JP2000057883A - Switch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a switch by reducing (narrowing) the longitudinal dimension of the switch and not only to reduce the manufacturing cost but also to enhance the mounting strength of a cover by simplifying a mold structure in molding the cover. SOLUTION: In a switch structure, locking means for removably locking a cover 2 to a base 1 are constructed by projecting locking projections 5 from portions near an end not adjoining to the movable part of a switching mechanism part, that is, the right and left side parts of a base main body, and forming locking holes 16 in the right and left side parts 2a, 2b of the cover 2. The cover 2 is put over the base 1 and the locking projections 5 are removably locked in the locking holes 16 to attach the cover 2 to the base 1 by a snap fit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch structure, such as a micro switch, comprising a base having a switching mechanism and a cover detachably attached to the base.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, a conventional microswitch having this type of switch structure includes a base 31 having a switching mechanism 30, a cover 32 detachably attached to the base 31, and a cover 32. It is composed of

[0003] The front and rear surfaces 31c of the base 31,
A locking projection 33 is projected from 31d, and a substrate contact portion 34 is projected from a lower surface 31f of the base 31.

The front and rear portions 32c, 3c of the cover 32
A locking hole 35 is provided in 2d, and a push button insertion hole 36 is formed in the upper surface 32e of the cover 32. The lower edges 37 of the left and right surfaces 32a, 32b of the cover 32 are located in the same plane as the lower edges 38 of the front and rear surfaces 32c, 32d.

[0005] Then, the cover 3 constructed as described above.
2 is mounted on the base 31 and is detachably attached to the base 31. In this case, locking projections 33 are removably locked in locking holes 35 provided in front and rear surfaces 32c and 32d of the cover 32.

A push button 39 is slidably inserted into the push button insertion hole 36 of the upper surface 32e of the cover 32.
The lower end of the push button 39 is in contact with the movable contact piece 40 of the switching mechanism 30.

The microswitch A configured as described above is mounted on a substrate C-1 as shown in FIG. In this case, the board contact portion 34 contacts the mounting surface C1-1 of the board C-1, but the lower edges 37 of the left and right faces 32a and 32b of the cover 32 are attached to the mounting face C1-1 of the board C-1. Not in contact with

[0008]

However, in the above-described microswitch having the conventional switch structure, the locking means (snap-fit means) for locking the cover 32 to the base 31 in a detachable manner is provided by the switch. In front of the body,
Since an external force acts on the front portion 31c side of the switch main body because the rear portions 31c and 31d are arranged at the center of the rear portions 31c and 31d, the locking projections 33 are locked in the locking holes 35 by the front locking means. However, in the rear locking means, the locking holes 3
There was a risk that the locking projection 33 would come off from the fifth.

When the size L of the switch body in the front-rear direction is to be made small (narrow), the base 31 has
Due to the movable portion of the switching mechanism 30, the dimension of the base 31 in the front-rear direction cannot be reduced.
c, 31d had to be made thinner. However, when the thickness of the front and rear surfaces 31c and 31d of the cover 32 is reduced, the presence of the locking holes 35 weakens the stress and shortens the service life.

In the cover 32, a locking hole 35 is provided.
Are formed on the front and rear surfaces 31c and 31d of the cover 32, and since there is no groove for punching, four molds are required for molding the cover 32. Drilling must be performed, and the mold structure becomes complicated,
In addition to the high manufacturing cost, there is a problem that the efficiency of the case forming operation cannot be increased.

The microswitch A is mounted on a substrate C-1 as shown in FIG. 11, and in this case, in the microswitch A, the substrate contact portion 34 is mounted on the substrate C-1.
-1 only comes into contact with the mounting surface C1-1. Further, since the position of the push button 39 is not at the center of the switch body but is deviated to the left side, when the push button 39 is pressed, an eccentric load is generated, the eccentric load cannot be received, and the mounting strength of the cover 32 is not increased. There is a problem that it cannot be improved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make the size L of the switch body in the front-rear direction small (narrow) so that the size can be reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure capable of simplifying a mold structure for forming a cover and reducing manufacturing costs as well as improving cover mounting strength.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a switch structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a base having a switching mechanism, and a cover which is detachably engaged with the base. A switch body for operating the switching mechanism section by operating a push button, wherein a locking means for removably locking the cover to the base is provided on the switch body. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position not adjacent to the movable part.

