that faces the magnet support frame 381 is provided with a magnet pressing claw 383a that is to be locked in the other end portion of the second magnet 141 (see Fig. 16). Then, after inserting one end portion of the second magnet 141 into the magnet support frame 381 from an oblique direction to dispose one end portion of the second magnet 141 on an inner surface side of the coming-off prevention portion 381b, the other end portion of the second magnet 141 is pushed toward the inner surface side of the ceiling wall 371, so that, as shown in Fig. 16, the second magnet 141 is supported by the support portion 381a, one end portion is prevented from coming off by the inner surface side of the coming-off prevention portion 381b, and the other end portion is locked in the magnet pressing claw 383a, and therefore the second magnet 141 is mounted on the magnet mounting portion 380 in the coming-off prevented state.

[0072] A socket cover 390 is provided so as to be orthogonal to an axial direction of the cover portion 370 from a position that is on an outer surface side of the side wall 373 and aligned with the socket main body 363. Engagement pieces 392 and 392 each having a substantially U-shaped frame shape are provided at a tip end portion of the socket cover 390 in an extending direction and on both sides of the tip end portion. When the cover portion 370 is closed, as shown in Fig. 15, fifth engagement claws 368 and 368 provided on the socket main body 363 are respectively engaged with the pair of engagement pieces 392 and 392, the opening of the socket main body 363 on a side opposite to the bottom wall 364 is closed by the socket cover 390, the socket main body 363 and the socket cover 390 constitute the socket 360, and the connector insertion hole 361 is defined at a tip end of the socket main body 363 and the socket cover 390 in an extending direction.

[0073] A rectangular protrusion 394 having a shape that matches the notched portion 357 of the housing portion 340 protrudes from an end edge portion of the side wall 373 on a socket cover 390 side. Further, a pair of support pieces 396 and 396, which are arranged at an interval having a width narrower than that of an interval between the pair of terminals 118 and 118 of the reed switch 117A, protrude from positions that are on the inner surface side of the ceiling wall 371 and adjacent to the protrusion 394. When the cover portion 370 is closed, the protrusion 394 enters the notched portion 357 of the housing portion 340, pinches the pair of terminals 118 and 118 inserted into the terminal insertion portions 357b and 357b, and holds the pair of terminals 118 and 118 so as to prevent the pair of terminals 118 and 118 from coming off, and one of support pieces 396 and 396 are inserted between the pair of terminals 118 and 118 such that an outer surface of each support piece 396 is adjacent to one side surface of each terminal 118, so that rattling and runout of the pair of terminals 118 and 118 are prevented.

[0074] In this embodiment, the adapter 320 and the main body portion 330 are integrally formed. That is, all members of the adapter 320, the housing portion 340 that constitutes the main body portion 330, and the socket cover 390 that also constitutes the main body portion 330 are integrally formed. Further, in this embodiment, the housing portion 340 has a substantial box shape in which the side opposite to the bottom wall 341 is opened, and the socket cover 390 does not have a simple plate shape, but has a shallow-bottomed box shape including the end portion wall 374 and the like, that is, has a shape close to half. However, the shape is not particularly limited as long as the housing opening for housing the magnetic switch is formed in the housing portion and the cover portion can open and close the housing opening, for example, a deep-bottomed box shape in which an upper part is opened on a housing portion side, a simple plate-shaped body or the like may be used on a cover portion side.

[0075] Next, functions and effects of the damper apparatus 300 of the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

[0076] First, as shown in Fig. 13, the cover portion 370 is rotated via the hinge portion 400 such that the ceiling wall 371 of the cover portion 370 is away from the bottom wall 341 of the housing portion 340, so that the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340 is in a state of being opened (open state). In this state, as described above, one end portion 140b of the substrate 140a of the reed switch 117A is inserted into the tubular wall 323 of the adapter 320 from obliquely above, and the positioning protrusion 351a is inserted into the notch groove 140c, so that a position of one end portion 140b of the substrate 140a is restricted. Thereafter, when the other end portion side of the substrate 140a is pushed toward the placement portion 349 side, the substrate 140a is abutted against and placed on the ridge 351. At the same time, the support protrusion 353 is abutted against and supported by one side portion in a width direction of the other end portion of the substrate 140a in a longitudinal direction, and an engagement protrusion (not shown) is engaged with the other side portion in the width direction of the other end portion of the substrate 140a in the longitudinal direction, so that the reed switch 117A can be housed and held in the housing portion 340 in a positioned state. In this state, the pair of terminals 118 and 118 are inserted into the terminal insertion portions 357b and 357b of the side wall 343 of the housing portion 340.

[0077] After inserting one end portion of the second magnet 141 into the magnet support frame 381 of the magnet mounting portion 380 of the cover portion 370 from obliquely above to dispose one end portion of the second magnet 141 on the inner surface side of the coming-off prevention portion 381b, the other end portion of the second magnet 141 is pushed toward the inner surface side of the ceiling wall 371. Then, the second magnet 141 is supported by the support portion 381a, one end portion is prevented from coming off by the inner surface side of the coming-off prevention portion 381b, and the other end portion is locked in the magnet pressing claw 383a. Therefore, the second magnet 141 can be mounted on the magnet mounting portion 380 in the coming-off prevented state.

[0078] In the above-described state, the cover portion 370 is rotated via the hinge portion 400 such that the ceiling wall 371 of the cover portion 370 is close to the bottom wall 341 of the housing portion 340, so that the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340 is closed. Then, the end portion wall 374 of the cover portion 370 enters the axial opening 347 of the housing portion 340 and the tip end portion 374a of the end portion wall 374 is inserted into the notch 341a, so that the axial opening 347 is closed. In addition, the protrusion 394 of the cover portion 370 enters the notched portion 357 of the housing portion 340 to close the notched portion 357, and the pair of support pieces 396 and 396 are inserted and disposed between the pair of terminals 118 and 118, so that the pair of terminals 118 and 118 are held so as to prevent the pair of terminals 118 and 118 from coming off. Further, as shown in Fig. 15, the fourth engagement claw 355 of the housing portion 340 is engaged with the engagement piece 376 of the cover portion 370, and the pair of fifth engagement claws 368 and 368 of the housing portion 340 are engaged with the pair of engagement pieces 392 and 392 of the cover portion 370. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 17, the sixth engagement claw 378 of the cover portion 370 is engaged with the engagement hole 321a of the adapter 320. As a result, the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340 is held closed by the cover portion 370, and can be maintained in the closed state by the plurality of engagement claws 355, 368, and 378, the engagement pieces 376 and 392 or the engagement hole 321a. In this state, as shown in Fig. 16, the second magnet 141 mounted on the magnet mounting portion 380 is disposed so as to face the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117A and be away from the reed switch main body 140 of the reed switch 117A by a predetermined length.

[0079] As described above, the cylindrical rib 126 on the end surface 105 side of the cylinder 101 is inserted into the tubular wall 323 of the adapter 320 of the switch housing 310 that houses and holds the reed switch 117A. Then, the third engagement claw 127A of the cylindrical rib 126 presses the plurality of engagement portions 326 and is inserted while bending and deforming the tubular wall 323 outward. When the third engagement claw 127A is moved over top portions of the plurality of engagement portions 326, the tubular wall 323 is elastically returned to its original shape, and the annular protrusion-shaped third engagement claw 127A is engaged with the back-side edge portions of the plurality of engagement portions 326 (see Fig. 16). As a result, the adapter 320 can be rotatably mounted on the end surface 105 on the push-in side of the piston 102.

[0080] In the damper apparatus 300, the switch housing 310 includes the adapter 320 mounted on the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 and the main body portion 330 connected to the adapter 320 to house the magnetic switch, and the main body portion 330 includes the housing portion 340 having the housing opening 345 for housing the magnetic switch, and the cover portion 370 coupled to the housing portion 340 via the hinge portion 400 so as to be able to open and close the housing opening 345. Therefore, as described above, after opening the cover portion 370 from the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340, the magnetic switch (here, the reed switch 117A) can be housed in the housing portion 340 through the housing opening 345. As compared with an aspect in which the lid-shaped adapter 116 is mounted on the opening of the housing main body 115 after the magnetic switch is inserted into the housing main body 115 having a bottomed tubular shape as in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, since the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340 can be opened widely to house the magnetic switch, the magnetic switch is easily mounted in the switch housing 310. [0081] In this embodiment, the main body portion 330 is provided with the socket 360 having the connector insertion hole 361, and the connector insertion hole 361 is formed so as to be opened in the radial direction of the cylinder 101. That is, since the connector insertion hole 361 of the socket 360 provided in the main body portion 330 is opened in the radial direction of the cylinder 101, even in a state where the damper apparatus 300 is attached to a member such as a glove box in a vehicle, a connector (not shown) can be easily inserted into the connector insertion hole 361 to make connection easy. hi the first embodiment shown in Figs 1 to 4, the switch housing 103 is mounted along the axial direction on the end surface 105 of the cylinder 101 on the piston push-in side, the connector insertion hole 121 of the socket 120 is opened in the axial direction of the cylinder 101. However, in a case of such a structure, when a space for connecting a connector is small, it is difficult to connect the connector to the connector insertion hole of the socket.