[0014] With this configuration, the locking means is arranged in a portion of the switch main body that is not adjacent to the movable portion of the switching mechanism, so that there is no mechanical portion in this portion, and the installation space for the locking means is easy to take. Accordingly, even when an external force acts on the front side of the switch body, the locking means does not release the locked state, and the cover does not come off the base. , Also, even if the thickness of the front and rear parts of the cover is reduced,
Since there are no locking holes in the front and rear surfaces of the cover, the cover is not weakened in terms of stress, so that the life of the cover is not affected. Therefore, the dimension L of the switch body in the front-rear direction can be reduced (narrowed), and the size of the switch structure can be reduced.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch structure including a base having a switching mechanism and a cover which is detachably engaged with the base. In the switch structure for operating the switching mechanism by operating a push button, a locking means for removably locking the cover to the base is adjacent to a movable portion of the switching mechanism of the switch body. It is characterized by being arranged at both ends which do not.

With this configuration, the locking means is disposed at both ends of the switch main body that are not adjacent to the movable portion of the switching mechanism, so that even when an external force acts on the front side of the switch main body, the locking means can be engaged. The stopping means does not release the locked state, so that the cover does not come off the base, and the front of the cover,
Even if the thickness of the rear surface portion is reduced, since there are no locking holes in front and rear portions of the cover, the cover is not weakened in terms of stress, and the life of the cover is not affected. Therefore, the dimension L of the switch body in the front-rear direction can be reduced (narrowed), and the size of the switch structure can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the locking means is locked to the base. A projection is provided so as to protrude, and a locking hole is formed in the cover. The cover is placed on the base and the locking projection is removably locked to the locking hole.

With this configuration, not only can the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned invention of claim 1 be obtained, but also the locking projection can be detachably engaged with the engagement hole by covering the cover with the base. Cover can be attached to the base.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch structure according to the first or second or third aspect, wherein the cover has the locking hole. And at the outer surface side of the cover, from the edge of the locking hole to the edge of the cover, a groove having at least the same width dimension as the locking hole and the same depth as the locking hole. Formed.

According to this configuration, not only the same operation and effect as the operation and effect of the invention according to claim 1 described above can be obtained, but also by using two molds, one mold and the other mold, After injecting the molten resin into the cavity formed by the one and other molds by joining the one and the other molds with their mating surfaces,
This cover can be formed by punching out one mold and the other mold in opposite directions, so that the mold structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The efficiency of the molding operation can be improved.

In order to achieve the above object, a switch structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the switch structure according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect. Edges of both side portions are brought into contact with the board in a state where the switch body is mounted on the board.

With this configuration, not only the same operation and effect as the above-described first embodiment can be obtained, but also the switch body is mounted on the board. In this case, the edge portions on both side surfaces of the cover are provided. Contacts the mounting surface of the substrate. For this reason, the edge portions of both side surfaces of the cover can function as stoppers, and can receive an eccentric load when the push button is pressed, so that the cover mounting strength can be improved.

[0023]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch structure according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the switch structure, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a base and a switching mechanism of the switch structure, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the base and the switching mechanism, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cover of the switch structure, FIG. 7 is a side view of the cover of the switch structure, and FIG. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a cover having a switch structure, and FIG.

The switch body of the microswitch A as an embodiment of the switch structure according to the present invention comprises a base 1 having a switching mechanism B and a cover 2 detachably attached to the base 1. .

The base 1 has left and right sides 1a, 1b, front,
It has a synthetic resin base body 1A having rear surfaces 1c, 1d and upper and lower surfaces 1e, 1f. The front and rear surfaces 1c, 1d of the base body 1A have projecting portions 2 extending to the left and right. And a cover fitting surface portion 3 located above the projecting portion 2, and these cover fitting surface portions 3 are formed on the cover fitting surface portions 3A which are the left and right surface portions 1a and 1b of the base body 1A. It is connected. In the center of the upper edge of the protruding portion 2, a tongue piece inserting portion 2a and a concave portion 2b are formed. Further, mounting holes 4 are formed on the left and right sides of the front and rear surfaces 1c and 1d of the base body 1A so as to be located at the protruding portions 2.

Further, the left and right side portions 1a of the base body 1A,
1b is provided with a locking projection 5 projecting from the center thereof. In addition, a substrate abutting portion 6 protrudes from the lower surface 1f of the base body 1A.