[0082] Further, in this embodiment, the adapter 320 is rotatably mounted on the cylinder 101. Therefore, the opening of the connector insertion hole 361 of the socket 360 can be oriented in a desired direction, and a connector (not shown) is more easily connected.

[0083] Further, in this embodiment, since the adapter 320 and the main body portion 330 are 20 integrally formed, the number of components of the switch housing 310 can be reduced, a manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced, and part management also becomes easy.

[0084] In this embodiment, the magnetic switch includes the reed switch 117A. The second magnet 141, which closes the reed switch 117A when the first magnet 138 is at a position separated from the reed switch 117A, is mounted in the switch housing 310. The reed switch 117A is housed in the housing portion 340, and the second magnet 141 is mounted in the cover portion 370. According to this configuration, the reed switch 117A is housed and disposed in the housing portion 340, and the second magnet 141 is mounted in the cover portion 370. Therefore, in a state where the cover portion 370 is opened from the housing opening 345 of the housing portion 340, the reed switch 117A can be disposed in the housing portion 340, the second magnet 141 can be mounted in the cover portion 370, workability of disposing the reed switch 117A in the switch housing 310 and workability of mounting the second magnet 141 on the switch housing 310 can be improved.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention; such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0086] 100, 200, 300 damper apparatus 101 cylinder 102, 201 piston 103, 210, 310 switch housing 104 actuation wire 105 end surface 117 reed switch 118 tuminal 120, 211 socket 128 valve seat 130 end surface 131 protrusion 132 annular groove 133 seal ring 138 first magnet 140 reed switch main body 141 second magnet 202 rod 212 attachment band 320 adapter 330 main body portion 340 housing portion 345 housing opening 360 socket 361 connector insertion hole 370 cover portion 400 hinge portion

Claims

CLAIMS1. A damper apparatus comprising: a cylinder; a piston slidably inserted into the cylinder; and a switch housing attached to the cylinder, wherein a magnetic switch is provided in the switch housing, and wherein a first magnet configured to cause the magnetic switch to perform an ON/OFF operation when the first magnet is close to or away from the magnetic switch, is attached to the piston.
2. The damper apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic switch includes a reed switch, wherein a second magnet configured to close the reed switch when the first magnet is at a position separated from the reed switch, is mounted in the switch housing, and wherein the first magnet has a magnetic force larger than a magnetic force of the second magnet and is configured to open the reed switch against an attraction force of the second magnet when the first magnet is close to the reed switch.
3. The damper apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch housing is mounted on an end surface of the cylinder on a push-in side of the piston.
4. The damper apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a ventilation hole is formed in the end surface of the cylinder, wherein a valve seat configured to open the ventilation hole when the piston is moved in a push-in direction and to close the ventilation hole when the piston is moved in a pull-out direction, is mounted on the end surface of the cylinder, and wherein the switch housing is mounted on the end surface to prevent the valve seat from coming off.
5. The damper apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch housing is mounted on an outer periphery of the cylinder in a radial direction.
6. The damper apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the switch housing includes an attachment band mounted on the outer periphery of the cylinder.
7. The damper apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first magnet is disposed inside a seal portion of the piston with respect to an inner periphery of the cylinder.
8. The damper apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the switch housing includes an adapter mounted on an end surface of the cylinder on a push-in side of the piston, and a main body portion connected to the adapter to house the magnetic switch, and wherein the main body portion includes a housing portion having a housing opening 15 for housing the magnetic switch, and a cover portion coupled to the housing portion via a hinge portion to open and close the housing opening.
9. The damper apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the switch housing includes an adapter mounted on an end surface of the 20 cylinder on a push-in side of the piston, and a main body portion connected to the adapter to house the magnetic switch, and wherein the main body portion is provided with a socket having a connector insertion hole, and the connector insertion hole is formed so as to be opened in a radial direction of the cylinder.
10. The damper apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the adapter is rotatably mounted on the cylinder.
11. The damper apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the adapter and the main body portion are integrally formed.
12. The damper apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic switch includes a reed switch, wherein a second magnet configured to close the reed switch when the first magnet is at a position separated from the reed switch, is mounted in the switch housing, and wherein the reed switch is housed in the housing portion, and the second magnet is mounted in the cover portion.