The switching mechanism B includes a common terminal 7, a fixed terminal 8 having a normally closed fixed contact 8a, a fixed terminal 9 having a normally open fixed contact 9a, and a movable contact 10 at one end. A movable contact piece 11 having the other end portion swingably locked to the first upstanding piece 7a of the common terminal 7;
The common terminal 7, the fixed terminal 8, and the fixed terminal 9 are provided with a snap spring 12 locked over the second standing piece 7b of the common terminal 7 and an intermediate portion of the movable contact piece 11. The lead terminals 7L, 8L, 9L of the common terminal 7, the fixed terminal 8, and the fixed terminal 9 protrude toward the lower surface 1e of the base body 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cover 2 has a cover body 2A made of a synthetic resin having left and right side portions 2a and 2b, front and rear portions 2c and 2d, and an upper surface portion 2e. A tongue 13 is formed in the center of the lower edge of the front and rear surfaces 2c and 2d of the cover body 2A, and a push button insertion hole 14 is formed in the upper surface 2e.

Further, the left and right side portions 2a of the cover body 2A,
The lower portion 15 of the cover 2b is located at the front and rear surfaces 2 of the cover body 2A.
c, 2d extend below the lower edges, and a rectangular locking hole 16 is formed in each of the left and right lower portions 15. Outside the left and right sides 2a and 2b of the cover body 2A, the width of the locking hole 16 extends from the upper edge 17 of the left and right sides 2a and 2b to the upper edge 16a of the locking hole 16. A groove portion (removing groove portion) 18 having the same width as the size is formed.

Then, the cover 2 constructed as described above
Is mounted on the base 1 and detachably attached to the base 1. In this case, the front and rear surfaces 2c, 2c of the cover 2
d fits into the cover fitting surface 3 and the front and rear surfaces 2
The tongue pieces 13 at the lower edges of c and 2d are inserted into the tongue piece insertion part 2a, and the left and right side parts 2a and 2b of the cover 2 are
The cover 2 is fitted to the cover fitting surface 3A, which is the left and right surface portions 1a and 1b of the base body 1A, and the left and right surface portions 2a and 2b of the cover 2.
The locking projections 5 are engaged with the locking holes 16 provided in the base member so as to be detachable. These locking holes 16 together with the locking holes 16 constitute locking means.

The left and right sides 2a, 2b of the cover 2
The lower edge portion 15a protrudes below the lower surface portion 1f of the base body 1A and is located on the same plane as the substrate contact portion 6. Then, the push button insertion hole 1 in the upper surface 2 e of the cover 2
A push button 20, which is an operation button, is slidably inserted in 4, and the lower end of the push button 20 is in contact with the movable contact piece 11 of the switching mechanism B.

The microswitch A constructed as described above is mounted on a substrate C as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the substrate contact portion 6 comes into contact with the mounting surface C1 of the substrate C, and The lower edges 15a of the left and right sides 2a and 2b of the second 2 abut on the mounting surface C1 of the substrate C.

When the push button 20 is pressed, the microswitch A having the above-described structure is used to move the movable contact piece 1.
1, the movable spring 10 is turned on by bringing the movable contact 10 into contact with the fixed contact 9a against the spring force, and the pressing force of the push button 20 is released. The switch is turned off by separating the contact 10 from the fixed contact 9a.

In the switching mechanism B mounted on the base 1 of the microswitch A configured as described above, a movable portion, that is, the push button 20 and the movable contact piece 11 are provided near the center of the base 1. And the snap spring 12 are located, and the left and right portions of the base 1 have no mechanical portion.

The locking means for removably locking the cover 2 to the base 1 is provided on the left and right sides 1a, 1a of the base body 1A.
1b, a locking projection 5 is protruded, and the left and right side portions 2 of the cover 2 are provided.
The cover 2 is formed on the base 1, the locking projection 5 is removably locked in the lock hole 16, and the cover 2 is snap-fitted to the base 1. Even when an external force is applied to the front side by mounting in the state, the left and right locking means keep the locking projections 5 locked in the locking holes 16, and the locking means The state is not released, and the cover 2 does not come off the base 1.

Further, since the locking means for locking the cover 2 to the base 1 so as to be detachable is attached to the left and right sides of the switch body, there are no mechanical parts on the left and right sides of the base 1, and In combination with easy installation space, there are no locking holes in the front and rear portions of the cover 2, and therefore, even if the thickness of the front and rear portions of the cover 2 is reduced, stress is reduced. It does not become weak and does not affect the life of the cover 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the dimension L of the microswitch A in the front-rear direction is small (narrow).
The size of the microswitch A can be reduced.

The microswitch A is mounted on the board C as shown in FIG.
Abuts on the mounting surface C1 of the substrate C.
The lower edge 15a of the right side portions 2a, 2b is the mounting surface C1 of the substrate C.
Abut. For this purpose, the left and right sides 2a of the cover 2
The lower edge portion 15a of the cover 2b can function as a stopper, and can receive an eccentric load when the push button 20 is pressed, so that the mounting strength of the cover 2 can be improved.

In the cover 2, a locking hole 16 is formed in the lower portion 15 of the left and right sides 2a, 2b of the cover body 2A, and the left and right sides 2 of the cover body 2A are formed.
a, 2b, from the upper edge 17 of the left and right side portions 2a, 2b to the upper edge 16a of the locking hole 16, they have the same width and the same size as the locking hole 16. As shown in FIG. 8 (2), the upper die K-1 as one die and the lower die as the other die, as shown in FIG. Using K-2 and upper mold K-
1 and the lower mold K-2 are joined at the mating surface K-3, and after the molten resin is injected into the cavity formed by the upper and lower molds K-1 and K-2, the upper mold K-1 is moved by an arrow. The cover 2 can be formed by moving (cutting out) the lower mold K-2 in the direction U in the direction of arrow D (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow U). Therefore, not only can the mold structure be simplified and the production cost can be reduced, but also the efficiency of the molding operation of the cover 2 can be improved.

[0040]

As described above, according to the switch structure of the present invention, the locking means is disposed at a portion of the switch body that is not adjacent to the movable portion of the switching mechanism. In combination with the absence of a mechanical part and easy installation space for the locking means, the locking means releases the locked state even when an external force acts on the front side of the switch body. Without the cover coming off the base,
Even if the thickness of the front and rear parts of the cover is reduced, there is no locking hole in the front and rear parts of the cover. Disappears. Therefore, the dimension L in the front-rear direction of the switch body can be reduced (narrowed), and the size of the switch structure can be reduced.

According to the switch structure of the present invention, the cover has a locking hole formed in the cover, and the outer surface of the cover extends from the edge of the locking hole to the edge of the cover. Since at least the groove having the same width dimension as the locking hole and the same depth as the locking hole is formed, one and the other molds are used by using two dies of one die and the other die. After joining the molds at the mating surfaces and injecting the molten resin into the cavity formed by the one and the other molds, the one mold and the other mold are punched in opposite directions to form the cover. As a result, the mold structure is simplified, the production cost can be reduced, and the efficiency of the cover forming operation can be increased.

According to the switch structure of the present invention, the switch is mounted on the board. In this case, the edges of both sides of the cover come into contact with the mounting surface of the board. For this reason, the edge portions of both side surfaces of the cover can function as stoppers, and can receive an eccentric load when the push button is pressed, so that the cover mounting strength can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the switch structure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a base and a switching mechanism of the switch structure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the base and a switching mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the base and the switching mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cover having the same switch structure.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a cover having the same switch structure.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of a cover having the same switch structure. (2) is an explanatory diagram of molding of the cover by a mold.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a conventional switch structure.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the switch structure.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the switch structure.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a base and a switching mechanism of the switch structure.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a cover having the same switch structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 1A Base main body 1a Left surface part 1b Right surface part 2 Cover 2a Left surface part 2b Right surface part 5 Locking projection (locking means) 16 Locking hole (locking means) 16a Upper edge 17 Upper edge 18 Groove (for punching) Groove) A Micro switch B Switching mechanism K-1 Upper mold (one mold) K-2 Lower mold (the other mold)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Makino 1005 Iwashiro, Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture OMRON Kurayoshi F-Term Co., Ltd. 5G006 LB03 5G023 AA12 CA41

Claims (5)

[Claims] A base having a switching mechanism;
A switch structure comprising a switch main body comprising a cover detachably engaged with the base and operating the switching mechanism by operating a push button, wherein the cover is detachably engaged with the base. The switch structure, wherein the means is disposed in a portion of the switch body that is not adjacent to a movable portion of the switching mechanism. 2. A base having a switching mechanism,
A switch structure comprising a switch main body having a cover detachably engaged with the base and operating the switching mechanism by operating a push button, wherein the cover is detachably engaged with the base. The switch structure, wherein the means is disposed at both ends of the switch main body which are not adjacent to the movable portion of the switching mechanism. 3. The locking means is configured by projecting a locking projection on the base, forming a locking hole in the cover, and covering the cover with the base to cover the locking hole. The switch structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking projection is removably locked. 4. The locking hole is formed in the cover, and the outer surface of the cover has at least the same width dimension as the locking hole from the edge of the locking hole to the edge of the cover. The switch structure according to claim 1, wherein a groove having the same depth as the locking hole is formed. 5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein edge portions of both side surfaces of the cover come into contact with the board when the switch body is mounted on the board. 5. The switch structure according to 4.